Military clan also known as the Heike-that dominated Japan from 1159 to 1181. Descended from a branch of the imperial house, the Taira built a military power base in the provinces and became influential at the imperial court in Kyoto in the early 12th century. Between 1156 and 1160 they were involved in two armed conflicts (the Hogen and Heiji wars) which brought the military families into court politics for the first time as power brokers, when power struggles erupted inside the imperial house. In the Heiji war of 1160, Taira Kiyomori, the Taira's greatest leader, crushed his rebellious rivals, the Minamoto family. Having expelled the Minamoto from Kyoto, Taira Kiyomori became prime minister in 1167 and won complete control over the central government, marrying his daughter to the reigning emperor. He put down several revolts against his dictatorial rule, and even moved the imperial court to his own domains, though protests forced him to return it to Kyoto six months later. In 1180 he placed his young grandson on the throne as Emperor Antoku. At the same time, however, the Taira lost their influence among the feudal nobles of the countryside. When Kiyomori died, the Minamoto renewed their struggle with the Taira and drove them from the capital, finally defeating them decisively in the naval battle of Dannoura (1185). Surviving Taira leaders were hunted down, and full military government of Japan was established by Minamoto Yoritomo, the first ruling shogun.