Japan -- History; Japan -- Politics and government
Forces were sent from Miako by Kio mori to oppose Yoritomo, but at
this time his relative Hojio met him with a large re-enforcement, and
the He party retired without fighting. Yoritomo overran the province
of Fitatsi and put to death Satake Hide Yoshi. The whole empire was
now desolated by war. The tide began, before Kio mori died, at the age
of sixty-four, in 1181, to turn in favor of the Gen party. But so long
as Kio mori lived the cause of his opponents did not seem to hold out
much prospect of success, and the relatives of Yoritomo are still found
fighting against him, and on the side of the ruling party. Among these
were his own uncle Yoshi hiro, and Yoshi naka, another relative. The
latter was afterward reconciled to Yoritomo, and rendered him great
assistance, being everywhere victorious in the northern provinces of
Etsjiu and Kanga. Thence he rapidly pushed on to the capital, and
seized the extensive monastery of Hiyaysan. The Emperor Antoku fled
westward with his wife, Kio mori’s daughter. His grandfather, the
old Emperor Go Zirakawa, received his deliverers in Miako, and still
retaining his interest in the regulation of affairs, saw another
grandson, brother of Antoku, proclaimed as Emperor. The possessions
of the He party were confiscated and divided among the members of the
Gen family. Antoku remained about Da zai foo, the station from which
military superintendence of the island of Kiusiu was regulated, but
from this island the He party was driven out and crossed over to Sikok.
Still they were able in different parts of the country to make a stand,
and even to defeat their adversaries in more than one battle. Several
of the party had been left in Miako in posts of consequence, the son of
Kio mori being regent, and they did what they could to support their
cause in the capital. Yoshi naka, who had seized Miako on the part of
the Genji, became in his turn overbearing, and roused the impatience
of the old Emperor, who stirred up the priests of the monasteries of
Hiyaysan and Midera to oppose him. But Yoshi naka suddenly came upon
them, seized and imprisoned the Emperor, and beheaded the abbots of the
religious houses. He caused himself to be created Sei dai Shiogoon,
and finally set himself up in opposition to Yoritomo. Yoshitzune and
Nori Yori, brothers of Yoritomo, were immediately dispatched from
the Kwanto to Miako to attack him, and set free the Emperor and his
grandfather, and he was defeated by them and killed. Meantime, 1184,
the He ji had been gathering their strength in the western provinces,
and had assembled an army of 100,000 men and fortified themselves. Nori
Yori and Yoshitzune attacked them, and after a very severe engagement
took the fort by assault and completely routed the army, killing
many of the leaders of the party. After this Yoritomo ordered his
son-in-law, son of Yoshi naka, to be put to death, and Yoshitzune was
appointed governor of Miako. He attacked the enemy in the island of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account