Minamoto No Yoshitsune - in Literature

In Literature

Yoshitsune has long been a popular figure in Japanese literature and culture due to his appearance as the main character in the third section of the Japanese literary classic Heike Monogatari (Tale of the Heike). The Japanese term for "sympathy for a tragic hero", Hōgan-biiki (判官贔屓, lit. Hōgan favor?), comes from Yoshitsune's title Hōgan, which he received from the Imperial Court.

Many of the literary pieces that Yoshitsune appears in are legend rather than historical fact. Legends pertaining to Yoshitsune first began to appear in the fourteenth century. In early works at that time, Yoshitsune was described as a sharp-witted military leader. Then, romantic stories about his early childhood and last years of his life appeared as people began to know more about him. A variety of stories about different stages of his life was widely spread and well known to people in different ages.

The legends that deal with his public career show Yoshitsune as a great, virtuous warrior. He was often shown as kind to those around him and honorable, but he was also shown as short-tempered, tactless, blunt, and naive.

A second type of legend that deals with Yoshitsune’s childhood show young Yoshitsune (or Ushiwaka) with heroic qualities. He is portrayed as a brave and skilled swordsman, despite being a young boy. He was also skilled in music and his studies, and was also said to be able to easily sway the hearts of young women. These legends also delve into fantasy more so than the legends about his later life.

Legends which pertain to his time when his brother, Yoritomo, has turned against him, take away some of Yoshitsune’s heroic qualities. He is no longer portrayed as a great warrior, but he retains his knowledge and skills that are valuable in the emperor’s court.