[The sound of Gion Shosha's bell...] Let's learn about the charm of "The Tale of the Heike."
[Author] Unknown A military chronicle story set during the Jisho, Juei, and Juei civil wars (1180-1185) at the end of the Heian period, and depicts the rise and fall of the Heike family against the backdrop of a Buddhist view of impermanence. It describes the rise and tyranny of Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181), the raising of an army by the Genji clan, and the end of the Heike clan through various battles.
1)
The Tale of the Heike is a military chronicle famous for its opening line: "The voice of the bell of Gion Temple..." Here, we look at some of the more fascinating aspects of the work, including the author, who remains a mystery, and some of the more saddening episodes.
2)
What comes to mind when you think of phrases you worked hard to memorise at Japanese school? The opening line of The Tale of the Heike, "The voice of the bell of Gion Temple..." is one of them. This opening line, which tells the story of the decline of the once prosperous Heike clan that defeated the Genji clan, is a famous passage that embodies the beauty of the Japanese language.
3)
On the other hand, many probably don't remember much about the main story of The Tale of the Heike, which begins with such a famous sentence. In fact, "The Tale of the Heike" is a fascinating work, filled with everything from the activities of beautiful and incredible women to mysterious episodes of exterminating monsters. This time, we will explore the essence of "The Tale of the Heike" through a synopsis of the story and an introduction to the characters.
4)
Author unknown? Characteristics and secrets of "The Tale of the Heike".
Let's look at the beginning of The Tale of the Heike.
From "The Story of the Heike" Volume 1 "Gion Shosha"
5)
[Modern translation]
Gion Shosha's bell contains the sound of "Shogyo Mujo"; everything in this world constantly changes. The colour of the flowers of the Sala tree shows the truth that no matter how strong someone is, he will always decline. Even though some people prosper in the world and become good at it, their glory does not last long, like a dream on a spring night that is easy to wake up from. Even those who flourish will eventually perish like dust before the wind.
6)
The words "all actions are impermanent" and "those who rise and fall inevitably fall" mentioned in the opening sentence are Buddhist teachings. These words explain the impermanence of this world that no matter how prosperous it is, it will always come to an end.
In the story, Taira no Kiyomori's brother-in-law Tokitada Taira says this:
7)
"The Tale of the Heike" Volume 1 "
[Modern Translation]
Those who are not Heike are not human.
This statement was made because it was the "heyday of the Heike clan" when people close to the Heike family filled positions in the imperial court. The Tale of the Heike is about how the Genji clan eventually cornered the once prosperous Heike line and fell into ruin.
8)
After taking over the country, the Heike family ruled the land. However, the Heike family only lasted for about 20 years. In The Tale of the Heike, the temporary successes of the Heike, amid "all things are impermanent", are portrayed as "the aesthetics of destruction".
9)
The author of "The Tale of the Heike" mentioned in "Tsurezuregusa".
The Tale of the Heike was initially told by biwa masters from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. Biwa priests travelled around the country telling stories to pray for the souls of samurai lost in the fierce conflict between the Heike and Minamoto clans. One of its characteristics is that it is relatively easy to read even in modern times as an ancient text.
10)
It is still unclear who the author of "The Tale of the Heike" is. Various theories have been put forward, but according to "Tsurezuregusa", written by Kaneyoshi Yoshida, the former chief officer of Shinano, Shinano Zenji Yukinaga, this person is said to be the author.
11)
From "Tsurezuregusa" 226th paragraph
[Modern translation]
Yukinaga Nakayama, who was the provincial governor of Shinano (an official in charge of administration in present-day Nagano Prefecture) during the reign of Gotoba-in, was a man who excelled in scholarship. (Omitted)
12)
This Yukinaga wrote "The Tale of the Heike" and taught it to a blind monk named Ibutsu, who told it to him. He was able to write about Sanmon (Mt. Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple) in particular detail. He knows Kuro Hangan (Yoshitsune Minamoto) well and writes about him. The Crowned One (Noriyori MinamotoFrom Nori Minamoto), I probably didn't know much about him, so I left out a lot of things. Since Seibutsu was born in eastern Japan, he probably wrote about the ways of the samurai and archery after asking the samurai for details.
13)
In this way, the Tsurezuregusa contains detailed information about the person who is said to be the author. However, there is no record of Yukinaga Shinano, who is said to have served as the provincial governor of Shinano Province. Furthermore, ``Tsurezuregusa'' was written about 100 years after ``The Tale of the Heike''. There is a possibility that Kaneyoshi Yoshida wrote the information he heard from someone, so it cannot be said with certainty that the former Shinano Tsukasa Yukinaga is the author.
14)
Even if Yukinaga Shinano were the author, it would not be easy for one person to compile the various episodes of the Heike clan, set in different parts of Japan, and write them as an epic story. In addition to non-fiction stories about wars, there are adventure stories about killing monsters. Including such original parts, it is difficult to say that Yukinaga Shinano wrote the Tale of the Heike.
The Tale of the Heike still has many parts shrouded in mystery. Listening to it, it seems like a mysterious work.
[The sound of Gion Shosha's bell...] Let's learn about the charm of "The Tale of the Heike."
https://shosetsu-maru.com/recommended/heike-monogatari
//Postscript//
Q1. Is it fair to be expected to follow laws when we never had a choice or agreed to it?
Would you agree if you lived in a different time and place?
For example, a less just society like Germany during WW2?
I live in Japan today, so I follow the rules of Japanese society.
However, even if we live in a society that is not very fair, such as Germany during WW2, should we still follow society's rules?
->
A1. If I lived in a society that was too unfair, like Germany during World War II, I would try to live as long as possible.
I would try to save my life, even if it meant betraying this country or this society. I might flee the country as quietly and secretly as possible.
In other words, I won't be able to abide by that unreasonable country's rules.
I will not protect it even if it endangers my life.
However, what if that condition is for my family or close friends?
I may have no choice but to do anything for them, no matter how bad things may be for me.
In summary, I found that my opinion changes depending on the situation.
In any case, people always have weaknesses, and if those weaknesses are taken advantage of, any person can be controlled by a strong person.
Can we stand up against such an unjust and powerful force?
It has been repeated over a long period of history.
The opening sentence of Japan's "The Tale of the Heike" is as follows:
The sound of the bell at Gion Shosha echoes the idea that all things are impermanent and that all phenomena in this world are constantly changing.
The colour of the flowers of the Sara tree symbolises the principle that no matter how strong someone is, they will always decline.
Even those who prosper in the world and become good at it do not last forever but are like dreams on a spring night.
Those who are vigorous and fierce will eventually perish like dust blown by the wind.
