Pro Counter Arguments
Minamoto no Yoritomo
Every great leader comes with his or her flaws. Although many may argue that Yoritomo was a relentless and merciless dictator, he also made many reforms to Japan that not only aided the nobles class but also aided the commoner class.
Yoritomo proved himself a great leader even before he acquired the title of shogun. When Japan was in chaos and Taira no Kiyomori abused his power in the imperial royal palace, it was Yoritomo who came to aid the retired emperor Go-Shirakawa and his son Prince Mochihito. Yoritomo was able to rise up in status even after the Taira clan exiled him.
During the Gempei War, Yoritomo ordered for his cousin, Yoshinaka to be killed since he posed a threat to Yoritomo. Yoshinaka even imprisoned the retired emperor Go-Shirakawa in attempt to obtain the Shogun title for himself. Yoritomo could not just not stand by and watch this injustice, and so decided to end Yoshinaka's life. By the end of the Gempei War in 1185, Yoritomo was successful in defeating one of the strongest clans in Japan, the Taira clan. Even after the victory of the Minamoto against the Taira, Yoritomo was still faced with painful conflicts. Right after the Gempei War ended, Yoritomo found out that his own uncle and brother were conspiring against him to prevent Yoritomo from gaining anymore power. Yoritomo felt betrayal and anger and decided to murder his brother who was conspiring against him.
Yoritomo created the titles Shugo and Jito. These titles enabled feudal lords to hold power in Japan. This political system that Yoritomo developed maintained a stable Japan until the Meiji Restoration.
Furthermore, Yoritomo's administration developed an efficient and effective system of roadways with post stops, rest stops and spare horses This enabled for Japanese culture and trade to spread from the noble class to the commoner class. The growth in trade also proved to increase the growth of the economy.
Critics may argue that Minamoto was selfish and cold since he was responsible for the deaths of his cousin, Yoshinaka and his brother Yoshitsune. However, during this time period, many families did not have strong bonds and this often resulted in family feuds. Yoritomo's actions were inevitable due to the values and morals he was taught during this time period.
Yoritomo proved himself a great leader even before he acquired the title of shogun. When Japan was in chaos and Taira no Kiyomori abused his power in the imperial royal palace, it was Yoritomo who came to aid the retired emperor Go-Shirakawa and his son Prince Mochihito. Yoritomo was able to rise up in status even after the Taira clan exiled him.
During the Gempei War, Yoritomo ordered for his cousin, Yoshinaka to be killed since he posed a threat to Yoritomo. Yoshinaka even imprisoned the retired emperor Go-Shirakawa in attempt to obtain the Shogun title for himself. Yoritomo could not just not stand by and watch this injustice, and so decided to end Yoshinaka's life. By the end of the Gempei War in 1185, Yoritomo was successful in defeating one of the strongest clans in Japan, the Taira clan. Even after the victory of the Minamoto against the Taira, Yoritomo was still faced with painful conflicts. Right after the Gempei War ended, Yoritomo found out that his own uncle and brother were conspiring against him to prevent Yoritomo from gaining anymore power. Yoritomo felt betrayal and anger and decided to murder his brother who was conspiring against him.
Yoritomo created the titles Shugo and Jito. These titles enabled feudal lords to hold power in Japan. This political system that Yoritomo developed maintained a stable Japan until the Meiji Restoration.
Furthermore, Yoritomo's administration developed an efficient and effective system of roadways with post stops, rest stops and spare horses This enabled for Japanese culture and trade to spread from the noble class to the commoner class. The growth in trade also proved to increase the growth of the economy.
Critics may argue that Minamoto was selfish and cold since he was responsible for the deaths of his cousin, Yoshinaka and his brother Yoshitsune. However, during this time period, many families did not have strong bonds and this often resulted in family feuds. Yoritomo's actions were inevitable due to the values and morals he was taught during this time period.