Heike family; Taira clan
Historical term for the Taira clan, a major samurai family in the late Heian period. Often contrasted with 源氏 (Genji).
The conflict between the Heike and the Genji became the subject of many tales.
Abbreviation of 平家物語 (Heike Monogatari), the classic war epic. Used in literary or historical contexts.
See also: 平家物語 (へいけものがたり)
chanting of the Heike Monogatari
Abbreviation of 平家琵琶 (Heike biwa), the musical narrative tradition of chanting the Heike story with biwa accompaniment.
See also: 平家琵琶 (へいけびわ)
"The Tale of the Heike" was passed down by biwa-playing minstrels.
He went to study under a master to learn the chanting of the Heike Monogatari.
The full term for the musical narrative tradition; 平家 is the abbreviation.
源氏 and 平家 were the two great rival clans of the Heian period, traditionally pitted against each other in war and legend.
Standard kanji spelling for the Heike/Taira clan and related historical terms.
From the name of the Taira clan (平) and 家 (family). The reading へいけ is the on'yomi of the kanji.