Taira clan

Japanese samurai clan, also known as the Heike. Their origins have been traced to the 9th century. Between 1156 and 1180 they dominated the imperial court but were overthrown by the Minamoto in the Gempei War (1180-85). Their final defeat at the sea battle of Dannoura in 1185 is told in the Tale of Heike, one of the most important literary works of medieval Japan.