Top 10 Fascinating facts about Minamoto no Yoshitsune

Portrait of Minamoto no Yoshitsune by Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Minamoto no Yoshitsune

Minamoto no Yoshitsune was a military commander of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura periods. He was a child to Lady Tokiwa Gozen and Yoshitomo. He was the lastborn as a kid number three to Yoshitomo and Lady Tokiwa.

He led a series of battles during the Genpei War between 1180 and 1185. He helped his half-brother Yoritomo consolidate power in the Taira clan after causing the fall of the Ise-Heishi branch. In the article are the top ten fascinating facts about Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

1. He was born in a leadership family

Apart from the fact that Yoshitsune was the third son Minamoto no Yoshitomo had with Lady Tokiwa, he was the ninth son overall in the old man’s family. He was also the last born.

Minamoto no Yoshitomo was the head of the Minamoto clan. He was also a general of the late Heian period ( The last division of Classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185). His Dhamma name was Shojo Juin. So the foundation of leadership in Yoshitsune was already set by his father.

2. He was a great Japanese Samurai

Samurai were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan. Yoshitsune was considered one of the greatest warriors of his era. He was also the most popular and famous samurai fighter in the history of Japan.

3. He defeated monk Benkei in a duel

Portrait of Minamoto no Yoshitsune – Wikimedia commons

Yoshitsune was a skillful swordsman. To settle a point of honor with the legendary warrior monk Benkei, the two arranged a contest with deadly weapons. Fortunately, Yoshitsune defeated Benkei.

Benkei after the defeat became Yoshitsune’s retainer. The two went to wars together Benkei under Yoshitsune’s command. The two died together at the Siege of Koromogawa. The battle took place during the opening years of the Kamakura period of Japan.

4. He was appointed governor of Iyo

Yoshitsune attack by Taira ghosts by thesandiegomuseumofartcollection – Wikimedia commons

Yoshitsune took part in the Genpei War. The was started in 1180 to 1185. The war was a national civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late-Heian period of Japanese history. The War resulted in the fall of the Taira and the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate.

Yoshitsune joined forces with his brother Yoritomo, head of the Minamoto clan to fight against the Taira Clan. His other brother Noriyori also joined along. Keep in mind that the three brothers had never met then because they were from different biological mothers.

Yoshitsune together with Noriyor defeated the Taira clan in several key battles. Yoshitsune then was given the rank of general. He again defeated the Taira clan in the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani in present-day Kobe.

The battle took place in 1894. Yoshitsune was regarded as a roral servant of the Minamoto clan. He was therefore topped up with man awards together in a gubernatorial seat of Iyo.

5. He fought against his blood brother

After the destruction of Heike, Yoshitsune conflicted with his brother Yoritomo. He fled to Hiraizumi, Mutsu province. This was his second time fleeing from his brother Yoritomo.

In 1185 Yoshtune fled to Kyoto. This after Yoshitsune had secured the imperial authorization to ally with his uncle Minamoto no Yukie. The allied forces between the two were majorly formed to fight against Yoritomo.

6. Yoshitsune was betrayed by the son of a trusted ally

Portrait of Yoshitsune and Benkei by Utagawa Kuniyoshi – Wikimedia commons

During the war with his brother, Yoshitsune took refuge under Fujiwara no Hidera. He lived under his friend’s protection for a long without disturbance. Upon the death of Hidera, his son took a vow to honor his father’s wishes of protecting Yoshitsune.

When Yoritomo learned of Yoshitsune’s whereabouts, he pressured Fujiwara no Yasuhira and threatened him with ambush if Yoshitsune continued to reside under his protection. Yushira finally gave in to the pressures and betrayed Yoshitsune.

Yasuhira surrounded Yoshutsune’s Komorogawa-no-Tachi residence with his troops. He defeated Yoshitune’s retainers because of the small number. Benkei was amongst those who were defeated. He forced Yoshitsune to commit seppuku. Yasuhira sent Yushitsune’s head to Yoritomoas as proof.

7. A legend of Yoshitsune arose after his death

Portrait of Yoshitsune and Benkei by Utagawa Kuniyoshi – Wikimedia commons

The death of Yoshitsune has been shifty. Some accounts such as the Ainu historical accounts claim that he did not commit seppuku, a form of Japanese ritual suicide. The account says that Yoshitsune instead changed his name to Oinakamu after fleeing to Hokkaido.

8. He is a popular figure in Japanese literature

Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s statue by usiwakamaru – Wikimedia commons

Many of the literary pieces that Yoshitsune appears in are legends rather than historical facts. In the 14th century, Yoshitsune was described as a sharp-witted military leader. As people began to know more about him, romantic stories started being told about him. The stories were exclusively about his childhood and his last year.

The legends show Yoshitsune as a great, and virtuous warrior of all times in his career as a warrior. He is brought out to be naive and honorable to all people around him. He was portrayed as a brave and skilled swordsman while he was young.

9. Yoshitsune was taken care of by monks when he was young

At an age of ten, Minamoto no Yoshitsune was placed in the care of monks of Kurama temple, it is now a historic house in Japan that houses the National Treasures of Japan. It is nestled in the Hiei mountains near the capital of Kyoto.

 This is where Minamoto no Yoshitsune was taught swordsmanship and strategy. Because he did not want to convert to a monk, Yoshitsune moved out and followed a gold merchant. The merchant knew his father.

10. Yoshitsune was a loyal man

Yoshitsune had high moral standards and loyalty to the people of the Minamoto clan. He fought life and death against the Taira clan for his people. He also attacked and killed his cousin Minamoto no Yoshinaka.

Yoshinaka was a rival for control of the Minamoto clan. He fought him at the battle of Awazui Ommi province in early 1184. He worked under the order of his brother Minamoto no Yoritomo.

Minamoto no Yoshitsune is true, a legend of all times who is required to be remembered for his remarkable service as a military man of his community. He must have been the role model for warriors of the present generations. He had one wife, Sato Gozen ( She was expectant when they were fleeing from their brother Yoritomo), and a concubine Shizuka Gozen.