Translation guide
The Tale of the Heike is a medieval Japanese epic recounting the rise and fall of the Taira clan. In Japanese, it is known as 平家物語 (Heike Monogatari).
平家物語
The Tale of the Heike
Referring to the epic itself
The standard Japanese title for The Tale of the Heike.
平家物語は鎌倉時代に成立した軍記物語です。
The Tale of the Heike is a war tale compiled in the Kamakura period.
Often used as an abbreviation in contexts where the work is clearly understood.
平家を原文で読むのは難しい。
Reading the Heike in the original is difficult.
Referring to the oral performance or musical recitation of the tale
The musical narrative tradition of chanting the Heike Monogatari with biwa accompaniment.
平曲は琵琶の伴奏で語られる。
Heikyoku is chanted with biwa accompaniment.
Specifically refers to the biwa music used in the performance of the Heike Monogatari.
Referring to the Taira clan itself, not the tale
The Taira clan, also known as the Heike. Note that this can refer to the clan or the tale depending on context.
平家は源氏に滅ぼされた。
The Heike were destroyed by the Genji.
Another reading for the Taira clan, often used in historical contexts.
平氏の繁栄は短かった。
The prosperity of the Taira clan was short-lived.
The English title 'The Tale of the Heike' is a fixed translation. Do not attempt to translate it word-for-word into Japanese; always use 平家物語.
彼は平家琵琶の名手だ。
He is a master of Heike biwa.