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Heike Historical Village

Japan / Tochigi / Nikko / Yunishigawa, 1042
 museum, village, place with historical importance, interesting place, historic site

This is the famous Heike Village is Yunishigawa, Tochigi prefecture.

Heike Village was constructed in 1985 to observe the 800th anniversary of the Tairas’ defeat at the hand of the Minamotos in the Taira-Minamoto War. Several private houses in the village were moved here to reproduce and preserve the lifestyle of the fugitive Heike clan for future generations. Traditional everyday utensils and other items are on display there.
www.tochigiji.or.jp/e-yunisi.html

The original village (one of many) was established by ochimusha (defeated warriors) in the aftermath of the great climactic battle of Dan-no-Ura, chronicled in the Heike Monogatari (The Tale of the Heike).
Following disastrous defeat, surviving Taira clan warriors, their families and other battle stragglers fled for their lives to distant, hidden places and island that they'd known about here and there in central Japan - and likely had kept in mind in case of just such an eventuality - unsettled mountain fastnesses where they would not be found and hunted down, and where their descendants live still.

Genji moved to fight with only samurais However, Heike moved with family bacause of negative turn of events.

Quote:
The Tale of the Heike (平家物語, Heike Monogatari) is an epic account of the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War (1180-1185). Heike (平家) refers to the Taira (平) clan; "hei" being an alternate reading of the kanji (character) for Taira. In terms of the title of the Genpei War, "hei" can be alternatively read as "pei" again and the "gen" (源) is the same kanji used in the Minamoto (also known as Genji) clan's name...

The theme of impermanence (mujō) is captured in the famous opening passage:

The sound of the Gion Shōja bells echoes the impermanence of all things;
the color of the sāla flowers reveals the truth that the prosperous must decline.
The proud do not endure, they are like a dream on a spring night;
the mighty fall at last, they are as dust before the wind.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_the_Heike
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genpei_War

The best time to visit is during the Fugitive Heike Clan Festival from June 5th – 7th. Enjoy some local sake try traditional dishes such as seasonal produce, deer meat, and even bear. The Information Center has several things on display and can answer any questions you might have.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   36°57'41"N   139°35'9"E
This article was last modified 14 years ago