Minamoto no Yorinobu, born into the influential Minamoto clan as the son of the esteemed statesman Minamoto no Mitsunaka, held significant roles such as acting governor of ten provinces, Commander in Chief, and Defender of the Northern Districts. Mitsunaka was one of the most prosperous and influential courtiers during the Heian period.
As a samurai commander aligned with the Fujiwara regents, Yorinobu utilized his military prowess to carry out the orders of both the Fujiwara and the court.
The Konjaku Monogatarishu, a 12th-century compilation of historical records spanning 31 volumes and over 1,000 articles, partly documents Yorinobu's exploits. The anthology recounts Yorinobu's suppression of an uprising led by Taira no Tadatsune, the Vice Governor of Kazusa Province (modern-day Chiba Prefecture). Tadatsune sought to expand his land holdings through attacks on neighboring provinces.
Initially reluctant due to personal reasons, Yorinobu declined the order to quell the uprising. In his stead, Taira no Naokata and Nakahara Narimichi were dispatched, but both failed to fulfill the directive. Consequently, the Imperial Court once again summoned Yorinobu to take action. However, before Yorinobu's forces could engage, Taira no Tadatsune, realizing his inferiority, surrendered. The rebellion was thus subdued with minimal conflict.
This success enhanced not only Yorinobu's standing at the Imperial Court but also expanded the influence of the Minamoto clan.
Minamoto no Yorinobu passed away on June 1, 1048, at the age of 79. His final resting place is at the Tsuhou-ji Temple in Habikino, Osaka.
See also
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Date Hidemune
Date Hidemune was a Japanese daimyō during the early Edo period, born in 1591 as the eldest son of Date Masamune, one of Japan’s most prominent feudal lords. His mother was Shinzo no Kata, a concubine, which affected his future prospects. As a young man, Hidemune lived under the care of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was given the adult name "Hidemune," adopting one character from Hideyoshi's own name. Hideyoshi granted Hidemune the court rank of junior 5th, lower grade, along with the title of ji-jū, and appointed him as a page to his son, Toyotomi Hideyori.
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Tsutsui Junkei
Tsutsui Junkei (March 31, 1549 – September 15, 1584), the son of Tsutsui Junsho, was a daimyo who ruled over Yamato Province. In 1571, through the mediation of Akechi Mitsuhide, Junkei pledged his service to Oda Nobunaga.
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Oda Nobutada
Oda Nobutada (1557 – June 21, 1582) was a samurai and the eldest son of Oda Nobunaga, known for his active role in several battles during Japan's Sengoku period. He led armies under his father's command in campaigns against Matsunaga Hisahide and the Takeda clan.
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Imagawa Ujizane
Imagawa Ujizane (1538 – January 27, 1615) was a Japanese daimyō who lived through the Sengoku and early Edo periods. He became the tenth head of the Imagawa clan, following in the footsteps of his father, Imagawa Yoshimoto. Ujizane was the father of Imagawa Norimochi and Shinagawa Takahisa.
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Hojo Ujiyasu
Hojo Ujiyasu (1515 – October 21, 1571), the third head of the Odawara Hojo clan, was a formidable daimyo known as the "Lion of Sagami." Revered as a fearsome samurai and brilliant strategist, he became famous for successfully breaking sieges by renowned warlords Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. Ujiyasu was the son of Hojo Ujitsuna, and his only known wife was Zuikei-in, sister of Imagawa Yoshimoto. Among his children were Hojo Ujimasa and Uesugi Kagetora.
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Hojo Ujimasa
Hojo Ujimasa (1538 – August 10, 1590) was the fourth leader of the later Hojo clan and the daimyo of Odawara. He continued his father Hojo Ujiyasu's policy of territorial expansion, achieving the largest territorial holdings in the clan's history.
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Uesugi Kagetora
Uesugi Kagetora (1552 – April 19, 1579) was the seventh son of Hojo Ujiyasu and was originally known as Hojo Saburo. He was adopted by Uesugi Kenshin and intended to be Kenshin's heir. However, in 1578, he was attacked in his Otate Castle by Uesugi Kagekatsu, his brother-in-law, and was ultimately defeated. Kagetora committed suicide the following year at Samegao Castle.
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Hojo Ujinao
Hojo Ujinao (1562 – December 19, 1591) was a Japanese daimyo of the late Sengoku period and the last leader of the Later Hojo clan. An important figure in Azuchi-Momoyama politics, he lost his entire domain following the Siege of Odawara (1590). Despite this, he survived, and his family continued as minor daimyo during the Edo period.
