Taira no Tsunemori (平経盛)
TAIRA no Tsunemori (1124 - May 2, 1185) was a warlord in the late Heian era. He was the third son of TAIRA no Tadamori. He was a younger half-brother of TAIRA no Kiyomori. His mother was a daughter of MINAMOTO no Nobumasa, who was governor of Mutsu Province. His sons were TAIRA no Tsunemasa, TAIRA no Tsunetoshi, and TAIRA no Atsumori.
In comparison to his half-brothers, such as TAIRA no Norimori and TAIRA no Yorimori, he was slow to be promoted, and didn't achieve any noteworthy accomplishments in the political arena; however, he was recognized as having the same talent for poetry as his father, Tadamori. He attended a poetry party held at Ninna-ji Temple, which was held by Cloistered Imperial Prince Shukaku, as well as a poetry party at the Imperial Palace held by Emperor Nijo, and he also held his own poetry party. As he had been in the service of the Dowager Empress, FUJIWARA no Tashi, in the Imperial household agency for many years, he had established a close relationships with the main members of the poetry circles, including the Tokudaiji brothers, Sanesada and Saneie (Tashi's brothers), Kojiju no tsubone (Tashi's maid), FUJIWARA no Kiyosuke from the Rokujo-Fujiwara family (Tunemori's superior in the Imperial household agency), and FUJIWARA no Shigeie (the Lord of Justice). From his poems, eleven were selected for inclusion in various Imperial anthologies of waka poems, such as, "Shin Chokusen Wakashu" (New Imperial Collection). There is a collection exclusively of his works entitled, "Collected Poems of Tsunemori."
In March 1185, having suffered defeated in the naval battle at Dannoura, Tsunemori committed suicide, throwing himself into the sea along with his younger brother, Norimori.
Official Career
The year 1150 (27 years old)
The court rank of Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) was conferred on him on July 28.
The year 1156 (33 years old)
He was appointed as Governor of Aki Province on October 10. He was appointed as Perpetual Land Lieutenant Governor of Hitachi Province on October 15.
The year 1157 (34 years old)
The court rank of Jugoinojo (Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade) was conferred on him on December 2. (He built the Shigei sha).
The year 1158 (35 years old)
He resigned as Perpetual Land Lieutenant Governor of Hitachi on September 11.
The year 1159 (36 years old)
He was appointed as Governor of Iga Province on February 13, 1160. (In recognition of his valor in the Heiji Revolt.)
The year 1160 (37 years old)
The court rank of Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) was conferred on him on May 17. (And he was awarded the Kokamonin.)
He was appointed to the post of Taikotaigo gu gon no taishin (Third level official for Empress dowager) on May 21, which he held concurrently with his other posts. He was promted to the court rank of Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) on September 22, (and awarded the Josaimonin).
The year 1161 (38 years old)
He was appointed to the post of Sama no gon no kami on October 12 (after the dismissal of Norimori). He was promoted to the court rank of Jushiinojo (Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade) November 4. He was appointed as Governor of Wakasa Province November 15. He retained the post of Sama no gon no kami.
The year 1162 (39 years old)
He was appointed to the post ofTaikotaigo gu no suke (Deputy minister of the household agency of the Dowager Empress) on September 5. He retained the posts of Sama no gon no kami and Governor of Wakasa Province.
The year 1163 (40 years old)
He was promoted to the court rank of Shoshiinoge (Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) on January 22, 1164.
The year 1165 (42 years old)
He resigned Samagon no kami on January 31, 1166.
The year 1166 (43 years old)
He was reappointed as Governor of Wakasa Province on February 21.
the year 1168 (45 years old)
He was appointed as Interior Administrator on September 22. he retained the posts ofTaikotaigo gu no suke and Governor of Wakasa Province.
The year 1170 (47 years old)
He resigned as Governor of Wakasa Province on February 12. He was appointed as Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank) on February 13, 1171.
The year 1171 (48 years old)
He was appointed to the post of Sanuki gon no kami (supernumerary chief of Sanuki), which he held concurrently with his other posts, on March 3.
the year 1175 (52 years old)
He resigned as Sanuki gon no kami.
the year 1176 (53 years old)
He resigned as Taikotaigo gu no suke on March 24.
The year 1177 (54 years old)
He was promoted to the court rank of Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank) March 3.
The year 1178 (55 years old)
he was appointed t the post ofTaikotaigo gu gon no daibu (Minister of Empress dowager's household agency) February 24.
The year 1179 (56 years old)
He was appointed to the post of Reserve General, which he held concurrently with his other posts, December 24.
The year 1181 (58 years old)
He was appointed to the post of Councilor on January 17, 1182. He retained the posts of Reserve General and Taikotaigo gu gon no daibu.
The year 1182 (59 years old)
He was appointed to the post of Bicchu gon no kami, which he held concurrently with his other posts, on April 19.
The year 1183 (60 years old). He was dismissed from his posts on September 1.