Minamoto no Yoshinaka
Background
Minamoto no Yoshinaka
You are Minamoto no Yoshinaka
Minamoto no Yoshinaka was born in the year of 1154 during the Heian Period. Yoshinaka was a member of the Minamoto samurai clan and was also the cousin of the first shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo.
Yoshinaka was born in the Musashi province to Minamoto no Yoshikata. Yoshikata was killed when Yoshinaka was only an infant by Minamoto no Yoshihira due to a struggle of power in the family. Not only did Yoshinaka lose his father, but he also lost his family’s domain. Yoshinaka was able to escape to the Nakahara Clan in Kiso in the Shinano Province before Yoshihira killed him.
Yoshinaka was raised in the Nakahara Clan with his stepbrother, Nakahara Shiro. Nakahara Shiro would later become one of Yoshinaka’s most loyal friends.
In 1180, Yoshinaka received a call to arm against the Taira clan from Prince Mochihito, the son of the then retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Yoshinaka responded to this call and entered the Gempei War. He was able to build an army in Shinano, and swiftly take control of the province.
In 1181, Yoshinaka was determined to regain the domain he had once lost when his father was murdered. This land was now under the control of Yoshinaka’s rival Yoritomo. However, Yoshinaka was forced to give up his dreams of regaining his father’s land and was also forced to send his son Yoshitaka as a hostage to Kamakura. The shamed Yoshinaka had to accept the fate of Yoritomo becoming the leader of the Minamoto clan.
Yet, Yoshinaka was still determined to obtain this title using his own ability. He planned to beat Yoritomo to Kyoto and swiftly defeat the Taira by himself.
The able and ambitious Yoshinaka was able to defeat the enemy Taira no Koremori's army at the Battle of Kurikara Pass and so continued on to Kyoto. During this time, the Taira retreated with their one year-old emperor. Three days later, Yoshinaka arrived at Kyoto and was given the title Asahi Shogun by Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Though, upon entering Kyoto, Yoshiaka’s army vandalized the city. Consequently, the emperor ordered Yoshiaka and his army to attack the Taira so that the army would be driven away from the city.
After a very difficult and bloody battle, Yoshinaka returned to Kyoto only to find that he was betrayed by the Emperor who sided with Yoritomo. Yoshinaka who felt anger and betrayal attempted to gain back his deserving title of Shogun by imprisoning the Emperor Go-Shirakawa. However, Minamoto no Yoritomo who wanted the title and power all to himself ordered his two brothers, Minamoto no Yoshitsune (whom he eventually killed as well), and Minamoto no Noriyori to kill Yoshinaka.
Yoshinaka was forced out of Kyoto and was killed by his very own cousins during the Battle of Awazu. Yoshinaka even attempted to find an isolated place to commit suicide so that he would not endanger anyone else who was close to him. However, they caught Yoshinaka and murdered him along with his loyal childhood friend Kanehira (also known as Nakahara Shiro).
Minamoto no Yoshinaka was born in the year of 1154 during the Heian Period. Yoshinaka was a member of the Minamoto samurai clan and was also the cousin of the first shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo.
Yoshinaka was born in the Musashi province to Minamoto no Yoshikata. Yoshikata was killed when Yoshinaka was only an infant by Minamoto no Yoshihira due to a struggle of power in the family. Not only did Yoshinaka lose his father, but he also lost his family’s domain. Yoshinaka was able to escape to the Nakahara Clan in Kiso in the Shinano Province before Yoshihira killed him.
Yoshinaka was raised in the Nakahara Clan with his stepbrother, Nakahara Shiro. Nakahara Shiro would later become one of Yoshinaka’s most loyal friends.
In 1180, Yoshinaka received a call to arm against the Taira clan from Prince Mochihito, the son of the then retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Yoshinaka responded to this call and entered the Gempei War. He was able to build an army in Shinano, and swiftly take control of the province.
In 1181, Yoshinaka was determined to regain the domain he had once lost when his father was murdered. This land was now under the control of Yoshinaka’s rival Yoritomo. However, Yoshinaka was forced to give up his dreams of regaining his father’s land and was also forced to send his son Yoshitaka as a hostage to Kamakura. The shamed Yoshinaka had to accept the fate of Yoritomo becoming the leader of the Minamoto clan.
Yet, Yoshinaka was still determined to obtain this title using his own ability. He planned to beat Yoritomo to Kyoto and swiftly defeat the Taira by himself.
The able and ambitious Yoshinaka was able to defeat the enemy Taira no Koremori's army at the Battle of Kurikara Pass and so continued on to Kyoto. During this time, the Taira retreated with their one year-old emperor. Three days later, Yoshinaka arrived at Kyoto and was given the title Asahi Shogun by Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Though, upon entering Kyoto, Yoshiaka’s army vandalized the city. Consequently, the emperor ordered Yoshiaka and his army to attack the Taira so that the army would be driven away from the city.
After a very difficult and bloody battle, Yoshinaka returned to Kyoto only to find that he was betrayed by the Emperor who sided with Yoritomo. Yoshinaka who felt anger and betrayal attempted to gain back his deserving title of Shogun by imprisoning the Emperor Go-Shirakawa. However, Minamoto no Yoritomo who wanted the title and power all to himself ordered his two brothers, Minamoto no Yoshitsune (whom he eventually killed as well), and Minamoto no Noriyori to kill Yoshinaka.
Yoshinaka was forced out of Kyoto and was killed by his very own cousins during the Battle of Awazu. Yoshinaka even attempted to find an isolated place to commit suicide so that he would not endanger anyone else who was close to him. However, they caught Yoshinaka and murdered him along with his loyal childhood friend Kanehira (also known as Nakahara Shiro).
Key Points
Remember your key points for this role. This section should make it easier for you to organize your thoughts and arguments. However, be sure to read the background thoroughly before moving onto this section; the key points are meant only to supplement your argument points.
As a strong rival of Yorimoto Minamoto, you are strongly against the idea of him being a ‘great’ leader who reformed Japan.
As a strong rival of Yorimoto Minamoto, you are strongly against the idea of him being a ‘great’ leader who reformed Japan.
- Yoritomo prevented you from regaining the domain that was once taken away from your father when he was killed.
- You were forced to humble yourself and accept that Yoritomo was the leader of the Minamoto clan even though you had an equal opportunity to become the leader of the clan.
- You were also shamed by Yoritomo since you had to send your own son, Yoshitaka, to Kamakura as a hostage.
- You believe that you are more deserving of that title since you appeared in Kyoto and defeated Taira no Koremori before Yoritomo.
- You feel betrayed by both your cousin and the emperor since; Emperor Go-Shirakawa sided with Yoritomo while you were hard at work fulfilling an order given by the emperor.
- You believe that you are deserving of the title shogun since it was you who was initially given the title Asahi Shogun by the emperor.
- Yoritomo who was greedy for more power viewed you as a threat that prevented him from obtaining the title shogun. Yoritomo ordered your own cousins to drive you out of Kyoto and kill you. Even when you attempted to die with honor by committing suicide, your cousins still found you and murdered you. Not only did they take your life, but they also took the life of your stepbrother/loyal friend.
Your Goal
Map of Japan during the Genpei Wars
You are against the belief that Yoritomo was a great shogun who changed the face of Japan.
You will attempt to convince the opposition that Yoritomo was not a suitable shogun by referring to the Key Points and Background.
The opposition may argue that Yoritomo did make many reforms and bettered the life of the Japanese. However, he was also a ruthless and cold dictator.
Rebut the opposition's argument by stating that he was more interested in his own status and power than his own blood relatives. He was hungry for more power and influence which eventually led him to destroying anything that crossed his path, even the ones who loved him.
You will attempt to convince the opposition that Yoritomo was not a suitable shogun by referring to the Key Points and Background.
The opposition may argue that Yoritomo did make many reforms and bettered the life of the Japanese. However, he was also a ruthless and cold dictator.
Rebut the opposition's argument by stating that he was more interested in his own status and power than his own blood relatives. He was hungry for more power and influence which eventually led him to destroying anything that crossed his path, even the ones who loved him.