* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Soga Tokimune (Soga Gorō)
曽我時致（曽我五郎）
Younger of the Soga Brothers Who Carried Out One of Kamakura Japan's Most Famous Acts of Vendetta
- Era
- Kamakura period
- Lifespan
- unknown-1193
Description
Life
Born into the family of Kawazu Suketai, a warrior of Izu Province, with the childhood name Hakuō. When he was three, his father Suketai was killed by an assassin sent by his kinsman Kudō Suketsune. He was then taken in by his mother and, together with his elder brother Sukenari, raised under Soga Suke-nobu of the Soga estate in Sagami Province. Hakuō was for a time placed at Hakone Gongen as a temple page, but he refused to enter the priesthood, came down from Hakone, and chose the path of a warrior.
Coming of Age and Years of Waiting
Tokimune came of age with Hōjō Tokimasa as his eboshi-oya (ceremonial sponsor), and is said to have received one character of his name from Tokimasa and taken the name 'Tokimune.' Together with his elder brother Sukenari, he watched for eighteen years for an opportunity to kill Kudō Suketsune, their father's enemy, waiting for the moment to fulfill their aim.
Fulfillment of the Vendetta and Death at the Fuji Hunt
On the night of the 28th day of the 5th month of Kenkyū 4 (June 28, 1193), in the encampment of the Fuji hunt hosted by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the brothers raided Kudō Suketsune's lodgings and at last fulfilled their aim. Sukenari was killed on the spot, but Tokimune was captured by Goshogoromaru and, on the following day, the 29th, was personally interrogated by Yoritomo. He is also said to have been impressed by Tokimune's composed answers. However, on the complaint of Inubōmaru, a son of Suketsune (the Soga Monogatari attributes this to the remonstrance of Kajiwara Kagetoki), Tokimune was executed that same day.
Connection to Swords
The Shinmyō-bon text of the Soga Monogatari records that Tokimune's attire for the raid was a hitatare decorated with butterflies, a tachi fitted with hyōgo-gusari chain, and a tantō with a red-wood hilt. The image of the brothers clad in armor and carrying swords became a recurring iconographic motif in later paintings, ukiyo-e, and performing arts.
Later Reputation
The Soga brothers' vendetta is counted among Japan's three great acts of revenge, and Tokimune has long been remembered as a young man who upheld loyalty and filial piety. The Soga Monogatari was compiled as a war tale and later incorporated into kōwakamai, Noh, kabuki and other performing arts, forming a major genre known as 'Soga-mono.' In the Edo period it became a standard repertoire piece for New Year's theatrical performances and was widely loved among the common people.