The Tale of Hōgen
is a Japanese war chronicle or military tale (gunki monogatari) which relates the events and prominent figures of the Hōgen Rebellion. This literary and historical classic is believed to have been completed in the Kamakura period ca. 1320. Its author or authors remain unknown. The events which are recounted in the Hōgen story become a prelude to the story which unfolds in Tale of Heiji. Rivalries As in the Heiji story, multi-level and inter-related rivalries lead to war; and the main characters are presented in traditional status order: Emperors and former Emperors first, Fujiwara ministers second, and Minamoto clan warriors third. 1st level rivalry—a conflict amongst emperors: Cloistered Emperor , 1103-1156 Cloistered Emperor , 1119-1164 Reigning , 1127-1192 2nd level rivalry—a conflict amongst kuge aristocrats, between sons of , 1078-1162 , 1097-1164 , 1120-1156 3rd level rivalry—a conflict amongst (and within) warrior clans, amongst sons of , 1096-1156 Tameyoshi's older sons support Go-Shirakawa Tameyoshi and his younger sons support Sutoku. As in the Heiji story, the narrative structure is divided in three segments: Part 1 introduces the characters and their rivalries. Part 2 relates course of the conflicts. Part 3 explains the tragic consequences. Monogatari historiography The Japanese have developed