On February 7, 1184, in the third year of the Juei era, the scene was set in Ichinotani, Settsu Province.
By the seaside, defeated Taira warriors were trying to board ships.
Both the eastern Ikuta Forest and the western Ichinotani were under attack by the Genji forces. The mountain-side positions had been breached, and the Taira troops were fleeing to the sea one after another.
Among them was Taira no Moromori, the Governor of Bitchu.
He was the grandson of Taira no Kiyomori and the son of the Minister of the Interior, Taira no Shigemori.
According to “The Tale of the Heike,” Volume Nine, “The Flight,” Moromori attempted to escape to the open sea with his retainers in a small boat.
There were seven people aboard, including master and servants.
At that moment, a lone warrior came galloping from the shore.
It was Kiyoe no Ason Kimitaka.
He was a samurai who served Taira no Tomomori.
Kimitaka spotted Moromori’s boat and reportedly shouted to be taken aboard.
Moromori had the boat brought closer to the shore.
However, Kimitaka was a large man.
Wearing armor, he attempted to leap from his horse onto the small boat.
At that moment, the boat capsized.
Moromori was thrown into the sea.
Genji warriors spotted Moromori as he bobbed up and down in the waves.
It was Honda Jiro, a retainer of Hatakeyama.
Honda Jiro led fourteen or fifteen horsemen to the scene and dismounted.
Using a rake, he pulled Moromori closer.
“The Tale of the Heike” records that Moromori’s head was taken then and there.
“He was said to be fourteen years old.”
It is said he was fourteen by traditional Japanese age reckoning.
However, there are differing accounts of Moromori’s age. Other sources suggest he was 16, 17, or 18, indicating he might have been older.
A few days earlier, Moromori had been at Mikusayama, facing off against Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s forces alongside his brothers.
However, a night attack led to the Taira forces’ retreat.
Sanemori, Arimori, and Tadafusa crossed from Harima Province’s Takasago to Yashima by ship.
Moromori alone, with his retainers, headed to Ichinotani.
There, he faced another attack from the Genji forces.
Just a few days after the defeat at Mikusayama.
Shigemori lost his life by the seaside at Ichinotani.
Meanwhile, a figure said to be Shigemori’s child lived on in Kyoto after the fall of the Taira clan.
Genchi.
He later became a prominent disciple of Honen and was entrusted with the “Ichimai Kishomon,” a significant Buddhist text.
Genchi, raised by his mother as a child of Taira lineage, eventually joined Honen’s school and became a proponent of the Nembutsu teachings for future generations.
The Son of Taira no Shigemori—Conflicting Theories on Birth Year and Sibling Order
Taira no Shigemori was born as the son of Taira no Shigemori.
His grandfather was Taira no Kiyomori.
His father, Shigemori, was Kiyomori’s eldest son, who fought in the Hogen Rebellion and the Heiji Rebellion and rose to the rank of Minister of the Interior at the court.
Shigemori is generally considered the fifth son of Shigemori.
His brothers included Koremori, Sukemori, Kiyotsune, and Arimori. Tadafusa was also a son of Shigemori.
However, there are discrepancies in ancient genealogies regarding Shigemori’s birth order.
In the “Heike Monogatari” Kakuichibon, Shigemori is treated as Shigemori’s youngest child.
On the other hand, some genealogies place Shigemori after Kiyotsune, with the order relative to Arimori and Tadafusa being inconsistent.
There are also differing accounts of his age at death.
The Kakuichibon records Shigemori’s end at Ichinotani as being at the age of 14 by traditional counting, which would place his birth around the first year of the Jisho era (1171).
However, other sources claim he was 16, 17, or 18 years old.
Furthermore, Shigemori was appointed as Governor of Tango Province in the third year of the Jisho era (1173) and played the sho at a court celebration in the second year of the Angen era (1176).
These records are crucial clues in considering Shigemori’s age.
Recent genealogical studies suggest that Shigemori may have been older than described in the Kakuichibon and possibly born before Arimori.
It was not uncommon for young Taira nobles to be granted official ranks early in life. Nonetheless, the issues surrounding Shigemori’s birth order and age cannot be resolved by genealogies alone.
Shigemori’s name appeared in court records about a decade before his death at Ichinotani.
Was His Mother Fujiwara no Tsunekiko?—Questions Raised by Court Mourning Records
There is a theory that the mother of Moromori was Fujiwara no Tsunekiko, the principal wife of Taira no Shigemori.
Tsunekiko was the daughter of Fujiwara no Ienari and was also considered the adopted daughter of Fujiwara no Kyoshu.
She served as the wet nurse to Emperor Takakura and became a court lady.
She is also said to be the mother of Kiyotsune, Arimori, and Tadachika.
Some genealogies, such as those in the Enkyobon Heike Monogatari lineage, also list Moromori as Tsunekiko’s child.
However, older genealogies exist that do not mention the name of Moromori’s mother.
In considering this issue, the court records from Angen 2 (1176) are noteworthy.
On February 24 of the same year, the mother of Fujiwara no Narichika passed away.
Narichika was Tsunekiko’s brother, making him the maternal uncle to Kiyotsune.
Close relatives were to mourn, and adjustments were made for participants in the dance performance celebrating the fiftieth birthday of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
According to the “Diary of Lord Sadanobu,” Kiyotsune and others refrained from participating as dancers due to mourning.
Meanwhile, Moromori participated as a musician playing the sho.
This difference in treatment suggests the possibility that Moromori had a different mother from Kiyotsune.
Genealogies that list Fujiwara no Tsunekiko as the mother and the court mourning records.
When comparing both, it is difficult to definitively determine Moromori’s mother.
However, records from the time confirm that Moromori held an official position at court as Shigemori’s son.
Jōan 3—Moromori Becomes Governor of Tango
Jōan 3 (1173).
Moromori was appointed as the governor of Tango.
Tango Province corresponds to the northern part of present-day Kyoto Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan.
It was relatively close to Kyoto and served as a key transportation hub connecting to Wakasa and Tajima.
Appointments of provincial governors were made during the court’s selection process.
Records indicate that Moromori replaced his predecessor as the governor of Tango.
At this time, his father Shigemori held a high position at court, and his grandfather Kiyomori wielded significant political influence.
The children of the Taira clan were appointed to provincial offices from a young age, establishing the clan’s economic foundation through their domains.
Moromori’s appointment as governor of Tango was a part of these historical events.
However, there are no records indicating that Moromori actually traveled to Tango to perform his duties there.
It was common for the sons of powerful nobles and warriors to hold the title of provincial governor while remaining in Kyoto.
It is believed that Moromori lived as a court official in the capital.
And in Angen 2, he participated in the grand event celebrating the fiftieth birthday of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
The Fiftieth Birthday Celebration of Go-Shirakawa—Moromori Plays the Sho
March, 1176 (Angen 2).
A grand banquet was held to celebrate the fiftieth birthday of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
From March 4th to 6th, Emperor Takakura visited the Hojuji Palace, where traditional court music and dance performances were showcased.
Many members of the Taira clan attended this celebration.
Taira no Shigemori, Munemori, Tomomori, and Shigehira were present, with the young nobles playing instruments and performing dances.
Particularly famous was Taira no Korehira‘s “Seigaiha” dance.
Korehira, Shigemori’s eldest son, participated as a dancer and was praised by the court for his performance.
Moromori was also involved in this celebration.
At the time, his official position was Governor of Tango.
The “Angen Goki” records Moromori’s name as one of the musicians responsible for playing the sho.
The sho is a traditional court music instrument made of bundled bamboo pipes.
When air is blown into it, multiple notes resonate together, adding a unique sound to the ensemble.
Along with flutes, hichiriki, biwa, and koto, it was an indispensable instrument in court music.
Moromori was a figure who participated in such musical gatherings.
Later, Moromori would face the Minamoto forces alongside his brothers at Mikusayama, but at this time, he was serving at the court celebrations, playing the sho.
However, the “Angen Goki” contains additions and alterations from various copies, so caution is needed when examining the details of the events.
The record of Moromori’s involvement in court music provides a valuable glimpse into his early life.
From Governor of Wakasa to Governor of Bitchu
January 28, 1178 (Jisho 2).
Moromori was appointed as the Governor of Wakasa.
His appointment is recorded in “Gyokuyo,” the diary of Kujo Kanezane.
Wakasa Province corresponds to the southern part of present-day Fukui Prefecture and had a trade route for transporting marine products to Kyoto.
Following his role as Governor of Tango, Moromori served as a provincial governor on the Sea of Japan side.
Furthermore, in 1179 (Jisho 3), his name appears as Governor of Bitchu.
Bitchu Province corresponds to the western part of present-day Okayama Prefecture and also faces the Seto Inland Sea.
Moromori held multiple provincial governor positions, including Governor of Tango, Wakasa, and Bitchu.
His brother, Sukemori, advanced through positions in the Konoe Office to become Kurando no To, while Kiyotsune and Arimori also rose as military officials in the Konoe Office.
Moromori was notable for his career as a provincial governor.
In the later “Heike Monogatari,” Moromori is referred to as “Governor of Bitchu Moromori.”
This title remains in the scenes depicting his final moments at Ichinotani.
There is little record of what administrative duties Shigemori undertook in these regions.
However, it is confirmed that he held official positions at the court and participated in court ceremonies.
His father, Shigemori, who had supported this lifestyle, passed away in July of the third year of Jisho.
The Death of His Father Shigemori—Changes Surrounding the Komatsu Family
July 29, 1179 (Jisho 3).
Taira no Shigemori passed away.
He was 42 years old.
Shigemori was the eldest son of Kiyomori and was regarded as his successor.
He had a deep relationship with Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and was involved in political mediation between Kiyomori and the Retired Emperor.
With Shigemori’s death, the position of the Komatsu family changed.
His eldest son, Koremori, was now in a position to inherit his father’s household.
However, the political center of the entire Taira clan became Shigemori’s younger brother, Taira no Munemori.
Munemori was the son of Kiyomori’s principal wife, Taira no Tokiko, and was also the brother of Takakura Emperor’s consort, Tokuko.
He had strong ties to the imperial family and held a high position at the court.
In November of the same year, Kiyomori led his forces into Kyoto and confined Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa at the Toba Palace.
This was known as the Political Upheaval of the Third Year of Jisho.
In the following year, Jisho 4 (1180), Prince Mochihito and Minamoto no Yorimasa raised an army to overthrow the Taira clan.
In August, Minamoto no Yoritomo also raised an army in Izu.
Koremori became the commander of the punitive expedition to the eastern provinces, but his forces collapsed at the Fuji River and he retreated to Kyoto.
Furthermore, in the intercalary second month of Jisho 5 (1181), Kiyomori passed away.
With the successive losses of Shigemori and Kiyomori, the Taira clan, led by Munemori, had to deal with uprisings across the land.
During this period, there are few detailed records of the military activities conducted by Moromori.
However, in 1183, when the Taira forces suffered a major defeat in the Hokuriku region, Moromori, along with his family, had to leave Kyoto.
July 1183—Moromori Leaves the Capital
May 1183.
The punitive expedition led by Taira no Korehira suffered a crushing defeat at Kurikara Pass against Minamoto no Yoshinaka.
In the subsequent Battle of Shinohara, they were defeated again, and Yoshinaka’s forces advanced toward Kyoto.
Even Enryaku-ji Temple refused to cooperate with the Taira, making it difficult to defend the capital.
On the night of July 24 to the early hours of July 25, Emperor Go-Shirakawa fled Kyoto and moved to Mount Hiei.
Munemori abandoned the defense of the capital.
July 25.
The Taira clan, escorting Emperor Antoku and the Imperial Regalia, headed west.
Moromori also left Kyoto with his brothers.
The “Tale of the Heike” describes how his brother Korehira lamented parting with his wife and children.
Sanemori also bid farewell to Kenreimon-in no Ukyodaibu, with whom he was close.
On the other hand, there is no record of whom Moromori met or what he said before leaving the capital.
Moromori, who played the sho at court and held positions such as Governor of Tango and Wakasa, followed the clan escorting Emperor Antoku.
The Taira moved through Fukuhara towards the Seto Inland Sea, aiming for a resurgence in Kyushu.
However, Ogata no Koreyoshi rebelled, forcing them to retreat from Dazaifu.
Ogata was a warrior who had once served Moromori’s father, Shigemori.
After moving along the coast of Kyushu, the Taira returned to the Seto Inland Sea.
During this retreat, it is said that Kiyotsune drowned in the sea.
According to the “Tale of the Heike,” Kiyotsune, despairing over the fate of the clan, played a flute under the moonlight at Yanagigaura in Buzen Province before taking his own life.
Even after Kiyotsune’s death, the Taira continued to fight.
In the intercalary tenth month of 1183, they defeated Minamoto no Yoshinaka’s forces at Mizushima in Bitchu Province, and in November, they won against the forces of Minamoto no Yukie at Muroyama.
In the following year, in the first month, they advanced again around Fukuhara.
Moromori also joined this counteroffensive.
The Counterattack on Fukuhara—The Taira Forces Defend Ichinotani
January, 1184.
The Taira clan advanced their forces from Yashima in Sanuki Province and moved into the area around Fukuhara in Settsu Province.
Fukuhara was the place where Taira no Kiyomori had developed the port of Owada and had temporarily established the capital.
The Taira set up their positions at Ichinotani and Ikuta Forest, preparing for the advance of the Minamoto forces.
Meanwhile, in Kyoto, Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka) had been defeated by the forces of Minamoto no Noriyori and Minamoto no Yoshitsune and was killed in action at Awazu in Omi Province.
Having defeated Yoshinaka, Noriyori and Yoshitsune then turned their attention to pursuing the Taira.
Noriyori led the main forces, while Yoshitsune took a flanking route.
The Taira fortified the Ikuta Forest area against Noriyori’s forces approaching from the east.
At the same time, they deployed another force to block Yoshitsune’s army advancing through the mountain paths from the Tanba region.
According to “The Tale of the Heike,” the commanders included the sons of Taira no Shigemori.
These were Sukemori, Arimori, Tadanobu, and Morimasa.
Additionally, the samurai commanders Taira no Naikei and Ebi Jiro Morikata accompanied them.
Morimasa, along with his brothers, was tasked with defending the mountain path against Yoshitsune’s forces.
The battlefield was Mikusayama.
Mikusayama—Shigemori’s Sons Take Position
“The Tale of the Heike,” Volume Nine, “The Battle of Mikusa.”
The Taira commander was Komatsu Shin Sanmi Chujo Sukemori.
Arimori, Tadanobu, and Morimasa also joined the forces.
“The Tale of the Heike” records their strength as over three thousand horsemen.
On the other hand, “The Azuma Kagami” states it was over seven thousand, indicating a discrepancy in numbers.
There are also differing accounts regarding the location of the battlefield.
Commonly known as the historic battlefield is Mikusayama, located in present-day Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture.
However, “The Azuma Kagami” describes Mikusayama as a mountain in Settsu Province, leading to a theory that the battlefield was near the border of present-day Inagawa Town and Nose Town.
Research continues on the actual mountain path taken by Yoshitsune’s forces, considering both geography and historical records.
According to “The Tale of the Heike,” the Taira forces set up camp on the western side of Mikusayama.
Yoshitsune’s forces arrived at Onobara on the eastern side, closing in to within about three ri of the Taira camp.
As night fell, Yoshitsune consulted with the samurai commander Doi Sanehira.
Should they attack tonight?
Or wait until morning?
Tashiro Nobutsuna advised a night attack.
If they waited until morning, the Taira might receive reinforcements. Attacking tonight would be advantageous.
Yoshitsune accepted this advice.
However, the mountain path was dark.
“The Tale of the Heike” describes how Yoshitsune’s forces prepared torches and set fire to nearby houses to light their way.
Using these fires as guides, they crossed the mountain and approached the Taira camp by midnight.
The depiction of setting fire to houses is a narrative from the war tales, making it difficult to reconstruct the actual details of the night march.
Nevertheless, “The Azuma Kagami” also recounts that the Taira forces were routed by the night attack.
The Sleeping Soldiers: Yoshitsune’s Night Raid
The Taira forces did not anticipate an attack that night.
According to the Tale of the Heike, they believed the battle would commence the following morning and had allowed their soldiers to rest.
The vanguard remained vigilant.
However, in the rear ranks, some soldiers were found sleeping with their helmets, armor sleeves, and quivers as pillows.
In the dead of night.
A war cry echoed from the base of the mountain.
It was Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s forces launching an attack.
The Taira were thrown into confusion by the sudden assault.
Those who grabbed their bows couldn’t find arrows, and those who had arrows scrambled to locate their bows.
At that moment, Minamoto cavalry charged in.
Fearing the trampling horses, the Taira soldiers left the center of their camp open.
The Minamoto forces dashed through this gap, causing the Taira formation to collapse.
Yoshitsune’s army pursued the fleeing soldiers.
The Tale of the Heike claims over 500 were killed, though the exact losses remain unknown.
The forces under Tomomori were routed by this night raid.
During their retreat, Moromori became separated from his brothers.
The Brothers Flee to Takasago: Moromori Alone to Ichi-no-Tani
Defeated at Mikusayama, the Taira forces sought different escape routes.
The commander, Tomomori, headed towards Takasago in Harima Province with Arimori and Tadafusa.
Takasago is a port facing the Harima Sea.
The three reportedly boarded a small boat there and crossed to Yashima in Sanuki Province.
Meanwhile, Moromori took a different path.
The Tale of the Heike wonders why Moromori became separated.
The chaos of the night raid might have prevented him from reuniting with his brothers.
Moromori, accompanied by Taira no Heihyo Kiyoka and Ebi Jiro Morikata, headed for Ichi-no-Tani.
Both were samurai commanders noted for their roles at Mikusayama.
Tomomori, Arimori, and Tadafusa went to Yashima.
Moromori to Ichi-no-Tani.
Ichi-no-Tani was where the main Taira forces were stationed.
Moromori might have intended to regroup with his clan’s forces there.
However, Yoshitsune’s army, having broken through Mikusayama, was also heading to Ichi-no-Tani.
Moromori would face the Minamoto forces’ attack again in a few days.
February 7: The Minamoto Forces Attack Ichi-no-Tani
On February 7, 1184.
The forces of Minamoto no Noriyori and Yoshitsune attacked the Taira forces around Fukuhara in Settsu Province.
This is the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani.
Noriyori’s forces attacked from the direction of Ikuta Forest, while Yoshitsune’s troops circled around to the mountainside.
According to the Azuma Kagami, Yoshitsune led a small group of brave warriors to the rear mountain of Ichi-no-Tani and launched an attack from a steep slope.
The Taira forces were attacked from both east and west, and their camps were broken at various points.
Warriors of the Taira clan, such as Taira no Tomomori, Taira no Tadanori, Taira no Atsumori, and Taira no Tsunemasa, were killed in action one after another.
Taira no Shigehira was captured.
Moreover, the governor of Bitchu, Moromori, also lost his life in this battle.
Just days earlier, Moromori had been at Mikusayama with his brothers, preparing to confront Yoshitsune’s forces.
After a night attack, they retreated to Ichi-no-Tani, only to be attacked again by the Genji forces.
As the Taira camp fell apart, Moromori attempted to flee to the sea.
The Heike Monogatari provides a detailed account of what happened at that time.
A Small Boat with Seven Retainers—Moromori’s Attempt to Save Kiminaga
From the ninth volume of the Heike Monogatari, “The Fall of Ichi-no-Tani”.
This section describes the final moments of the Taira warriors defeated at Ichi-no-Tani.
Moromori appears at the beginning of this account.
He was aboard a small boat with seven retainers.
The Taira were able to retreat to Yashima using the Seto Inland Sea route.
It is believed that Moromori also intended to escape westward by boat.
At that moment, a lone warrior came running from the shore.
Kiyoeimon no Kami Kiminaga.
He was a retainer serving Taira no Tomomori.
Kiminaga spotted Shimomori’s small boat and called out to be taken aboard.
Shimomori brought the boat closer to the shore.
It seemed Kiminaga was also trying to escape the Genji forces.
However, Kiminaga was a large man clad in armor.
He attempted to leap from his horse onto the small boat.
The weight caused the boat to capsize.
Shimomori was also thrown into the sea.
The small boat, intended to carry an ally warrior, overturned at the shore.
The “Heike Monogatari” also records what happened after this accident.
Shimomori Drifting in the Sea—Captured with a Rake
Shimomori was said to be drifting in the waves.
The fate of the other retainers aboard the capsized boat is not detailed.
Genji warriors spotted Shimomori in the sea from the shore.
Hatakeyama’s retainer, Honda Jiro.
He was accompanied by fourteen or fifteen horsemen.
Honda Jiro dismounted.
Using a rake, he pulled Shimomori closer.
The rake, a tool with a hook at the end of a long handle, was used in battle to catch and pull enemies.
Shimomori was dragged out of the sea.
And according to the “Heike Monogatari,” he was beheaded by Honda Jiro.
At Mikusayama, he and his brothers were attacked in a night raid by Yoshitsune’s forces.
Separated from his brothers during the retreat, he returned to Ichinotani.
However, Ichinotani also came under attack by Genji forces, and the small boat he tried to escape on capsized.
The “Heike Monogatari” depicts Shimomori’s final moments in this way.
It records his age as fourteen.
However, the “Azuma Kagami” does not mention the capsizing or the rake capture scene.
Instead, it lists a different name.
Yasuda Yoshisada.
The “Azuma Kagami” Record—Yasuda Yoshisada’s Forces
The “Azuma Kagami” entry for February 7, Juei 3, lists the names of the Taira clan warriors who were killed at Ichinotani.
Shimomori was among them.
According to the same book, Taira no Tsunemasa, Taira no Noritsune, and Taira no Moromori were killed by the forces of Yasuda Yoshisada, the governor of Tōtōmi.
Yasuda Yoshisada was a warrior of the Kai Genji clan and had participated in various battles under Minamoto no Yoritomo.
He also led troops for the Genji at Ichinotani.
On February 15, a victory report sent to Kamakura noted that Moromori was killed by Yasuda Yoshisada’s forces.
In the “Heike Monogatari,” he is referred to as Honda Jirō.
In the “Azuma Kagami,” it is Yasuda Yoshisada’s forces.
There are discrepancies in the records.
However, it is possible that the name of the warrior who actually took the head and the name of the commander who led the forces were transmitted separately.
The “Azuma Kagami” is a historical record compiled in the late Kamakura period and incorporates records and traditions concerning military achievements.
On the other hand, the “Heike Monogatari” is a war tale that depicts the final moments of individuals in dramatic scenes.
The “Azuma Kagami” also records the death of Taira no Noritsune, but in the “Heike Monogatari,” Noritsune continues to fight until Dan-no-ura.
Such differences remain regarding those who died at Ichinotani.
The incident of Moromori’s small boat capsizing is a story passed down through the “Heike Monogatari.”
What both books agree on is that Moromori lost his life at Ichinotani.
The Yajōgawara—The Display of Moromori’s Head in Kyoto
February 13, Juei 3 (1184).
The Genji forces displayed the heads of the Taira clan members they had killed at Ichinotani in Kyoto.
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” the heads were first gathered at the residence of Yoshitsune at Rokujō Muromachi.
Taira no Moromori.
Other names recorded include Chikanao, Tsunetoshi, Nariyori, and Moritoshi.
The heads were taken to Hachijo Riverbank.
They were mounted on long spears and swords, with red tags bearing their names attached.
Afterwards, they were displayed at the prison gate.
According to the ‘Azuma Kagami’, crowds gathered, turning the area into a bustling market-like scene.
Moromori had once participated in the fiftieth birthday celebration of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, playing the shō as the governor of Tango Province.
He was a prominent member of the Taira clan, also appointed as governor of Wakasa and Bitchu Provinces.
Yet now, Moromori’s head was exposed on the riverbank in the capital.
At Ichinotani, many of the Taira clan’s key warriors lost their lives.
Although Sukemori, Arimori, and Tadafusa escaped death by fleeing from Mikusayama to Yashima, Moromori met his end at Ichinotani.
As for Moromori’s age at death, later records offer various figures.
Was He 14? — Divergent Theories on His Age at Death
The ‘Heike Monogatari’ Kakuichibon records Moromori’s age at death as 14.
However, this figure varies across different manuscripts.
The Shibu Kassenjōbon and Bunroku editions state he was 16.
The Hyakunijukubon claims he was 17.
The Nanto edition records him as 18.
Moreover, records show Moromori was appointed governor of Tango in 1173 and participated in Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s fiftieth birthday celebration in 1176.
When these records are considered alongside his age, it suggests he may have been older than the age stated in the Kakuichibon.
Additionally, Minamoto no Satoshi, said to be Moromori’s son, is recorded as being born in the second year of Juei (1183).
If we accept the Kakuichibon’s claim of Moromori being 14 at death, it implies he became a father at the age of 13.
Of course, we cannot judge marriage and childbirth ages of that era by modern standards alone.
However, this age issue is unavoidable when examining father-son relationships and birth years.
Recent research has also been re-evaluating Moromori’s birth order and identifying his mother.
The exact age at which Shigemori died remains uncertain, as his birth year has not been definitively established.
Meanwhile, the tradition that identifies Minamoto no Tomo as Shigemori’s child has been passed down through the history of the Jodo sect.
An important document that records his lineage is the “Illustrated Biography of Honen Shonin.”
Minamoto no Tomo, Said to Be Shigemori’s Child—A Taira Child Protected by His Mother
Minamoto no Tomo is believed to have been born in the second year of Juei (1183).
He later took the name Seikanbo and became a prominent disciple of Honen.
Volume 45 of the “Illustrated Biography of Honen Shonin” records that Minamoto no Tomo was the child of Taira no Shigemori, Governor of Bitchu, and a grandson of Taira no Shigemori.
Furthermore, it describes the situation after the fall of the Taira clan.
It is said that after the Taira clan’s downfall, his mother hid Minamoto no Tomo to protect him from the public eye.
When Shigemori was killed at the Battle of Ichinotani in the third year of Juei (1184), Minamoto no Tomo would have been two years old by traditional age reckoning.
The following year, in the second year of Genryaku (1185), the Taira clan was destroyed at the Battle of Dan-no-ura.
Afterward, the Genji pursued the remaining members of the Taira clan.
Given that he was a grandchild of Kiyomori, it is not surprising that he lived in hiding to avoid public scrutiny.
Details about Minamoto no Tomo’s mother, including her name and background, remain unknown.
However, the “Illustrated Biography of Honen Shonin” tells of how she raised Minamoto no Tomo while protecting him.
This illustrated biography was compiled from the late Kamakura to the early Nanbokucho period, more than a hundred years after Shigemori’s death.
The father-son relationship between Minamoto no Tomo and Shigemori should be considered a tradition based on genealogies and biographies.
Nevertheless, Minamoto no Tomo has been passed down as a child raised with Taira blood.
And in the sixth year of Kenkyu (1195), Minamoto no Tomo was sent to Honen.
The Sixth Year of Kenkyu—Entering Honen’s School
The sixth year of Kenkyu (1195).
Minamoto no Tomo, at the age of thirteen by traditional reckoning, was sent to Honen.
Honen was a monk who studied Tendai teachings at Mount Hiei and later spread the teachings of the exclusive nembutsu.
This teaching involves believing in the original vow of Amida Buddha and chanting “Namu Amida Butsu” to aspire for rebirth in the Pure Land.
According to the “Illustrated Biography of Honen Shonin,” Minamoto no Tomo first became a monk under Jien through Honen’s introduction.
Jien, the brother of Kujo Kanezane, served as the head of the Tendai sect.
He is also known for authoring the historical text “Gukansho.”
After becoming a monk under Jien, Minamoto no Tomo returned to Honen.
His early instruction was overseen by Shinkanbo Kansai.
Kansai was a disciple of Honen, and Minamoto no Tomo learned the teachings of nembutsu under him.
The name Seikanbo is said to be derived from Kansai’s Shinkanbo.
In the second year of Shoji (1200), Kansai passed away.
Afterward, Genchi began to work closely alongside Honen.
According to the ‘Illustrated Biography of Honen Shonin,’ Genchi served Honen for eighteen years.
He joined the community as a young boy and continued his practice by Honen’s side until the latter’s final years.
Eventually, Genchi came to hold a significant position among Honen’s disciples.
The First Year of Genkyu—Signing the ‘Seven-Article Pledge’
The first year of Genkyu (1204).
Honen’s Pure Land sect faced criticism from institutions like Mount Hiei’s Enryakuji Temple.
Some disciples had been criticizing other sects and disregarding religious precepts, which became a problem.
To correct his disciples’ behavior, Honen drafted the ‘Seven-Article Pledge.’
Do not recklessly criticize other sects.
Do not mock those who observe precepts.
Refrain from words and actions that incite conflict.
The disciples pledged to uphold these principles and signed the document.
About 190 names are recorded.
Among them is the name of Genchi.
It is said that Genchi signed fifth, indicating his esteemed position within Honen’s circle.
However, opposition to the exclusive practice of the nembutsu did not subside.
In the second year of Ken’ei (1207), Honen was sentenced to exile.
His disciple Shinran was also exiled to Echigo Province.
This is known as the Ken’ei Persecution.
Genchi is thought to have been involved in efforts to seek Honen’s pardon.
He had connections with court nobles such as the Hamuro family, suggesting he may have lobbied the imperial court.
Honen later moved to Katsuodera Temple in Settsu Province and was allowed to return to Kyoto in the first year of Kenryaku (1211).
However, shortly after returning to the capital, he fell ill.
This was in the first month of the second year of Kenryaku (1212).
In his final days, it is said that an important document was entrusted to Genchi.
The ‘One-Sheet Document’ Bestowed by Honen
The first month of the second year of Kenryaku.
Honen was bedridden.
Genchi, who had served his master for many years, requested that Honen write down the essence of the nembutsu teaching on a single sheet of paper.
In response, Honen is said to have given Genchi the ‘One-Sheet Document.’
In the Jodo sect, this document is revered as a concise and essential expression of Honen’s teachings.
It expounds the teaching of believing in Amida Buddha’s vow, chanting the nembutsu, and aspiring for rebirth in the Pure Land.
It also emphasizes the importance of dedicating oneself to the nembutsu without boasting of scholarly knowledge.
According to the ‘Illustrated Biography of Honen Shonin,’ Honen gave this document to Genchi on the 23rd of the first month.
However, there are multiple versions of the ‘One-Sheet Document,’ and there remains scholarly debate about its creation and the specifics of its bestowal.
Honen passed away on January 25th.
He was 80 years old.
Genchi served his master in his final years and became the inheritor of his teachings.
Later that same year, Genchi created a statue of Amida Buddha.
Inside the statue were the names of tens of thousands of people.
The Amida Buddha Statue Enshrining 46,000 Names
December 24th, Kenryaku 2 (1212).
Genchi created the Amida Buddha statue to express gratitude to Honen.
The statue stands about 99 centimeters tall.
It is a wooden standing statue of Amida Buddha.
It is believed to have been crafted in the workshop of Kaikei, a sculptor from the Kamakura period.
Genchi placed a dedication prayer he wrote himself inside the statue.
Additionally, he included documents listing the names of people who had formed a bond with Buddha through the nembutsu practice.
This list is known as the “Ketsuen Komyo,” a register of names.
The names recorded numbered around 46,000.
They included not only nobles and warriors but people from various walks of life.
Genchi traveled to various places promoting the nembutsu and collected the names of those who formed this bond.
He then enshrined this register inside the statue.
The dedication prayer expressed gratitude to Honen and a wish for many people to attain rebirth in the Pure Land.
This statue was later passed down to Gyokukei-ji Temple in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.
It gained attention during a survey in Showa 49 (1974), and during repairs in Showa 54 (1979), many documents were discovered inside.
Genchi’s handwritten prayer and the extensive “Ketsuen Komyo” became valuable resources for understanding nembutsu faith in the early Kamakura period.
The statue has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Subsequently, it was received by the Jodo sect and deposited at the Kyoto National Museum.
On April 9th, Reiwa 8 (2026), a relocation ceremony was held at Chion-in, the head temple in Kyoto.
Currently, it is enshrined as the principal image in the assembly hall of Chion-in.
The Amida Buddha statue that Genchi created after Honen’s death has, over more than 800 years, been welcomed into the head temple of the Jodo sect.
Bunryaku 1—Genchi’s Guardianship of Honen’s Tomb
Even after Honen’s death, Genchi continued his activities in Kyoto.
Genchi established a base near Murasakino, and his followers came to be known as the Murasakino disciples.
Honen’s disciples spread his teachings across various regions, forming their own schools.
Genchi also inherited his master’s relics and sacred teachings, steadfastly preserving the nembutsu teachings.
Bunryaku 1 (1234).
On the 23rd anniversary of Honen’s death, Genchi is said to have rebuilt Honen’s mausoleum and halls at Otani in Higashiyama.
This is the site that connects to the present-day Chion-in.
At this time, Genchi was 52 years old by traditional count.
Nearly forty years had passed since he joined Honen in Kenkyu 6 (1195).
As a young boy, he became a monk and studied under the teachings of Honen.
He faced the exile of his master and served him in his later years.
After Honen’s passing, he created a statue of Amida Buddha and guided many people to the practice of chanting the nembutsu.
Furthermore, he dedicated himself to maintaining his master’s gravesite and passing on his teachings to future generations.
On December 12, 1238.
Minamoto no Tomochi passed away.
He was 56 years old.
Minamoto no Tomochi, believed to be the son of Moromori who died in battle at Ichinotani, lived for more than fifty years after that conflict.
As a prominent disciple of Honen, Minamoto no Tomochi’s name would be remembered in the history of the Jodo sect.
The Last Days of Taira no Moromori: From a Small Boat at Ichinotani to Chion-in
Taira no Moromori was born as the son of Taira no Shigemori.
He served as the governor of Tango, Wakasa, and Bitchu, and played the flute at the fiftieth birthday celebration of Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
However, his father Shigemori died in 1179, and his grandfather Kiyomori also passed away in 1181.
In July of 1183, during the second year of Juei, Moromori left Kyoto with the Taira clan.
Driven out of Dazaifu in Kyushu, the clan made Yashima their base for a counterattack.
The following February, in the third year of Juei.
Moromori headed to Mikusayama with Sukemori, Arimori, and Tadamune.
However, the Taira forces were defeated in a night attack by Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s army.
Sukemori, Arimori, and Tadamune crossed from Takasago to Yashima.
Only Moromori, accompanied by Hei Naibyo Kiyou and Ebi Jiro Morikata, headed to Ichinotani, as recorded in “The Tale of the Heike.”
On February 7.
Ichinotani was attacked by the Genji forces.
Moromori and seven retainers boarded a small boat, attempting to escape to the sea.
At that moment, Kiyoe Monno Kounaga arrived.
Moromori brought the boat closer to shore to pick up allied warriors.
However, as Kounaga jumped aboard in full armor, the small boat capsized.
Thrown into the sea, Moromori was pulled up with a rake by Honda Jiro and others, and beheaded, as “The Tale of the Heike” recounts.
The “Kakuichibon” records his age at death as 14.
On the other hand, it is suggested that he might have been older in reality.
The “Azuma Kagami” records that Moromori was killed by the forces of Yasuda Yoshisada, and on February 13, his head was displayed at Hachijo Riverbank.
There remain unresolved questions about Moromori’s official career, age, and mother.
And Minamoto no Tomochi, believed to be Moromori’s son, survived even after the fall of the Taira clan.
According to the “Illustrated Biography of Honen Shonin,” Minamoto no Tomochi was raised under his mother’s protection and sent to Honen in the sixth year of Kenkyu.
Later, he was bestowed with the ‘Ichimai Kisho Mon’, and after the death of Honen, he constructed an Amida Nyorai statue that enshrined the names of approximately 46,000 people.
This statue is currently enshrined at Chion-in in Kyoto.
The father-son relationship between Genchi and Moromori has been passed down through later biographies and genealogies.
However, in the history of the Jodo sect, there is a record that Genchi was the son of Moromori, the governor of Bitchu, and thus a grandson of Taira no Shigemori.
At Ichinotani, it is recorded in the ‘Heike Monogatari’ that the small boat Moromori was on capsized.
In Genchi’s biography, it is said that Moromori’s child survived with the protection of his mother and eventually served Honen.
Then, in the second year of Kenryaku, Genchi enshrined the names of tens of thousands of people inside the Amida Nyorai statue.
The prayer text and the list of names have survived for over 800 years to this day.
