Samurai

Nara + Heian Periods

Period: 710 to 1192

Birth of Taira no Masakado

903

Taira no masakado, the man donned "First Samurai" was born into the powerful Taira clan in 902 during the time of Japan's rising warrior class.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAUtGOQ46Fw)

Life of The First Samurai

Period: 903 to 940

Taira no Masakado lived during the Heian period from 903 to 940. He was a member of the wealthy Taira clan. The Taira clan sold horses which were typical gifts between nobles and also necessary to Japan's rising warrior class.
(https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/10/the-curse-of-masakado-why-a-malevolent-ghost-haunts-tokyo)
(https://www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/person/TAIRA%20no%20Masakado.html)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAUtGOQ46Fw)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzWbE4h0fw)

Taira family internal war

935

After Masakado married he refused to move into his father in law's house which led to a split in the family and also led to the first internal war in Japan's history where people fought without the employment of the state. After several defeats against Masakado Yoshikane (The father in law) joined the fighting and led an army against Masakado's forces while they were tired and stranded in a foreign province. However Masakado's army still prevailed.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAUtGOQ46Fw)

Taira no Yoshikane's death

938

After losing his power Taira no Yoshikane died of disease in 939.
(https://www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/person/TAIRA%20no%20Masakado.html)

Masakado's distrust of the central government begins

938

After sparing his life Masakado filed an arrest warrant for Yoshikane, in response Yoshikane brought rumors to the court that Masakado was going to incite treason and Masakado was called to court. Furious that people with an arrest warrant would be listened to seriously, Masakado refused his call to court.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzWbE4h0fw)

The Taira feud becomes national

939

On his way into the Hitachi province to dispute the claims raised against his friend Masakado's army was confronted by a government army 3 times the size of his own led by Sadamori. Masakado's forces defeated the army and proceeded to seize the government headquarters of the Hitachi province. Next Masakado regrouped his army and they marched to Shimotsuke and sent the government officials there back to Kyoto. He continued to march to every province in the Kanto, returning the officers to Kyoto.

Masakado's rebellion against the government

939

After conquering the entire Kanto region of Japan Masakado began calling himself the "New Emperor" however he claimed that he didn't want to overthrow the central government, he just wanted to establish the Kanto region as an independent state under his control.
(https://www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/person/TAIRA%20no%20Masakado.html)

Taira no Masakado's final battle

940

Masakado was killed in a battle against a large army led by Sadamori and Hidesato.
His army of 400 men was fighting the Emperor's army of 4,000. Even so, Masakado's army was in luck. The wind was very strong and to their backs allowing their arrows to fly further and making it difficult for the opposing army to hold their shields. Masakado made 3,000 soldiers retreat before the winds shifted and he was hit by an arrow.
Hidesato then severed his head.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzWbE4h0fw)

Rumors and Legends After his Death

941

After Masakado died his legend continued as strange rumors began to spread about Masakado's head. It head was reported to scream out at night asking where his body was, and even after weeks on display it didn't decay at all. One night, it flew to a temple in Gifu where it was shot by a soldier. Afterwards he was buried with full honors in the hopes that his vengeful spirit would be appeased.(https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/10/the-curse-of-masakado-why-a-malevolent-ghost-haunts-tokyo)

Birth of Minamoto no Yoshitsune

1159

Yoshitsune was a military genius who's military victories helped establish the Kamakura Shogunate and rose his half brother Yoritomo gain power.
Yoshitsune is one of the most well known samurai of all time having inspired Kabuki plays, legends, stories, even many western style films follow the life of Yoshitsune and Benkei.

Life of Yoshitsune Minamoto

Period: 1159 to 1189

Minamoto no Yoshitsune was a military commander of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura periods.
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Minamoto-Yoshitsune)
(https://en.japantravel.com/blog/the-life-of-minamoto-yoshitsune/59227)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Yoshitsune)

Yoshitsune trains to become a monk in a buddhist Monastery and eventually encounters Benkei

1161

Kiyomori spared Yoshitsune after killing his father, sending him to a monastery where he would train to become a Buddhist monk. According to legend eventually Benkei, an undefeated warrior, came to meet Yoshitsune at the bridge. When they fought Yoshitsune moved so quick that Benkei couldn't even hit him once. Soon after his defeat Benkei became a trusted retainer of Yoshitsune.
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Minamoto-Yoshitsune)

Yoshitsune runs from the Monastery in order to join his brother Yoritomo's revolt

1174

When Yoshitsune was 15 he ran from the monastery in order to join his older brother's revolt against Kiyomori in the northern region of Japan. Provided with an army by Yoritomo, he was ordered to advance against the forces of his cousin Minamoto Yoshinaka, who threatened Yoritomo’s plans for domination of Japan. Victorious over Yoshinaka, Yoshitsune occupied Kyōto.
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Minamoto-Yoshitsune)

Yoshitsune becomes the emperor's favorite

1187

During Yoshitsune's time in Kyoto the emperor took a clear liking to him, this made his older brother Yoritomo jealous. Yoshitsune’s attempt to visit his brother in the northern city of Kamakura was rebuffed with a letter charging the younger man with having taken arbitrary actions during his campaigns. Yoshitsune then attempted a revolt with the help of his uncle but was eventually forced to flee after the revolt failed
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Minamoto-Yoshitsune)

Yoshitsune's Death?

1189

No one is truly sure how or when Yoshitsune really died but according to Ainu historical accounts Yoshitsune escaped the siege at Koromogawa, fleeing to Hokkaido and assuming the name Okikurumi/Oinakamui. Another theory suggests that Yoshitsune was able to flee to mainland asia where he resurfaced as Genghis Khan.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Yoshitsune)

Kamakura Period

Period: 1192 to 1333

The Life of Kusunoki Masashige

Period: 1294 to 1336

Kusunoki Masashige is a Samurai that served under the emperor Go-Daigo, he is known for his unerring Loyalty and honor as well as for the quote, "Would that I had 7 lives to give for my Country".
(http://kansai-odyssey.com/kusunoki-masashige-the-ideal-samurai/)
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kusunoki-Masashige)
(https://storiesfromthemuseumfloor.wordpress.com/2018/07/13/kusunoki-masashige-loyal-to-the-end/)
(https://www.britannica.com/topic/shogunate)

Emperor Go-Daigo is Captured

1331

Kusunoki's Lord Go-Daigo was captured by the vast Shogunate forces Kusunoki escaped into the countryside and continued fighting for his lord using guerilla tactics.
(http://kansai-odyssey.com/kusunoki-masashige-the-ideal-samurai/)

Kusunoki captures the Chihaya fortress

1332

In 1332 Kusunoki was successful in capturing the fortress of Chihaya, this would make the central Shogunate panic and focus their forces on dealing with Kusunoki. While the Shogunate's forces were focused on Kusunoki the rest of the country was left weakened allowing more warriors across the country to join in the fight.
(http://kansai-odyssey.com/kusunoki-masashige-the-ideal-samurai/)

Go-Daigo escapes and Takauji switches sides

1333

Thanks to numerous victories Emperor Go-Daigo was able to escape his imprisonment, Ashikaga Takauji (The man tasked with capturing Go Daigo) switched sides, and Nitta Yoshisada captured the capital of the Shogun in Kamakura toppling the power of the Hojo family that had controlled the Shogun for the past 134 years.
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kusunoki-Masashige)

Kusunoki serves as the governor of the Settsu, Izumi, and Kawamichi prefectures under Go-Daigo

Period: 1333 to 1336

The revolt staged by Go-Daigo was successful, resulting in a period of imperial rule during which Kusunoki served as a governor of Settsu, Izumi, and Kawachi. Ashikaga Takauji and Nitta Yoshisada moved to the countryside and garnered support from minor feudal chieftains.
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kusunoki-Masashige)