Minamoto no Yorimitsu

Timeline

1. 948–980Heian-kyō · Kyoto PrefectureOf the Seiwa Genji line, son of Minamoto no Mitsunaka. In his youth he held military posts such as Saheibei-shō, renowned for skill with bow and horse, gradually gathering retainers like Watanabe no Tsuna and Sakata no Kintoki, forming the group later called the 'Yorimitsu Shitennō'.
2. c. 980–1000Heian-kyō and surroundings · Kyoto PrefectureAs Kebiishi he was responsible for security in the capital region, and records show he participated in suppressing rebellions and maintaining order. Literary tradition links him with tales of subduing Shuten-dōji, the Oi-gama demons and Tsuchigumo, making him a prototype of the Heian warrior-hero narrative.
3. c. 1000–1021Heian-kyō · Kyoto PrefectureIn his later years he reached Lower Junior Fourth Rank at the Saema-no-bugyō, dying in 1021. Stories of his descendants and retainers were repeatedly dramatized in war tales, nō plays and ukiyo-e, and Minamoto no Yorimitsu as a symbol of the 'Heian warrior' influenced the aesthetics of Japanese warrior culture.