Biographies CXVIII: The Shogunal Retainers, Part I

Taira-no-Hirotsune

¶Taira-no-Hirotsune was a descendant of Takamochi, Kazusa-no-suke, Assistant Governor of Kazusa. His father, named Tsunetaka, served as Kazusa-no-suke (Note: following the Heishi Keizu; some hold that this book should write the character "taka" in his name as "sumi"). Hirotsune became Kazusa-no-gon-no-suke, Provisional Assistant Governor of Kazusa (Note: following the Azuma Kagami), and was called Suke-no-Hachirō. In the Hōgen and Heiji disturbances he attached himself to Minamoto-no-Yoshitomo and was highly renowned for his valor (Note: following the Hōgen Monogatari and the Heiji Monogatari). He was one of the so-called "Seventeen Riders" (Note: following the Heiji Monogatari). Afterwards he attached himself to the Taira. When Minamoto-no-Yoritomo raised his banner, Hōjō Tokimasa urged Yoritomo that, since Hirotsune was the most distinguished house in the eastern provinces, he should be the first to be drawn to his side (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki). Yoritomo sent Wada Yoshimori to summon Hirotsune, but Hirotsune merely watched how matters stood and did not respond (Note: the Genpei Jōsuiki names Adachi Morinaga instead of Yoshimori). Before long Yoritomo's side was defeated at the battle of Ishibashiyama, and when Yoritomo fled to Kazusa he again sent Yoshimori to press Hirotsune. Hirotsune made the excuse that his levy of troops was not yet ready and was slow to come (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). But when he heard that Chiba Tsunetane and others had answered Yoritomo's call, he at last led twenty thousand troops from Suto, Susai, Inan, Ihoku, Chōnan and Chōhoku and joined Yoritomo's force at the Sumida River. Yoritomo was angry that Hirotsune had arrived late and did not receive him at once; through Toi Saneyoshi he had word sent: "Wait in the rear host for my orders." Hirotsune had originally reasoned: "Now all the horses and soldiers of the realm are under the command of the Heishōkoku, Chancellor Taira (Kiyomori). Yoritomo has risen alone, so his enterprise cannot possibly succeed. If the man proves to be mediocre and no fit commander, I will cut him down and hand him over to the Taira. Moreover, if I now come galloping up with a great army, Yoritomo will surely be overjoyed." But on hearing this command he was greatly disheartened; realizing that Yoritomo possessed the stature of a ruler of men, he submitted to him in his heart and served him (Note: compare the Azuma Kagami and the Genpei Jōsuiki). Yoritomo joined Hirotsune's forces to his own, and his strength grew greatly. When Taira-no-Koremori was defeated at the Fuji River, Yoritomo advanced to pursue him, but at that time Satake Yoshimasa and Satake Hideyoshi held troops in Hitachi, and Hirotsune, together with Chiba Tsunetane and Miura Yoshizumi, advised that they be destroyed first. When Yoritomo went to Hitachi, he found the Yoshimasa and Hideyoshi kin powerful, their authority resounding throughout the province. He therefore took counsel with his commanders, and since Hirotsune was related to them by marriage, resolved to send Hirotsune to persuade Yoshimasa and Hideyoshi to surrender. Hideyoshi, however, refused to obey, on the ground that his father Takayoshi was in the capital serving the Taira. Only Yoshimasa came with Hirotsune. Yoritomo deceived Yoshimasa's attendants and sent them away, and ordered Hirotsune to cut Yoshimasa down on the Ōya Bridge. Hideyoshi finally shut himself up in Kanasa Castle. Kanasa was high and steep, and Yoritomo attacked it without being able to take it. The next day Hirotsune said to Yoritomo: "Hideyoshi has an uncle called Kurōdo Yoshihiro, a cunning and greedy man. If he is tempted with a large profit, he will surely betray Hideyoshi. If Yoshihiro is won over, it will not be hard to destroy Hideyoshi." Yoritomo agreed. Hirotsune went to Yoshihiro and told him: "All the men of the east have submitted to the Buei (Yoritomo). Now the young master (Hideyoshi) means to resist him from a lonely fortress, but his ruin is plain to see. If I think on your behalf, you should change your mind quickly and attack and kill the young master. Then you will not only escape death but will hold his domain for ever." Yoshihiro was overjoyed, led Hirotsune's troops in, and raising a war cry came out behind the castle. The garrison was thrown into confusion and could not hold, and Hideyoshi abandoned the castle and fled. Hirotsune had from the first many soldiers and horses, and, relying on his merit, grew arrogant. When Miura Yoshizumi entertained Yoritomo at Miura, Hirotsune, who had come in answer to the summons, caught sight of Yoritomo from afar and merely nodded to him from horseback. Sawara Yoshitsura urged him to dismount, but Hirotsune said, "In my house, for three generations we have not been accustomed to such ceremony," and in the end would not dismount. When the banquet was at its height, he fell into an angry quarrel, in his cups, with Okazaki Yoshizane. Yoritomo could no longer restrain his accumulated discontent and gradually came to keep Hirotsune at a distance. Hirotsune dimly sensed this too, and, since Yoritomo held people from the capital in special esteem, he tried to win Yoritomo's favor by recommending his own son-in-law, the former Hōki-no-kami, Governor of Hōki, Taira-no-Tokiie. But Yoritomo never put aside his displeasure (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). Later Yoritomo ordered Kajiwara Kagetoki to plot Hirotsune's destruction. Kagetoki played sugoroku with Hirotsune and, catching him off guard, suddenly cut him down (Note: following the Gukanshō).

¶Hirotsune's son Yoshitsune, called Kogon-no-suke, was killed as well (Note: following the Chiba Keizu). Hirotsune had once dedicated a suit of armor to the Ichinomiya of Kazusa, and at this time the Shinto priest reported the fact to Yoritomo. Yoritomo suspected there might be some meaning behind it and sent a man to fetch it. Inside was a letter; when it was opened and read, it consisted entirely of prayers for Yoritomo's martial fortunes. Only then did Yoritomo learn that Hirotsune had been innocent; he deeply regretted what he had done and ordered Hirotsune's younger brothers Amō Naotane and Sōma Tsunekiyo (Note: to be granted lands and the like) (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). When Yoritomo went up to the capital, he submitted the following to the Retired Emperor: "There was a man called Taira-no-Hirotsune, Kazusa-no-suke, who had from the first many troops under him. When I first raised my banner, I summoned him and added him to my army, and he repeatedly performed great deeds. But Hirotsune used constantly to say to me: 'Now that we have established a firm base in the Kantō, who can do anything to us? Why should we take the trouble to toil for the court?' I secretly feared that if a man of ill intentions were kept about me, Heaven's punishment would fall upon us, and therefore I put him to death in advance. I serve my sovereign with utmost sincerity and mean to devote this body to the nation." Considering this together, it seems that because Hirotsune had a name as a hero and a great warrior, Yoritomo deliberately took this up as a pretext (Note: following the Gukanshō).

Chiba-no-Tsunetane

¶Chiba Tsunetane was of the same stock as Taira-no-Hirotsune. His great-great-grandfather Tsunemasa lived in Chiba District, Shimōsa Province; Tsunemasa begot Tsunenaga, Tsunenaga begot Tsunekane, and Tsunekane became Junior Fifth Rank Lower, Shimōsa-no-gon-no-suke, Provisional Assistant Governor of Shimōsa. Tsunekane begot Tsuneshige, and Tsunetane was his eldest son. He was known in his day as Chiba-no-suke (Note: compare the Azuma Kagami, the Heishi Keizu and the Chiba Keizu). He was of gentle, weighty and modest character, and his house had been a famous one in the Kantō for generations. When Minamoto-no-Yoritomo raised his banner, he sent Adachi Morinaga to carry his call to Shimōsa, and Morinaga met Tsunetane and conveyed Yoritomo's intention. Tsunetane only pondered and was slow to answer, but his sons Tanemasa and Taneyori, standing by, came forward and urged: "The Buei (Yoritomo) has raised troops under the banner of righteousness, to rid the country of its harm. Moreover he has asked us first for troops. There can be no doubt about following what is right and striking down what is wrong. Please answer his command at once." Tsunetane then replied: "If the general means to restore the long-interrupted work of his ancestors, how could Tsunetane dare not to obey his command?" and rewarded Morinaga with a cup of wine. Tsunetane further told Morinaga: "The place where the bakufu (Yoritomo's headquarters) is now set up has no strength of natural defense. Kamakura in Sagami is a place bound up with the Minamoto ancestors. You should all the more move your army to occupy it. Tsunetane too will lead his sons and brothers to meet you there." When Morinaga reported this to Yoritomo, Yoritomo was greatly pleased. When Tsunetane was about to gather his troops and set out, Taneyori said: "The mokudai, the provincial deputy, of this province was placed here by the Taira. He will not simply watch in silence what we do. We should first drive out the deputy and then advance." Tsunetane agreed, ordered Taneyori and the others to attack him, and had them set fire to the place, taking advantage of the wind. The enemy could not hold, and Taneyori himself cut down the deputy. A man named Hitada Chikamasa was related to the Taira by marriage; hearing that the deputy had been defeated and killed, he made ready his troops to attack Tsunetane, but Tsunetane's grandson Nariane struck him and took Chikamasa alive. Tsunetane then led over three hundred horsemen to welcome Yoritomo at the Shimōsa provincial office and presented his captive. Yoritomo was greatly delighted, summoned Tsunetane to his side, entertained him with great warmth, and said: "From now on I shall regard you as a father." (Note: following the Azuma Kagami; according to the Genpei Jōsuiki, after being defeated at Ishibashiyama, Yoritomo went to Kazusa.) Tsunetane advised: "The general should raise more banners and make the splendor of his host imposing. Those in Edo and Kasai who are watching the course of events will all see that many picked troops have gathered, and will follow in turn to submit." Yoritomo followed this advice (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki).

¶In the third year of Jūei (1184), Tsunetane followed Minamoto-no-Noriyori in attacking Minamoto-no-Yoshinaka, and then attacked the Taira in the western seas, winning battle honors in each. As an old general his authority and reputation had long been high, and Yoritomo ordered Noriyori to show Tsunetane particular and generous respect. In the first year of Bunji (1185), Noriyori reached Nagato and was about to go on to Bungo. But the ships were not ready and provisions ran short. When the army was drawn back to Suō, most of the officers and men were from the eastern provinces and thought day and night of nothing but returning home. Among the commanders, men of the Wada, Ōtawa and other houses even plotted to abandon the army and go back east. Only Tsunetane never spoke of hardship. When Noriyori eventually requisitioned provisions from the neighboring provinces, the war ships also gradually gathered. When the time came to set out, Tsunetane advanced ahead of all the commanders. Yoritomo admonished Noriyori: "Tsunetane, old as he is, struggles without regard for himself. He should be treated with special generosity. If one tried to repay Tsunetane's merit, one could not finish repaying it in a whole lifetime." Soon afterwards, for his merit, his holdings in Shimōsa and Misaki were increased. In the third year (1187) of Bunji, warriors in the capital committed violence on every side and bands of robbers overran the city. The court ordered Yoritomo to quell them. Yoritomo therefore sent Tsunetane and Shimokōbe Yukihira to keep order. At their departure Yoritomo sent a letter to Gon-Chūnagon, Provisional Middle Counsellor, Fujiwara-no-Tsunefusa, saying: "Nakahara-no-Chikayoshi and Ōe-no-Hiromoto are in the capital, but they merely supervise the repair of the Kan'in palace and civil works. Moreover these two are not distinguished in the martial arts, and if men who commit violence should appear, they could not handle them. I am therefore now sending Chiba Tsunetane and Shimokōbe Yukihira. These two are brave men of the Kantō and command many horses and soldiers. No one surpasses them for restraining the lawless. That is why I have chosen and appointed them. Let them display their full strength." When the two arrived in the capital, the robbers vanished and the capital was entirely settled. In the fifth year (1189) of Bunji, when Yoritomo attacked Fujiwara-no-Yasuhira, Tsunetane made a banner and presented it to Yoritomo. Tsunetane had made it in imitation of the banner Minamoto-no-Yoriyoshi had used on his eastern campaign, and presented it. When the army was sent out, Tsunetane, together with Hatta Tomoie, led the troops of the Tōkaidō and, passing through Iwaki and Iwasaki, crossed the Kuma River and attacked. Thus Mutsu was pacified (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

¶In the first year of Kenkyū (1190), when Yoritomo was about to go up to the capital, Hatakeyama Shigetada had been settled upon as the vanguard, but the man for the rear guard had not yet been determined. Hatta Tomoie said: "Chiba Tsunetane is a veteran of many campaigns, a man whom all respect. He is precisely the right one," and Yoritomo agreed. The Retired Emperor ordered Yoritomo to choose ten meritorious retainers to receive offices and ranks, and Tsunetane was to share in this reward, but Tsunetane declined and yielded it to his grandson Tsunehide. It had originally been Yoritomo's practice, when granting documents to his commanders, always to write his own monogram (kaō) at the end of the paper, but after he was appointed Ukon'e-no-taishō, Great General of the Right Palace Guards, and established the Mandokoro, he no longer signed in person. At the beginning of his conduct of government, he bestowed on Tsunetane a kudashibumi, an official directive, praising his family and his merit and ordering that his lands be handed down to his descendants for ever. Tsunetane requested: "The document I have now received bears only the names of officials, and this is not enough to hand down to later ages. I beg to receive your own monogram, to be an honor to my house," and Yoritomo granted it. Furthermore, when Tsunetane asked for the Hachiya estate in Mino, Yoritomo said: "Your merit is the greatest, and I have never forgotten it. But I have an agreement with the Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa that no jitō, estate steward, shall be appointed to the Hachiya estate. I shall in time find another suitable place and give it for the sake of your descendants," and there was heartfelt concern in his words. Tsunetane was moved to tears and said: "Since the general treats me with such utmost sincerity, even if I do not receive that land, I have no resentment at all." (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). Tsunetane was afterwards raised to Senior Fifth Rank Lower. He died in the first year of Kennin (1201), at the age of eighty-four (Note: following the Azuma Kagami and the Chiba Keizu).

¶When Yoritomo first raised his banner, Tsunetane brought his whole clan over to him, repeatedly won battle honors, and exerted himself to the utmost in loyalty and devotion, in a way that none of the other commanders could equal. Yoritomo came to rely on him deeply and to trust him, and in military matters great and small there was none that he decided without consulting Tsunetane. Yoritomo's generosity toward Tsunetane never changed from beginning to end, and Tsunetane was able to preserve his merit and fame whole. Yoritomo is said to have often declared: "If rewards are to be given to meritorious retainers, Tsunetane should come first." So exceptional was his favor. When Minamoto-no-Sanetomo had the houses of meritorious retainers submit the personal letters bestowed on them by Yoritomo, the other commanders submitted no more than two or three each, but the Chiba and the Oyama alone submitted several tens each. The people of the time held this to be an honor (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

¶Tsunetane's sons were Tanemasa, Morotsune, Tanemori, Tanenobu, Tanemichi and Taneyori, and the monk Nichiin, all of whom were known in their day. Morotsune went out as the adopted son of Sōma Morokuni and was called Kojirō. Tanemori was called Takeishi Saburō (Note: following the Chiba Keizu). Tanenobu was called Ōsuga Shirō. In the Kenryaku era, when Sanetomo visited the Tsurugaoka shrine, Tanenobu, being a master of the bow, was ordered to hang up the bow and arrows. Tanenobu firmly declined, but Sanetomo grew angry and said: "By the rule of the late general (Yoritomo), no one who could not loose twenty arrows and fell twenty men could be chosen for this duty. And you, ignorant of the old precedent, regard it as a lowly task. This is truly unreasonable," and as punishment suspended his audiences. After some time he was pardoned (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). Tanemichi was called Kokubu Gorō (Note: following the Chiba Keizu). The monk Nichiin was called Ritsujōbō and lived at Onjōji. In the Jishō era, he received Yoritomo's secret commission to pray for the success of his rising. He therefore set a term of a thousand days and made pilgrimage to the Iwashimizu shrine, silently reciting the Daihannya-kyō, the Great Prajnaparamita Sutra, to seek the god's protection. One day in a dream he was given a golden helmet by the god, and on waking marveled at it. At that time Prince Mochihito raised troops and entered Onjōji; hearing of this, Nichiin had his disciple Nichie pray in his place and himself followed Prince Mochihito toward Nara. When they reached Kōmyōzan, the Prince was struck by a stray arrow. Nichiin fought fiercely against the pursuing enemy soldiers, cut down six, and fell in battle (Note: following the Azuma Kagami; compare the Genpei Jōsuiki. That he cut down six follows the Nagatobon Heike Monogatari). Yoritomo mourned him and donated Yamada District in Iga to Onjōji so that prayers might be offered for Nichiin's repose (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki).

Chiba-no-Tanemasa

¶Chiba Tanemasa succeeded to the headship of the house and became Shimōsa-no-suke, Assistant Governor of Shimōsa, and was known in his day as Shinsuke. When Yoritomo raised his banner, he struck Ihoku Tsunenaka in Kazusa and won battle honors. When Ōkawa Kanetō, a former retainer of Fujiwara-no-Yasuhira, rose in arms in Mutsu, Tanemasa, together with Kasai Kiyoshige, attacked and pacified him (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). His sons were Nariane and Tsunehide (Note: following the Chiba Keizu).

¶Nariane was called Kotarō; he succeeded to the headship and became Shimōsa-no-suke, and, following his father and grandfather, submitted to Yoritomo. In the rising of Ōkawa Kanetō he won battle honors. Yoritomo relied on his courage, yet feared that he would underrate the enemy and press in too deep, and sent him a letter saying: "On going into battle, be prudent, and do not endanger yourself by contending for the van." When Yoritomo hunted at Nasuno, he chose twenty-two attendants skilled with the bow and had them carry bows and arrows and stand in rank on his left and right, and Nariane was chosen as one of them. The other veteran meritorious retainers were not permitted to carry bows and arrows, so the people of the time envied him. In the rising of Wada Yoshimori, he led his clan to the place of danger, and the bakufu, relying on him, was reassured. His son Tanetsuna succeeded to the headship and became Shimōsa-no-suke (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

¶Tsunehide was called Sakai Heiji. When Yoritomo went up to the capital, Tsunehide, by virtue of his grandfather's merit, was appointed Sahyōe-no-jō, Lieutenant of the Left Gate Guards. When Yoritomo went up again, a rumor spread in the world that "the remnants of Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune and Minamoto-no-Yukiie are lying in wait for Yoritomo along the road," and Tsunehide, together with Hiki Yoshikazu, was ordered to guard the Tōkaidō. Later he became Kazusa-no-suke. He had two sons, Hidetane and Tokitsune. Hidetane became Kazusa-no-gon-no-suke and took as his wife a younger sister of Miura Yasumura. When Yasumura was defeated and killed, Hōjō Tokiyori sent troops to attack Hidetane's mansion at the Ichinomiya of Kazusa. Hidetane piled firewood and charcoal around the house, set it alight, and killed himself. Tokitsune was called Habu Jirō. Tsunehide had originally divided the Habu estate and given it to Tokitsune, but after Tsunehide's death Hidetane seized it, and discord arose between the brothers. Even so, when Tokitsune heard that Hidetane was in peril, he hastened to him and died with him, and the people of the time held this to be righteous (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

Chiba-no-Taneyori

¶Chiba Taneyori held the Tō estate in Shimōsa, and was therefore called Tō-no-Rokurō-tayū (Note: following the Azuma Kagami and the Chiba Keizu). His conduct was steady and upright, and in his youth he lived in the capital. At that time the Taira wielded power, but Taneyori did not fawn on the powerful; on the recommendation of Endō Mochitō he served Jōsaimon'in and was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower. Hearing the name of Mongaku, a monk of Jingoji, he went to visit him, and at first meeting they were of one mind, and he finally became his disciple. When Mongaku was exiled to Izu, he plotted to help Yoritomo's rising, and when the call to arms arrived, Taneyori persuaded his father (Tsunetane) to answer it. Yoritomo felt deep gratitude for this, and his favor toward Taneyori was the most generous of all (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

¶His son Shigetane was called Heita; he excelled at waka and served close at hand to Sanetomo. Once he went down to his domain to rest and did not return for more than a month. Sanetomo sent him a poem to urge him back, but he still did not return on time, and, having gravely offended Sanetomo's wishes, he was ordered to remain confined in his residence. Shigetane repented deeply and laid his feelings before Hōjō Yoshitoki. Yoshitoki counseled him and taught him to compose a poem apologizing for his fault. Shigetane composed a poem on the spot and handed it to Yoshitoki, who put it in his bosom, went to the bakufu, and interceded for forgiveness. Sanetomo, seeing the poem, was appeased, and his favor returned as before (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

¶His son Taneyuki also excelled at waka and was favored by Sanetomo. At every banquet he was sure to attend. Later he became Nakatsukasa-no-jō, Secretary of the Ministry of Central Affairs. He shaved his head and changed his name to Sosen. In the Hōji era, Fujiwara-no-Yoritsugu specially entrusted Taneyuki with the kyōsho, directives, concerning tonjō, written inquiries in lawsuits. The descendants of Tsunetane were known generation after generation for martial valor, but Taneyuki alone was also versed in clerical business, and therefore this appointment was made. It is said that this was the beginning of the Chiba holding civil offices (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

Miura-no-Yoshiaki

¶Miura Yoshiaki was of the Taira clan, and his ancestors came from Takamochi, Kazusa-no-suke. Takamochi's son Yoshifumi was called Muraoka Gorō and begot Sadamichi. Sadamichi was called Korokurō (Note: following the Heishi Keizu. For Sadamichi, the Heike Monogatari Tsurugi no Maki and the Konjaku Monogatari are followed. This book gives "Tadamichi," and the Heike Keizu says that "Tadamichi served Minamoto-no-Yorimitsu, but because he bore the same name as Fujiwara-no-Tadamichi, who was then Kanpaku, he avoided it and changed it to Sadamichi"; by this, Tadamichi would have been the original name). Sadamichi served Minamoto-no-Yorimitsu and was spoken of together with Minamoto-no-Tsuna and others (Note: following the Heike Monogatari Tsurugi no Maki). Sadamichi begot Tamemichi. Tamemichi was called Taira-no-Tayū, lived at Miura in Sagami, and took that as his surname. Tamemichi begot Tametsugu, and Tametsugu was called Heitarō (Note: following the Heishi Keizu). His valor and strength had no equal, his name resounded throughout the Kantō, and he followed Minamoto-no-Yoshiie in attacking Kiyohara-no-Takehira, winning battle honors (Note: following the Ōshū Gosannenki). Tametsugu begot Yoshitsugu, and Yoshitsugu became Sagami-no-suke, Assistant Governor of Sagami (Note: following the Miura Keizu). Yoshiaki was the eldest son of this Yoshitsugu (Note: following the Miura Keizu). He was called Ōsuke. He was of stalwart courage and held faith and honor in high regard (Note: following the Azuma Kagami and the Genpei Jōsuiki).

¶When Minamoto-no-Yoritomo raised his banner, he sent Adachi Morinaga to summon the warriors of the Kantō with a call to arms. When Yoshiaki heard that the envoy had come, he went out to receive him despite his illness, washed his hands and rinsed his mouth, and then read the summons. Shedding tears, he said: "I had thought, 'The blood of Sama-no-kami (Minamoto-no-Yoshitomo) has been almost wholly dispersed and lost, and none now remains,' and had constantly grieved and lamented deeply. That I should now hear of this rising, what fortune could surpass it?" Then, looking to his descendants, he said: "I am old and sick, and may not see tomorrow. That I have now been honored with this command is truly an honor to my whole house. Heaven's fortune turns, and rise and fall have their times. The Taira have long held power for their own ends, pushed arrogance to the utmost and given free rein to desire, and have brought about their own destruction. The Uhyōe-no-suke (Yoritomo) is the lord whom our house has served for generations. He has already received an edict from the Retired Emperor and raised a righteous army for the sake of the nation. You must exert yourselves to the utmost, assist the right, destroy the rebels and brigands, and leave behind an imperishable name. If the enterprise does not succeed, throw away your lives to uphold righteousness, and never harbor a divided heart." His words were sincere, and all were moved. He then feasted the envoy with a banquet and presented him with a sword and a horse. When Yoritomo took position at Ishibashiyama, Yoshiaki sent his son Yoshizumi, his grandson Yoshimori and others, leading over three hundred horsemen, to hasten to him. Before they had arrived, they heard the false report that Yoritomo had been killed in battle, and drew back their troops and turned around. On the way they fought Hatakeyama Shigetada at Kotsubozaka and defeated him, and returned to Miura. Yoshiaki said: "Tomorrow Shigetada will surely attack. You should hold Kinugasa and await him." Yoshimori said: "Kinugasa is level and convenient for maneuver, but it is not a position of strength. Nuta Castle is guarded by steep country on three sides and faces the sea on the fourth. If we have one or two hundred picked troops, even against an enemy of a million, they will have no room to use their great numbers." Yoshiaki did not heed him and said: "Nuta is a remote village, little known to people. Kinugasa is celebrated in the world as a famous castle. After we are dead, people will say, 'The Miura band died defending Kinugasa.' That alone is enough to make a name." Yoshimori said: "Both castles lie in our own domain. Whichever we choose makes little difference. Moreover, in holding a castle, the best plan is to gain days, hold out long, and wear the enemy down. If we now take position at Kinugasa, we shall be defeated before long and will only become a laughingstock of the world. Please consider it well." Yoshiaki was greatly angered and said: "Now that the whole realm is our enemy, there is no reason for us to survive. If we abandon a famous castle for a remote place, then even if we gain time, we shall only earn the ill name of cowards. This is what a brave warrior is deeply ashamed of. On the day the Minamoto house is restored, because it is the place where your forefathers died in battle, your descendants will be granted Kinugasa. Is that not an honor? Moreover victory or defeat in battle lies in the skill of the plan, not in whether the ground is steep or level. If you spare your lives and fear death, you had better not fight. If you will not obey my order, then I alone will defend Kinugasa and die there." The others had no choice but to enter Kinugasa Castle, though their troops were only a little over four hundred horsemen. Yoshiaki's son-in-law Kaneda Yoritsugu came hurrying with over seventy horsemen (Note: the Azuma Kagami gives seven thousand horsemen, but here this book and the Nagatobon Heike Monogatari are followed). Kinugasa Castle had a marsh on one side and a triple moat dug on another. Two bridges were laid to open the way for fighting, but they were just wide enough for two horsemen to pass. Yoshiaki ordered: "Those skilled with the bow, stock plenty of arrows. Those poor with the bow, take clubs and lie hidden in the bamboo thickets, wait until the enemy press up to the castle, and let the archers shoot one volley after another. When men and horses are wounded and fall into the moat, let the hidden men rush out at once and strike them with clubs" (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki). He then had Yoshizumi and Yoshitsura defend the east of the castle, Yoshimori and Yoritsugu the west, and set Yoshikage and Yoshihisa in the middle between them (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). Before long Hatakeyama Shigetada, Kawagoe Shigeyori, Edo Shigenaga and others attacked with over three thousand horsemen of the Kaneko, Murayama, Yamaguchi, Kodama, Yokoyama, Tsuzuki and Tan bands. In the earlier fight at Kotsubo, Yoshimori's younger brother Yoshimochi had killed three captains of the Tan band, and the Tan band, to avenge them, separately led over two hundred horsemen against the castle gate. Arrows rained down from the castle; the soldiers were wounded and many fell into the moat. The men with clubs rushed in confusion and struck them down, and the dead and wounded were very many. The Tan band could not hold and withdrew. Kaneko Ietada followed up with three hundred troops and attacked in a bloody fight, and took two of the gates. Yoshiaki ordered Yoshimori to shoot, and with a single arrow he struck him. Ietada fell from his horse, and his younger brother Chikanori carried him off on his shoulder. Miura Yoichi pursued but was in turn struck down by Chikanori. Yoshizumi issued an order: "Yoichi pursued the enemy alone on horseback and so brought about this defeat. You are only to shoot arrows. Even against enemies pressing in, none is to leave the ranks and advance alone." Yoshiaki, to rouse his soldiers, said: "Why do you cling so to your lives? To see the way you fight now, it is like children at play. By the custom of Bandō, a son does not flinch though his father dies before his eyes, and a father does not look back though his son falls behind him; they tread over corpses and through blood and settle the contest on the spot. Should we not now ride out together, lure the enemy onto difficult ground, and press and strike them? Would that not be a joy?" Yoshizumi, because his troops were few, would not sally forth. Yoshiaki raised his voice and said: "Since I took up arms at thirteen, I have passed through many battle lines. Now I am close to ninety, old age and sickness weigh on me, and I have always regretted dying uselessly in my bed. Having happily met this day, my wish has been fulfilled. You, watch me die in battle." He put his armor in order and was about to go out, but his body sagged and he could not stand, and with the help of six soldiers at last mounted his horse. Yoshizumi seized the horse's bit and held him back (Note: the Nagatobon Heike Monogatari gives Sano Heita instead of Yoshizumi). Yoshiaki rebuked him: "To die in battle is only what a warrior should do. One should cross short weapons, break the enemy's solid line and blunt his sharp edge. Yet you shut yourselves in the castle and only loose arrows, like target practice. When will you ever decide victory or defeat that way?" and raised his whip and struck Yoshizumi. Yoshizumi and the others took Yoshiaki's reins and, as if embracing him, led him back into the castle. When dusk came, Yoshiaki gathered his descendants and charged them: "In today's hard fighting we have not lost our name for valor. But the garrison is wholly exhausted and cannot fight again. I think that the Suke-dono (Yoritomo), being a man of wisdom and courage, will not die from one defeat. It is not impossible that he has deceived the enemy, saved himself, and fled to Bōsō to try again. You should leave the castle under cover of night, join Yoritomo's banner, put forth the strength of claws and fangs, and destroy the powerful enemy. The warriors of Bandō are all hereditary retainers of the Minamoto house. Though for a time they have attached themselves to the Taira, who of them will not yearn for their former lord? Wherever the banner of the righteous host turns, they will all submit of themselves as grass bends before the wind. The words of the old are sure to prove right. Remember my words later. My muscles have failed, and walking and riding are hard for me. If I flee with you, I shall not escape. If I were hard pressed by the enemy and you tried to help me, that would be impossible, and if you abandoned me, you would bear the shame of having abandoned a parent, and I too would be reproached for having clung to life. Better that I stay and defend this castle and set up many banners to deceive the enemy. I shall fight a single battle and make up my mind to die. Yoshiaki is ninety years old, and not worth sparing. Only that I cannot see Suke-dono's great success is a regret to me." So saying, he shed tears and sobbed. His kinsmen choked with tears too and earnestly begged to carry him off by force on a palanquin, but Yoshiaki would not hear of it. Yoshizumi and the others had no choice, and wiped their tears and left the castle (Note: compare the Azuma Kagami and the Genpei Jōsuiki). The next day the castle fell and Yoshiaki was killed. He was then eighty-nine (Note: according to the Genpei Jōsuiki and the Nagatobon Heike Monogatari, Yoshiaki's attendants could not bear to abandon him and fled with him forced onto a palanquin, but after about a ri they were overtaken by enemy soldiers; the situation was extremely pressing, and they abandoned Yoshiaki and scattered. The pursuing enemy stripped off Yoshiaki's clothes and armor, and in the end he was killed by Edo Shigenaga. Because this book does not contain this account, it is not adopted here). After destroying the Taira, Yoritomo still thought of Yoshiaki's loyalty and never ceased mourning his death. In the Kenkyū era (1190-1199), he chose land at Yabe District in Miura, built a Buddhist hall, and had prayers offered for Yoshiaki's repose (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

¶His sons were Yoshimune, Yoshizumi, Yoshihisa, Yoshiharu, Yoshisue, Shigeyuki and Yoshitsura. Yoshimune was called Sugimoto Tarō, Yoshihisa Ōtawa Saburō, Yoshiharu Tatara Shirō, Yoshisue Nagai Gorō, and Shigeyuki Mori Rokurō (Note: following the Miura Keizu).

Miura-no-Yoshizumi

¶Miura Yoshizumi was called Ara Jirō (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki). He lived at Yabe District (Note: following the Azuma Kagami) and was known in his day as Miura Bettō (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki). When Yoritomo took position at Ishibashiyama, Yoshizumi, with his nephew Yoshimori and others, led three hundred troops and set out by sea (Note: following the Azuma Kagami; the three hundred troops follow the Genpei Jōsuiki). But they met a wind and could not advance, and tried to go by land. Hearing that the Maruko River was in flood, they halted the army for a day. Yoshimori, making his rounds, said: "The day of battle is fixed, and if we are late and miss the appointed time, we shall regret it in vain," and so they hurried along the road and reached Maruko. But the current was so strong that they could not cross, and they meant to wait for the water to subside. Then Ōnuma Saburō, who had fled from Ishibashiyama, announced: "Suke-dono (Yoritomo) has fallen in battle." All were stunned and lost color, and said to one another: "We have uselessly lost our commander and have nothing to rely on. Ahead of us are Itō, Kajiwara and the others, and behind, Hatakeyama has taken position at the Kanae River. Taken between enemies in front and rear, we can neither advance nor retreat. Better to kill ourselves than to die at the hands of common soldiers." All agreed. Yoshizumi questioned Ōnuma: "Did you see Suke-dono's death with your own eyes?" Ōnuma answered, "No." Yoshizumi said: "A word passed on by hearsay can in no way be trusted. Might not the enemy have spread this story falsely to break our fighting spirit? At Ishibashiyama the mountain chain meets the sea, and if one hides in a valley one can conceal oneself. Awa and Kazusa are near, so one could also escape in a small boat. I shall go myself and meet the commanders Hōjō, Toi and the others and ascertain whether Suke-dono lives or has died. If it is true, it will not be too late to strike Ōba and Hatakeyama, avenge him, and then die." All obeyed, avoided Hatakeyama Shigetada's army, and turned back along the shore. Only his younger brother Yoshitsura did not agree (Note: the Nagatobon Heike Monogatari gives Wada Yoshimochi instead of Yoshitsura), saying: "Shigetada is a milk-smelling youth, not yet used to battle. His force is five hundred, ours three hundred; he should be easy to deal with. Let us charge straight into his army and take some good horses." Yoshizumi said: "Our troops have been galloping for days and the horses are tired. Shigetada has set up camp and is resting his men, waiting at ease for a weary foe. In trying to take their horses we may lose our own. It would be better to slip secretly along the shore, letting the sound of troops and horses be lost in the sound of the waves, so that the enemy does not notice. To attack is not a good plan." Yoshimori said: "If we now avoid their sharp edge, we are sure to be scorned later," and together with Yoshitsura he spurred his horse, struck Shigetada's camp, and galloped through with a great shout. Shigetada pursued as far as Kotsubozaka, where Yoshimori and the others turned back, fought, and defeated him, and then took position at Kinugasa. Shigetada attacked with Edo Shigenaga and Kawagoe Shigeyori. Yoshizumi and the others were defeated in battle and escaped by boat to Awa. At sea they met Yoritomo, and greatly rejoiced to see one another again (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki). He then followed Yoritomo toward Kazusa. At night they lodged in a farmhouse; a local man named Nagasa Tsunetomo, who had always been attached to the Taira, meant to attack Yoritomo. Yoshizumi detected it and struck and defeated him by surprise. When Shigetada, Shigenaga, Shigeyori and the others later submitted to Yoritomo, Yoritomo feared that Yoshizumi and his kin would take revenge on them, and counseled: "Though they hold troops, the great enterprise cannot be accomplished without borrowing their strength. Devote yourselves to public loyalty, and do not cling to private grudges." Yoshizumi's ancestors had lived at Miura for generations, and since his father Yoshiaki had administered the affairs of the province, Yoritomo now had Yoshizumi succeed to that post as well, so that he was called Miura-no-suke. He followed Minamoto-no-Noriyori in attacking the Taira in the western seas and advanced to Suō. Yoritomo had originally ordered Noriyori: "The land of Suō leads west to Dazaifu and east to the capital. You should hold this throat position and keep up military communications." When Noriyori was about to go on to Bungo, he gathered his commanders and asked: "I wish to entrust the defense of Suō to one who is brave, has strategy, and commands many troops. Who is fit?" Chiba Tsunetane answered, "Miura Yoshizumi is the man," and Noriyori accordingly ordered Yoshizumi to do so. Yoshizumi declined: "I wish to take the van and win merit, and do not wish to stay here," but when Noriyori counseled him repeatedly, Yoshizumi had no choice but to obey. When Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune attacked Dan-no-ura, Yoshizumi led troops and joined him. Yoshitsune appointed Yoshizumi to the vanguard. Advancing as far as Okitsu, when they came within about two hundred paces of the enemy line, the Taira fled without fighting. When Yoritomo attacked Fujiwara-no-Yasuhira, Yoshizumi accompanied the army as far as Atsukariyama and fought hard and drove back the enemy. Advancing further to Iwai District, he captured its chief commander, Nyaku Jirō. Now when Yoritomo first raised troops, Yoshiaki had been the first to answer him, had held off the enemy and died in battle. Yoshizumi, Yoshimori and the others went on fighting for several years afterwards, pacified powerful enemies, and their merit was very great. For this reason Yoritomo treated the Miura clan most generously. In general, a great many of the military secrets passed through Yoshizumi and the others. When Yoritomo went up to the capital, Yoshizumi accompanied him, and though he should have been appointed to office for his merit, he declined and asked that it be given to his son Yoshimura. When Yoritomo was appointed Seitō Taishōgun, Great General Who Subdues the East, and the imperial envoy reached Kamakura, Yoritomo specially ordered Yoshizumi to receive the imperial decree at the Tsurugaoka shrine, and everyone held this an honor. He died in the second year of Shōji (1200), at the age of seventy-four (Note: following the Azuma Kagami. The various books do not record Yoshizumi's receiving rank, but because this book has "Miura-no-suke Taira-no-Ason Yoshizumi died," he appears to have been raised to Fifth Rank. No clear authority is found, but here this book's statement is followed).

¶His sons were Aritsuna, Yoshimura, Shigezumi, Taneyoshi and Tomozumi. Yoshimura and Taneyoshi have biographies separately. Aritsuna was called Yamaguchi Jirō. Shigezumi was called Ōkawado and became Ōsumi-no-kami, Governor of Ōsumi (Note: following the Miura Keizu. This book writes "Aritsuna" as "Aritsugu," but here it is corrected according to the Azuma Kagami).

Miura-no-Yoshitsura

¶Miura Yoshitsura was called Sawara Jūrō and stood seven shaku five sun tall (Note: following the Miura Keizu). He excelled in courage and strategy. In the battles of Kotsubo and Kinugasa he won a name for valor in each (Note: following the Azuma Kagami and the Genpei Jōsuiki). In the third year of Jūei (1184) he followed Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune in attacking Minamoto-no-Yoshinaka (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki). He also followed in the attack on Ichi-no-Tani. Yoshitsune himself, leading picked troops, secretly made for Hiyodorigoe, intending to ride down the mountain and strike the enemy. The road was extremely perilous, and when they had gone some way a cliff stood sheer like a wall, and all were unable to go forward. Yoshitsura stepped forward and said: "I once hunted in the mountains of Kai and Shinano and am used to rugged country. Though this mountain is steep, to my eyes it is only a good hunting ground," and whipped his horse forward. Yoshitsune said, "Yoshitsura is a stalwart man. We must not let him alone die," and commanded all to follow him, and in the end they utterly defeated the enemy host (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki; compare the Heike Monogatari). Once, when Yoritomo visited Yoshizumi's house and held a banquet, Okazaki Yoshizane and Taira-no-Hirotsune, in their cups, fell into an angry quarrel and abused one another. Yoshitsura sharply rebuked Yoshizane: "Uncle, have you grown old and mad? Today the general is present at this banquet, which is truly a glory to our whole house. We ought to fear that even running about to wait on him will not be enough, so why are you so arrogant? And why is Hirotsune so discourteous? If you have something to say, you can say it another day," and he counseled them again and again. The two were ashamed and ceased quarreling. Yoritomo inwardly thought this just, and his treatment of Yoshitsura grew ever more generous. When Hōjō Tokitsura was to have his coming-of-age ceremony at the bakufu, Yoritomo had not fixed beforehand who should perform the capping. On the day, when the powerful houses had all assembled, Yoritomo specially ordered Yoshitsura to perform the capping. Yoshitsura declined and would not accept, but Yoritomo would not permit it and said: "When I once visited Miura, a single word of yours settled a quarrel. From that time I have thought well of you. This boy (Tokitsura) is one whom the lady (Hōjō Masako) especially loves, and I mean to rely on you in time to come to look after him. Please watch over him well." Yoshitsura then obeyed the command, and all held it an honor. When Yoritomo attacked Fujiwara-no-Yasuhira, Yoshitsura accompanied the army and won battle honors. In the first year of Kenkyū (1190), when Yoritomo went up to the capital, he followed him in that too. For his old merit he was appointed Saemon-no-jō, Lieutenant of the Left Gate Guards (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

¶His sons were Kagetsura, Moritsura, Ietsura and Masatsura. Moritsura became Tōtōmi-no-kami, Governor of Tōtōmi, Ietsura became Hizen-no-kami, Governor of Hizen, and Kagetsura and Masatsura became Efu-no-jō, Lieutenants of the Guards (Note: compare the Azuma Kagami and the Miura Keizu). Moritsura's sons were Tsunetsura, Hiromori, Moriyoshi (Note: following the Miura Keizu), Mitsumori, Moritoki and Tokitsura. Originally a daughter of Miura Yoshimura had married Hōjō Yasutoki and borne Tokiuji, but afterwards they were divorced and she married Moritsura. Because of this marriage tie, Moritsura's clan served the Hōjō with great deference. In the rising of Yasumura, Moritsura's sons all took the side of the bakufu. When Yasumura was defeated, many branches of the Miura were destroyed, but Moritsura's sons alone escaped the calamity (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). Yoshiaki's younger brother was Yoshizane.

Miura-no-Yoshizane

¶Miura Yoshizane was first called Miura Aku-shirō. Later, because he made Okazaki his home, he was called Okazaki Shirō (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki and the Miura Keizu). When Yoritomo was in Izu, Yoshizane devoted himself heart and soul to supporting him, and Yoritomo in turn relied on him deeply and trusted him. When Taira-no-Kanetaka was to be attacked, he was specially admitted beforehand to the secret council. At the battle of Ishibashiyama, Yoshizane fought hard, but his son Yoshitada was killed by Nagao Sadakage. When Sadakage surrendered, Yoritomo left the disposition of Sadakage to Yoshizane. Yoshizane was by nature compassionate and could not bear to kill him at once, and kept Sadakage in his own house. Sadakage, realizing that he could not escape death, recited the Hokke-kyō, the Lotus Sutra, day and night. Yoshizane listened to it with awe, felt deep pity in his heart, went to the bakufu and begged: "Though my resentment toward Sadakage has soaked into my very marrow, he upholds the Lotus Sutra and devotes himself wholly to his devotions. As I have listened to his reading, my feelings of resentment have gradually faded. Killing him would in any case bring no benefit to the dead (Yoshitada) and would only add to sin. I beg that his death be pardoned, so that I may aid the dead man's repose." Yoritomo granted it. Yoshitada had originally taken a daughter of Hatano Yoshikage as his wife and had a son, Sanetada. Sanetada's childhood name was Senbōshi. Yoshikage's domain lay at Hatano in Sagami. While Yoshikage was in the capital, Yoshizane took advantage of his absence to petition secretly for that land (to be given to himself). When Yoshikage returned from the capital and heard of it, he was greatly angered and brought a complaint to the bakufu. Yoritomo ordered that the two be brought face to face. Yoshizane claimed: "Yoshikage had once promised to hand that estate on to Senbōshi." Yoshikage retorted: "Senbōshi is my grandson by my daughter. While I, his maternal grandfather, am still alive, why should he petition for it? This is nothing but Yoshizane's crafty scheme." Yoshizane was out-argued and submitted. As punishment he was ordered to stand night watch for a hundred days at Tsurugaoka and at Shōchōjuin. Later Yoshizane's retainers captured a bandit chief at Hakone, and by this merit he was able to atone for his offense. Afterwards, citing old age, he retired from his office. In the Shōji era (1199-1201), he met Hōjō Masako and, weeping, told her of his house's decline. Masako pitied him greatly and said to Yoriie: "When the late lord began his great work, Yoshizane and the others were his claws and fangs (his trusted martial force). Now I hear that he is old, his house has grown poor, and he worries about his descendants. We cannot but treat him generously. A holding should be added to reward his old service." But before the order was issued, Yoshizane died. He was eighty-nine (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

¶His sons were Yoshitada and Yoshikiyo. Yoshikiyo left the house as the adopted son of Tsuchiya Munetō (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki).

Miura-no-Yoshitada

¶Miura Yoshitada was called Sanada Yoichi (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). He was of stalwart courage and strength, and skilled at riding wild horses. At the battle of Ishibashiyama, Yoritomo asked all: "The enemy are all picked troops of the eastern provinces, with Ōba and Matano as their van. Among my men, who can face them?" Yoshizane said: "My son Yoshitada has some courage. I beg you to command him," and Yoritomo appointed Yoshitada to the vanguard. Before long the enemy attacked, and Yoshitada and his comrades fought hard, and he grappled with Matano Kagehisa and they fell from their horses. As he was about to stab Kagehisa, Nagao Tamemune came hurrying up to help Kagehisa. At that moment it was dark and the rain was heavy, and they could not tell one another's voice or form, so Yoshitada deceived Tamemune by saying: "The one underneath is Yoshitada." Kagehisa said: "Do not mistake it. The one underneath is Kagehisa, the one on top is Yoshitada," and groped at helmet and armor to tell them apart. Yoshitada then kicked Tamemune away and hurriedly drew his sword to stab Kagehisa, but the sword would not come out of the scabbard, and however many times he tried to stab, it would not go in. In the course of this Yoshitada was at last struck down by Tamemune's younger brother Sadakage. He was twenty-five years old (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki).

¶Yoshitada had three sons, Sanetada, Narizane and Sanehisa (Note: following the Miura Keizu). All were still very young. When Yoritomo went to Shimōsa, he sent a messenger to console Yoshitada's mother. Anxious that the young children might be searched out and seized by the enemy, he took them into the army and kept them there. Later, when Yoritomo visited Yoshizane's house and held a banquet, he summoned the three children and cared for them with great kindness. Sanetada was also called Yoichi and became Saemon-no-jō. When Wada Yoshimori raised arms, Sanetada joined him with two sons of his, and died when the enterprise failed (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).