Kugyō in the context of "Peerage"

The Taira (平; Japanese pronunciation: [taꜜi.ɾa]) was one of the four most important clans that dominated Japanese politics during the Heian period of Japanese history – the others being the Minamoto, the Fujiwara, and the Tachibana. The clan is divided into four major groups, named after the emperors they descended from: Kanmu Heishi, Ninmyō Heishi, Montoku Heishi, and Kōkō Heishi, the most influential of which was the Kanmu Heishi line.

In the twilight of the Heian period, the Taira controlled the boy emperor Antoku (himself the grandson of the powerful Kugyō Taira no Kiyomori) and had effectively dominated the Imperial capital of Heian. However, they were opposed by their rivals the Minamoto clan (the Genji), which culminated in the Genpei War (1180–1185 AD). The five-year-long war concluded with a decisive Taira defeat in the naval Battle of Dan-no-Ura, which resulted in the deaths of Antoku and Taira leaders. Following the war, the victorious Minamoto established Japan's first shogunate in Kamakura. The name "Genpei" comes from alternate readings of the kanji "Minamoto" (源 Gen) and "Taira" (平 Hei).

Taira no Kiyomori (平 清盛; Japanese pronunciation: [taꜜi.ɾa no | kʲi.joꜜ.mo.ɾʲi], 1118 – March 20, 1181) was a military leader and kugyō of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan.

Konoe Hisamichi (近衛 尚通; 1472 – 1544) was a Japanese kugyō (court noble) of the Muromachi period (1336–1573). He held the regent position of kampaku from 1493 to 1497 and from 1513 to 1514.

Kujō Yukiie (九条 幸家; April 7, 1586 – September 29, 1665), son of regent Kanetaka, was a kugyō or Japanese court noble of the Edo period (1603–1868). His given name was initially忠栄 (Tadahide). He held a regent position kampaku from 1608 to 1612 and from 1619 to 1623. He married Toyotomi Sadako (1592–1658), a daughter of Toyotomi Hidekatsu and Oeyo and adopted daughter of shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada. The couple had, among other children, sons Nijō Yasumichi, Kujō Michifusa, Matsudono Michimoto (1615-1646).