Le Taiheiki (Chronique de la grande paix)

Abstract

The emperor Godaigo objected to the decline of the imperial dynasty, triggered the change of traditional notions of virtues and vices, and brought forth a society of “the low over the high,” where some of the faithful warriors dared die for the cause of their overlord on the battlefield, while others, antisocial and apolitical, warriors, and even religious persons, would live a luxurious life in the “vajra” way. Masashige represents the first category, while Tadaaki, Monkuan and Sasaki belong to the second. The government published in vain the “Articles of Admonitions” to do away with those wrong manners and customs and to keep its power unblemished, upholding the imperial authority.