was one of the honorary surnames bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period (794–1185 AD) on those of their sons and grandsons who weren't considered eligible for the throne. The Taira were another such offshoot of the imperial dynasty. The Minamoto clan was also called the, using the alternate pronunciation of the Chinese characters for Minamoto (gen) and uji, or family (ji). The first emperor to start granting the name Minamoto was Emperor Saga. Afterwards Emperor Seiwa, Empe… (More on Minamoto)