Winter of 1183.
Kazusa no Hirotsune was killed.
When Minamoto no Yoritomo suffered a crushing defeat at Ishibashiyama and fled to Awa Province, Hirotsune was the warrior who joined him with a large army.
Hirotsune wielded significant power in Kazusa Province and was one of the key figures who led Yoritomo’s uprising to success.
It is said that Hirotsune was killed by the hand of Kajiwara Kagetoki.
This was done under Yoritomo’s orders.
According to the “Gukansho,” Hirotsune was seen as a threat by Yoritomo because he disregarded the authority of the imperial court and believed that the eastern provinces were sufficient.
However, it remains uncertain whether Hirotsune actually plotted a rebellion.
Yoritomo eliminated a powerful warrior who had supported him.
The following year, he defeated Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka) and also killed Yoshinaka’s son, Yoshitaka.
After destroying the Taira clan, he clashed with his brother, Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
Yoshitsune fled to Oshu, where he was attacked by Fujiwara no Yasuhira and lost his life.
Another brother, Minamoto no Noriyori, was also suspected of rebellion and was sent to Izu.
Yet, many warriors continued to follow Yoritomo.
Yoritomo acknowledged their lands, rewarded their military achievements, and negotiated with the imperial court to protect their rights.
Nineteen years had passed since the defeat at Ishibashiyama in 1180.
On January 13, 1199, Yoritomo passed away in Kamakura.
The Heiji Rebellion claimed his father’s life, and at fourteen, the young boy was exiled to Izu. At thirty-four, he raised an army and eventually became the shogun.
The government Yoritomo established in Kamakura attracted former enemies, members of the Minamoto clan, and officials from Kyoto.
What did Yoritomo give and take from them to ensure their loyalty?
The Third Son of Yoshitomo, Born in Atsuta
Minamoto no Yoritomo was born in 1147.
His father was Minamoto no Yoshitomo.
He was from the Kawachi Genji line of the Seiwa Genji, descending from Minamoto no Yorinobu, Yoriyoshi, and Yoshiie.
His mother was Yura Gozen.
She was the daughter of Fujiwara no Suenori, the chief priest of Atsuta Shrine in Owari Province.
Yoritomo is said to have been born in Atsuta, Owari Province, and historical sites related to his birthplace remain in what is now Atsuta Ward, Nagoya City.
Yoshitomo had two sons who were older than Yoritomo.
The eldest was Yoshihira, followed by the second son, Tomonaga.
Although Yoritomo was the third son, he was treated as the heir because his mother, Yura Gozen, was Yoshitomo’s legal wife.
His brother Yoshihira earned a reputation for his military exploits in the eastern provinces and was known as “Akugenta.”
He was a key figure in supporting Yoshitomo’s expansion of power through military strength.
In contrast, Yoritomo took a different path, serving at the Kyoto court from a young age.
Yoshitomo, from his youth, built relationships with samurai in regions like Sagami and Musashi, extending his influence in the eastern provinces.
At the same time, he also focused on securing official positions at the Kyoto court.
Yura Gozen’s family was the chief priest of Atsuta Shrine, providing Yoritomo with connections to both shrine and court society.
Later, when Yoritomo led the eastern samurai and prioritized negotiations with the Kyoto court, this family background played a significant role.
The Hogen Rebellion where father and grandfather became enemies
The first year of Hogen (1156).
The conflict between Emperor Sutoku and Emperor Go-Shirakawa escalated into armed confrontation.
This was the Hogen Rebellion.
Yoshitomo sided with Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
Taira no Kiyomori was also in the same camp.
Meanwhile, Yoshitomo’s father, Minamoto no Tameyoshi, and his brother Tametomo, sided with Emperor Sutoku.
The Minamoto clan was divided, with father and sons on opposing sides.
The battle ended in victory for Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s side.
The defeated Tameyoshi was captured and executed by Yoshitomo.
Tametomo was exiled to Izu Oshima.
Yoshitomo fought against his father and emerged victorious, enhancing his status at the court.
At that time, Yoritomo was only about ten years old.
During the Hogen Rebellion, he was not yet of age to lead troops, but after the war, he began to acquire court positions.
In 1158, the third year of Hogen, he was appointed as the Junior Assistant Minister of the Empress’s Household.
The following year, 1159, he served as the Right Palace Guard Supervisor, an attendant to the Retired Empress, and an attendant to Emperor Nijo.
Then, on December 14 of the same year, he was promoted to Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, and became the Assistant Captain of the Right Division of the Outer Palace Guards.
This position later became the origin of Yoritomo being referred to as “Lord Sada.”
However, around that time, the Heiji Rebellion broke out in Kyoto.
Yoritomo’s official career was abruptly interrupted just about two weeks after his appointment.
Heiji Rebellion—Losing His Father and Brothers
December of the first year of Heiji.
Fujiwara no Nobuyori and Minamoto no Yoshitomo raised an army.
They attacked the palace of the Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, driving his close advisor Shinzei to his death.
For a brief period, Nobuyori and Yoshitomo seized control of Kyoto’s politics.
However, when Taira no Kiyomori returned from his pilgrimage to Kumano, the situation changed.
Kiyomori gathered his forces at Rokuhara and, with the support of the nobles aligned with Emperor Nijo, launched a counterattack.
Yoshitomo’s forces were defeated.
Yoshitomo attempted to flee to the eastern provinces, accompanied by his sons.
Yoritomo also left Kyoto but became separated from his father during their escape.
After wandering through the winter mountain paths, he was captured in Omi Province.
Yoshitomo managed to reach Owari Province but was killed by Nagata Tadaatsu.
The eldest son, Yoshihira, was also captured and executed.
The second son, Tomonaga, died during the escape.
Yoritomo, who had been raised as the heir of the Minamoto clan, lost both his father and his brothers.
On December 28, 1159, Minamoto no Yoritomo was dismissed from his position as Assistant Captain of the Right Division of Outer Palace Guards.
Yoritomo, who was serving the imperial court as a young boy, became a prisoner of the Taira clan.
He was thirteen years old by traditional Japanese count.
The following year, he would turn fourteen.
Although there was consideration of executing Yoritomo, it was ultimately decided that he would be exiled to Izu Province.
The Story of Ike no Zenni’s Plea for Mercy
Regarding the circumstances that spared Yoritomo’s life, the Heiji Monogatari contains an anecdote.
It is said that Taira no Kiyomori‘s stepmother, Ike no Zenni, pleaded for his life.
Ike no Zenni was deeply saddened by the early death of her son, Taira no Iemori.
Seeing Yoritomo reminded her of Iemori, so she appealed to Kiyomori to spare his life.
Kiyomori heeded his stepmother’s request and decided to exile Yoritomo to Izu, according to tradition.
Ike no Zenni’s plea became well-known in later generations.
However, it remains unclear what Kiyomori actually thought when he decided to avoid executing Yoritomo.
Minamoto no Yoshitomo had already died, and other prominent Minamoto figures active in Kyoto had been executed.
Yoritomo was still a boy.
Exiling him to the eastern provinces would have made it difficult for him to return to political life at the court.
While these circumstances might have been considered, there are no definitive records of Kiyomori’s decision-making process.
In 1160, Yoritomo was sent to Izu.
He followed the path his father, Yoshitomo, had failed to take to the eastern provinces, now as an exile.
Twenty Years in Izu
The place known as Yoritomo’s place of exile is Hirugashima in Izu Province.
In today’s Izu no Kuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture, there remains a site said to be where Yoritomo was exiled.
However, there are no contemporary records that confirm this location as his actual residence.
There are also few records of how Yoritomo lived day-to-day in Izu.
He had lost his court position and was not permitted to return to Kyoto.
Nonetheless, Yoritomo had people who supported his livelihood.
The most notable among them was his wet nurse, Hiki no Ama.
According to the Azuma Kagami, Hiki no Ama moved to the eastern provinces with her husband, Hiki no Kamo no Jo, and supported Yoritomo for a long time.
It is said that she continuously sent essential supplies to Yoritomo living in Izu.
In later years, Yoritomo deeply appreciated Hiki no Ama’s support and treated her family with great favor.
The Hiki clan became influential vassals in Kamakura and later formed a close connection with Yoritomo’s successor, Yoriie.
Through his wet nurse, Yoritomo also had ties with other warriors.
In the warrior society of the eastern provinces, relationships with wet nurses and their families often lasted as long as blood relations.
One of the things Yoritomo did not lose during his time in Izu was his connections with the local people.
He lived as an exile for twenty years.
During that time, Yoritomo also formed relationships with the local samurai of Izu.
Ito Sukechika and Hojo Tokimasa
In Izu, there were influential samurai who were aligned with the Taira clan.
One such figure was Ito Sukechika.
It is said that Yoritomo had a relationship with Sukechika’s daughter and fathered a child, a story preserved in works like the ‘Soga Monogatari.’
In later times, this was widely recounted as the tragic love story of Yaehime.
However, many details, such as the woman’s name and the child’s fate, are largely based on legend.
It is not possible to confirm the relationship between Yoritomo and Sukechika exactly as the stories describe.
Eventually, Yoritomo married Hojo Masako.
Masako’s father was Hojo Tokimasa.
He was a samurai based in Hojo, Taga District, Izu Province.
The exact timing of this marriage is not known.
There are stories that Tokimasa, who had ties to the Taira, opposed the marriage, and that Masako rejected another marriage to go to Yoritomo.
Even setting aside these tales, Yoritomo’s marriage into the Hojo family was crucial for his later uprising.
In the second year of Jisho (1178), their first daughter, Ohime, was born.
Yoritomo, once an exile, had established a family in Izu.
News that would dramatically change his life arrived in the fourth year of Jisho.
Prince Mochihito’s Call to Arms
In April of the fourth year of Jisho (1180).
Prince Mochihito, son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, called for the overthrow of the Taira.
Supporting Prince Mochihito was Minamoto no Yorimasa and others.
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” one of the people who delivered the imperial order to the various Minamoto clans across the provinces was Minamoto no Yukie, an uncle of Minamoto no Yoritomo. Minamoto no Yukie was one of them.
Yukie visited Yoritomo in Izu and delivered the order.
It is recorded that Yoritomo prayed in the direction of the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine before opening the document.
However, the detailed process of how the order reached Yoritomo has some issues due to the compilation of the “Azuma Kagami.”
Prince Mochihito and Minamoto no Yorimasa raised an army in May but were defeated at Uji and lost their lives.
The rebellion in Kyoto was suppressed in a short time.
However, this movement spread to anti-Taira forces across the regions.
In Kai, Takeda Nobuyoshi and others took action, while in Shinano, Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka) raised an army.
Yoritomo, who was in Izu, also decided to take up arms.
The first target was Kanetaka Yamaki.
The Attack on Kanetaka Yamaki’s Residence
On the night of August 17, 1180.
Yoritomo launched an attack on Kanetaka Yamaki in Izu Province.
Kanetaka was known as a Taira official, serving as the deputy governor of Izu.
Yoritomo, along with Hojo Tokimasa and others, planned the attack and sent Sasaki Sadatsuna and others to carry it out.
The surprise attack was successful, and Kanetaka was killed.
Yoritomo, who had been an exile, openly challenged the Taira’s rule.
However, the number of warriors who joined Yoritomo’s uprising was still small.
In Sagami Province, there was Oba Kagechika.
Kagechika was a warrior who had once served Minamoto no Yoshitomo but was now aligned with the Taira.
Upon learning of Yoritomo’s uprising, Kagechika gathered his forces to suppress it.
Yoritomo also left Izu and advanced into Sagami.
While waiting for reinforcements from the Miura clan, he prepared to face the Taira forces.
However, the battle began before his allies could assemble.
The Defeat at Ishibashiyama
August 23rd.
Ishibashiyama, Sagami Province.
Minamoto no Yoritomo was attacked by the forces of Oba Kagechika and others.
Yoritomo’s side was significantly outnumbered.
Although the numbers recorded in the Azuma Kagami might be exaggerated, it is clear that Yoritomo was at a disadvantage.
The Miura clan, who were supposed to reinforce Yoritomo, could not join forces due to a swollen river.
The battle ended in Yoritomo’s defeat.
Sannada Yoichi Yoshitada and others were killed in action, and Yoritomo fled into the mountains with Doi Sanehira and others.
The Azuma Kagami recounts that Kajiwara Kagetoki discovered Yoritomo’s hiding place but did not inform the pursuers.
At that time, Kagetoki was aligned with the Taira.
He would later become a close aide to Yoritomo.
It is said that Yoritomo escaped pursuit and took to the sea near Manazuru.
Meanwhile, the Miura clan’s Kinugasa Castle was also attacked, and the elder Miura Yoshizane was killed in battle.
In just a few days after raising his army, Yoritomo’s forces suffered significant losses.
Yoritomo headed towards Awa Province.
Gaining Chiba Tsunetane in Awa
Upon arriving in Awa, Yoritomo began gathering troops once more.
The surviving members of the Miura clan also joined him.
He sent messengers to influential warriors on the Boso Peninsula.
These included Chiba Tsunetane of Shimosa and Kazusa Hirotsune of Kazusa.
The Chiba clan held power in Shimosa and had historical ties with the Minamoto.
Tsunetane welcomed Yoritomo and led his family to follow him.
The Azuma Kagami records that Tsunetane advised Yoritomo to establish his base in Kamakura.
This was because it was a land with connections to his father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo.
Kazusa Hirotsune also joined with a large army.
Hirotsune wielded significant power in Kazusa Province, commanding many followers.
With the participation of these two, Yoritomo’s forces rapidly swelled.
Both the Chiba and Kazusa clans were descendants of the Kanmu Taira lineage.
Warriors bearing the Taira name supported Yoritomo in his rebellion against the Taira regime.
In the eastern provinces at that time, it was not uncommon for clans of the same Taira lineage to compete for control over lands and provincial offices.
Whether to join Yoritomo’s uprising was deeply influenced by each warrior’s landholdings and family circumstances.
Yoritomo accepted them and headed towards Kamakura.
Even Former Enemies Submit
As Yoritomo advanced westward from Boso, warriors from Musashi also joined him.
These included Hatakeyama Shigetada, Kawagoe Shigeyori, and Edo Shigenaga.
Among them were those who had initially acted on behalf of the Taira following Yoritomo’s uprising.
Hatakeyama Shigetada had a history of battling the Miura clan.
However, as Yoritomo’s forces grew, Shigetada and others decided to follow him.
Yoritomo welcomed them.
Even warriors who had once fought against him were accepted as allies if they submitted.
On the other hand, he directed his forces against those who refused to comply.
This approach repeatedly appeared as Yoritomo expanded his influence in the eastern provinces.
If he annihilated all the powerful warriors, he would also lose the people who governed those lands.
If he could make them submit, their forces and territories would become a source of support for Yoritomo’s rule.
He welcomed former enemies as vassals while punishing long-time allies.
The status of the warriors gathered under Yoritomo was not fixed.
Entry into Kamakura
October 6, 1180.
Yoritomo entered Kamakura.
It had been only about a month and a half since his defeat at Ishibashiyama.
Kamakura is a land surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the sea to the south.
The routes into the area were limited, making it suitable for military defense.
Furthermore, it had connections to the Minamoto clan.
Minamoto no Yoriyoshi is said to have enshrined the Hachiman deity here, and his father Yoshitomo also established a residence.
Yoritomo built his palace in Okura-go.
This was the Okura Palace.
It corresponds to the present-day area around Yukinoshita in Kamakura City.
On October 12, according to the “Azuma Kagami,” the Hachiman Shrine located in Yuigahama was moved to the site of the current Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine.
The warriors gathered under Yoritomo each had different bases and interests.
Kamakura was developed with palaces and shrines as a place for them to assemble.
After this, Yoritomo did not move to Kyoto but continued to dispatch his forces from Kamakura.
After Fujikawa, Not Advancing to Kyoto
October 20.
The forces of the Taira clan’s punitive army and Yoritomo’s troops faced off around the Fuji River in Suruga Province.
The commander of the punitive army was Taira no Koremori.
The “Heike Monogatari” recounts an anecdote where the Taira army fled, mistaking the sound of waterfowl for a night attack.
In reality, there were multiple factors such as troop mobilization, supply issues, and relationships with local warriors.
The Taira’s punitive army avoided a full-scale battle and retreated.
Yoritomo attempted to pursue westward, but according to the “Azuma Kagami,” Chiba Tsunetane and others opposed this.
In the eastern provinces, there were still powerful warriors who refused to submit.
Among them, the Satake clan of Hitachi Province wielded significant military power.
Minamoto no Yoritomo halted his advance toward Kyoto and turned back east.
The battle with the Satake clan was about to begin.
Attacking the Satake Clan of Hitachi
In the 11th month of the 4th year of Jisho.
Yoritomo directed his forces against the Satake clan in Hitachi Province.
The Satake clan was also a branch of the Kawachi Genji lineage.
However, sharing the same Minamoto name did not mean they would automatically follow Yoritomo.
The Satake clan held strong influence in Hitachi and had connections with the Taira regime.
Yoritomo’s forces attacked Kanesawa Castle.
This area corresponds to the vicinity of present-day Hitachiota City in Ibaraki Prefecture.
The castle was a strategic stronghold utilizing the rugged mountain terrain, making a frontal assault difficult.
The “Azuma Kagami” records that Yoritomo’s side managed to capture the castle with the help of someone familiar with the internal affairs of the Satake clan.
The Satake clan was defeated, and their power was significantly diminished.
While fighting the Taira in the west, Yoritomo also subdued those warriors in the east who refused to submit.
The example of the Satake clan shows that Yoritomo’s battles were not solely focused on pursuing the Taira.
To enforce his command in the eastern provinces, he even directed his forces against fellow Minamoto clans.
Reuniting with Yoshitsune at the Kise River
During the Battle of the Fuji River, Yoritomo’s half-brother Minamoto no Yoshitsune appeared before him.
After the death of their father, Yoshitomo, Yoshitsune survived with his mother, Tokiwa Gozen, and later sought refuge with Fujiwara no Hidehira in Oshu.
Upon learning of Yoritomo’s uprising, he journeyed from Hiraizumi to the eastern provinces.
The “Azuma Kagami” notes that the brothers met at the Kise River.
Yoritomo was thirty-four years old.
Yoshitsune was twenty-two.
Works like the “Heike Monogatari” depict the joyful reunion of the brothers after a long separation.
However, the exact words exchanged between them remain unknown.
Yoshitsune joined Yoritomo and would later lead forces against Minamoto no Yoshinaka and the Taira.
Another half-brother, Minamoto no Noriyori, also joined Yoritomo’s military efforts.
Yoritomo employed his brothers as commanders while he consolidated the eastern warriors from Kamakura.
Protecting the Lands of the Gokenin
The warriors who followed Yoritomo came to be known as the Gokenin.
Chiba Tsunetane, Miura Yoshizumi, Hatakeyama Shigetada, Wada Yoshimori.
Each of them held lands and commanded their own retainers.
Gathering under Yoritomo’s banner did not mean abandoning their ancestral homes or lands.
The warriors prioritized the protection of their own estates.
Yoritomo acknowledged the land rights of the samurai who followed him.
Ensuring control over lands inherited from ancestors later became known as “honryo ando.”
To those who achieved military success, he granted new lands and positions, such as those confiscated from enemies or the role of jitō.
This was referred to as “shingon kyuyo.”
Such measures became crucial in binding the gokenin to Yoritomo.
However, land rights were often complex.
In some cases, a local samurai managed the land, while a shōen lord received the taxes.
Even in public lands involving provincial governors, influential local figures were involved.
Recognizing one samurai’s control could lead to disputes with other claimants.
Negotiations with the court and shōen lords were necessary to protect the gokenin’s lands.
Yoritomo not only gathered troops but also became involved in lawsuits and the confirmation of land rights.
The Samurai-Dokoro and Governance in Kamakura
In the fourth year of Jishō (1180), Yoritomo is said to have established the Samurai-Dokoro in Kamakura.
The first head was Wada Yoshimori.
The Samurai-Dokoro was an institution involved in the command and military and security affairs of the gokenin.
Among the warriors who followed Yoritomo were clans that had previously been in conflict with each other.
A system was needed to convey orders, mobilize troops, and maintain discipline.
As the battles progressed, Kamakura became a hub for disputes over land.
In the third year of Juei (1184), the Kumonjo and Monchūjo were established.
The Kumonjo handled administrative and document creation, while the Monchūjo dealt with lawsuits.
Key figures included Ōe no Hiromoto and Miyoshi Yasunobu, who had experience in the Kyoto officialdom.
Yoritomo did not rely solely on eastern warriors for governance.
He also welcomed individuals familiar with the court’s systems and document practices to Kamakura.
They assessed military achievements, granted lands, and adjudicated disputes.
These decisions were documented in writing.
The work conducted in Kamakura expanded from determining battle outcomes to managing lands and people across regions.
The Uprising of Uncle Shida Yoshihiro
In the second year of Juei (1183), February.
Minamoto no Yoshihiro of Hitachi Province rebelled against Yoritomo.
This figure was also known as Shida Yoshihiro.
Yoshihiro was a son of Minamoto no Tameyoshi and a younger brother of Yoritomo’s father, Yoshitomo.
He was an uncle to Yoritomo.
Yoshihiro moved his forces from Hitachi and advanced towards the Shimotsuke region.
It was Oyama Tomomasa and others who confronted him.
According to the ‘Azuma Kagami’, Yoshihiro attempted to persuade Tomomasa to join him, but Tomomasa refused and instead engaged him in battle.
The two armies clashed near Nogimiya, where Yoshihiro was defeated.
Subsequently, Yoshihiro allied himself with Minamoto no Yoshinaka.
Among those who opposed Yoritomo’s rule were not only warriors from the Taira clan but also members of the Kawachi Genji family.
Just as his father, Yoshitomo, had fought against his grandfather, Tameyoshi, during the Hogen Rebellion, internal conflicts within the Minamoto clan persisted during Yoritomo’s era.
The Death of Kazusa Hirotsune
Winter of the second year of Juei.
Kazusa Hirotsune was killed.
Hirotsune was a key figure who supported Yoritomo after his defeat at Ishibashiyama, strengthening the forces advancing from Boso to Kamakura.
However, it seems his relationship with Yoritomo gradually deteriorated.
The ‘Azuma Kagami’ recounts an anecdote where Hirotsune did not dismount in respect before Yoritomo.
This story highlights how Hirotsune maintained a strong position under Yoritomo due to his significant military power.
It is said that Kajiwara Kagetoki carried out Hirotsune’s assassination.
It was reportedly done under Yoritomo’s orders.
The ‘Gukansho’ records that Yoritomo killed Hirotsune because he disregarded the court and aimed to establish his own power in the Kanto region.
However, it is unclear whether Hirotsune himself actually had such ambitions.
Moreover, the ‘Azuma Kagami’ lacks an entry for the day of Hirotsune’s assassination.
Only an entry from the first month of the third year of Juei mentions that the court was defiled by events involving Hirotsune from the previous winter.
The exact date and location of the assassination remain uncertain.
It is difficult to accept Yoritomo’s explanation of Hirotsune’s alleged rebellion as fact.
Nevertheless, the narrative of a powerful warrior who supported Yoritomo being killed by his command is recorded in multiple sources.
Even after Hirotsune’s death, Yoritomo managed to bring the warriors of Kazusa under his control.
Despite his contributions to the uprising, a breakdown in relations with Yoritomo could cost a warrior his life.
The death of Hirotsune was a significant event for the warriors who had gathered in Kamakura.
Conflict with Minamoto no Yoshinaka
May of the second year of Juei.
Minamoto no Yoshinaka defeated the Taira forces at Kurikara Pass in the Hokuriku region.
Yoshinaka continued his advance and entered Kyoto by July.
The Taira clan fled westward, taking Emperor Antoku and the Imperial Regalia with them.
Yoshinaka was a cousin to Yoritomo.
Minamoto no Yoshikata, the father of Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka), was the younger brother of Yoritomo’s father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo.
However, Yoshikata had been defeated by Yoritomo’s elder brother, Minamoto no Yoshihira.
By the time Yoshinaka grew up and established his power in the Hokuriku region, Yoritomo had already gathered the samurai of the eastern provinces around Kamakura.
There was military tension between the two.
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” Yoshinaka sent his son, Yoshitaka, to Kamakura to avoid conflict.
Yoshitaka became betrothed to Yoritomo’s eldest daughter, Ohime.
This marriage arrangement was made to prevent conflict within the Minamoto clan.
However, after Yoshinaka entered Kyoto, their relationship began to deteriorate.
Yoritomo had already secured an important position through negotiations with the court before Yoshinaka.
The Juei 2nd Year, 10th Month Edict
In the 10th month of the 2nd year of Juei.
An important edict concerning Yoritomo was issued by the court.
This is generally known as the “Juei 2nd Year, 10th Month Edict.”
The “Hyakurensho” entry for October 14 records that it ordered the payment of annual tribute from estates and public lands in the Tokai and Tosando regions to their traditional rights holders.
Discussions regarding this edict are also noted in the diary “Gyokuyo” by Kujo Kanezane.
According to the “Gyokuyo” entry for the intercalary 10th month, 13th day, Yoritomo sought to include the Hokuriku region along with the Tokai and Tosando regions.
However, the court was wary of Yoshinaka’s power in Hokuriku and excluded it.
The original text of the edict does not survive today.
Its content must be traced through the descriptions in the “Hyakurensho” and “Gyokuyo.”
The crucial point of the edict was that it ordered the restoration of estates and public lands to their traditional rights holders and entrusted Yoritomo with dealing with those who did not comply.
Due to the conflicts, there was a series of land seizures by samurai across the regions.
Problems also arose with the failure to deliver annual tribute from estates belonging to the court, temples, and nobles.
Yoritomo took on the role of organizing the samurai to quell such chaos.
However, this edict did not make all the land in eastern Japan Yoritomo’s property.
Maintaining the rights of estate lords and provincial governors was a crucial premise of the edict.
Yoritomo expanded his control in the eastern provinces by leveraging the court’s orders.
While Yoshinaka’s relationship with Emperor Go-Shirakawa deteriorated after entering Kyoto, Yoritomo in Kamakura was being recognized for his official role by the court.
Defeating Yoshinaka and Killing Yoshitaka
In the 11th month of the 2nd year of Juei.
Minamoto no Yoshinaka attacked the palace of Emperor Go-Shirakawa at Hojuji.
He imprisoned the emperor and heavily intervened in Kyoto’s politics.
Yoritomo dispatched his brothers, Minamoto no Noriyori and Minamoto no Yoshitsune, to Kyoto.
In the first month of the 3rd year of Juei (1184).
Yoritomo’s forces defeated Yoshinaka’s army around the Uji River and Seta.
Yoshinaka was killed at Awazu in Omi Province.
Yoritomo eliminated his cousin, Yoshinaka.
However, in Kamakura, Yoritomo’s son, Yoshitaka, remained behind.
Yoshitaka was betrothed to Yoritomo’s daughter, Ohime.
With the loss of his father, Yoshitaka’s position quickly became precarious.
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” Hojo Masako and others attempted to help Yoshitaka escape, but his flight was discovered.
Yoshitaka was captured by pursuers and killed.
Yoritomo likely feared the potential danger of Yoshitaka seeking revenge for his father’s death in the future.
However, the exact words Yoritomo used to order the killing and the detailed circumstances remain unknown.
It is said that Ohime was deeply saddened upon learning of Yoshitaka’s death.
The “Azuma Kagami” also records that Ohime suffered from illness afterward.
With Yoshitaka’s death, Ohime’s marriage was also lost.
Yoritomo made the decision to have his daughter’s betrothed killed to prevent future conflicts within the Minamoto clan.
Entrusting the Pursuit of the Taira to Noriyori and Yoshitsune
After defeating Yoshinaka, Yoritomo proceeded with the campaign against the Taira.
The Taira had regained strength in the western provinces and advanced as far as Fukuhara in Settsu Province.
February 7, 1184.
The Genji forces defeated the Taira at Ichinotani.
Taira no Tadanori and Taira no Atsumori were killed in battle, and Taira no Shigehira was captured.
However, Munemori, Tomomori, and others escaped, and Emperor Antoku and the Imperial Regalia remained in Taira hands.
Yoritomo ordered further pursuit.
Noriyori advanced along the Sanyo Road, gathering local warriors as he headed towards Kyushu.
Supply and ship procurement proved difficult, placing Noriyori’s forces in a challenging situation.
Meanwhile, Yoshitsune later crossed over to Shikoku and attacked Yashima.
The Taira retreated towards Nagato Province.
Noriyori’s forces also restricted the Taira’s movements from the Kyushu side, driving them towards Dan-no-ura.
Yoritomo himself remained in Kamakura.
He entrusted the campaign against the Taira to his brothers, while he focused on mobilizing his retainers, negotiating with the court, and handling post-war matters.
March 24, 1185.
The Taira were defeated at Dan-no-ura.
Emperor Antoku drowned, and Munemori and Kiyomune were captured.
The Taira regime, built by Kiyomori, was destroyed.
Yoritomo achieved a significant victory.
However, by that time, his relationship with Yoshitsune had deteriorated.
Yoshitsune’s Appointment
After distinguishing himself at the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani, Yoshitsune was granted an official position by the court in Kyoto.
In August of the third year of Juei, he became a Lieutenant of the Left Guard and concurrently served as a police commissioner.
The police commissioner was responsible for maintaining public order and cracking down on crime in Kyoto.
Yoritomo viewed Yoshitsune’s appointment as problematic.
The “Azuma Kagami” criticizes Yoshitsune for accepting an official position without Yoritomo’s permission.
Yoritomo valued the practice of vassals receiving official appointments through him.
If the Kyoto court began to directly appoint samurai, it would create a path for samurai to connect with the court independently of Kamakura’s orders.
For Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, there was also an advantage in tying Yoshitsune to the court.
This was because a general who had achieved success in the pursuit of the Taira could be utilized for military and security purposes in Kyoto.
For Yoshitsune, obtaining an official position from the court was also an act of elevating his status as a samurai.
However, Yoritomo could not forgive his brother for accepting a court position without his approval.
The conflict between the brothers involved the issue of who had the authority to approve samurai appointments and rewards.
Yoshitsune Unable to Meet His Brother at Koshigoe
After the Battle of Dan-no-Ura, Yoshitsune headed east with the captured Munemori and others.
However, Yoritomo did not allow Yoshitsune to enter Kamakura.
Yoshitsune was halted at Koshigoe, just before Kamakura.
On May 24, 1185.
It is said that Yoshitsune sent a letter to Oe no Hiromoto.
This is known as the “Koshigoe Letter.”
The “Azuma Kagami” contains the text of this letter.
Yoshitsune recounted his circumstances since losing his father, Yoshitomo, and pleaded that he had fought continuously for Yoritomo.
Despite fighting until the Taira were destroyed, he was suspected of treason by his brother.
He wished for a meeting with his brother to clear his name.
Such was his plea.
The circumstances under which the “Koshigoe Letter” was created require further examination of historical sources.
Nevertheless, the fact that Yoshitsune was unable to enter Kamakura and that his relationship with Yoritomo remained strained is evident from subsequent events.
Yoshitsune returned to Kyoto.
Yoritomo did not welcome his brother into Kamakura.
The Night Attack at Horikawa and Yoshitsune’s Flight
October, 1185.
Yoshitsune, who was in Kyoto, was attacked.
The attackers were a force led by Tosa no Shoji.
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” Shoji was depicted as someone who had received orders from Yoritomo to eliminate Yoshitsune.
The attack failed.
It is said that Yoshitsune captured and executed Shoji.
Subsequently, Yoshitsune sought an imperial edict from Emperor Go-Shirakawa to pursue Yoritomo.
For a time, the Emperor granted orders to Yoshitsune and Minamoto no Yukie to attack Yoritomo.
However, Yoshitsune was unable to gather enough warriors to follow him.
When Yoritomo mobilized his forces from the eastern provinces, the situation in Kyoto shifted.
Yoshitsune left the capital, intending to head west.
However, after setting sail, they encountered a storm that scattered his forces.
Yoshitsune and Yukie found themselves on the run.
Yoritomo pursued those who harbored Yoshitsune.
The brother who had destroyed the Taira clan was now being hunted by Yoritomo’s faction.
This conflict prompted Yoritomo to seek new powers from the court.
Negotiations Over the Appointment of Shugo and Jito
November, 1185.
Hojo Tokimasa and others entered Kyoto to negotiate with Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
Citing the need to pursue Yoshitsune and Yukie, Yoritomo’s side sought the authority to appoint individuals with military and police roles across the provinces and to assign jito to the lands of rebels.
This marked a significant turning point in the establishment of shugo and jito.
At the time, positions related to military and police matters in each province were referred to by titles such as “So-Tsuibushi.”
These roles eventually evolved into what would later be known as shugo.
The jito were responsible for managing lands and collecting taxes on estates and public lands.
However, the negotiations in 1185 did not result in the uniform appointment of jito across all lands.
There were ongoing disputes with estate lords and provincial governors over the appointment of jito.
Under Yoritomo, lands of opposing warriors were confiscated and redistributed to loyal vassals as rewards for their service.
However, rights held by the court, temples, and nobles still remained on these lands.
To reward his vassals, it was necessary to negotiate these rights.
Yoritomo engaged in repeated negotiations with Kyoto, expanding his influence over local warriors.
Yoritomo’s Letter to the Imperial Court
April 30, 1186.
Minamoto no Yoritomo sent a letter to Fujiwara no Kanemitsu in Kyoto.
Kanemitsu was a court noble who served as the steward for the regent, Kujo Kanezane.
This letter still exists today and is housed in the Tokyo National Museum.
It is designated as an Important Cultural Property, known as “Minamoto no Yoritomo’s Letter.”
The body of the letter is believed to have been written by a scribe, with Yoritomo’s own signature at the end.
The opening of the letter contains the following words:
“The governance of the realm should be purified through the deliberations and reports of the court nobles.”
This suggests that the politics of the realm should be corrected through the discussions and reports of the court nobles.
Yoritomo further stated that even if imperial decrees or orders from the cloistered emperor were issued, if they were not beneficial to the court or society, they should be reconsidered and amended.
At the time, Emperor Go-Shirakawa was influencing politics through cloistered rule.
Yoritomo believed that even orders from the cloistered emperor should be reconsidered if they posed issues.
Yoritomo collaborated with the regent Kujo Kanezane to influence the cloistered government of Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
While utilizing the court’s offices and authority, he challenged the politics dictated solely by the cloistered emperor’s will.
This letter remains as a document that Yoritomo actually sent to Kyoto.
The same letter is also recorded in the “Azuma Kagami,” but the existence of the original allows us to trace Yoritomo’s policies towards the imperial court in detail.
In a single letter sent from Kamakura to Kyoto, we see a different side of Yoritomo, involved in politics rather than leading his vassals.
Fujiwara no Hidehira Shelters Yoshitsune
After leaving Kyoto, Minamoto no Yoshitsune wandered from place to place.
The details of his flight are largely unknown.
Eventually, Yoshitsune headed to Oshu.
He returned to Hiraizumi, where he had once found refuge.
Fujiwara no Hidehira, the head of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, welcomed Yoshitsune.
Hidehira wielded significant power in Mutsu and Dewa, with Hiraizumi as his base.
The land was dotted with temples and halls built by the Oshu Fujiwara clan, including Chuson-ji and Motsu-ji.
While Yoritomo was consolidating power in the eastern provinces, the Oshu Fujiwara clan maintained their independent rule.
Moreover, Hidehira protected Yoshitsune, who was being pursued by Yoritomo.
In 1187, Hidehira passed away.
His successor was Fujiwara no Yasuhira.
Yoritomo demanded that Yasuhira hand over Yoshitsune.
Though Yasuhira initially protected Yoshitsune, he eventually succumbed to Yoritomo’s demands.
Yoshitsune’s Death at Koromogawa
April 30, 1189 (leap month).
Fujiwara no Yasuhira’s forces attacked Yoshitsune’s residence at Koromogawa.
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” Yoshitsune took his own life along with his wife and children.
He was thirty-one years old by traditional Japanese count.
It had been nine years since he met Yoritomo at Kisegawa.
After defeating Minamoto no Yoshinaka and destroying the Taira clan, Minamoto no Yoshitsune lost his life in Oshu.
By killing Yoshitsune, it is possible that Yasuhira sought to end his conflict with Yoritomo.
However, Yoritomo proceeded with his campaign into Oshu.
Even after Yoshitsune’s death, the military power and independent rule of the Oshu Fujiwara clan remained.
Yoritomo requested an imperial decree to pursue Yasuhira, but he moved his forces without waiting for an official order.
This time, he led the campaign himself.
The Battle of Oshu—Yoritomo’s Campaign
On July 19, 1189.
Yoritomo departed from Kamakura.
His target was the stronghold of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, Hiraizumi.
The forces advanced into Oshu from multiple directions.
Yoritomo himself led the central forces, crossing Shirakawa Barrier and heading north.
The Oshu Fujiwara clan had established a defensive line at Atsukashiyama.
This corresponds to the area around present-day Kunimi Town in Fukushima Prefecture.
They constructed earthworks and moats to block the advance of the Kamakura forces.
Yasuhira’s half-brother, Kuniie, and others were responsible for the defense.
In August, Yoritomo’s forces attacked this defensive line.
The Oshu Fujiwara side was defeated, and Yoritomo continued his advance northward.
On August 22, Yoritomo entered Hiraizumi.
Yasuhira fled, but on September 3, he was killed by his retainer, Kawada Jiro.
The Oshu Fujiwara clan was annihilated.
Yoritomo granted lands in Oshu to his vassals who had distinguished themselves in battle.
Temples such as Chuson-ji and Motsu-ji, built by the Oshu Fujiwara clan, remained in Hiraizumi.
It is said that Yoritomo toured these sites.
Later, the Eifuku-ji Temple built in Kamakura is believed to have been influenced by the temples of Hiraizumi.
Through the Battle of Oshu, the lands of Yoritomo’s vassals expanded into Mutsu and Dewa.
Return to Kyoto After Thirty Years
In the first year of Kenkyu (1190).
Yoritomo ascended to Kyoto.
It was his first time back in the capital since the Heiji Rebellion, nearly thirty years ago.
Once, he was a boy following his father in retreat.
This time, he entered Kyoto leading the warriors of the eastern provinces.
Yoritomo met with Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and was appointed to the position of Gon-Dainagon in November.
He was also promoted to the position of Ukonoe no Taisho.
The position of Ukonoe no Daisho was a significant military office within the imperial court.
However, by December, Yoritomo had resigned from both posts.
There was value in obtaining high-ranking positions from the court.
It allowed one to establish their standing within the aristocratic society of Kyoto.
On the other hand, Yoritomo’s political base was in Kamakura.
Disputes over the lands of his vassals and military orders were all conducted with Kamakura as the center.
Yoritomo chose not to relocate to Kyoto and returned to Kamakura.
Becoming the Shogun
In March of Kenkyu 3 (1192).
Emperor Go-Shirakawa passed away.
In July of the same year, Yoritomo was appointed as the Seii Taishogun.
Twelve years had passed since Yoritomo had raised his army in the eastern provinces.
Traditionally, it has often been explained that the Kamakura shogunate was established in 1192.
Nowadays, there is a cautious view about pinpointing its establishment to a single year.
Yoritomo had been leading his vassals in Kamakura since 1180.
In 1183, he was recognized by the court for his role in restoring order in the eastern provinces.
In 1184, the Kumonjo and Monchujo were established, and by 1185, the expansion of powers concerning the shugo and jitō had progressed.
The appointment as Seii Taishogun was a significant milestone in that process.
It should be noted that the term “Kamakura shogunate” was not used during Yoritomo’s time.
It is a term coined by later historians.
Yoritomo’s regime took shape through military actions since his uprising, negotiations with the court, and securing lands for his vassals.
Even after becoming shogun, Yoritomo continued to reside in Kamakura.
Documents Recognizing Land Ownership
In the first month of Kenkyu 2 (1191), on the 15th day.
Yoritomo announced a policy to change the format of documents regarding the disposition of lands for his vassals.
Previously, land grants and rewards were issued under Yoritomo’s personal seal, but this was to be changed to a format issued by the Mandokoro.
He also ordered the retrieval of previously issued documents.
Many vassals followed Yoritomo.
The documents recognizing their lands were crucial evidence for the warriors.
In the event of land disputes, it was necessary to confirm who was granted what authority.
From personal orders by Yoritomo to the issuance of documents by governing institutions.
There was a shift in the format as well.
The vassals used the documents granted in Kamakura as the basis for controlling lands across various regions.
Even after Yoritomo’s death, these documents continued to support the rights of the warriors.
The Fuji Hunting Expedition and the Soga Brothers
In Kenkyu 4 (1193).
Yoritomo organized a large-scale hunting expedition at the base of Mount Fuji.
Many of his vassals participated.
The hunt served as a form of military training and was also an event to demonstrate Yoritomo’s power.
During this event, the Soga brothers carried out a vendetta.
The elder brother, Soga Sukenari, and the younger brother, Tokimune, targeted Kudo Suketsune, their father’s killer.
Suketsune was a powerful vassal serving Yoritomo.
On the night of May 28th, the brothers attacked and killed Suketsune.
Sukenari was killed on the spot, and Tokimune was captured.
The incident reached Kamakura, and there were even false reports that Yoritomo himself had been killed.
The “Azuma Kagami” records the incident, but many anecdotes were added in later works like the “Soga Monogatari.”
After the vendetta, suspicion of treason fell upon Yoritomo’s brother, Noriyori.
The Downfall of Noriyori
Minamoto no Noriyori was Yoritomo’s brother who led forces against Minamoto no Yoshinaka and fought the Taira clan.
He played a significant role in battles in the western provinces leading up to Dan-no-ura.
However, in the fourth year of Kenkyu, Noriyori was suspected of treason.
The “Azuma Kagami” notes that Noriyori submitted a written oath to clear his name.
Additionally, an incident occurred where Noriyori’s retainer, Taima Taro, sneaked into Yoritomo’s quarters and was captured.
The retainer claimed he was trying to ascertain Noriyori’s fate, but Yoritomo did not forgive him.
On August 17th, Noriyori was sent to Izu.
The “Azuma Kagami” records that no return date was set, making it equivalent to exile.
Meanwhile, later accounts in the “Horeki Kan Ki” tell a different story.
When the false report of Yoritomo’s death reached Masako, Noriyori reportedly comforted her, saying there was no need to worry as long as he was there.
This remark was perceived as if he was aiming for the shogunate, which angered Yoritomo.
However, it cannot be confirmed that this anecdote was the direct cause of Noriyori’s downfall.
There is no clear evidence that Noriyori actually plotted treason.
Details of his activities after being sent to Izu are unknown, and there are legends that he was killed.
Yoritomo’s brothers, who helped destroy the Taira, both Yoshitsune and Noriyori, ultimately parted ways with him.
The Aspiration for Ohime’s Imperial Marriage
Yoritomo had a daughter named Ohime with Hojo Masako.
In her youth, she was promised in marriage to Minamoto no Yoshinaka’s son, Yoshitaka, but Yoshitaka was killed on Yoritomo’s orders.
The “Azuma Kagami” records that Ohime mourned his death deeply and suffered from a long illness.
Yoritomo sought to have the grown Ohime enter the court of Emperor Go-Toba.
He aimed to strengthen ties with the imperial court through marriage.
Taira no Kiyomori married his daughter Tokuko to Emperor Takakura, becoming the maternal grandfather of Emperor Antoku.
Yoritomo’s plan to have his daughter enter the imperial court also seemed to aim at leveraging marital ties with the emperor for political purposes.
In the sixth year of Kenkyu (1195), Yoritomo visited the capital and interacted with influential court figures, working towards his daughter Ohime’s entry into the court.
However, there were conflicts within the court involving figures like Kujō Kanezane and Minamoto no Michichika.
The circumstances surrounding Emperor Go-Toba’s court were also complicated.
Ultimately, Ohime’s entry into the court did not materialize.
In the eighth year of Kenkyu (1197), Ohime passed away.
She was twenty years old by traditional Japanese counting.
Yoritomo faced her death without having achieved her entry into the court.
The Dedication Ceremony of Todai-ji
The sixth year of Kenkyu.
Yoritomo attended the dedication ceremony of the Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji in Nara.
Todai-ji had suffered extensive damage during the attack on Nanto by the Taira forces led by Taira no Shigehira in the fourth year of Jisho (1180).
The Great Buddha Hall was also destroyed by fire.
Subsequently, reconstruction efforts were led by the monk Shunjōbō Chōgen.
Yoritomo also supported the reconstruction.
Thus, Yoritomo, who had overthrown the Taira, contributed to the rebuilding of the Great Buddha Hall that had been destroyed by the Taira forces.
In Kamakura, Yoritomo also worked on the development of Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū and was involved in the construction of temples such as Shōchōju-in and Eifuku-ji.
He received court titles, protected temples and shrines, and safeguarded the lands of his vassals.
Yoritomo’s political activities were also advanced through his connections with the people of Kyoto and Nara.
Yoriie and Sanetomo
Yoritomo and Masako had two sons.
Their eldest son, Yoriie, was born in the first year of Juei (1182).
His childhood name was Manju.
Their second son, Sanetomo, was born in the third year of Kenkyu (1192).
His childhood name was Senman.
Yoritomo raised Yoriie as his successor.
However, in Kamakura, there were powerful vassals with significant influence.
The Hojo, Hiki, Miura, Wada, and Kajiwara clans.
While Yoritomo was alive, they followed him as their lord.
Yet, the interests of each family did not disappear.
The Hiki clan was closely connected to Yoriie through his wet nurse, while the Hojo clan, Masako’s family, also held a significant position around him.
Yoritomo had brought the warriors of the eastern provinces under his control.
With Yoritomo’s passing, the question arose: who would support the next shogun and steer the political course?
A new conflict was set to begin among the powerful gokenin of Kamakura.
January 13, Kenkyu 10
On January 13, 1199, in the 10th year of Kenkyu.
Minamoto no Yoritomo passed away.
He was fifty-three by traditional Japanese reckoning.
The cause of death remains unclear.
A well-known story suggests that he fell from his horse on the way back from a bridge dedication ceremony at the Sagami River late the previous year and died afterward.
However, the Azuma Kagami does not contain an entry for the day Yoritomo died.
There is a significant gap in the records from Kenkyu 7 to the beginning of Kenkyu 10.
The Azuma Kagami only mentions Yoritomo’s fall in the entry for February 28, 1212, thirteen years after his death.
The Sonpi Bunmyaku also mentions the fall, but it is insufficient to confirm the cause of death.
Meanwhile, diaries and records from Kyoto’s aristocrats note that Yoritomo died of illness.
However, the exact illness or direct cause of death is unknown.
In later times, there were rumors of assassination, but no reliable historical evidence supports this.
Yoritomo ended his life in Kamakura.
His body was said to have been buried at a site related to the Buddha Hall he had built during his lifetime.
This place later became known as Hokke-do.
Today, in Nishi Mikado, Kamakura City, a stone pagoda believed to be Yoritomo’s grave remains.
However, the current stone pagoda was arranged in later times.
The First Loyal Retainer to Fall After Yoritomo’s Death
After Yoritomo’s death, his eldest son Yoriie succeeded him.
He was eighteen years old.
Yoriie sought to lead the gokenin following in his father’s footsteps.
However, many powerful warriors had gathered in Kamakura.
Their unity was partly maintained by Yoritomo’s presence alone.
A few months after Yoritomo’s death, a system was established to support Yoriie’s administration.
Later generations would refer to this as the “Council of Thirteen.”
There is scholarly debate about the actual workings of this system, but it is certain that influential gokenin became deeply involved in the shogun’s politics.
In Kenkyu 10, Kajiwara Kagetoki was criticized by many gokenin and was ousted.
Kagetoki is known as the man who reportedly saved Yoritomo’s life at the Battle of Ishibashiyama.
He later served Yoritomo, engaging in military affairs and the management of gokenin, and was involved in the killing of Kazusa Hirotsune.
Under Yoritomo, he held a significant position.
However, after his lord passed away, Kagetoki was compelled to leave Kamakura.
In the first month of the following year, Shōji 2 (1200).
Kagetoki attempted to lead his family to Kyoto, but was pursued and killed in Suruga Province.
The samurai who reportedly spared Yoritomo at Ishibashiyama lost his life about a year after Yoritomo’s death.
Kagetoki, who had killed Hirotsune, was now cornered by other vassals.
Many influential warriors still remained in the Kamakura that Yoritomo had built.
Subsequently, the conflict between the Hiki and the Hojo clans intensified, leading to the downfall of the second shogun, Yoriiye.
The third shogun, Sanetomo, was also assassinated at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kenpō 7 (1219).
The direct line of Yoritomo’s male descendants in the shogunate ended here.
The warriors who once gathered under Yoritomo to defeat the Taira and the Northern Fujiwara began to turn on each other in Kamakura after his death.
