During a critical phase of the Genpei War, Taira no Munemori and his clan faced severe pressure from the Minamoto clan, who were advancing and gaining strength in their pursuit of supremacy. The Taira clan, supported by the young Emperor Antoku, sought safety in western Japan, a strategic location that could provide them with necessary resources and local support. The three sacred treasures—the mirror, the sword, and the jewel—believed to embody the divine right of the emperor, were also taken in their flight, emphasizing their importance in legitimizing the rule of the Taira clan and the young emperor.

The Taira clan's decision to flee highlighted their precarious position in the conflict, pivoting from a dominant power in the Heian period to a retreating faction grappling with potential downfall. Munemori’s leadership during this escape demonstrated both desperation and resilience as they sought to navigate the turbulent waters of political intrigue and warfare. Their retreat represented a significant transition in the power dynamics of Japan, as the Minamoto clan increasingly gained ground and resources amid the chaos of civil war.

While the Taira clan fled, they did so under immense pressure, highlighting not only the individual struggles for power but also the broader context of loyalty, warfare, and the divine rights of rule in Japanese society. This moment served as a turning point for the Taira clan, setting the stage for later conflicts and the eventual rise of the Minamoto clan to power, which would culminate in the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate. Ultimately, the flight of the Taira clan marked a significant decline for their influence and an important shift in Japanese history.