Taira no Takamochi (平高望), born Prince Takamochi (高望王), was a former member of the Imperial Family demoted to nobility of the Heian period. He is the founder of the Taira clan and the Kanmu Heishi lineage of the clan.

Taira no Takamochi
平高望
Born
Prince Takamochi

Unknown
DiedUnknown
NationalityJapanese
Occupation(s)Royal, nobleman, feudal lord
Known forEstablishing the Taira clan

Life edit

Prince Takamochi was born as the son of Prince Takami, the third prince of Prince Kazurawara, and Tachibana no Harunari. Takamochi was the great-grandson of Emperor Kanmu, who reigned from 781 to 806.[1][2]

He was granted the court rank of Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade and served as Vice Governor (suke kokushi) of Kazusa Province.[2]

On May 13, 889, Takamochi was granted the surname Taira, thus establishing the Kanmu Heishi line of the Taira clan. This line proved to be the strongest and most dominant line during the Heian period.[1]

Even after his retirement, he stayed in Kazusa Province and became a powerful figure in the Kantō region as a feudal lord, privately owning vast rice fields.[2]

Genealogy edit

Taira no Korihira, a great grandson of Takamochi, moved to Ise Province (currently part of Mie Prefecture) and established an important Daimyo dynasty.[3]

Later, the Kanmu Heishi lineage had many branches, including Hōjō, Chiba, Miura and Hatakeyama clans.[4][5]

Family edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Varley, H. Paul (1994). Warriors of Japan: As Portrayed in the War Tales. University of Hawaii Press, p. 9. ISBN 9780824816018.
  2. ^ a b c Gibney, Frank (1995). Buritanika kokusai dai hyakka jiten. TBS Buritanika. 平高望. OCLC 55231899.
  3. ^ Zumbo, Daniele (2013). Un vassallo che cercò di espugnare la Dinastia (in Italian). Youcanprint, p. 7. ISBN 9788891113221.
  4. ^ Hiraizumi, Kiyoshi (1997). The Story of Japan: History from the founding of the nation to the height of Fujiwara prosperity. Seisei Kikaku p 5. ISBN 9784916079046.
  5. ^ Zumbo, Daniele (2013). Un vassallo che cercò di espugnare la Dinastia (in Italian). Youcanprint, p. 7. ISBN 9788891113221.