Minamoto (Genji) · Minamoto (Kawachi Genji)
Minamoto no Yoshitsune
“Kurō Hōgan”
Placed in Kurama temple as the boy Ushiwakamaru, he grew up under the Northern Fujiwara of Ōshū. Rallying to his brother Yoritomo's uprising, he destroyed the Taira in a string of victories: the plunge at Hiyodorigoe, the surprise attack at Yashima and the sea battle at Dan-no-ura. But after the war his quarrel with Yoritomo deepened, over his accepting court rank without permission among other things, and as a fugitive he took his own life at Koromogawa in Ōshū. A tragic hero whose name gave Japanese the phrase "sympathy for the underdog."
- Epithet
- “Kurō Hōgan”
- Rank / office
- Lieutenant of the Left Gate Guards / Imperial Police
- Domain / base
- Commander for Kamakura
- Banner / crest
- Bamboo and gentian
- Side
- Minamoto (Genji)
- Lived
- 1159–1189 (aged 31)
The plunge at Hiyodorigoe: a horse has four legs, and so does a deer.
Attributed to Minamoto no Yoshitsune
Life
- Heiji 1 Birth: Ushiwakamaru Born the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo. His father died in defeat in the Heiji Rebellion, and he was placed in Kurama temple.
- Jishō 4 To Yoritomo Hearing of his brother Yoritomo's uprising, he hurried from Ōshū and met him at the Kise River.
- Genryaku 1 Ichi-no-Tani: Hiyodorigoe With a surprise plunge down the cliff he smashed the Taira position in a single stroke.
- Genryaku 2 Yashima and Dan-no-ura Surprised Yashima and destroyed the Taira in the sea battle at Dan-no-ura, settling the Genpei War.
- Bunji 5 The End at Koromogawa Fleeing Yoritomo to Ōshū, he was attacked by Fujiwara no Yasuhira and took his own life at his residence at Koromogawa.
Battles in this archive3 battles
- Battle of Ichi-no-Tani 7th day of the 2nd month, Juei 3 Ichi-no-Tani, Settsu Province The young genius of the Minamoto who plunged down the cliff at Hiyodorigoe with only seventy riders and struck the Taira headquarters from behind. Watch ▸
- Battle of Yashima 19th day of the 2nd month, Genryaku 2 Yashima, Sanuki Province The Minamoto genius who crossed a storm-tossed sea with only 150 riders and drove the Taira of Yashima out to sea with fire and surprise. The episode of the dropped bow is also famous. Watch ▸
- Battle of Dan-no-ura 24th day of the 3rd month, Genryaku 2 Kanmon Strait, Nagato Province The ruthless order to "shoot the oarsmen" and the eight-boat leap. The Minamoto commander whose unorthodox tactics sent the Taira to the bottom of the sea. Watch ▸
Related sites
- Kurama-dera (Kyoto)
- Takadachi Gikeidō (Hiraizumi)
- Shirahata Shrine (Fujisawa)