Antoku, born to Taira no Shigemori and a daughter of Emperor Takakura, became the 81st Emperor of Japan at the tender age of two. His accession to the throne was largely influenced by the Taira clan, which had gained considerable power during the late Heian period. Following Emperor Takakura's death in 1180, the Taira family positioned Antoku as a puppet emperor to consolidate their authority. The backdrop of his reign was marked by increasing tension between the Taira and Minamoto clans, which ultimately escalated into the Gempei War, a conflict that would define the era.

As a child emperor, Antoku had no practical power, but his symbolic presence was significant for the Taira clan's supremacy. The war would see both clans struggle for dominance, influencing political alliances and military strategies. The Taira clan, despite their initial successes, faced growing opposition from the Minamoto clan, led by Minamoto no Yoritomo, who emerged as a key figure in Japanese history.

Antoku's reign exemplified the fragility of power in feudal Japan, where young emperors were often manipulated by powerful noble families. His eventual downfall in 1185 during the last stages of the Gempei War marked a pivotal shift in the balance of power, leading to the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate and the end of imperial authority in favor of military leaders.