Minamoto no Yoritomo

9 May 1147 – 9 February 1199

Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199) was a Japanese warlord who founded the Kamakura shogunate, Japan's first warrior government. After leading the Minamoto clan to victory over the Taira in the Genpei War, he was appointed sei-i taishogun in 1192, establishing a system of military rule that dominated Japan for nearly seven centuries.

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Life events

Born into the Minamoto clan
9 May 1147

Yoritomo was born the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, head of the powerful Minamoto (Genji) warrior clan, with Owari traditionally given as his birthplace.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Exiled to Izu after the Heiji Rebellion
1160

Following his father's defeat and death in the Heiji Rebellion, the young Yoritomo was spared execution and banished to Izu province under Taira surveillance.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Hojo Masako
c. 1177

During his exile Yoritomo married Hojo Masako, daughter of his warden Hojo Tokimasa, securing the crucial support of the Hojo clan.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Raised arms against the Taira, beginning the Genpei War
1180

Answering Prince Mochihito's call, Yoritomo rose in revolt in 1180; despite an early defeat at Ishibashiyama, he rallied eastern warriors and established his base at Kamakura.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Obtained authority to appoint shugo and jito
1185

In 1185 the court granted Yoritomo the right to appoint military governors (shugo) and estate stewards (jito) across the provinces, laying the administrative basis of warrior rule.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Victory in the Genpei War at Dan-no-ura
25 April 1185

Minamoto forces commanded by Yoritomo's brother Yoshitsune destroyed the Taira fleet at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War and leaving Yoritomo master of Japan.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Eliminated his brother Minamoto no Yoshitsune
1189

Yoritomo turned against his brother Yoshitsune, the war's most celebrated general, hunting him until Yoshitsune was forced to his death at Hiraizumi in 1189, after which Yoritomo crushed the Northern Fujiwara.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Appointed sei-i taishogun, founding the Kamakura shogunate
21 August 1192

Emperor Go-Toba's court granted Yoritomo the title of shogun in 1192, formalizing the Kamakura bakufu as Japan's first enduring warrior government.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died at Kamakura
9 February 1199

Yoritomo died in early 1199, reportedly from injuries after falling from his horse; power soon passed to the Hojo regents acting through his sons.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓