Who is Minamoto no Yoshitsune?
The BasicsMinamoto no Yoshitsune is a famous Genji general from the classic Japanese epic, The Heike Monogatari. He is little brother to Minamoto no Yoritomo, another famous fighter in the Gempei War. His brilliant military strategies bring about many victories against the Taira forces. Unfortunately, the term Hogan-biiki (sympathy for the tragic hero) comes from his title of Hogan because he meets a tragic end after suffering at the hands of Yoritomo.
Brilliant Military StrategiesYoshitsune was known to use tactical decption to achieve victory. Some of these tactics include:
Tragedy After the Gempei WarYoritomo denounces Yoshitsune almost as soon as he returns to Kyoto. This is because Yoritomo had sent warrior Kagetoki to advise Yoshitsune during the war; when he and Yoshitsune did nothing but argue, Kagetoki informed Yoritomo that Yoshitsune was not obeying his orders.
Yoshitsune then returns to Kamakura with the war prisoners, but he is barred from entering the city on Yoritomo's orders. He sends a letter, the Koshigoe Letter, proclaiming his loyalty to the Minamoto clan; however, it falls on deaf ears. After a failed assassination attempt sent by Yoritomo, Yoshitsune and his uncle Yukiie join forces and flee the city. Unfortunately, the two are separated, and Yoshitsune and his few retainers disguise themselves as yamabushi for safety. They are eventually given sanctuary in ruler Fujiwara no Hidehira's mansion in Mutsu until his death. Fujiwara no Hidehira asked his son, Yasuhira, to continue to give them protection, but he soon gives into Yoritomo and attacks. Yoshitsune commits seppuku and his family is killed by his own men. |