A page-turner by Japan's most popular writer of the immediate post-war era! Set in Japan's turbulent 12th century, this fast-paced novel recounts the titanic struggle between two leading Japanese clans--the Heike and the Genji--as they seek to pacify a fractured nation, ultimately turning on each other in their unbridled lust for power. Written by the great Eiji Yoshikawa, this classic work of fiction brings to life the wars, intrigues, feuds and romances surrounding the most dramatic episode in Japanese history. This new edition features a foreword and afterword by historian Alexander Bennett, who explains the backdrop of the novel and its importance as a towering work of modern fiction which sold millions of copies in Japan. Combining raw narrative power, pageantry and poetry, The Heike Story will enthrall readers interested in the drama and spectacle of ancient Japan.