Minamoto no Yoshitsune

Minamoto no Yoshitsune was a famous warrior and hero of the late Heian and early Kamakura periods of Japanese history. He was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, the head of the Minamoto clan who was killed in the Heiji Rebellion of 1160. Yoshitsune was spared by his father's enemy, Taira no Kiyomori, and sent to a monastery in Kyoto. There he learned swordsmanship and strategy from the monks and met his loyal follower, Benkei. At the age of 15, he escaped from the monastery and joined his half-brother, Minamoto no Yoritomo, who had raised an army against the Taira clan. Yoshitsune proved to be a brilliant military leader and won many battles for his brother, such as the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani, the Battle of Yashima, and the Battle of Dan-no-ura, which ended the Genpei War and the Taira rule. Yoshitsune became a favorite of the emperor and the court, but also aroused the jealousy and suspicion of his brother, who feared his popularity and influence. Yoritomo accused Yoshitsune of treason and sent troops to capture him. Yoshitsune fled to the north, where he was protected by Fujiwara no Hidehira, the lord of the Northern Fujiwara clan. After Hidehira's death, his son Fujiwara no Yasuhira betrayed Yoshitsune and attacked his residence at the Koromogawa no tachi. Yoshitsune fought bravely, but was outnumbered and surrounded. He decided to commit suicide rather than being captured. He killed his wife and children, and then asked his loyal retainer, Benkei, to kill him. Benkei refused and fought to the death at the gate. Yoshitsune then cut his own throat with his sword. His head was cut off and sent to Yoritomo as a proof of his death. Yoshitsune's tragic fate and heroic deeds have inspired many stories, legends, and plays in Japanese culture. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most popular warriors of Japan.