Legend in Japanese art : a description of historical episodes, legendary characters, folk-lore myths, religious symbolism illustrated in the arts of old Japan, 1908.

Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/legendinjapanese00joly_1/page/n25/mode/2up

Henri Joly [1839-1925]

Text p.402/ Item 1088. YORITOMO Mixamoto No. Son of Yoshitomo and half-brother of Yoshitsune; his child name was Imawaka. When his mother, Tokiwa, placed herself in the hands of Kiyomori, in 1159, the victor sent him in exile to Izu. In 1180 he escaped, and on the death of Kiyomori in 1181, started a war in Sagami against the Taira. He was obliged to flee from Ishi Bashi Yama, and being hard pressed by the pursuers, under Oba Kagechika, hid himself in the hollow trunk of an old tree. One of his pursuers, Kajiwara Kagetoki, saved his life by poking into the tree with his bow, and pointing out to the pursuers two doves, which then flew away, as a proof that nobody could be there, thus turning traitor to the Taira (Nippon o Dai Ichiran). This is frequently illustrated. Kagetoki became his staunchest supporter, and is often pictured near him as a fierce-looking individual with a kanabo (iron club). He was the principal enemy of Yoshitsune, and perhaps more so than Yoritomo himself. See Yoshitsune.

Yoritomo, however, settled at Kamakura, and after the battle of Yashima (1185) became the most important personage after the Emperor. In 1192 he obtained from Go Toba Tenno the title Sei-I-Tai Shogun.

Yoritomo’s favourite amusement consisted in flying from the Akanuma ga hara white cranes, to the legs of which were attached labels, requesting those who saw them alight to report the fact, and fly them again. He thus followed their further life, and some were seen for several centuries after his death. The story of his persecution of his half-brother will be found under Yoshitsune.

Yoritomo fell from his horse, in 1200, at Banyu Gawa, and soon after died. He was then fifty-three years old, gaunt of body, and had a very large head.