Minamoto clan (Yoritomo)
59-569: Watanabe ( 渡辺 and other variants) is a Japanese surname derived from the noble and samurai Watanabe clan , a branch of the Minamoto clan , descending from the Emperor Saga (786-842), the 52nd Emperor of Japan , and refers to a location called 'Watanabe no tsu' which was settled by the Watanabe clan, who took the name of the place. It was located in the medieval period near the mouth of
118-579: A Shugo (Governor of province), and were allowed to use the 'Shirokasabukuro' and 'Mosen kuraoi' seals allowed only to the Shugo in the Muromachi period. During the 16th century wars, the following Watanabe samurai distinguished themselves : Besides the mainstream of Watanabe, the Matsuura branch, had the title of Daimyō (Grand feudal Lords) of Hirado Domain ( Hizen Province ) until 1868, were
177-572: A call to arms against the Taira, led by the Minamoto in 1180. The ensuing Battle of Uji took place just outside Kyoto , starting a five-year-long war, concluding with a decisive Minamoto victory in the naval Battle of Dan-no-ura . However, it has been pointed out that the Battle of Ōshū in 1189 was the last battle during this period of civil war, as it completed Yoritomo's nationwide domination through
236-547: A considerable force, driving Yoshinaka from the city. After fighting his cousins at the bridge over the Uji , Yoshinaka made his final stand at Awazu , in Ōmi Province . He was defeated by Yoshitsune, and killed while attempting to flee. As the united Minamoto forces left Kyoto, the Taira began consolidating their position at a number of sites in and around the Inland Sea, which was their ancestral home territory. They received
295-513: A duty to the Taira clan. Although the various Minamoto clans rose up simultaneously, not all of them were under the command of Minamoto no Yoritomo from the beginning. In fact, the actual Kawachi Genji had no single legitimate lineage, and even if we were to limit ourselves to the succession of Minamoto no Yoshiie , who was the representative samurai of the Kawachi Genji, it was not only Yoritomo who could have claimed that position. Yoritomo
354-599: A mandate for Yoshinaka to "join with Yukiie in destroying Munemori and his army". In 1183, Yoshinaka once again sought to gain control of the Minamoto clan by planning an attack on Yoritomo, while simultaneously pursuing the Taira westward. The Taira set up a temporary Court at Dazaifu in Kyūshū , the southernmost of Japan's main islands. They were forced out soon afterwards by local revolts instigated by Go-Shirakawa, and moved their Court to Yashima . The Taira were successful in beating off an attack by Yoshinaka's pursuing forces at
413-621: A number of missives from the Emperor offering that if they surrendered by the seventh day of the second month, the Minamoto could be persuaded to agree to a truce. This was a farce, as neither the Minamoto nor the Emperor had any intentions of waiting until the eighth day to attack. Nevertheless, this tactic offered the Emperor a chance to regain the Regalia and to distract the Taira leadership. The Minamoto army, led by Yoshitsune and Noriyori, made their first major assault at Ichi-no-Tani , one of
472-542: A river’. Even by the standards of Japanese names , there is an unusual degree of variation in the second kanji used to write Watanabe, with at least 51 recorded variants including the common 渡部 , 渡邉 and 渡邊 . According to the 'Japanese Family Names and Family Crests', the surname Watanabe is a toponymic surname (and never an occupational surname). In Japan, there are very few occupational surnames, and unlike in several european countries, in Japan, occupational surnames are
531-630: A somewhat fictionalized account of the wars, as seen from the perspectives of his two main characters, the Zinja Monk Jebu, and the Noblewoman Lady Shima Taniko. The names of the two rival clans have been changed, "Minamoto" to "Muratomo" and "Taira" to "Takashi". Another fictionalized account of the conflict forms the central plot of "Civil War" (also known as "Turbulent Times"), the ninth volume of Osamu Tezuka 's celebrated Phoenix series of comics. The Genpei War
590-675: A war against the Taira , and who managed to get a letter from the Emperor Go-Shirakawa (1127–1192) to Yoritomo, requesting that he set up an army and liberate the country from the tyranny of the Taira, which enabled the Minamoto clan to take up arms, was the son of Watanabe no Endo Mochito. During the Hōgen rebellion (1156), and the Genpei War (1180–1185), the Watanabe sided with Minamoto no Yorimasa (1106–1180), until his death at
649-427: Is not appropriate to use the term "Genpei" for this war, as it does not accurately represent the belligerents of the war. In fact, the head of the Minamoto clan at the time was not a samurai but a court noble, and the first samurai to be the head of the clan was Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the 14th century. In reality, it was not exclusively a war between the Minamoto clan and the Taira clan, and there were many members of
SECTION 10
#1732764895193708-591: Is sometimes used in Japan, but it has been argued that it is not appropriate to use the term "Genpei" for this war. The Genpei War was the culmination of a decades-long conflict between the two aforementioned clans over dominance of the Imperial court and, by extension, control of Japan. In the Hōgen Rebellion and in the Heiji Rebellion of earlier decades, the Minamoto attempted to regain control from
767-521: The Battle of Mizushima . Yoshinaka conspired with Yukiie to seize the capital and the Emperor, possibly even establishing a new Court in the north. However, Yukiie revealed these plans to the Emperor, who communicated them to Yoritomo. Betrayed by Yukiie, Yoshinaka took command of Kyoto and, at the beginning of 1184, set fire to the Hōjūjidono , taking the Emperor into custody. Minamoto no Yoshitsune arrived soon afterwards with his brother Noriyori and
826-573: The Northern Fujiwara in 1189 was in fact the last battle during this period of civil war, as it completed Yoritomo's nationwide domination through the annexation of Dewa and Mutsu Province , and that its end marked the establishment of the first military government, the Kamakura shogunate. The terms Genpei Kassen (源平合戦), Genpei Sōran (源平争乱) and Genpei no Tatakai (源平の戦い) are sometimes used in Japan, but it has been argued that it
885-516: The Taira and Minamoto clans during the late Heian period of Japan. It resulted in the downfall of the Taira and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto no Yoritomo , who appointed himself as Shōgun in 1192, governing Japan as a military dictator from the eastern city of Kamakura . It followed a coup d'état by the Taira in 1179 with the removal of rivals from all government posts, and subsequently banishing them, and
944-510: The battle of Dan-no-ura , one of the most famous and significant battles in Japanese history. The Minamoto engaged the Taira fleet in the Straits of Shimonoseki , a tiny body of water separating the islands of Honshū and Kyūshū. The tides played a powerful role in the development of the battle, granting the advantage first to the Taira, who were more experienced and abler sailors, and later to
1003-488: The 1330s, the Kenmu Restoration . In addition, this war and its aftermath established red and white, the colors of the Taira and Minamoto standards, respectively, as Japan's national colors. Today, these colors can be seen on the flag of Japan , and also in banners and flags in sumo and other traditional activities. It has been pointed out that the Battle of Ōshū fought between the Kamakura government and
1062-601: The Battle of Uji, then with Minamoto no Yoritomo . At the Battle of Uji (1180), the opening battle of the Genpei War , the Watanabe clan formed with the warrior monks of Miidera Temple most of the Minamoto clan army. The Heike Monogatari describes some of the Watanabe samurai present at this battle : Both were killed in battle. Were also present that day from the Watanabe clan : Minamoto no Sazuku, Minamoto no Tsuranu, Watanabe Habuku, Minamoto no Okoru, and others, who fought to death and were killed fighting against
1121-626: The County of Yasu, 2 villages in the County of Gamo, and 6 villages in the County of Takashima. The Hanzo Watanabe branch, descending from Watanabe Shigetsuna (1574-1648), son of Moritsuna, were lords of Terabe estate, Hida no Kami (Governors of Hida province), Karō (Chief retainers) of the Owari Tokugawa , and had a revenue of 10,000 koku. After 1868, they were raised to the Peerage. The Watanabe of Ōmura ( Hizen Province ) were ranked among
1180-515: The Heian period (794–1185). They were, however, decimated by the Taira in the Heiji Rebellion of 1160. Minamoto no Yoshitomo had been the head of the clan at this time; upon his defeat at the hands of Taira no Kiyomori, two of his sons were killed and the third, Minamoto no Yoritomo, was banished. Following the call to arms of Prince Mochihito and Minamoto no Yorimasa in 1180, the clan would gather together and rise to power again. The Genpei war would see
1239-477: The Kamakura shogunate marked the rise to power of the warrior class ( samurai ) and the gradual suppression of the power of the emperor, who was compelled to govern without effective political or military power, being effectively reduced to a purely symbolical and ceremonial head of state, until the Meiji Restoration over 650 years later, though there was a short-lived attempt to restore imperial rule in
SECTION 20
#17327648951931298-641: The Left); and was the great-great-great-grandson of the Emperor Saga (786-842), the 52nd Emperor of Japan . He was the stepgrandson of the Chinjufu-shōgun Minamoto no Mitsunaka , a descendant of the Emperor Seiwa (850-881), and having lost his father the year of his birth, he was adopted by Minamoto no Atsushi, a descendant of the Emperor Ninmyō (808-850), and son in law of Mitsunaka. He
1357-527: The Minamoto clan defeat the Taira and take command of the entire country. The Taira clan was one of the four great clans which dominated Japanese politics during the Heian period (794–1185). As a result of the near-total destruction of their rival clan, the Minamoto, in the Heiji Rebellion of 1160, Taira no Kiyomori, head of the clan, initiated the Genpei War at the height of his power. The end of
1416-401: The Minamoto. The Minamoto advantage was considerably enhanced by the defection of Taguchi, a Shikoku warrior who went over to the Minamoto side in the middle of the action. Many of the Taira nobles perished, along with Emperor Antoku and the widow of Kiyomori. The defeat of the Taira armies meant the end of Taira "dominance at the capital". In December 1185, Go-Shirakawa granted to Yoritomo
1475-660: The Peers after 1868. The Watanabe of Suwa ( Shinano Province ) were also raised to the Peerage after 1868. Several Watanabe samurai had the title of Taishin (Grand) Hatamoto (Guardians of the Banner), the last rank before Daimyo, direct retainers of the Shogunate, high ranking samurai, and senior retainers of the Tokugawa Shoguns and their principal branches, like the descendants of : 渡辺 , means ‘to cross over
1534-769: The Shogun Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358), and was granted the title of Jitō (Military Governor) of Yamada no shō territory (Bingo Province). He is the ancestor of the Yamada Watanabe branch, Lords of Ichijoyama castle, who owned the whole area of the Peninsula of Numakuma. During the Ōnin War (1467-1477), they sided with the Eastern camp. They were treated by the Ashikaga Shoguns as equal to
1593-885: The Shogunate), and of Jitō (Military Governor). During the Mongol invasions (1274 and 1281), the Matsuura Watanabe fought fiercely to repel the invaders. Sashibo, the Soryo (Heir) of the Matsuura Watanabe and his cousin Yamashiro Kai, from the Yamashiro Watanabe branch descending from Oi, sixth son of Watanabe Hisashi, were killed in battle fighting against the Mongols. The Kamachi were direct descendants of Minamoto no Noboru (848-918), like their cousins of
1652-477: The Taira and failed. In 1180, Taira no Kiyomori put his grandson Antoku (then only 2 years of age) on the throne after the abdication of Emperor Takakura . Emperor Go-Shirakawa 's son Mochihito felt that he was being denied his rightful place on the throne and, with the help of Minamoto no Yorimasa , sent out a call to arms to the Minamoto clan and Buddhist monasteries in May. However, this plot ended with
1711-461: The Taira army. Meanwhile, Kiyomori, seeking vengeance against the Mii-dera monks and others, besieged Nara and burnt much of the city to the ground. Fighting continued the following year, 1181. Minamoto no Yukiie was defeated by a force led by Taira no Shigehira at the Battle of Sunomatagawa . However, the "Taira could not follow up their victory." Taira no Kiyomori died from illness in
1770-480: The Taira clan fighting on Minamoto clan's side, as well as members of these two clans serving as court nobles at the Imperial Court that were not samurai and had nothing to do with the war. There is no record of any direct or indirect complicity or assistance by the non-samurai Minamoto and Taira clan members to the war, and no record of any motive for their involvement exists. Furthermore, the Battle of Ōshū
1829-458: The Taira. The Watanabe had a powerful navy, and in 1185 they sent their navy ships to support the Minamoto cause. In February 1185, the Minamoto army of Minamoto no Yoshitsune , brother of Yoritomo, stayed at Watanabe no tsu, in the lands of the Watanabe clan, to rest, gather troops, army provisions, and prepare a fleet of ships for the raid in Shikoku. At the Battle of Yashima (March 1185)
Watanabe - Misplaced Pages Continue
1888-564: The Watanabe clan, and had the titles of Shokan (Governing officer) of Kanzaki no shō estate (Hizen province), of Gokenin, of Jitō (Military Governor) of the County of Mizuma (Chikugo province), and held the court rank of Kizoku (Officer). Minamoto no Hisanao, son of Watanabe Hisashi, was 'Uhyoe no jo' (Officer of the guards of the Middle Palace), and owner of Mikuriya no shō estate. After the Jōkyū War (1221), Hisanao's son, Minamoto no Sanen,
1947-565: The Watanabe horsemen proved to be decisive, and due to the fall of Yashima, the Taira clan lost their bases in Shikoku. At the Battle of Dan-no-ura (April 1185), when the Dowager Empress Kenrei-mon-In , daughter of Taira no Kiyomori , tried to drown herself, she was pulled out by the samurai Watanabe no Mutsuru. After the Genpei war, the Matsuura Watanabe received the additional titles of Gokenin (Direct Retainer of
2006-757: The Yodogawa River in Settsu Province, in present-day city of Osaka . The surname Watanabe comes from the Watanabe clan founded by Watanabe no Tsuna (953-1025), of the Saga Genji branch of the Minamoto clan , and his official name was Minamoto no Tsuna. He established the Watanabe branch of the Minamoto clan, taking the name from his stronghold at Watanabe no tsu, a port on the Yodogawa River in Settsu Province , and in 1020 he
2065-497: The annexation of Northeast Japan . The name "Genpei" (sometimes romanized as Gempei ) comes from alternate readings of the kanji "Minamoto" (源 Gen ) and "Taira" (平 Hei , pronounced as the second element in some compounds as -pei ). The conflict is also known in Japanese as the Jishō–Juei War ( 治承・寿永の乱 , Jishō – Juei no Ran ) , after the two Imperial eras between which it took place. The term Genpei Kassen
2124-691: The arrest of Mochihito, who sought protection at the temple of Mii-dera . The Mii-dera monks were unable to ensure him sufficient protection, so he was forced to move along. He was then chased by Taira forces to the Byōdō-in , just outside Kyoto. The war began thus, with a dramatic encounter on and around the bridge over the River Uji . This battle ended in Yorimasa's ritual suicide inside the Byōdō-in and Mochihito's capture and execution shortly afterwards. It
2183-480: The city from the north and Yukiie from the east. Both Minamoto leaders had seen little or no opposition in marching to the capital and now forced the Taira to flee the city. Taira no Munemori , head of the clan since his father Kiyomori's death, led his army, along with the young Emperor Antoku and the Imperial regalia , to the west. The cloistered emperor Go-Shirakawa defected to Yoshinaka. Go-Shirakawa then issued
2242-485: The context of the Japanese economy, Mrs. Watanabe is a generic name for housewives who deal in foreign exchange . Japanese surname Officially, among Japanese names there are 291,129 different Japanese surnames ( 姓 , sei ) , as determined by their kanji , although many of these are pronounced and romanized similarly. Conversely, some surnames written the same in kanji may also be pronounced differently. The top 10 surnames cover approximately 10% of
2301-430: The deaths of Yorimasa and Mochihito. In June 1180, Kiyomori moved the seat of imperial power to Fukuhara-kyō , "his immediate objective seems to have been to get the royal family under his close charge." The actions of Taira no Kiyomori having deepened Minamoto hatred for the Taira clan, a call for arms was sent up by Minamoto no Yorimasa and Prince Mochihito. Not knowing who was behind this rally, Kiyomori called for
2360-544: The exceptions. The surname Watanabe is not considered one of these very few occupational exceptions. A basic translation of the name of the original village 渡辺 is ‘to cross over a river’, and sometimes people mistakenly write that the Watanabe are 'river crossers' which is incorrect. The location called 'Watanabe no tsu' was located between Tenmabashi Station and Tenjinbashi Station, in the present day Osaka City. Watanabe no Tsuna took charge of Zama jinja Temple, also called Ikasuri Shrine . The hereditary guji (chief priest) of
2419-413: The fourth Lord of Hirado, was given 10,000 koku, and established a branch domain. The Hakata Watanabe branch, were Daimyō (Grand feudal Lords) of Hakata Domain ( Izumi Province ) until the Meiji Restoration (1868), had a revenue of 13,500 koku, and descend from Watanabe Yoshitsuna (1611-1668), who was appointed Sobayonin (Grand Chamberlain) by Tokugawa Ietsuna (1651–1680), the 4th Tokugawa Shogun, and
Watanabe - Misplaced Pages Continue
2478-777: The huge Oe no Mikuriya estate, and in Kyoto he inherited the military charges of Takiguchi no musha (Takiguchi warriors Guards of the Imperial Palace), as well as Emonfu (Government office of the Outer Palace Gate Guards) and Hyoefu (Administrative office of Middle Palace Guards). Dominating Settsu Province as a focal area of maritime transportation in medieval Japan, the Watanabe family spread its influence widely. Their descendants settled in other areas, including Kyushu . Watanabe Hisashi (1064-1148 or 1154), also called Minamoto no Hisashi, great-grandson of Tsuna,
2537-560: The most famous and flourished branch, and had a revenue of 61,700 koku. The territories of the Lords of Hirado included the Province of Iki (with the County of Iki (11 villages), and the County of Ishida (11 villages)); in the Province of Hizen : the County of Matsuura (47 villages), and 7 villages in the County of Sonogi. The Matsuura Watanabe of Hirado Shinden, Daimyō of Hirado Shinden Domain (Hizen Province) until 1868, descending from
2596-399: The population, while the top 100 surnames cover slightly more than 33%. This ranking is a result of an August 2008 study by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company , which included approximately 6,118,000 customers of Meiji Yasuda's insurance and annuities. Genpei War The Genpei War ( 源平合戦 , Genpei Kassen , Genpei-Gassen , 1180–1185) was a national civil war between
2655-425: The power to collect taxes, and "appoint stewards and constables in all provinces". Finally, in 1192, after Go-Shirakawa's death, Yoritomo was granted the imperial commission Sei-i Tai Shōgun . This was the beginning of a feudal state in Japan, with real power now in Kamakura . However, Kyoto remained the "seat of national ceremony and ritual" and the de jure capital. The end of the Genpei War and beginning of
2714-479: The primary Taira camps on Honshū. The camp was attacked from two directions by Yoshitsune and Noriyori, and the Taira not killed or captured retreated to Yashima. However, the Minamoto were not prepared to assault Shikoku ; a six-month pause thus ensued during which the Minamoto took the proper steps. Though on the retreat, the Taira enjoyed the distinct advantages of being in friendly, home territories, and of being far more adept at naval combat than their rivals. It
2773-622: The shogunate from the provinces of western and central Japan During the period of the Northern and Southern Courts (1336-1392), the Matsuura Watanabe sided with the Northern Court, and fought at the Battle of Chikugogawa (1359). The Kamachi Watanabe sided with the Southern Court, and Takehisa was killed at the Battle of Tatarahama (1336). Watanabe Mochi, descendant of Watanabe no Tsuna, rendered distinguished military service to
2832-499: The spring of 1181, and around the same time Japan began to suffer from a famine which was to last through the following year. The Taira moved to attack Minamoto no Yoshinaka , a cousin of Yoritomo who had raised forces in the north, but were unsuccessful. For nearly two years, the war ceased, only to resume in the spring of 1183. In 1183, the Taira loss at the Battle of Kurikara was so severe that they found themselves several months later under siege in Kyoto with Yoshinaka approaching
2891-437: The temple were descending from Watanabe Kaoru, descendant of Watanabe no Tsuna. The original site of the shrine was different from the current one, and the main hall was in the place where Watanabe no tsu used to be. Toyotomi Hideyoshi relocated to its current location near Nishiyokoborikawa River, at the address 3 Watanabe, 4-chome Watanabe, Kyutaromachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka City. It is the fifth most common Japanese surname. In
2950-503: The war, however, brought destruction to the Taira clan. Many stories and works of art depict this conflict. The Tale of the Heike ( 平家物語 , Heike Monogatari ) is the most famous, although many kabuki and bunraku plays reproduce events of the war as well. Ichinotani Futaba Gunki ('Chronicle of the battle of Ichi-no-Tani') by Namiki Sōsuke may be one of the more famous of these. The novel Shike by Robert Shea features
3009-562: Was adopted by the Kamachi as their son in law to succeed their estates and titles; he changed his name to Kamachi, and was the founder of the Kamachi Watanabe branch, Lords of Kamachi castle. At the time of the Mongol invasions, Morohisa went to the front as a member of the Matsuura Watanabe clan. In 1235, the Watanabe clan received from the Kamakura shogunate the responsibility of overseeing large shipments of tax and tributes due
SECTION 50
#17327648951933068-564: Was appointed Kebiishi (Chief of the police and justice), received the title of Shokan (Governing officer) of Uno no Mikuriya estate in Matsuura (Hizen province, in Kyushu) and called himself Matsuura Hisashi. He ruled the County of Matsuura, the province of Iki, and a part of Sonogi district, and is the ancestor of the Matsuura Watanabe branch, Lords of Hirado castle. The priest Mongaku Shōnin who urged Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199) to start
3127-565: Was appointed Tango no Kami (Governor of Tango Province ). He was the son of Minamoto no Atsuru (933-953), married to a daughter of the Chinjufu-shōgun (Commander in chief of the defense of the north) Minamoto no Mitsunaka (912-997); he was the grandson of Minamoto no Tsuko (891-942), Musashi no Kami (Governor of Musashi province); was the great-grandson of Minamoto no Noboru (848-918), Dainagon (Chief Councilor of State); great-great-grandson of Minamoto no Tōru (822-895), Sadaijin (Minister of
3186-519: Was at this point that Minamoto no Yoritomo took over leadership of the Minamoto clan and began traveling the country seeking to rendezvous with allies. Leaving Izu Province and heading for the Hakone Pass , he was defeated by the Taira in the battle of Ishibashiyama . However, he successfully made it to the provinces of Kai and Kōzuke , where the Takeda and other friendly families helped repel
3245-657: Was companion in arms to his stepuncle Minamoto no Yorimitsu (944–1021), son of Mitsunaka; and is famous for his military exploits in a number of tales and legends. He is known as one of the Four Guardian Kings (Shitennō) of Yorimitsu, referring to the Buddhist Four Heavenly Kings . Watanabe no Den, great-grandson of Tsuna, received from the Emperor Shirakawa (1053-1129) the hereditary title of Shokan (Governing officer) of
3304-471: Was fought between Minamoto no Yoritomo and his last strong enemy, the Northern Fujiwara, years after the Taira clan had been destroyed. It is true that many members of the Minamoto clan, such as Takeda Nobuyoshi and Minamoto no Yoshinaka , rose to arms against the Taira clan. There were also many who belonged to the Minamoto clan, but who fought for the Taira clan because they had a kinship or
3363-478: Was not until nearly a year after the battle of Ichi-no-Tani that the main Taira force at Yashima came under assault . Seeing Yoshitsune's bonfires in their rear, the Taira had not expected a land-based attack and took to their ships. This was a deceptive ploy on the part of the Minamoto, however. The Taira improvised imperial palace fell, and many escaped along with the Imperial regalia and the Emperor Antoku. The Genpei War came to an end one month later, following
3422-408: Was the grandson of Moritsuna. The territories of the Lords of Hakata included in the Province of Izumi : 12 villages in the County of Otori, 4 villages in the County of Izumi; in the Province of Kawachi : 5 villages in the County of Furuichi, 5 villages in the County of Shiki, and 2 villages in the County of Tanboku; in the Province of Omi : 1 village in the County of Kurita, 2 villages in
3481-400: Was the heir of Yoshitomo, who had risen to that position by killing his father and younger brother during the Battle of Ōkura in 1155. However, Minamoto no Yoshinaka , the heir of Minamoto no Yoshikata , and Yukiie , the younger brother of Yoshitomo and Yoshikata, could have claimed the position as well. The Minamoto were one of the four great clans that dominated Japanese politics during
#192807