April 27, 1180. A man appeared at the Hojo residence in Izu Province.
This man was Shinomiya Juro Yukie, an uncle of Minamoto no Yoritomo.
Yukie carried with him a decree from Prince Mochihito, the son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, calling upon the Minamoto clan across the provinces to rise against the Taira clan.
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” upon receiving the decree, Yoritomo bowed in the direction of Mount Otokoyama, where the Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine was located, and respectfully opened the document.
Yukie then proceeded to Kai and Shinano, urging the Minamoto in various regions to overthrow the Taira.
Eventually, Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka) raised their banners, initiating a conflict that shook the Taira regime.
However, Yukie himself was unable to collaborate with Yoritomo until the end.
Defeated by the Taira forces at the Battle of Sunomata River, he sought Yoritomo’s support but failed to secure any land, and later clashed with Minamoto no Yoshinaka, whom he had allied with next.
After the fall of the Taira, he allied with Minamoto no Yoshitsune and even obtained an imperial edict to pursue Yoritomo.
Yet, he could not gather troops.
His fleet, attempting to escape to the western provinces, was caught in a storm at Daimotsu Bay, forcing Yukie to hide in Izumi Province.
On May 12, 1186, Yukie’s hiding place was discovered, and he was beheaded by warriors loyal to Yoritomo.
The uncle who once delivered the decree to Yoritomo to overthrow the Taira lost his life six years later, pursued by that same Yoritomo.
The Origins of Minamoto no Yukie—Uncle to Yoritomo, Yoshinaka, and Yoshitsune
Minamoto no Yukie was a warrior of the Kawachi Genji, active in the late Heian period.
His father was Minamoto no Tameyoshi. Yukie was considered the tenth son and initially went by the name Yoshimori.
His birth year is not confirmed.
His father, Tameyoshi, was a prominent warrior of the Kawachi Genji, but during the Hogen Rebellion in 1156, he sided with Emperor Sutoku.
However, the battle ended in victory for Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s side, and Tameyoshi was defeated.
Tameyoshi surrendered to his son Minamoto no Yoshitomo, who had sided with Emperor Go-Shirakawa, but was ultimately executed.
This Yoshitomo was the father of Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
Additionally, Minamoto no Yoshikata, the father of Minamoto no Yoshinaka, was also a son of Tameyoshi.
In other words, Yukie was the paternal uncle to Yoritomo, Yoshitsune, and Yoshinaka.
The interactions Yukie later had with these three, involving alliances and conflicts, were influenced by these familial ties within the Minamoto clan.
Life in Kumano Shingu
It is said that after the Hogen Rebellion, Yukie took refuge in Kumano Shingu in Kii Province.
Kumano Shingu, located in present-day Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, was a religious center focused around the Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine.
The Kumano Betto family held significant influence in the area, establishing deep connections not only with religious institutions but also with local warriors and maritime trade.
Yukie was known as “Shingu Juro” due to his residence in Kumano Shingu.
His sister, known as Tanzuru-hime, was also recognized as a woman with strong ties to the Kumano Betto family.
Later known as Tori Zenni, she left her mark on Kumano’s history.
It is believed that Yukie relied on these family connections to sustain his life in Kumano.
However, detailed records of Yukie’s activities during this period are scarce.
It remains unclear what kind of life he led in Kumano or how many warriors and influential figures he was associated with.
There is a site in present-day Shingu City said to be the remains of Yukie’s residence, but confirming its location from contemporary records is challenging.
Yukie reemerged on the historical stage in the fourth year of Jisho (1180).
Prince Mochihito’s Order: The Call to Defeat the Taira Entrusted to Yukie
In November of the third year of Jisho (1179), Taira no Kiyomori suspended the cloistered rule of Emperor Go-Shirakawa and confined him in the Toba Palace.
This event is known as the political upheaval of the third year of Jisho.
The Taira clan came to exert strong control over the imperial court’s politics, but dissatisfaction grew among the nobility and religious factions.
In this turbulent political climate, the plan to overthrow the Taira clan was spearheaded by Prince Mochihito, a son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, and Minamoto no Yorimasa.
Yorimasa was a prominent military commander of the Minamoto clan serving the imperial court.
Although he had received official ranks under the Taira regime, he allied with Prince Mochihito to advance plans for the Taira’s downfall.
In April of the fourth year of the Jisho era, Yorimasa and his allies devised a plan to rally the Minamoto clans across the provinces against the Taira.
The messenger chosen to carry these documents was Yukie.
Becoming a Kuroudo of the Hachijo-in and Renaming to Yukie
According to the “Azuma Kagami” entry for April 9th of the fourth year of the Jisho era, around this time, Yukie was appointed as a Kuroudo of the Hachijo-in, changing his name from Yoshimori to Yukie.
The Hachijo-in was Princess Shoshi, the daughter of Emperor Toba, who owned vast estates.
Her holdings were spread across various regions, and those serving the Hachijo-in had connections not only with the court but also with local estates and warriors.
It is believed that Yukie’s position as a Kuroudo of the Hachijo-in was related to his activities in conveying imperial orders to the Minamoto clans across the provinces.
In the “Azuma Kagami,” it is recorded that Minamoto no Yorimasa advised Prince Mochihito to pursue the Taira, and Yukie, having received the prince’s orders, headed to the eastern provinces.
The orders, known as “Reiji,” are documents conveying commands from the Crown Prince or Imperial Princes.
Prince Mochihito’s “Reiji” served to demonstrate the authority of the imperial family to the Minamoto warriors resisting the Taira.
However, there are differences in the text of the “Reiji” that have been passed down to the present.
The “Azuma Kagami” and the “Heike Monogatari” do not match in wording, and the format differs from typical “Reiji,” leading to scholarly debate about their origin and transmission.
We must consider separately the activities of Yukie spreading the call to arms against the Taira clan across various regions and whether the current surviving text of the imperial edict faithfully conveys the original document from that time.
Delivering the Imperial Edict to Minamoto no Yoritomo
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” on April 27th of the 4th year of Jisho, Yukie visited the Hojo residence in Izu Province.
After the Heiji Rebellion, Yoritomo had been exiled to Izu Province.
Since the defeat and death of his father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo, Yoritomo had lived for many years as an exile.
It was there that Yukie brought the imperial edict from Prince Mochihito.
The “Azuma Kagami” records that Yoritomo donned a ceremonial robe and first bowed in the direction of Mount Otokoyama, where the Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine is located.
He then respectfully opened the imperial edict and confirmed its contents.
The Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine was deeply connected to the Minamoto clan and was an important object of worship for them.
Subsequently, Yoritomo is said to have summoned Hojo Tokimasa and showed him the edict.
Tokimasa was the father of Yoritomo’s wife, Hojo Masako, and would become a key supporter of Yoritomo’s uprising.
However, these detailed actions and conversations are based on the “Azuma Kagami,” which was compiled in later years.
It is not possible to confirm what exact words Yoritomo spoke upon receiving the edict.
Moreover, Yoritomo did not immediately raise an army upon the arrival of the edict.
Yoritomo began his attack on the Taira forces in Izu in August of the same year.
During that time, he had the opportunity to coordinate with the warriors of the Kanto region and assess the situation in Kyoto.
Yoritomo’s uprising was influenced by multiple factors, including his status as an exile, tensions with the Taira forces, and the movements of the Kanto warriors.
Nevertheless, the imperial edict from Prince Mochihito became one of the justifications for his uprising.
Yukie’s Journey to Kai and Shinano
After delivering the edict to Yoritomo, Yukie did not remain in Izu.
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” Yukie continued eastward to deliver the edict to the Minamoto clan in Kai and Shinano Provinces.
In Kai Province, there were members of the Kai Genji clan, including Takeda Nobuyoshi.
In Shinano Province, there were Minamoto forces, including Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka).
Yukie called upon the Minamoto clan members, who had bases in various regions, to join in the campaign against the Taira clan.
The “Tale of the Heike” narrates that Yukie traveled through the provinces disguised as a mountain ascetic.
However, there are discrepancies between the descriptions in the military tales and the ‘Azuma Kagami’ regarding his attire and the specific route of his journey.
While it is known that Yukie called upon the Minamoto clan across various regions to rise against the Taira, not all of his destinations and dates can be definitively determined.
The Defeat and Death of Prince Mochihito and Minamoto no Yorimasa
Prince Mochihito and Minamoto no Yorimasa‘s plan was discovered by the Taira before they were fully prepared.
According to the ‘Heike Monogatari’, it was Tanzo, the head priest of Kumano, who found Yukie’s movements suspicious and informed the Taira.
However, the specific circumstances of how the plan was uncovered differ among historical sources.
Prince Mochihito fled Kyoto and sought refuge at Onjo-ji Temple.
Minamoto no Yorimasa joined Prince Mochihito in resisting the Taira forces.
However, in May of the fourth year of Jisho, they were defeated in battle near the Uji River, and it is said that Yorimasa took his own life at Byodoin Temple.
Prince Mochihito was also killed while attempting to escape to Minami-Yamashiro.
The key figures who called for the overthrow of the Taira lost their lives before they could gather a large army.
Meanwhile, Yukie had already set out for the eastern provinces.
Even after the defeat of Prince Mochihito and Yorimasa, anti-Taira movements continued in various regions.
Yoritomo raised an army in Izu, and the Kai Genji also took up arms.
Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka) also expanded his influence in Shinano Province.
These movements were influenced by the circumstances of each region, but the Prince Mochihito‘s decree also played a role in uniting the anti-Taira forces.
Moreover, Yukie himself expanded his activities from being a messenger of the decree to a military commander leading troops.
The Battle of Sunomata River: The Defeat and Loss of Minamoto no Yoshitsune
In March of Jisho 5 (1181), Yukie engaged the Taira forces near Sunomata River in Mino Province.
This was the Battle of Sunomata River.
Although the era name was changed to Yowa in July of the same year, some sources refer to the entire year of 1181 as Yowa 1, but the era name at the time of the battle was Jisho.
Yukie gathered samurai from Owari and Mikawa Provinces to oppose the Taira forces.
On the Taira side, a force led by Taira no Shigehira was heading east.
Shigehira, a son of Taira no Kiyomori, had also led troops in the previous year’s Burning of Nanto.
It is also said that Taira no Koremori, Taira no Tomomori, and Taira no Tadanori participated.
On Yukie’s side, Minamoto no Yoshitsune joined the battle.
Yoshitsune was the son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo and Tokiwa Gozen, making him the half-brother of Minamoto no Yoritomo and the full brother of Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
He had lived as a monk until then but joined the fight against the Taira.
The Night Attack at Sunomata River
According to the ‘Azuma Kagami’ entry for March 10, Jisho 5, Yukie and the Taira forces set up camps on opposite sides of the Sunomata River.
Yukie planned to cross the river at night and launch a surprise attack on the Taira forces.
However, a retainer of Taira no Shigehira, who had gone to the riverbank to wash horses, discovered the Genji movements.
Upon receiving this report, the Taira forces launched an attack before Yukie’s side could fully mobilize.
The Genji forces were caught off guard and thrown into confusion, as recorded.
In this battle, Minamoto no Yoshikata was killed in action.
According to the Azuma Kagami, Yoshikata was slain by Taira no Takahashi Moritsuna, a warrior on the Taira side.
It is also said that Kurando Jiro, a son of Yukie, was captured.
Additionally, warriors of the Owari Minamoto, including Izumi Taro Shigemitsu, were killed in battle.
The Azuma Kagami records the losses on the Minamoto side as over 690 people, but it is necessary to consider carefully whether this figure reflects the actual number.
On the other hand, the Heike Monogatari describes a scene where Yoshikata rushed to cross the river and attack the enemy lines.
There are differences in the accounts of the battle’s progress and the actions of the generals between the war tales and the Azuma Kagami.
Nevertheless, both sources agree that Yukie’s forces were defeated and Yoshikata lost his life.
Retreat Towards Yahagi River
Defeated at the Sumimata River, Yukie retreated eastward.
The Heike Monogatari narrates that battles with the Taira forces continued near Yahagi River in Mikawa Province, where Yukie’s forces suffered further defeats.
Although Yukie gathered troops to oppose the Taira, he could not maintain his army.
Prince Mochihito’s decree, carried by Yukie, gave him standing and recognition as a member of the Minamoto clan.
However, he was unable to defeat the Taira forces with his own troops.
After this defeat, Yukie sought the support of Yoritomo in Kamakura.
Yet, this led to new conflicts.
Discord with Yoritomo—Unfulfilled Land Requests
After his defeat at the Sumimata River, Yukie headed to Kamakura to meet Minamoto no Yoritomo.
Yoritomo was consolidating his own military base, commanding the warriors of the Kanto region.
Yukie requested land from Yoritomo, but it is said that his request was denied.
The History of Tondabayashi City also records that Yukie visited Yoritomo, requested the allocation of land, was refused, and conflict arose between them.
Yukie, being Yoritomo’s uncle and the one who delivered Prince Mochihito’s decree, was also a significant figure.
However, Yoritomo did not grant Yukie’s demands.
There remains much uncertainty about which lands Yukie specifically sought and why Yoritomo refused.
Yoritomo expanded his influence by establishing lord-vassal relationships with the Kanto warriors and recognizing their control over lands.
Yukie, on the other hand, belonged to an older generation of Minamoto warriors and led his own forces.
The land dispute may have been influenced by these differences in their positions.
Unable to mend his relationship with Yoritomo, Yukie left Kamakura.
The next person he turned to was Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka).
Forming an Alliance with Minamoto no Yoshinaka and Aiming for Kyoto
Minamoto no Yoshinaka was the son of Yukie’s brother, Minamoto no Yoshikata.
After losing his father, he fled to Shinano Province, where he grew up under the protection of Nakaahara Kanetomo.
In the fourth year of the Jisho era, Yoshinaka raised an army and expanded his influence by rallying the warriors of Shinano.
Yukie joined Yoshinaka’s camp.
At that time, tensions were also rising between Yoshinaka and Yoritomo.
The acceptance of Shida Yoshihiro and others, who were hostile to Yoritomo, by Yoshinaka became an issue, bringing the two sides to the brink of military conflict.
In the second year of the Juei era (1183), Yoshinaka sent his son Yoshitaka to Kamakura as a fiancé for Yoritomo’s daughter, Ohime.
This was to adjust his relationship with Yoritomo.
Meanwhile, Yoshinaka was advancing his forces toward the Hokuriku region.
In May of the same year, he defeated the Taira forces led by Taira no Korehira at the Battle of Kurikara Pass.
He continued his advance toward Kyoto after winning the subsequent Battle of Shinohara.
The Taira clan, taking Emperor Antoku and the Imperial Regalia with them, left the capital, allowing Yoshinaka and his forces to enter Kyoto.
Yukie also entered the capital alongside Yoshinaka.
Audience with Emperor Go-Shirakawa
According to the “Shinano Historical Records,” on July 28 of the second year of the Juei era, Yoshinaka and Yukie entered Kyoto and had an audience with Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
They received orders to pursue the Taira clan.
It had been about two years since their defeat at the Battle of Mino River.
This time, Yukie successfully entered Kyoto.
However, it was Yoshinaka who played the central role in defeating the Taira forces in the Hokuriku region and advancing into Kyoto.
There are limited specific records of Yukie’s military achievements in the battles leading up to their entry into the capital.
This difference in military achievements was later reflected in the official positions granted by the court.
From Governor of Bingo to Governor of Bizen—Yukie’s Discontent with His Rewards
In August of the second year of the Juei era, Yoshinaka and Yukie were granted official ranks by the court.
According to the “Shinano Historical Records,” on August 10, Yoshinaka was appointed as Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, Left Horse Guard and Governor of Echigo, while Yukie was appointed as Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, Governor of Bingo.
Subsequently, Yoshinaka was reassigned as Governor of Iyo, and Yukie as Governor of Bizen.
However, there are discrepancies in the records regarding the dates and order of these appointments.
Yukie was formally granted an official position by the court due to his involvement in the pursuit of the Taira clan.
However, Yukie was not satisfied with the rewards he received.
The diary of Kujo Kanezane, Gyokuyo, records that Yukie expressed dissatisfaction with the difference in treatment between him and Yoshinaka.
Yukie belonged to an older generation than Yoshinaka and was the person who carried Prince Mochihito’s decree to various provinces.
On the other hand, Yoshinaka had actually defeated the Taira forces in the Hokuriku region and advanced to Kyoto.
The court recognized his military achievements.
Gyokuyo also notes that Yukie, dissatisfied with the rewards, closed his gates and refused to attend court.
We cannot know exactly how Yukie viewed his own position.
However, it is clear from records of the time that he harbored strong dissatisfaction with the difference in ranks.
His relationship with Yoshinaka gradually deteriorated.
The Conflict Between Yukie and Yoshinaka as Told by Gyokuyo
Yoshinaka’s position in Kyoto was becoming increasingly difficult.
In the capital, still affected by famine, securing food was challenging, and the unruly behavior of Yoshinaka’s soldiers became a problem.
His relationship with Emperor Go-Shirakawa also worsened, while in the western provinces, the Taira clan began to regain their strength.
During this time, a conflict arose between Yukie and Yoshinaka.
The specific details are recorded in the entry for the intercalary 10th month, 27th day of the second year of Juei in Kujo Kanezane’s Gyokuyo.
On that day, a warrior from Kawachi Province named Ishikawa Yoshikane visited Kanezane.
Yoshikane was a warrior with influence in Minami Kawachi and was cooperating with Yukie.
Ishikawa Yoshikane reported on Yukie’s expedition to the western provinces and conveyed the discord between Yukie and Yoshinaka.
One reason for their conflict was their stance towards Yoritomo.
Yoshinaka was seeking to cooperate with Yoritomo.
However, Yukie strongly refused to go to Yoritomo.
Yukie had previously fallen out with Yoritomo over land disputes and had left Kamakura.
Therefore, Yoshinaka’s attempts to improve relations with Yoritomo were also a matter affecting Yukie’s own position.
In The Tale of the Heike, it is said that Yukie spoke ill of Yoshinaka to Emperor Go-Shirakawa, which contributed to their conflict.
However, it is difficult to verify the details of such anecdotes as historical facts.
From Gyokuyo, it can be confirmed that at least their views differed regarding their approach to Yoritomo.
Eventually, Yukie left Yoshinaka’s forces and independently launched an expedition to the western provinces.
The Battle of Muroyama—Defeated Again by the Taira Forces
In the 11th month of the second year of Juei, Yukie departed Kyoto to pursue the Taira forces.
Gyokuyo reports that Yukie’s forces numbered over 270 horsemen at this time.
Meanwhile, The Tale of the Heike claims there were about 500 horsemen.
Despite the difference in numbers, it was a relatively small force compared to the Taira army.
Yukie headed west with Ishikawa Yoshikane and others.
At this time, the Taira clan had stationed forces under Taira no Tomomori and Taira no Shigehira near Mount Muro in Harima Province.
Yukie launched an attack on these forces.
However, he was defeated by the Taira army’s counterattack.
This was known as the Battle of Muroyama.
In “The Tale of the Heike,” it is depicted that Yukie’s smaller forces challenged the Taira’s large army and were routed.
While the scale and formations of the armies may have been exaggerated in the war tales, it is known that Yukie was defeated at Muroyama.
Yukie retreated towards Takasago in Harima Province and then crossed by ship to Izumi Province.
He then moved to Kawachi Province and entered Nagano Castle.
This was another major defeat following the one at the Sumiyoshi River.
However, this defeat did not mark the end of Yukie’s activities.
He sought to establish his own power base from Nagano Castle in Kawachi Province.
Nagano Castle in Kawachi Province—Yukie’s Attempt to Establish His Own Power
Nagano Castle is said to have been a medieval fortress located around present-day Kawachinagano City in Osaka Prefecture.
There are still uncertainties regarding its exact location and structure.
The presence of Ishikawa Yoshikane, a local warrior, was a key factor in Yukie’s ability to use this area as a base.
Ishikawa Yoshikane was a samurai from the Ishikawa clan, which held power in Minamikawachi, and he had participated in Yukie’s campaign to the west.
The “History of Tondabayashi City” suggests that Nagano Castle may have been Ishikawa Yoshikane’s stronghold or within his sphere of influence.
Through cooperation with the Ishikawa clan, Yukie managed to exert some influence from Kawachi to the Izumi area.
Yukie Adjudicates Farmers’ Complaints in Izumi Province
There is an important record to consider when examining Yukie’s activities in Kawachi.
This is a document from later years preserved in the Kumedadera Temple archives.
According to the “History of Tondabayashi City,” Yukie adjudicated complaints from farmers in three villages, including Yagi Village in Izumi Province, acting in place of the provincial governor.
Yukie was not only gathering troops at Nagano Castle but also involved in local legal matters.
The “History of Tondabayashi City” evaluates Yukie during this period as aiming to be a third force among the Minamoto, distinct from the factions of Yoritomo and Yoshinaka.
There is no record of Yukie himself claiming to be a “third force.”
However, his involvement in regional military and administrative matters, without joining the direct control of Yoritomo or Yoshinaka, in cooperation with the Ishikawa clan, is significant.
Even after his defeats at the Sumiyoshi River and Muroyama, Yukie sought to rebuild his power by leveraging his relationships with local samurai.
However, this activity further deepened his conflict with Yoshinaka.
Higuchi Kanemitsu’s Campaign—Yoshinaka’s Attempt to Defeat Yukie
In January of Juei 3 (1184), Yoshinaka was cornered in Kyoto.
The forces of Minamoto no Noriyori and Minamoto no Yoshitsune, dispatched by Yoritomo, were advancing towards Kyoto.
Yoshinaka positioned his troops along the Uji River and the Seta area to block the enemy’s advance.
At the same time, he attempted to deal with the faction of Yukie in Kawachi Province.
To this end, he dispatched his senior retainer, Higuchi Kanemitsu.
Kanemitsu was the elder brother of Imai Kanehira and was one of the prominent generals in Yoshinaka’s army.
According to the “Heike Monogatari,” Kanemitsu led over 500 horsemen to Nagano Castle in Kawachi Province to defeat Yukie.
On the other hand, the “Azuma Kagami” states that the target was Ishikawa Hangan-dai.
This Ishikawa Hangan-dai is believed to be Ishikawa Yoshisuke, the uncle of Ishikawa Yoshikane.
Despite the differences in the accounts of the target, it is a common understanding that Yukie and the Ishikawa clan were collaborating in Kawachi.
Yukie’s Escape to Kii Province
The “History of Tondabayashi City” records Kanemitsu’s expedition to Kawachi as occurring on January 19, 1184.
However, by the time Kanemitsu arrived in Kawachi, Yukie and Ishikawa Yoshikane had already fled to Kii Province.
They crossed the Kimi Pass to avoid pursuit.
Unable to capture Yukie, Kanemitsu had to return towards Kyoto.
The following day, the forces of Minamoto no Noriyori and Minamoto no Yoshitsune attacked Kyoto.
Yoshinaka’s army was defeated in the battles at Uji River and Seta, and Yoshinaka himself was killed in action at Awazu in Omi Province.
Kanemitsu, on his way back, learned of the deaths of his lord and his brother Imai Kanehira, and was eventually captured by Yoritomo’s forces and executed.
In the face of an imminent attack on Kyoto, Yoshinaka had dispatched a key general to deal with Yukie’s faction elsewhere.
The “History of Tondabayashi City” also points out that the presence of Yukie and the Ishikawa clan led to the dispersal of Yoshinaka’s military strength.
Yoshinaka’s defeat was due to multiple factors, including political isolation and military disadvantage, but the conflict with Yukie further exacerbated his predicament.
Yukie and Yoshinaka were both Minamoto generals who had driven the Taira from the capital.
However, in the end, they found themselves turning their armies against each other.
Yukie Survives After Yoshinaka’s Death
After Yoshinaka’s death, Yoritomo’s forces strengthened their influence in Kyoto.
Meanwhile, Yukie managed to survive, having evaded Yoshinaka’s attempts to defeat him.
There are limited records detailing Yukie’s movements afterward.
However, it is known that he did not join Yoritomo’s rule and continued his independent activities.
During this time, the conflict with the Taira clan advanced significantly.
In 1184, Yoritomo’s forces, including Yoshitsune, defeated the Taira army at the Battle of Ichinotani.
The following year, in 1185, they achieved victories over the Taira at Yashima and Dan-no-ura.
On March 24, during the Battle of Dan-no-ura, the Taira clan was defeated, and Emperor Antoku drowned.
With the fall of the Taira, tensions between Yoritomo and Yoshitsune began to escalate.
Yukie also became involved once again in the internal conflicts of the Minamoto clan.
Joining Forces with Minamoto no Yoshitsune—Resistance Against Yoritomo
Minamoto no Yoshitsune achieved great military success in the campaign against the Taira.
However, his relationship with his brother Yoritomo gradually deteriorated.
Issues arose when Yoshitsune accepted court appointments and established his own connections with Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa in Kyoto.
Additionally, disputes over military command and land control further strained their relationship.
Yoshitsune, accompanied by captured Taira no Munemori and others, headed to Kamakura, but Yoritomo denied him entry.
Consequently, Yoshitsune returned to Kyoto from Koshigoe in Sagami Province.
Meanwhile, Yukie also failed to mend his relationship with Yoritomo.
In August 1185, it is said that Yoritomo considered Yukie’s defiance a problem and ordered his pursuit.
From this time, Yukie and Yoshitsune’s actions began to align.
Initially, Yoshitsune Tried to Restrain Yukie
The “Gyokuyou” entry for October 17, 1185, describes the events leading up to Yukie and Yoshitsune’s cooperation.
According to it, Yoshitsune initially attempted to restrain Yukie from rebelling against Yoritomo.
However, since Yukie did not comply, Yoshitsune decided to cooperate with him.
Yoshitsune harbored grievances against Yoritomo.
Despite his achievements in defeating the Taira, he complained that his lands were confiscated and his life was threatened.
For Yoshitsune, reconciling with Yoritomo had become increasingly difficult.
On the other hand, Yukie had long resisted Yoritomo’s rule and continued his independent activities.
The two, being uncle and nephew, united with the shared goal of opposing Yoritomo.
The Attack on Yoshitsune by Tosabo Shoshun
On October 17, 1185, Tosabo Shoshun, allegedly under Yoritomo’s orders, attacked Yoshitsune’s residence in Kyoto.
According to the “Azuma Kagami,” Shoshun launched a night assault on Yoshitsune’s residence at Rokujou Muromachi.
However, Yoshitsune’s side resisted, and the attack failed.
In this battle, Yukie also joined forces with Yoshitsune.
The “Azuma Kagami” records that Yukie rushed in from the rear and attacked Shoshun’s forces alongside Yoshitsune’s men.
The “Gyokuyou” also notes that Yukie hurried to Yoshitsune’s side and repelled the warriors involved in the assault.
The alliance between Yukiie and Yoshitsune had already evolved into military action at this stage.
The two sought to obtain an imperial order from the court to subdue Yoritomo.
The Imperial Order to Subdue Yoritomo: The Court’s Command to Yukiie and Yoshitsune
On October 18, 1185, an imperial order was issued to Yukiie and Yoshitsune to subdue Yoritomo.
The contents of this document are recorded in the Gyokuyo.
The order criticized Yoritomo for flaunting his military power and disregarding the court’s commands, instructing former Governor of Bizen, Minamoto no Yukiie, and Assistant Captain of the Left Guards, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, to subdue him.
What is significant here is that Yukiie and Yoshitsune were explicitly named as the executors of this subjugation.
In general historical explanations, this event is sometimes referred to as the “Imperial Edict to Subdue Yoritomo.”
However, the document dated October 18 in the Gyokuyo is an “imperial order.”
While an imperial edict conveys the will of the retired or cloistered emperor, an imperial order conveys the command of the reigning emperor.
This subjugation order was issued in the form of an imperial order, reflecting the intentions of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
Why Did the Court Approve the Subjugation of Yoritomo?
According to the Gyokuyo, there was debate within the court about whether Yoshitsune’s demands should be accepted.
Questions were raised about whether Yoritomo had committed offenses warranting such a subjugation order.
However, at that time, Yoshitsune’s forces were present in Kyoto.
If Yoshitsune’s demands were rejected and military chaos ensued, the court would have found it difficult to suppress.
Given these circumstances, the strategy was to first issue the order and then communicate the situation to Yoritomo, as recorded in the Gyokuyo.
The question of whether the court supported Yoritomo or Yoshitsune was heavily influenced by the military power dynamics at play.
Yukiie and Yoshitsune’s Failure to Gather Troops
Having obtained the imperial order, Yukiie and Yoshitsune sought cooperation from warriors across the provinces.
However, they struggled to gather the desired forces.
The Gyokuyo notes that the warriors of Omi Province were reluctant to join Yoshitsune’s side.
Yoritomo had already established a strong military base centered in the Kanto region.
Meanwhile, Yukiie had suffered defeats at Sumitagawa and Muroyama, and although Yoshitsune had achieved military success in subduing the Taira, he did not possess independent military strength sufficient to oppose Yoritomo.
Though they had the court’s command, they could not muster enough troops to carry it out.
Plans to Establish Bases in Kyushu and Shikoku
As raising an army in Kyoto became increasingly difficult, Yukiie and Yoshitsune sought to relocate to the western provinces to regroup.
The Azuma Kagami records that Yoshitsune was granted authority as the military governor of Kyushu and Yukiie of Shikoku.
At this time, the term “military governor” did not necessarily refer to the same role as the later institutionalized position.
Nevertheless, it is evident that the two sought to establish military authority in the western provinces to build a force capable of opposing Yoritomo.
Yoshitsune had campaigned throughout the western provinces during the Taira subjugation, and Yukiie had previously been active from Harima to the Kawachi and Izumi regions.
Both had connections to the western provinces.
However, it remains unclear how large a force the two could muster in the western provinces, given their inability to gather troops in Kyoto.
Before they could execute their plan, Yukie and Yoshitsune faced a significant setback.
The Shipwreck at Daimotsu Bay—The Two Who Couldn’t Cross to the West
In November of the first year of Bunji, Yukie and Yoshitsune left Kyoto.
The Azuma Kagami records that the two departed the capital on November 3.
Afterward, the group headed towards Daimotsu Bay in Settsu Province.
Daimotsu Bay, located around present-day Amagasaki City in Hyogo Prefecture, was a port leading to the Seto Inland Sea routes.
Yukie and Yoshitsune intended to board a ship here and cross to the western provinces.
According to the Gyokuyo entry for November 8, the two boarded a ship on the night of November 5 and stayed near Daimotsu.
However, strong winds began to blow from midnight.
The fleet encountered a violent storm, and many ships were reported to have been damaged or sunk.
The Gyokuyo also notes that not a single ship remained unscathed.
On the other hand, it was said that Yoshitsune and Yukie escaped towards the Izumi area in a small boat.
The exact escape route they took afterward remains unclear.
However, it is evident that their plan to cross to the western provinces and gather forces failed.
The Battle with Vengeful Spirits as Depicted in Funa Benkei
The shipwreck at Daimotsu Bay became a famous scene in later stories.
In the Gikeiki and the Noh play Funa Benkei, the vengeful spirits of the Taira clan appear before Yoshitsune’s party and attack them at sea.
It is also known that Musashibo Benkei performed prayers to repel the spirits.
However, these are stories depicted in later literary works.
The Gyokuyo records information about the shipwreck caused by the storm.
It is necessary to distinguish between the tale of spirits attacking the ships and the actual event of the fleet being damaged by strong winds.
Although Yukie and Yoshitsune survived, their forces were scattered.
Subsequently, the two went into hiding separately.
What the Pursuit of Yukie and Yoshitsune Brought to Yoritomo
After Yukie and Yoshitsune left Kyoto, Yoritomo demanded their pursuit from the court.
Emperor Go-Shirakawa also shifted his policy from pursuing Yoritomo to pursuing Yukie and Yoshitsune.
Yoritomo dispatched Hojo Tokimasa to Kyoto to negotiate with the court.
As a result, Yoritomo expanded his military authority over various provinces, citing reasons such as the pursuit of Yukie and Yoshitsune.
The Establishment of the Bunji Guardians and Stewards
In November of the first year of Bunji, the court recognized Yoritomo’s placement of warriors in various provinces and the collection of certain military rice provisions.
This event is generally known as the establishment of the Bunji guardians and stewards.
However, this did not mean that a uniform system of guardians and stewards was completed nationwide at that time.
Yoritomo had already been appointing stewards in various territories, and there is academic debate about the specific scope of the authority recognized by the measures of the first year of Bunji.
Nevertheless, the pursuit of Yukie and Yoshitsune became a significant opportunity for Yoritomo to expand his political and military authority.
In 1180, Yukie played a role in delivering the imperial order to various provinces to subdue the Taira clan.
Five years later, he became the target of a pursuit himself, hunted by warriors loyal to Yoritomo.
Minamoto no Yukie’s Hiding in Izumi Province
After being shipwrecked at Daimotsuura, Yukie fled to Izumi Province.
His known hiding place was in the village of Kogi in Hine District, Izumi Province.
This area, also referred to as Chigogi or Chigiyoshi, corresponds to the vicinity of present-day Kaizuka City in Osaka Prefecture.
It is said that Yukie took refuge with Kiyomi, the Hyuga no Gon no Kami, an official in the local government.
Local officials were those who handled administrative duties at regional offices.
The Azuma Kagami records that Yukie was hiding at Kiyomi’s residence.
Yukie had previously based himself at Nagano Castle in Kawachi Province and was active in the areas from Minami Kawachi to Izumi.
Thus, it is believed that he had connections with people in this region.
However, it is unclear when Yukie and Kiyomi became acquainted or what their relationship was.
While hiding in Izumi Province, Yukie attempted to evade Yoritomo’s forces.
However, his hiding place was eventually discovered.
May 12, 1186—Yukie Discovered in Kogi
On May 12, 1186, Yukie’s hiding place in Izumi Province was uncovered.
The Azuma Kagami entry for May 25 details the circumstances of his capture.
Rumors circulated that Yukie was moving around the areas of Izumi and Kawachi, prompting Yoritomo’s forces to continue their search.
Eventually, they received information that Yukie was with Kiyomi, the Hyuga no Gon no Kami.
The pursuers included Hojo Tokisada and Hitachibo Shoaki.
Hojo Tokisada was a warrior from the Hojo clan, involved in Yoritomo’s activities around Kyoto at the time.
Hitachibo Shoaki is also recorded as participating in Yukie’s capture.
Yukie’s Escape to the Hills
According to the Azuma Kagami, Tokisada and his men surrounded Kiyomi’s residence in Kogi.
However, upon realizing the encirclement, Yukie fled to the hills behind the residence.
He then entered a nearby house and hid on the second floor.
The pursuers eventually pinpointed his location.
Hojo Tokisada approached from behind, while Hitachibo Shoaki advanced from the front.
Although one or two warriors accompanying Yukie resisted, Shoaki and his men captured Yukie, as recorded.
The specifics of Yukie’s resistance are detailed in war tales.
However, it is difficult to confirm such battle details as historical fact.
What can be confirmed from the Azuma Kagami is that Yukie escaped from Kiyomi’s residence and was captured by the pursuers at a civilian house.
The End of Minamoto no Yukie—Beheaded by Yoritomo’s Forces
Yukie was captured and subsequently lost his life.
According to the Azuma Kagami entry for May 25, Hojo Tokisada joined forces with Masaaki and others who had captured Yukie, and they beheaded him on the spot.
If we follow this account, Yukie was beheaded on May 12, 1186, near Ogigo in Izumi Province.
On the other hand, there is also a tradition that he was executed at Akai River in Yamashiro Province.
Akai River corresponds to the area near Yodo in present-day Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City.
However, the article in the Azuma Kagami suggests that Yukie was captured in Izumi Province and beheaded there.
Regarding the tradition that Yukie’s end came at Akai River, it is necessary to consider the differences in historical accounts.
The Execution of His Son, Minamoto no Mitsuie
The Azuma Kagami records that Yukie’s son, Minamoto no Mitsuie, was also executed.
However, father and son were not executed on the same day.
It is said that Mitsuie was killed on May 13, the day after Yukie was beheaded.
Mitsuie was Yukie’s eldest son and had once held a court position.
According to the records in the Azuma Kagami, Mitsuie became a Kurando in 1183 and was also appointed as a Saemon Gon no Shōi.
Because his father Yukie was pursued by Yoritomo’s forces, Mitsuie also faced execution.
Another of Yukie’s children, known as Yukiyori, is also mentioned, but the specifics of his fate require careful examination of historical sources.
At the very least, the Azuma Kagami entry for May 25 confirms that Yukie was executed on May 12 and Mitsuie on the following day, May 13.
Yukie’s Head Sent from Kyoto to Kamakura
The news of Yukie’s capture reached Kyoto.
The Gyokuyō entry for May 15 notes that Kujō Kanezane received a report that Yukie had been captured in Izumi Province.
Kanezane wrote that upon hearing the news, he felt the fortunes of the realm had not yet run out.
Yukie’s capture, as he had opposed Yoritomo, held significant meaning for the court.
On the following day, the 16th, there is a record that Yukie’s head was transported to Kyoto.
Subsequently, the head was sent to the Kanto region.
The Azuma Kagami entry for May 25 records that Yukie’s head was delivered to Kamakura.
Yoritomo’s forces confirmed the head and knew that the pursuit had been successful.
Yukie’s life, who had delivered Prince Mochihito’s decree to Yoritomo, ended here.
Why Did Yukie Oppose Yoritomo and Yoshinaka?
Tracing Yukie’s life, it is evident that his allies changed multiple times.
Initially, he carried the imperial edict of Prince Mochihito, urging Yoritomo and others to rise in rebellion.
After being defeated at the Battle of Sumidagawa, he sought Yoritomo’s support but left without gaining any lands.
He then collaborated with Yoshinaka to enter Kyoto, but they clashed over rewards and how to deal with Yoritomo.
Moreover, in Kawachi, he allied with the Ishikawa clan, attempting to establish his own power base.
Ultimately, he opposed Yoritomo alongside Yoshitsune, leading to their pursuit and downfall.
Due to these actions, Yukie is often portrayed in later generations as an ambitious figure who repeatedly engaged in conflicts.
However, considering the political climate of the time and Yukie’s position, the reasons behind his shifting alliances become clearer.
The Position as an Elder of the Minamoto Clan
Yukie was a son of Minamoto no Tameyoshi and the uncle of Yoritomo, Yoshinaka, and Yoshitsune.
Within the Minamoto clan, he belonged to an older generation than Yoritomo and Yoshinaka.
However, it was Yoritomo and Yoshinaka who achieved significant military successes against the Taira and commanded the loyalty of the warriors.
Yoritomo established a military base in the Kanto region, while Yoshinaka defeated the Taira forces in the Hokuriku region and advanced to Kyoto.
In contrast, Yukie was defeated at Sumidagawa and Muroyama, failing to establish a strong military foundation.
Thus, there was a disparity between his bloodline position within the clan and his actual military prowess.
Yukie’s requests for land from Yoritomo and his dissatisfaction with the difference in official rank with Yoshinaka can be seen as related to this situation.
Relations with Regional Warriors
Although Yukie could not achieve victories in large-scale battles, he maintained relationships with influential figures across various regions.
Examples include his connections with his family in Kumano Shingu, cooperation with the Ishikawa clan in Kawachi Province, and his ties with local officials who supported his refuge in Izumi Province.
His activities centered around Nagano Castle particularly indicate his attempts to build an independent power base.
Even after his defeat at Muroyama, Yukie was involved in adjudicating disputes in the Kawachi and Izumi areas, engaging in regional governance.
Despite repeated military defeats, he continued his activities by leveraging his connections with local warriors.
Yukie Not Joining Yoritomo’s Rule
Yoritomo expanded his influence by establishing lord-vassal relationships with Kanto warriors, securing lands, and rewarding military achievements.
As his control extended, the presence of Minamoto clan members who acted independently of Yoritomo’s command increasingly became an issue.
Yoshinaka also clashed with Yoritomo and was ultimately defeated by Yoritomo’s forces.
Yoshitsune, despite his military successes in the pursuit of the Taira, also saw his relationship with Yoritomo deteriorate, leading to his being hunted down.
Yukie also refused to come under Yoritomo’s command and continued his independent activities.
In the end, he allied with Yoshitsune and obtained an imperial edict to subdue Yoritomo.
To Yoritomo, Yukie became a figure who, despite being his uncle by blood, resisted his rule and sought to oppose him with military force.
What the Man Who Carried Prince Mochihito’s Edict Left Behind
Yukie was unable to destroy the Taira clan with his own forces.
He was defeated at the Sumidagawa and Muroyama, and his relationships with Yoritomo and Yoshinaka deteriorated.
In Kawachi, he attempted to establish his own power base but ended up being pursued by Yoshinaka’s forces.
Ultimately, although he collaborated with Yoshitsune to oppose Yoritomo, he failed to cross to the western provinces and lost his life in Izumi Province.
However, his delivery of Prince Mochihito’s edict in the 4th year of the Jisho era holds significant importance in the history of the Genpei War.
Yukie delivered the edict to Yoritomo and further called upon the Minamoto in Kai and Shinano to pursue the Taira.
Though Prince Mochihito and Minamoto no Yorimasa failed in their uprising, anti-Taira movements spread across various regions.
While the uprisings of Yoritomo and Yoshinaka were influenced by the circumstances of their respective regions, Prince Mochihito’s edict also served as one of the justifications for military actions against the Taira.
Yukie played the role of transmitting this document.
On the other hand, Yukie’s subsequent activities indicate that the Minamoto clan was not necessarily united by a common purpose.
Even during the period when the Taira were a common enemy, internal conflicts within the Minamoto arose over territories, official ranks, and military command.
Yukie fell out with Yoritomo and clashed with Yoshinaka.
After the fall of the Taira, he allied with Yoshitsune to seek Yoritomo’s overthrow.
Yukie’s life tells the story of how conflicts continued even after the Minamoto defeated the Taira.
The Final Days of Minamoto no Yukie
In April of 1180, Yukie visited Yoritomo in Izu Province, carrying a decree from Prince Mochihito.
Subsequently, Yoritomo, Yoshinaka, and others raised armies, marking the beginning of the conflict against the Taira regime.
Yukie himself led troops but was defeated by the Taira forces at the Battle of Sunomata River.
After being denied land by Yoritomo, he joined Minamoto no Yoshinaka’s camp.
Although he entered Kyoto with Yoshinaka, disputes arose over rewards and how to deal with Yoritomo, prompting him to independently launch a campaign to the western provinces.
Following a defeat at Muroyama, he took refuge in Nagano Castle in Kawachi Province, continuing his activities with the support of the Ishikawa clan.
Even after Yoshinaka was killed in battle, Yukie survived and later allied with Yoshitsune, who was in conflict with Yoritomo after the fall of the Taira.
In October 1185, the two obtained an imperial decree to pursue Yoritomo.
However, they failed to gather troops.
The fleet they attempted to take to the western provinces was wrecked by a storm, forcing Yukie and Yoshitsune to flee.
Yukie hid in Kogi-go, Izumi Province, but on May 12, 1186, he was discovered by Hojo Tokisada and Hitachibo Kagemitsu, who beheaded him.
The following day, his son Mitsuie was also executed, as recorded in the “Azuma Kagami.”
In 1180, when Yukie delivered the decree to Yoritomo, he was still an exile in Izu.
By 1186, when Yukie met his end, Yoritomo had expanded his military influence from the Kanto region to the western provinces.
Yukie’s call for the pursuit of the Taira across the provinces was a significant event that contributed to the Genji uprising and the subsequent establishment of a warrior government.
Yukie himself never remained under Yoritomo’s command, striving to establish his own power until the end.
The uncle who delivered the decree to Yoritomo in 1180 met his fate in 1186, as a result of Yoritomo’s pursuit.
Yukie’s head was delivered to Kamakura approximately six years and one month after he had carried the decree to the Hojo residence.
Main References and Sources
Primary Sources
- “Azuma Kagami,” entries for April 9 and 27, 1180; March 10, 1181; and various entries in 1183, 1184, October and November 1185, and May 25, 1186
- Kujou Kanezane’s “Gyokuyou,” entries for October 27, 1183; October 17, 18, and 19, 1185; November 1185; and May 15 and 16, 1186
- “The Tale of the Heike,” Volume 4 “Genji Assembled,” Volume 6 “Sunomata River,” Volume 8 “Muroyama,” Volume 9 “Higuchi Punished,” etc.
- “The Rise and Fall of the Genpei,” various sections
- “Gukansho”
- Kumedadera Temple Documents
Research and Commentary
- Nagano Prefectural History Museum “Shinano Historical Materials,” Volume 3
- History of Tondabayashi City, Volume 2: “Ishikawa Yoshikane and Nagano Castle” and “Confiscated Lands and Estate Stewards”
- History of Kaizuka City, Volume 1: “The Death of Minamoto no Yukie”
- National Archives of Japan: “The Tale of the Heike—Mysterious and Beautiful—”
- “Minamoto no Yukie” in the Encyclopedia Nipponica
- “Minamoto no Yukie” in the Revised New Edition of the World Encyclopedia
- “Minamoto no Yukie” in the Digital Edition of the Biographical Dictionary of Japanese Names+Plus
- Fukui Prefecture History, General History Volume 2: The Medieval Period
- Eriko Niimura, “The Genpei War and Its Surroundings, Episode 17: The Battle of Sunomata River—Yukie’s Defeat and Yoshitsune’s Death”
