Minamoto no Yorimitsu

Minamoto no Yorimitsu (源 頼光, 948 – August 29, 1021), also known as Minamoto no Raikō, was a Japanese samurai and folk hero of the Heian period, who served the regents of the Fujiwara clan along with his brother Yorinobu, taking the violent measures the Fujiwara were themselves unable to take. He is one of the earliest Minamoto of historical note for his military exploits, and is known for quelling the bandits of Ōeyama.

His loyal service earned him the governorships of Izu Province, Kozuke and a number of others in turn, as well as a number of other high government positions. Yorimitsu served as commander of a regiment of the Imperial Guard, and as a secretary in the Ministry of War. When his father Minamoto no Mitsunaka died, he inherited Settsu Province.

Yorimitsu is usually accompanied by his four legendary retainers, known as the Shitennō (The Four Heavenly Kings). They were Watanabe no Tsuna, Sakata no Kintoki, Urabe no Suetake, and Usui Sadamitsu.

Legends

Yorimitsu is featured in a number of legends and tales, including the legend of Kintarō (Golden Boy a.k.a. Sakata no Kintoki), the legend of Shuten Dōji, and the legend of Tsuchigumo. The tachi (long sword) 'Dōjigiri' owned by Tokyo National Museum and selected as a National Treasure and Tenka-Goken ("Five Swords under Heaven"), and 'Onikirimaru' owned by Tada Shrine, have a legend that Yorimitsu beheaded Shuten Dōji. Also, three swords of the same name, 'Hizamaru' owned by Daikaku-ji Temple, Hakone Shrine and an individual, have a legend that Yorimitsu beat off Tsuchigumo.

The Karatsu Kunchi festival in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, features a large float inspired by the helmet of Minamoto, being partially devoured by the oni Shuten Douji. [1]

Family

• Mother: Daughter of Minamoto no Suguru
• Father:Minamoto no Mitsunaka
• Wife:Daughter of Fujiwara no Motohira
  • 1st son : Minamoto no Yorikuni
• Wife:Daughter of Taira no Koretaka
  • 2nd son : Minamoto no Yoriie
• Wife:Daughter of Yoshishige no Tamemasa
  • 3rd son:Minamoto no Yorimoto
  • 4th son: Eiju
  • 5th son:Minamoto no Yoriaki
  • daughter:Fujiwara no Michitsuna's wife

Poetry

Yorimitsu wrote a renga with his wife, which appears in the Kin'yō Wakashū (nos.703-704):
tade karu fune no suguru narikeri
asa madaki kararo no oto no kikoyuru wa
This translates as:
a boat harvesting smartweed is passing by
I thought I heard someone rowing smartly before dawn

In popular culture

• Appears in the video game Nioh 2 as a female yokai hunter. She is voiced by Yūko Kaida.
• Appears as a summonable character in the mobile game in Fate/Grand Order. She is voiced by Haruka Tomatsu.
• Appears as the protagonist in the Otogi game series.
• Appears as the ancestor of the Minamoto clan in the manga and anime series Toilet-bound Hanako-kun.
• Appears as a character in the RPG game Onmyoji.

See also

• Minamoto clan
• Seiwa Genji
• Toki clan
• Sagami (poet)
• Dōjigiri

Notes

References

• Sansom, George (1958). 'A History of Japan to 1334'. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.

1. Minamoto no Mitsunaka
2. Minamoto (clan)
3. Minamoto no Yorimasa
4. Kintarō
5. Shitennō (Minamoto clan)
6. Watanabe no Tsuna
7. Minamoto no Yoshiie
8. Tsuchigumo
9. Usui Sadamitsu
10. Japanese clans
11. Ikeda clan
12. Ibaraki-dōji
13. Toki clan
14. Abe no Seimei
15. Shuten-dōji
16. Asano clan
17. Kidōmaru
18. Oni
19. Minamoto no Yorinobu
20. Minamoto (surname)