Culture of the late 11th-12th centuries under retired emperors Shirakawa, Toba, and Go-Shirakawa. Built on national culture but infused with dynamic energy from Pure Land Buddhism's rural spread and the rising warrior class. Amida halls proliferated: Byōdō-in Phoenix Hall (1053, Fujiwara no Yorimichi), Chūson-ji Golden Hall (1124, Northern Fujiwara), and Fuki-dera. Picture scrolls flourished: Tale of Genji Scrolls, Shigi-san Engi, Ban Dainagon Ekotoba, and the Chōjū-giga animal caricatures. Go-Shirakawa compiled the imayō song anthology "Ryōjin Hishō." Setsuwa collections like "Konjaku Monogatari" abounded.

1189年、源頼朝が奥州藤原氏を滅ぼした一連の軍事作戦。頼朝の命を拒んで義経をかくまった奥州藤原氏の藤原泰衡を討つことを名目に、頼朝は二十万余騎ともいわれる大軍を率いて奥州に進撃した。藤原泰衡は各地で抵抗したが本拠・平泉を捨てて逃走し、家人に裏切られて殺された。わずか一ヶ月余りで奥州全土が制圧され、百年に及ぶ奥州藤原氏の繁栄は終焉を迎えた。この合戦で頼朝は全国の武士を動員する権威を示し、武家政権の全国支配を確立した。中尊寺金色堂はその栄華の記憶を今に伝える。

Despite being the hero who destroyed the Taira clan, Minamoto no Yoshitsune was hunted by his own brother Yoritomo. After accepting court appointments without Yoritomo's permission, Yoshitsune was branded a traitor. He fled to northern Hiraizumi but was attacked by Fujiwara no Yasuhira after the death of his protector Hidehira. On April 30, 1189, at age 31, Yoshitsune killed his own family and committed suicide at Koromogawa. His tragic life became the archetype of "hōgan-biiki" — sympathy for the underdog.