Who was this person?
A late-Heian commander and younger brother of Minamoto no Yoritomo. Known as a child as Ushiwakamaru, he grew up under Fujiwara no Hidehira in Ōshū. He won brilliant victories over the Taira at Ichi-no-Tani, Yashima and Dannoura, but fell out with Yoritomo, was hunted down and died at Koromogawa in Ōshū.
| Name | Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源義経) |
|---|---|
| Born–died | 1159 – 1189 |
| Period | Late Heian |
| Birthplace | Kyoto |
| Also known as | Ushiwakamaru (childhood name), Kurō Hōgan |
| Main achievements |
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Born the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo; his childhood name was Ushiwakamaru and his mother was Tokiwa Gozen. That year his father was defeated in the Heiji Rebellion and lost his life.
His mother Tokiwa fled through the snow with her three small children, but, hearing her own mother had been seized, she gave herself up to the Taira to save the children's lives, it is said. The boys were spared.
Around this time he was placed at Kurama Temple north of Kyoto to train as a monk, but, learning he was a Minamoto, he secretly trained in arms, it is said. Legends of learning swordsmanship from tengu and meeting Benkei at the Gojō Bridge became famous in later tales.
Around this time he slipped away from the temple and, guided by the merchant Kaneuri Kichiji, went to Fujiwara no Hidehira at Hiraizumi in the north, it is said. Hidehira welcomed him warmly and gave him a place to grow up.
Hearing that his brother Yoritomo had risen up, he left Hidehira and hurried to join him. Meeting for the first time at the Kisegawa camp, the brothers are said to have clasped hands and wept.
With his brother Noriyori he defeated Minamoto no Yoshinaka at the Uji River. At Ichi-no-Tani he is said to have routed the Taira with a surprise cavalry charge down a steep cliff. Later he accepted court rank without Yoritomo's permission, angering his brother.
Crossing to Shikoku with a few ships in a storm, he attacked the Taira at Yashima from behind; the tale of the archer Nasu no Yoichi shooting a fan target belongs to this battle. At Dan-no-ura he then destroyed the Taira.
Heading to Kamakura in triumph, he was stopped at Koshigoe and refused entry. He reportedly sent the Koshigoe Letter pleading his loyalty, in vain. Hunted, he parted from his beloved Shizuka Gozen in the mountains of Yoshino.
The captured Shizuka Gozen is said to have danced before Yoritomo and Masako at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, singing of her longing for Yoshitsune. Yoritomo was furious, but Masako interceded, it is said.
Disguised as mountain ascetics, he and his men fled along the Hokuriku road and again sought refuge with Fujiwara no Hidehira at Hiraizumi (year debated). Hidehira sheltered him but died that autumn.
Hidehira's son Yasuhira gave in to Yoritomo's pressure and attacked Yoshitsune at his Koromogawa residence. Yoshitsune took his own life with his wife and child, at 30. Tradition says Benkei died standing. Sympathy for the tragic hero gave rise to the expression "hōgan-biiki" (siding with the underdog).
A. A late-Heian commander and younger brother of Minamoto no Yoritomo. Known as a child as Ushiwakamaru, he grew up under Fujiwara no Hidehira in Ōshū. He won brilliant victories over the Taira at Ichi-no-Tani, Yashima and Dannoura, but fell out with Yoritomo, was hunted down and died at Koromogawa in Ōshū.
A. Period: Late Heian. Born in 1159, died in 1189.
A. Minamoto no Yoshitsune was born in Kyoto.
A. Accepting court rank without Yoritomo’s permission, among other things, is said to have angered his brother. For Yoritomo, who was building a unified warrior order, an independent-minded Yoshitsune had become a risk.
See also: Wikipedia (ja) / Wikipedia (en) / Wikipedia (fr) / Wikipedia (zh) / Wikidata
Follow this life (autoplay)HōnenMinamoto no YoritomoHōjō MasakoShinranHōjō YasutokiDōgenNichirenHōjō Tokimune
People of the Kamakura period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.