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The legendary warriors of Japan and the swords they cherished
Discover the sword culture of Japan's great fortresses
Legendary blades that shaped history
56 entries
Minamoto no Yoritomo
Founder of the Kamakura Shogunate—The lonely hegemon who destroyed the Taira and established the first samurai regime, transforming Japanese history
## The Exiled Prince Born in 1147 as the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, Minamoto no Yoritomo wa...
Minamoto no Yoriie
The Second Shogun — heir to Kamakura who died by conspiracy before he could find his footing
Minamoto no Yoriie (1182–1204), the second Kamakura shogun, was the tragic heir to his father Yorito...
Taira no Tomoori
Ikari Tomoori—The Valiant Taira General Who Sank at Dannoura, the Tragic Warrior Who Left Behind the Famous Words 'I Have Seen All That Was Worth Seeing'
## The Life of Taira no Tomoori, The Valiant Taira General Born in 1152 as the fourth son of Taira n...
Ashikaga Yoshiakira
Second Shogun of the Muromachi Bakufu and Architect of Bakufu Stability During the Southern and Northern Courts Conflict
Ashikaga Yoshiakira (1330–1367) was the eldest son of Ashikaga Takauji, the first shogun of the Muro...
Minamoto no Yoshitomo
Tragic Warrior of the Heiji Rebellion — Father of Yoritomo
Minamoto no Yoshitomo (1123-1160) was one of the most prominent warriors of the late Heian period an...
Shizuka Gozen
Beloved Concubine of Minamoto no Yoshitsune and a Celebrated Shirabyoshi Dancer, the Tragic Woman Who Danced Her Longing for Yoshitsune at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
## Shizuka the Shirabyoshi Shizuka Gozen (dates unknown, late 12th century) was a shirabyoshi of the...
Chūjō Hyōgo-no-kami
Founder of Chūjō-ryū Swordsmanship, Short Sword Master of the Northern and Southern Courts Era
Chūjō Hyōgo-no-kami (exact dates unknown, active in the latter half of the 14th century) was a warri...
Taira no Tadamori
The Architect of Taira Prosperity — Father of Kiyomori
Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) was a warrior of the Heian period and the father of Taira no Kiyomori,...
Kumagai Naozane
Warrior Who Killed Taira no Atsumori at Ichinotani, Later Became a Monk
Kumagai Naozane (1141-1208) was a warrior of the late Heian and early Kamakura periods, a Bandō warr...
Hōjō Tokimasa
First Regent of the Kamakura Shogunate, Founder of the Hōjō Clan's Power
Hōjō Tokimasa (1138-1215) was a warrior of the early Kamakura period and the first regent (shikken) ...
Minamoto no Yoshiie
Hachimantaro — The First Son of Hachiman, supreme warrior of the Heian age
## Birth of Hachimantaro Minamoto no Yoshiie was born in Chōreki 3 (1039), the eldest son of Minamo...
Kitabatake Chikafusa
Pillar of the Southern Court, Author of Jinnō Shōtōki
Kitabatake Chikafusa (1293-1354) was a leading court noble and warrior of the Southern Court during ...