Con: Counter Arguments
Use this section to supplement and enhance your arguments and understanding.
Minamoto no Yoritomo did not form many friends in his lifetime. Even in modern day society, he is attacked as a psychotic lunatic in which did not achieve much during his lifetime. There are many counter arguments as to the accomplishments in which lead to his "greatness."
When Yortiomo was twelve, he received his first court title. However, this title was obtained through the use of maternal connections. Yoritomo did not obtain this title of his own accord, but rather, it was handed to him due to his parental lineage.
In addition, during his younger years, he frequently dawdled around, impregnating women without a sense of duty and honour. He did not return to the jailor's daughter who he managed to get with child. How could a great man abandon his own offspring?
Furthermore, during Yoritomo's answer to the call of arms, instead of being bound by family loyalty, its been speculated that it was instead his aim was to establish semi in-dependency for warriors in the Eastern Provinces.
In 1183, when Yoritomo mandated his brothers to destroy the Taira, it is said that this displayed his talent in political and military planning and strategies. However, what was more likely was that this mobilization was neither a plan of his own accord, nor one based on a brilliance in strategy planning. The Taira had continuously assaulted him prior to this point, and Yoritomo most likely felt that he could no longer hold back on attacking the clan without bringing forth a threat of defeat.
A lot of the glory and fame was befallen onto Yoritomo for the defeat of the Taira. However, it appears that his cousin and brothers were the real driving forces behind their victory. During 1183, when the Minamotos captured Kyoto, it was not Yoritomo who captured the city, but rather his cousin, Minamoto no Yoshinaka. In addition, once word came to light of Yoshinaka's plan to usurp Yoritomo, Yoritomo had the man exiled, which resulted in Yoshinaka's suicide. This means that Yoritomo is held responsible (directly, indirectly) for Yoshinaka's death, a man who aided him in conquering the Taira.
In addition, it was his half brothers Minamoto no Noriyori and Minamoto no Yoshitune were the ones who casted Yoshinaka out of the city, removing the threat to Yoritomo's position. It was they who displayed exemplary military skill and tactic. Later on, it was his brothers who were mandated to destroy the Taira clan. Yoshitune, as Yoritomo's deputy, was the driving force behind keeping peace within the land and its citizens. Noriyori was sent to pacify Kyushu.
Iin march, 1185, Yoshitune was sent to Yashima, and victory was achieved. This further indicates his brother to have been the mastermind behind all of the Minamoto clan's victories. Yoshitune later on won his biggest victory at the battle of Dan-no-ura, in which Tair leadership members were all slaughtered or drowned. This was the last obstacle in destroying the Taira, and Yoshitune, not Yoritomo, was primarily responsible for it.
However, Yoritomo had Yoshitune killed when he learned that he was plotting against him with the Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa. He then executed all that gave his brother refuge.
From the battles against Taira, it is greatly evident that Yoshitune, had he not been killed by Yoritomo, would have made a better leader.
When Yortiomo was twelve, he received his first court title. However, this title was obtained through the use of maternal connections. Yoritomo did not obtain this title of his own accord, but rather, it was handed to him due to his parental lineage.
In addition, during his younger years, he frequently dawdled around, impregnating women without a sense of duty and honour. He did not return to the jailor's daughter who he managed to get with child. How could a great man abandon his own offspring?
Furthermore, during Yoritomo's answer to the call of arms, instead of being bound by family loyalty, its been speculated that it was instead his aim was to establish semi in-dependency for warriors in the Eastern Provinces.
In 1183, when Yoritomo mandated his brothers to destroy the Taira, it is said that this displayed his talent in political and military planning and strategies. However, what was more likely was that this mobilization was neither a plan of his own accord, nor one based on a brilliance in strategy planning. The Taira had continuously assaulted him prior to this point, and Yoritomo most likely felt that he could no longer hold back on attacking the clan without bringing forth a threat of defeat.
A lot of the glory and fame was befallen onto Yoritomo for the defeat of the Taira. However, it appears that his cousin and brothers were the real driving forces behind their victory. During 1183, when the Minamotos captured Kyoto, it was not Yoritomo who captured the city, but rather his cousin, Minamoto no Yoshinaka. In addition, once word came to light of Yoshinaka's plan to usurp Yoritomo, Yoritomo had the man exiled, which resulted in Yoshinaka's suicide. This means that Yoritomo is held responsible (directly, indirectly) for Yoshinaka's death, a man who aided him in conquering the Taira.
In addition, it was his half brothers Minamoto no Noriyori and Minamoto no Yoshitune were the ones who casted Yoshinaka out of the city, removing the threat to Yoritomo's position. It was they who displayed exemplary military skill and tactic. Later on, it was his brothers who were mandated to destroy the Taira clan. Yoshitune, as Yoritomo's deputy, was the driving force behind keeping peace within the land and its citizens. Noriyori was sent to pacify Kyushu.
Iin march, 1185, Yoshitune was sent to Yashima, and victory was achieved. This further indicates his brother to have been the mastermind behind all of the Minamoto clan's victories. Yoshitune later on won his biggest victory at the battle of Dan-no-ura, in which Tair leadership members were all slaughtered or drowned. This was the last obstacle in destroying the Taira, and Yoshitune, not Yoritomo, was primarily responsible for it.
However, Yoritomo had Yoshitune killed when he learned that he was plotting against him with the Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa. He then executed all that gave his brother refuge.
From the battles against Taira, it is greatly evident that Yoshitune, had he not been killed by Yoritomo, would have made a better leader.