Minamoto no Yoshitsune
源義経
Tragic warrior (1159–1189); brilliant general who defeated the Taira clan; driven to death by his brother Yoritomo; beloved tragic hero of Japanese culture
About
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–1189) is one of the most beloved tragic heroes in Japanese culture. As a young general, he led the decisive campaigns that destroyed the Taira clan in the Genpei War—including the Battle of Dan-no-ura (1185). His brilliant tactics were matched by his tragic fate: his brother Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate, became jealous of his popularity and drove him to his death. He died in Oshu (Iwate) at age 30.
His legend became enormously influential—he is the subject of countless Noh plays, Kabuki dramas, novels, and films. Some legends claim he escaped to become Genghis Khan. He is enshrined at Shirahata Jinja and various sites across Japan.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Shirahata Shrine (Fujisawa) 白旗神社 | Kanagawa | independent |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Minamoto no Yoshitsune in Japanese mythology?
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源義経) is Tragic warrior (1159–1189); brilliant general who defeated the Taira clan; driven to death by his brother Yoritomo; beloved tragic hero of Japanese culture. This deity appears in Historical and is enshrined at 1 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Minamoto no Yoshitsune?
There are 1 shrines in our database dedicated to Minamoto no Yoshitsune, including Shirahata Shrine (Fujisawa).
What myths involve Minamoto no Yoshitsune?
Minamoto no Yoshitsune appears in myths from Historical. The deity is known as Tragic warrior (1159–1189); brilliant general who defeated the Taira clan; driven to death by his brother Yoritomo; beloved tragic hero of Japanese culture.