THE TALE OF THE HEIKE

Do you know The Tale of The Heike?
It is a well-known epic of Japanese history.
The story is about fighting samurai clans.
The epic is based on real events.
It tells the story of a series of battles in the 12th century between the Heike and Genji clans.
It is a product of the different versions that have been passed down through an oral tradition by biwa-playing bards.
The biwa is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument.
You can see it in this illustration.
Throughout history, the epic has had a profound influence on many aspects of Japanese culture, including literature, drama, poetry, painting and artefacts.
In this talk, I will introduce you to some of the most famous episodes from the tale.
If you're interested, I can explain how you can read the tale in English.
Join us on Zoom for a lively discussion!
We look forward to seeing you there.
(Kiyo)