The Heike Themes

With no doubts, The Tale of the Heike is one of the most influential, well-known and renowned classics in Japanese literature. Initially, the authorship of this work is unknown but it is known that The Tale of the Heike was compiled by blind monks in the mid 13th century. While reading, one may face numerous instances of dharma, the Buddhist law that claims that evil doings in the present will ultimately ruin the future of one's generations. Also, The Tale of the Heike incorporates the Buddhist law of impermanence, specifically, the belief that everything, no matter how mighty it is, is doomed to fall and decay in the future. Concretely, the falling of the power of Heike and overall bad luck of their generation represent the prevailing themes …show more content…
Among the chief themes of the book is the battle between the clans of Heike and Minamoto (Genji), the fate of the Heike family and a number of significant Buddhist principles, including impermanence of all things in the human world and dharma. Mainly, the themes are related to the story's protagonist Heike Kiyomori and how his superior and brutal behavior led him to the rise of power and at the same time produced the basis for his own death and his clan, in particular. The principal theme of impermanence for everything in life and the secondary theme of retribution are actually the themes which unite the general narrative. These themes become obvious in The Tale of the Heike from its well-known opening …show more content…
As the forces of Minamoto approach the capital, the Taira begin to flee the capital as were greatly outnumbered and exhausted from their losses to the Genji. This part signifies the final break of the control and influence the family had previously. Also, their retreat indicates a primary turning point in the struggle with the Genji. Earlier, the Heike had fought in order to save their dominance and honor. However, for now, their struggle marks their need to save their lives. One of the most apparent examples of the Buddhist doctrine of impermanence is shown when Heike nobleman goes to the grave of Shigemori and cries, "Alas! Look at your clan! It has been written since ancient times, ‘All that lives perishes, happiness ends and sorrow comes,’ but never have we witnessed anything like this" (McCullough). It is obvious from the paragraph that the Heike would plausibly experience the fate of all mighty before them, the inevitable collapse of their