Intensified political strife at the Heian court (1177)

Timeline

1. 1177Heian-kyō · KinkiRetired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, deeply dissatisfied with Taira dominance, secretly contacted court nobles such as Fujiwara no Takafusa and Saikō, along with remnant Minamoto forces, to plot the overthrow of the Taira regime. The parties held secret meetings at Shishigatani and elsewhere to discuss armed action, forming two openly opposed factions within the court.
2. 1177Heian-kyō · KinkiAfter the Shishigatani plot was exposed, the Taira carried out a severe purge; Saikō and others were killed and several court nobles were exiled. Although Go-Shirakawa was not directly held accountable, the authority of cloistered rule suffered a setback. The court on the surface returned to calm, but Minamoto-Taira antagonism and noble resentment deepened further.