Biographies CXXIII: The Shogunal Retainers, Part VI: Hatakeyama Shigetada

Hatakeyama Shigetada

¶Hatakeyama Shigetada, whose childhood name was Ujiōmaru, came from Musashi province. His ancestry goes back to Yoshifumi, a son of Taira-no-Takamochi. Yoshifumi lived at Muraoka in Musashi and fathered Tadayori. Tadayori styled himself Muraoka Jirō and fathered Masatsune. Masatsune became Governor of Musashi and fathered Takemoto. Takemoto took the title Chichibu Bettō and fathered Takezuna. Takezuna followed Minamoto-no-Yoriyoshi in the campaign against the rebels of Mutsu, distinguished himself, and fathered Shigetsuna. Shigetsuna became Provisional Governor of Shimotsuke and Sōkengyō of the Musashi Rusudokoro, took the title Chichibu Gon-no-kami, and fathered Shigehiro. Shigehiro fathered Shigeyoshi. Shigeyoshi became Hatakeyama Shōji, married a daughter of Miura Yoshiaki, and fathered Shigetada; for this reason Shigetada was called Shōji Jirō (Note: this passage is written with reference to the Sonpi Bunmyaku, the Heishi Keizu, and the Hatakeyama Keizu). Shigeyoshi followed Minamoto-no-Yoshihira, attacked Minamoto-no-Yoshikata at Ōkura, and won merit (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki).

¶In the fourth year of Jishō (1180), Minamoto-no-Yoritomo, acting on the edict of Prince Mochihito, raised troops and rose to destroy the Taira. The stalwarts of Izu and Sagami vied with one another to hasten to him. At that time Shigeyoshi and his younger brother Oyamada Arishige were both in the capital, and the Taira, who disliked the fact that all of Shigeyoshi's kinsmen had attached themselves to Yoritomo, kept the two men in Kyoto and would not let them return (Note: following the Heike Monogatari). For this reason Shigetada did not answer Yoritomo's summons. In the eighth month, when Yoritomo took his stand at Ishibashiyama, Ōba Kagechika led the troops of Musashi and Sagami and routed him. Shigeyoshi's kinsman Shibuya Shigekuni, and Arishige's son Inage Shigenari, attacked Yoritomo together with Kagechika. Shigetada, too, led more than five hundred horsemen and drew up his camp at Imogane-yama. He was then seventeen years old. Just then Miura Yoshizumi, Wada Yoshimori and others had led their troops to help Yoritomo, but on the way they heard that Yoritomo had been defeated and turned back; as they passed beside Shigetada's camp, Yoshimori shouted a loud challenge at it. Shigetada said to his men, "Between ourselves and the Miura there has never been any grudge. But since they have provoked us first, we cannot fail to answer with at least one arrow." He pursued them as far as Kotsubo and sent a messenger to Yoshimori with this message: "Between Shigetada and yourselves there has never been the slightest estrangement, and there is no reason for us to cross blades. But because my father and uncle are both in the capital, I was compelled to raise troops and respond to the Taira. Now you, who belong to the Minamoto side, have provoked me. If I did not answer, I would have no excuse to offer my father and uncle. I presume to ask for a battle." Yoshimori also sent a messenger with this reply: "Your father is the son-in-law of the Ōsuke (Note: Miura Yoshiaki), and you are his grandson through your mother. How can a grandson defy his grandfather? Moreover, the Suke-dono (Note: Yoritomo) is acting on an edict of the Retired Emperor to destroy the Taira. If you oppose him now, you will regret it later to no avail. Think it over carefully." Thereupon Hanzawa Narikiyo, one of Shigetada's captains, went to Yoshimori's camp and argued: "The Miura and the Chichibu are kinsmen of equal standing in righteousness, and by rights should share good times and bad. That some sided with the Minamoto and some with the Taira was only a matter of being swayed by the moment. It is not yet clear which of the two houses will prevail, and it is most unwise to take up arms in a private quarrel. It would be best to withdraw the troops and preserve the old friendship." Yoshimori took this to be Shigetada's true intent and agreed. However, Yoshimori's younger brother Yoshimochi, who did not know that peace had been made, spurred his horse and charged into the camp. Shigetada reasoned, "Yoshimori has feigned peace and is attacking us while we are unprepared," and loosed his troops to meet the attack. Yoshizumi and Yoshimori rushed to the rescue, and more than fifty of the stout warriors on Shigetada's side were killed (Note: "more than fifty" follows the Azuma Kagami; this work writes "five" as "three"). Shigetada, greatly enraged, pressed forward through the ranks in order to cut down Yoshimochi. Yoshimochi shot an arrow that struck Shigetada's horse and brought it down, but Narikiyo gave Shigetada his own horse and, together with Honda Chikatsune, again proposed the earlier peace, and at last the two armies withdrew (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki). After a day's interval, Shigetada, together with his kinsman Kawagoe Shigeyori and others, led more than three thousand horsemen from the bands of Kaneko and Murayama into Sagami, attacked the Miura clan at Kinugasa castle, and took it (Note: following the Azuma Kagami and the Genpei Jōsuiki). Before long Yoritomo's forces grew in strength and he led his troops into Musashi. Shigetada wished to submit to him, but because of the affairs at Kotsubo and Kinugasa he still hesitated and could not decide. Narikiyo said: "We have received favors from the Minamoto for four generations; our following the Taira was merely a matter of temporary power. For close kin to become enemies is the common lot of warrior houses, as the Hōgen disturbance in recent times shows. The fighting at Kotsubo and Kinugasa arose unexpectedly. In my judgment Suke-dono will surely not blame you deeply. If you hesitate and do not present yourself, he will certainly come to attack you. It is best to go quickly and submit." Shigetada thought this right, led his troops to Musashi, and sought to surrender at the Nagai ferry (Note: the Nagai ferry follows the Azuma Kagami). Yoritomo rebuked him, saying: "Why did you attack the Miura and take Kinugasa castle? Even if you say now that you submit, I cannot trust you. If the Taira were to use your father and uncle as their instruments, would you and your father not end by crossing swords?" Shigetada replied: "Your servant was foolish and did not know how to advance or withdraw; it was only because my father and uncle were in the capital that I was compelled to send troops to discharge my obligation. The affairs of Kotsubo and Kinugasa were not my true intent. If the General asks the men of Miura, the facts will become clear of themselves." Yoritomo also looked at the banner on Shigetada's back and reproached him: "Is that not the same as my banner? Do you mean to defy me?" Shigetada said: "Long ago, when Hachiman-dono (Note: Minamoto-no-Yoshiie) attacked Kiyohara-no-Takehira, my great-great-grandfather Takezuna answered the levy and was the first to hasten to him. Hachiman-dono praised him, bestowed this banner upon him, and ordered him to serve as vanguard, and Takezuna in the end won merit in battle. My father Shigeyoshi also raised this banner and, following Akugenta-dono (Note: Minamoto-no-Yoshihira), destroyed the mansion at Ōkura. Because it is an auspicious banner for the Minamoto, it was named the 'banner of good omen' and was handed down to your servant. My taking the field today is the beginning of the General's founding of his enterprise, and for that reason I raised it and came before you." Yoritomo then consulted Toi Sanehira and Chiba Tsunetane. The two said: "What Shigetada says is truly reasonable. He is a man of sincerity, and if he is pardoned and employed, he will surely be fit to command one quarter. Otherwise the warriors of Sagami and Musashi will all think, 'If even Hatakeyama is not forgiven, how much less will we be,' and will never come to you again." Yoritomo thought this right and told Shigetada, "While I pacify the realm, I want you always to act as my vanguard." He gave him a single piece of indigo-dyed leather to be attached to the top of his banner as a mark to distinguish it from others. The practice of the Hatakeyama banner bearing a small-patterned indigo leather began from this. Before long the warriors of Musashi and Sagami, fearing to be late, submitted one after another (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki and the Nagatobon Heike Monogatari).

¶In the second year of Juei (1183), Shigeyoshi and Arishige followed Taira-no-Koremori, attacked Minamoto-no-Yoshinaka in Kaga, drew up camp at the harbor of Ataka, and fought at Shinoharadake with more than three hundred horsemen (Note: the Nagatobon Heike Monogatari gives "more than five hundred"). Shigeyoshi, seeing the enemy crossing the river, urged his troops forward. Yoshinaka asked Higuchi Kanemitsu, "Who is it that comes bearing a red banner?" Kanemitsu answered, "Hatakeyama Shigeyoshi." Yoshinaka said, "The Hatakeyama are a famous house of Musashi, a worthy match for us. You take him on first." Kanemitsu drew up his ranks and advanced; Shigeyoshi fought fiercely, and after a time both armies withdrew (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki and the Nagatobon Heike Monogatari). Soon afterwards the capital fell, and Taira-no-Munemori, escorting the Emperor Yōwa, was about to flee to the western seas, but because the families of Shigeyoshi and Arishige were in the Kantō he meant to have the two men beheaded. Taira-no-Sadayoshi, Governor of Chikugo, remonstrated and stopped him (Note: this follows the Azuma Kagami and the Nagatobon Heike Monogatari; the other texts of the Heike Monogatari say that it was Taira-no-Tomomori who remonstrated and stopped it). The brothers Shigeyoshi followed the palanquin as far as Yodo. Munemori urged the two to return to the eastern provinces, but Shigeyoshi answered, "To look to one's family and abandon one's lord is what a man of purpose is ashamed of," and begged to accompany him to the end. Munemori would not listen. Shigeyoshi and his brother had no choice but to take their leave (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki), and in the end attached themselves to the Minamoto. Arishige was later in Kamakura, and when Yoritomo killed Ichijō Tadayori, Arishige, together with his sons Inage Shigenari and Hangaya Shigetomo, was implicated in the affair (Note: following the Azuma Kagami; Shigeyoshi's later deeds are not seen after this point, and the various books contain no entries that could be examined). In the third year of Juei (1184), Yoritomo sent his younger brothers Noriyori and Yoshitsune to attack Yoshinaka, and Shigetada, leading more than five hundred horsemen, followed Yoshitsune to Uji. Yoshinaka, hearing that the eastern army was bearing down in great force, sent his officers to remove the planks of the bridge and defend against them (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki and the Heike Monogatari). The eastern army could not cross the river, and Yoshitsune, wishing to hear the views of his commanders, put the question: "Should we wait for the water to subside before crossing, or change our route and go by way of Yodo and Imoarai?" Shigetada stepped forward and said: "That the current of this river is swift is as people say, but it is not so wild as to be unmanageable. In spring it swells with meltwater and only ever falls, never rises further, yet at the time of the Jishō fighting Ashikaga Tadatsuna crossed it. He was no demon or god, but a man. Let Shigetada try it for the sake of all the armies." So saying, he rallied the soldiers and crossed through the turbulent current. Shigetada's horse was struck by an arrow, so he went on beneath the water; he saved Ōkushi-no-Shigechika, who had lost his horse and was close to drowning, pushed him up onto the bank, and then changed to a spare horse and pressed on (Note: following the Heike Monogatari. The Genpei Jōsuiki hands down a different story, as follows: as Shigetada directed his troops, Yoshinaka's officer Neno Yukichika caught sight of him and said, "That is not Noriyori, it must be Yoshitsune," drew his bow and shot, but mistakenly hit the horse. Shigetada is said to have carried the horse on his shoulders and crossed beneath the water. Yukichika is also said to have declared, "Since the commander has missed with the first arrow, he should not shoot again," and to have withdrawn behind a shield. This differs from the main text, and which is correct is not known). The armies followed across, fought a great battle, and routed the enemy. Yoshinaka's cousin Nagase Yoshikazu came out to meet Shigetada, but Shigetada brandished his sword and advanced straight on, and Yoshikazu fled without fighting (Note: the various texts of the Heike Monogatari write "Yoshikazu" as "Shigetsuna." The Hakubon has "Shigetsune" and says he was killed by Shigetada). Shigetada entered the capital and fought Yoshinaka at Rokujō Kawara, cut down his officer Nikawa Yorimune, and Yoshinaka fled in defeat. Shigetada then, together with Yoshitsune, had an audience with the Retired Emperor, and the armies pursued Yoshinaka. Fearing that Yoshinaka might escape him, Shigetada himself led troops in pursuit. Reaching Sanjō Kawara, they exchanged arrows across the river, and when Yoshinaka fell back a little, Shigetada at last crossed the river. At this moment a single horsewoman fought desperately and cut into his ranks. Shigetada asked Narikiyo, "Who is that fighter?" and Narikiyo answered, "She is Yoshinaka's favorite concubine, called Tomoe, the sister of Imai and Higuchi." Shigetada laughed and said, "That is Yoshinaka's beloved woman. Let us take her alive," and spurred his troops toward her. Yoshinaka came to her rescue, and they exchanged several sword strokes. As Shigetada closed in to seize the sleeve of Tomoe's armor, she lashed her horse and galloped off; the horse leapt, the sleeve tore away, and Shigetada let go and let her go. In the campaigns of Noriyori and Yoshitsune against the Taira, Shigetada was at first under Noriyori. When Kajiwara Kagetoki joined Noriyori, Shigetada, disliking his arrogant bearing and ashamed to be under his command, and also having come to admire Yoshitsune's martial talent, in the end transferred to Yoshitsune's command. Yoshitsune was pleased and said, "Shigetada's valor has no equal. To have him in place of Kagetoki is a great gain indeed." Shigetada followed Yoshitsune over Hiyodorigoe, attacked the Taira at Ichi-no-Tani, and won merit (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki).

¶In the third year of Bunji (1187), Ietsuna (Note: Ietsuna's surname is missing from the original text), the Dairyō of Kibe and a shrine servant (jinin) of Ise, lodged a complaint that "Shigetada's deputy (mokudai) is committing outrages in the shrine estates." Yoritomo was angry, cut back Shigetada's holdings, and detained him in the residence of Chiba Tanemasa. Shigetada fasted for seven days, closed his mouth, and said nothing. When Tanemasa reported this, Yoritomo was greatly astonished, released Shigetada, and summoned him. After bowing in thanks, Shigetada said to his peers: "Anyone who receives a domain ought to be careful in choosing his deputy. I had always striven to be upright, yet now I have appointed an unworthy man and brought this disgrace on myself." Yoritomo restored Shigetada's former holdings, except that he took away the Numata Mikuriya in Ise and gave it to Yoshimi Yoritsuna. When Shigetada returned to Musashi, Kajiwara Kagetoki took advantage of the opening and slandered him: "Shigetada harbors resentment, has gathered his kinsmen, and is plotting rebellion from a base at Sugaya." Yoritomo summoned Yūki Tomomitsu, Shimokōbe Yukihira and others to discuss it. Tomomitsu said: "Earlier, when Shigetada was briefly censured because of his deputy's misconduct, he simply admitted his own fault and showed no sign of resentment whatever. He is loyal by nature, reveres the gods and values righteousness, and is not a man to harbor disloyal thoughts. It would be best to summon him and ascertain his feelings directly." Yoritomo thought this right, and, since Yukihira was close to Shigetada, sent Yukihira to summon him. When Yukihira explained the matter, Shigetada was greatly indignant and said: "What dissatisfaction could I possibly have? And yet, throwing away all my past service, I have suddenly been made a traitor. That I have served with a sincere heart, His Excellency (Note: Yoritomo) must surely know. Yet I have been brought down by slander and have no means of clearing myself. You have come on Yoritomo's orders, so you mean to cut me down." So saying, he drew his sword to kill himself. Yukihira hastily stopped him and said: "You have always said of yourself that you are a man without falsehood, so why do you now suspect others so? As for dealing with others in good faith, I yield nothing to you. You are a kinsman of the General, and I am likewise a descendant of the Shogun of four generations. If it came to it, are we not well matched to fight and settle who is the stronger? Why would I need to use a scheme to entrap you?" Shigetada then offered a cup, exhausted the warmth of their old friendship, and went with Yukihira to Kamakura, where he answered Kagetoki's accusations. Kagetoki said, "If you truly have no thought of rebellion, you ought to submit a written oath." Shigetada replied: "If people said that I relied on power and seized property, I should be deeply ashamed. But to have been branded a traitor without cause serves only to show forth my reputation for courage. Even so, I have met the rise of the Minamoto, entrusted my person to the shogunate, and never once harbored a divided heart. That I should suddenly suffer slander is truly unfortunate. My heart and my words do not differ. Why should I trouble anyone with a written oath? A written oath is meant to guard against wrongdoing, and this sincerity of mine is known to His Excellency. Please report this to him." When Kagetoki conveyed it to Yoritomo, Yoritomo remained silent and said nothing. And when Shigetada was summoned, they merely exchanged seasonal greetings, with no interrogation at all, and the matter was simply settled. In the fifth year of Bunji (1189), Yoritomo himself took the field to attack Fujiwara-no-Yasuhira, and Shigetada advanced as the vanguard and encamped at Kunimizawa. Yasuhira had built a fortress on Atsukashiyama, dug a moat five jō wide beneath the mountain, diverted the river to fill it with water, and entrusted its defense to his half-brother Nishikido Kunihira. Shigetada first sent out laborers to fill in the moat and open a way for the attack. Yasuhira's officer Kongō Bettō Hidetsuna had drawn up several thousand troops at the foot of the mountain. Shigetada, together with Oyama Tomomitsu, Katō Kagekado and others, charged and routed them. Hidetsuna withdrew to Ōkido and joined Kunihira. Yoritomo ordered the army to cross the mountain the next day. That night seven men, including Miura Yoshimura and Kasai Kiyoshige, seeking to take the lead, secretly passed below Shigetada's camp in the dark. Narikiyo said to Shigetada: "You are the vanguard, and have encamped here. Yet the commanders are vying to push ahead at the risk of their lives. Please stop them. Otherwise we should report it to the shogunate and have them dealt with under military law." Shigetada said: "I have already served as vanguard. Even if others break the enemy first, it is not that I have no merit. Besides, to hinder another man's leading attack is not what I wish. The best course is to say nothing and let them have their merit." So he pretended not to know and let them pass. Kiyoshige and the others fought furiously, as expected, and took many heads. The next morning, as Yoritomo bore down on Ōkido, Kunihira fought hard to resist him. Shigetada attacked with Tomomitsu and the others and utterly defeated him. The Ōshū army collapsed, and Kunihira fled. Wada Yoshimori shot an arrow that struck his arm, and Ōkushi Shigechika overtook and cut him down. Shigetada presented his head to Yoritomo. This is told in detail in the biography of Yoshimori. Yasuhira was in the end killed by his own men, and his head was brought to the main camp. Yoritomo had Shigetada and Yoshimori examine it. Usami Sanemasa had taken alive Yuri Koreihira, a brave general of Yasuhira, but Amano Norikage, arriving late, delivered the final blow. When it came to presenting the report of victory, the two quarreled over whose merit it was and could not settle it. Yoritomo secretly had the armor and horses of the two checked, and had Kagetoki question Koreihira. Kagetoki asked Koreihira, "You are a brave general of Yasuhira, so you will not lie. What armor was worn by the man who captured you?" Koreihira, angered by his overbearing manner, glared and said: "You are a retainer of Suke-dono, so how arrogant your speech is! The late Mitachi (Note: Fujiwara-no-Hidehira) was the rightful successor to the post of Chinjufu Shōgun, and even your own lord should not call him so lightly. Still less should you, who are my equal in station, dare to use such words. To be captured when fortune has run out is the common lot of a brave man. I will on no account answer your question." Kagetoki was ashamed, flushed red, and reported to Yoritomo that "that ugly captive did nothing but abuse me with every word, and there was nothing more to be had from him." Yoritomo saw that Kagetoki had been discourteous and gave the task again to Shigetada. Shigetada himself set out a seat and entertained him, and asked slowly: "For a warrior to become a prisoner has happened since ancient times and is nothing to be ashamed of. I myself, though in the case of the Nihon (Note: Yoritomo), was once humiliated at Rokuhara. Yet once he rose up, he went on to pacify the whole realm. You too, though now a captive, how could you simply rot away? Your fame for courage resounds through the six districts, and that is why the officers each contend that the merit of capturing you is theirs, and cannot settle it. The merits of these men rest on a single word from you. What were the armor and horse of the man who captured you? I beg you to tell me." Koreihira said: "Are you not the so-called Lord Hatakeyama? Your manner of address has courtesy, unlike the arrogance of the earlier man. To you I cannot fail to speak. The man who captured me wore armor laced with black cords and rode a bay horse. After that a great crowd swarmed around, and I do not remember." Shigetada reported this to Yoritomo, and Yoritomo, learning that it was Sanemasa, entrusted Koreihira to Shigetada and had him treated generously. When Mutsu was pacified, Yoritomo gave out rewards for merit. The rewards for Miura Yoshimura and the others were quite generous. To Shigetada the district of Kuzuoka was given, but that land was small. Shigetada said privately to his intimates: "I was ordered to be the vanguard, yet in the fighting at Ōkido others got ahead of me. That I knew it and did not stop them was because I wished to share the merit with my peers. Seeing how the rewards have turned out, it is exactly as I thought." (Note: following the Azuma Kagami.) Yoritomo once divided the seating order of his officers into three ranks, and Shigetada was placed in the first rank together with the Miura and Kajiwara. This is how highly Shigetada was regarded (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki).

¶When Yoritomo died, Yoriie succeeded him. By Yoritomo's last testament, Shigetada and Tadanao were to assist him. In the second year of Kennin (1202), Yoriie gave a secret order to Hiki Yoshikazu to destroy the Hōjō. The plot was exposed, and Hōjō Tokimasa lured Yoshikazu out and killed him. Yoshikazu's sons, nephews, and sons-in-law resisted from the residence of Yoriie's son Ichiman. Shigetada, together with Yoshimori and other commanders, followed Hōjō Yoshitoki in attacking them. The enemy fought to the death and the commanders fell back somewhat, but Shigetada selected picked troops and charged; the enemy could not hold, and the residence was swallowed in flames and all within died. In the first year of Genkyū (1204), when Sanetomo was to take a wife, Shigetada's eldest son Shigeyasu went to the capital with Hōjō Masanori and others to escort her. Shigeyasu called on Hiraga Tomomasa; now Shigetada and Tomomasa were both sons-in-law of Tokimasa, and moreover Shigetada's wife was a child of Tokimasa's first wife. As Shigeyasu and Tomomasa drank together, they fell into a quarrel, and the guests present mediated and kept the matter from going further. Tomomasa, however, could not calm his anger and spoke ill of Shigeyasu and his father to Lady Maki, the mother of his wife. Lady Maki bore a grudge over this and secretly slandered them to Tokimasa. Tokimasa resolved to kill Shigetada and plotted with Inage Shigenari. Shigenari, acting on his wishes, reported that Shigetada was plotting rebellion. Tokimasa then consulted Yoshitoki and Tokifusa in secret. The two remonstrated: "Shigetada has repeatedly performed meritorious service and has lived with single-minded loyalty. For that reason the General knew his sincerity well and entrusted the future to him. Moreover, at the time of the affair of Yoshikazu he left the other side and joined this one, which shows precisely the depth of his devotion as a son and son-in-law. What grudge could he have now, that he should suddenly harbor disloyal thoughts? If, Father, you lightly believe the account of only one side and proceed at once to execution, and later regret that it was an error, can it be undone? It would not be too late to plan once you have carefully determined the truth." Tokimasa, displeased, rose from his seat. When Lady Maki heard of this, she sent a messenger to Yoshitoki with this message: "Shigetada's rebellion is already plain, and fearing that disaster would come to our house and the country, I told the Governor of Tōtōmi (Note: Tokimasa). Yet you shelter Shigetada with a crooked heart. What do you mean by it? Because I am only your stepmother, do you mean to make me out a slanderer?" Yoshitoki was afraid and complied. Before this, Inage Shigenari had contrived to summon Shigeyasu to Kamakura, and Tokimasa, claiming the order of Sanetomo, sent troops to surround Shigeyasu's residence. Shigeyasu fought hard and was killed in battle. Shigenari also sent a certain son of his to Sugaya to deceive Shigetada, telling him, "A grave matter has arisen in Kamakura; come at once." Shigetada believed it and set out for Kamakura. At that time, of Shigetada's two younger brothers, Nagano Shigekiyo was in Shinano and Shigemune was in Mutsu, so neither could accompany him. Shigetada set out with only a little over one hundred and thirty horsemen. In Kamakura a formidable alert had been laid; Yoshitoki and Tokifusa supervised the commanders, who took separate roads toward Musashi. The troops joining the force were so numerous that they filled the mountains and fields. When Shigetada had advanced to the Futamata River, he learned for the first time that Shigeyasu had been killed. As Yoshitoki bore down on them, Chikatsune and Narikiyo advised Shigetada: "A great army has suddenly come upon us. We cannot possibly withstand such force. It would be best to return to Musashi, take a stronghold, and defend ourselves." Shigetada said: "To forget one's house in the face of danger is the duty of a commander. How much more so now that Shigeyasu is already dead; what attachment have I that would make me return to my native place? Long ago Kajiwara Kagetoki feared death and fled, left his corpse exposed on the road, and became a laughingstock to the world. I have nothing to be ashamed of, so how could I repeat his fate?" So he drew up camp at Tsurugamine. Adachi Kagemori, leading seven men including Noda Yoichi and Kaji Munesue, advanced and attacked. Shigetada, seeing them from afar, said, "Kagemori is my companion in archery and horsemanship," and ordered his son Shigehide to meet them. After a few exchanges of blows, Shigetada blunted the sharp edge of the attack and broke through the firm line, causing many casualties. Many of the stout warriors, beginning with Munesue, fell in battle. At dusk Shigetada was struck by an arrow of Aikō Suetaka and died in battle. He was forty-two years old. Because he died under a false charge, all people mourned and regretted him (Note: the Gukanshō says the troops feared Shigetada's valor and did not dare approach, and that in the end Shigetada took his own life). His followers also either fell in battle or killed themselves (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). Shigetada had many troops and held the greatest power in Musashi province; his martial valor had no equal, and by Yoritomo's last testament he had been charged with assisting Yoriie. Tokimasa had long hated him and sought to remove him on some pretext, and that is how he met this disaster (Note: this is written with reference to the Azuma Kagami, the Gukanshō, and the Hōryaku Kanki). Yoshitoki sent Shigetada's head to Kamakura. When Tokimasa asked about the course of the battle, Yoshitoki replied: "Most of Shigetada's relatives were elsewhere, and the troops he led were no more than a little over a hundred horsemen. Seeing this, he does not appear to have been one who plotted rebellion. How did such a slander gain acceptance? It is truly pitiable." Tokimasa was silent and said nothing. On this day Inage Shigenari, his son Ozawa Shigemasa, his younger brother Hangaya Shigetomo, and Shigetomo's sons Shigesue and Hideshige were all killed (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).

¶Shigetada was by nature sincere and steadfast and governed himself with a modest demeanor (Note: following the Azuma Kagami), and yet he had dignity. It is said that his peers, when he was beside them, would straighten their posture and sit respectfully even when they were seeking coolness in the height of a summer's heat. This is how much he was respected and revered (Note: following the Gukanshō). Once Shigetada set out to visit Kōben at Togano. Kōben's disciples saw a cloud of dust rising in the distance and said, "There is a fire in the capital," but Kōben said, "No. It must be a brave warrior coming; this is the sign that precedes him." After a while Shigetada arrived, discussed the Kegon teaching, and departed (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). Shigetada also possessed extraordinary strength. A man named Nagai, relying on his own muscle, boasted, "At present my strength is the greatest in the Kantō, and the only one I need fear is Hatakeyama Jirō." Yoritomo disliked this and had Shigetada wrestle him. Shigetada pinned Nagai by the shoulders and laid him on the ground, and Nagai's bones were crushed and he died (Note: following the Kokon Chomonjū). When Yoritomo built the Yōfukuji, the commanders themselves took part in the work. Shigetada, together with Sasaki Hirotsuna, Jō Nagamochi and others, himself sawed the ridge beams, and his labor was equal to the work of several dozen men. Shigetada also once lifted a great stone about one jō in size and set it in the pond. When Yoriie had Hatano Morimichi arrest Katsuki Norimune, a remnant of Kagetoki's party, Morimichi grappled Norimune from behind. Norimune was naturally strong, freed his right hand, took a sword, and tried to stab Morimichi. Shigetada, who happened to be nearby, reached out his left hand and gripped Norimune's arm, and the bone broke. Morimichi seized the moment to bind and capture Norimune. Yoriie rewarded Morimichi. A man named Makabe Kinai, who was on bad terms with Morimichi, told Yoriie: "It was Shigetada who captured Norimune, not Morimichi." When Yoriie summoned Shigetada and questioned him, he answered, "Your servant had no part in it." After withdrawing, he rebuked Kinai: "A warrior ought above all to value freedom from a crooked heart. Just because you hold a grudge against Morimichi, why did you not say that you had captured him yourself? Morimichi is a brave man and not one to borrow Shigetada's hand." Shigetada's refusal to contend with others for merit was always like this (Note: following the Azuma Kagami). Yoritomo once possessed a splendid horse named Ikezuki. At the time of the campaign against Yoshinaka, many of the commanders desired it, but Yoritomo grudged it and refused, and gave it to Sasaki Takatsuna. When Takatsuna was riding alone toward the Fuji River, Shigetada was encamped at Tagonoura; hearing a horse neigh in the distance, he said, "How strange. That is the voice of Ikezuki. To whom was it given?" His attendants said: "There are several thousand war horses, and many of them swift. For you to declare it Ikezuki is a little unreliable. Even Gama-dono (Note: Noriyori) and Lord Kajiwara could not obtain it, however earnestly they asked, so how could it have been given to anyone else?" and the others secretly laughed at this. Shigetada said, "My ears do not err. Wait, all of you." Before he had finished speaking, Ikezuki indeed appeared. The men were struck with admiration at the sureness of his hearing (Note: following the Genpei Jōsuiki).

¶Shigetada's sons were Shigeyasu, Shigehide, and the monk Chōkei. Shigeyasu styled himself Rokurō and was killed before his father. Shigehide styled himself Ko-Jirō and died in battle on the same day as his father. The monk Chōkei, in the early years of Kenpō, lived in hiding in the shadow of Mount Nikkō and gathered fugitives. The matter reached Kamakura, and Sanetomo sent Naganuma Munemasa to seize him. Munemasa cut Chōkei down and presented his head. Sanetomo was angry and said: "Shigetada's offense was not one deserving execution, and I still deeply regret it. His son had become a monk, so even if he had some scheme, what could he possibly have done? I wished to take him alive and question him about the truth of the matter. Why did you not ask in advance, and execute him on your own authority?" So saying, he punished Munemasa by suspending his attendance at the shogunate (Note: following the Azuma Kagami).