During the Genpei War (1180–1185), the retired and cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa supported the Minamoto clan, but got caught up in the internal power struggles.

Yoshinaka attacked the Hōjūjidono (also known as the Hōjūji Palace), set it aflame, killed the defenders, and seized Emperor Go-Shirakawa.

[2] Yoshinaka brutally attacked the emperor's troops in addition to gaining control over Shirakawa's Imperial Prison.

[1] He was opposed by a number of court nobles and warrior monks from Mount Hiei and Miidera,[3] but ultimately made it out of the city victorious, with the cloistered emperor as hostage.

However, at this point, the Minamoto armies, under Yukiie, Yoritomo, Yoshitsune, and Noriyori were surrounding the capital.