Translation guide
The Tale of the Heike is a medieval Japanese epic recounting the rise and fall of the Taira clan. In Japanese, it is known as 平家物語 (Heike Monogatari).
The Tale of the Heike
Referring to the epic itself
The standard Japanese title for The Tale of the Heike.
The Tale of the Heike is a war tale compiled in the Kamakura period.
Often used as an abbreviation in contexts where the work is clearly understood.
Reading the Heike in the original is difficult.
Referring to the oral performance or musical recitation of the tale
Referring to the Taira clan itself, not the tale
The English title 'The Tale of the Heike' is a fixed translation. Do not attempt to translate it word-for-word into Japanese; always use 平家物語.
彼は平家琵琶の名手だ。
He is a master of Heike biwa.
The prosperity of the Taira clan was short-lived.