Page 61 - History of War - Issue 05-14

MINAMOTO NO YORITOMO MINAMOTO NO YOSHINAKA

THE FOUNDER OF FEUDAL JAPAN SHOGUN BY FORCE
1154-1184
1147-1199 The only shogun in our list to have been

ve been
The only shogun in our list to ha
The founder and first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate,
awarded the title as a result of military
awarded the title as a result of military
Yoritomo reigned between 1192 and 1199. In 1185, the
intimidation, Yoshinaka was the cousin of
intimidation, Yoshinaka was the cousin of
Minamoto family, led by Yoritomo, took over control of Japan
Yoritomo, and his rival during the Gempei War between
after defeating the Taira clan in the Gempei War, leading to his Yoritomo, and his rival during the Gempei War between
the Minamoto and Taira clans. In 1180, he received
the Minamoto and Taira clans. In 1180, he received
establishment as shogun in 1192. His father had previously the call from Prince Mochihito to members of the
the call from Prince Mochihito to members of the
attempted to kill Taira Kiyomoro of the clan in 1159, but failed, which Minamoto clan, to rise up against the Taira.
Minamoto clan, to rise up against the Taira.
led to Yoritomo’s capture and exile to Izu province, where for 20 years Yoshinaka raised an army in Shinano, in
Yoshinaka raised an army in Shinano, in
he trained and developed his skills under Taira surveillance. He central Japan, and conquered the province.
central Japan, and conquered the province.
became a strong, courageous military leader, with the strength of his Despite their rivalry as heads
Despite their rivalry as heads
rule lying in the modern, lord-vassal relationships he established with of the Minamoto clan, he
his followers. In return for their allegiance and military service, accepted Yoritomo as its
Yoritomo provided his leader but was determined
vassals with protection to beat him to Kyoto to
and bestowed new defeat the Taira by himself
lands upon them. This and take control of the
feudal system brought Minamoto. He defeated Taira no
Minamoto. He defeated Taira no
peace and stability to Koremori at the Battle of
Japan after decades of Kurikara Pass and marched
Kurikara Pass and marched
civil war. His system of on Kyoto, at which point the
on Kyoto, at which point the
government and the Taira retreated. However,
way of life he founded when Yoshinaka’s army
would endure until the entered Kyoto, they
Meiji Restoration of ransacked the city,
1868, when imperial causing the Emperor to
rule was consolidated order Yoshinaka to attack the retreating Taira clan. Upon his return,
under Emperor Meiji. he found that the Emperor had sided with Yoritomo. Angered by his
duplicity, Yoshinaka imprisoned the Emperor and forced him to
DID YOU KNOW? bestow upon him the full title of shogun.
Yoritomo killed several of Minamoto no Yoritomo then ordered his DID YOU KNOW?
his eight brothers in fear brothers to track down and kill Yoshinaka. During his final battle,
they might challenge his The shogun fled the city but was captured Yoshinaka had fled to find a
position. After his death and killed by his cousins at the battle of safe spot to commit suicide,
his sons became the Awazu in ¯ Omi Province. but his horse became stuck
second and third shoguns. in a field of mud. He was
found and killed on the spot.
1000 1050 1100 1150 1200 1250
1000 1025 1050 1075 1100 1125 1150 1175 1200 1225 1250

MINAMOTO NO SANETOMO

LAST OF THE MINAMOTO DYNASTY
1192-1219

As the second son and third shogun of the Kamakura
shogunate, Minamoto no Sanetomo was the final head of the
Minamoto clan of Japan. After the murder of his elder brother
on the orders of his grandfather, H¯oj¯o Tokimasa, Sanetomo became
shogun in 1204. However he was never anything more than a puppet
for his mother, Hojo Masako, who used him as a political tool to
further her interests and protect herself. Furthermore, she used
Sanetomo as a pawn in her war with his grandfather, who attempted
to depose his grandson of the shogunate on a number of occasions.
As a result of his elder brother’s murder, Sanetomo would fear for his
life until his eventual demise. Eventually, he lapsed into a period of
inactivity and alcoholism, becoming plagued by the fear of
assassination. On the evening of 13 February
1219, during a snow storm, Sanetomo was DID YOU KNOW?
descending the steps of the Senior Shrine at Sanetomo was famous
for his poetic prowess,
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu in Kanagawa when with his most famous
his nephew attacked and assassinated him. work being the Kinkai
The nephew was beheaded a few hours later waka-shu, 716 poems
for his actions. he wrote between the
ages of 17 and 22.
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