Minamoto no Yoriie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Minamoto no Yoriie
源頼家 |
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| Shōgun | |
| In office 1202–1203 |
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| Monarch | Tsuchimikado |
| Preceded by | Minamoto no Yoritomo |
| Succeeded by | Minamoto no Sanetomo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 11, 1182 Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Died | August 14, 1204 (aged 21) |
| Spouse | Wakasa no Tsubone |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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Minamoto no Yoriie (Japanese: 源 頼家, September 11, 1182 – August 14, 1204) was the second shōgun of Japan's Kamakura shogunate. A shōgun was a powerful military leader who ruled Japan. Yoriie was the first son of Yoritomo, who was the very first shōgun.
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Early Life and Becoming Shōgun
Minamoto no Yoriie was born on September 11, 1182. His mother was Hōjō Masako. He was born in Kamakura, a city in Japan. As a child, Yoriie was called Manju. He loved learning military skills. He practiced fencing and horse-riding.
When his father, Yoritomo, passed away in 1199, Yoriie became the leader of the Minamoto family. He was 17 years old at the time. In 1202, he was officially given the title of sei-i taishōgun. This made him the new military ruler of Japan.
Challenges and Loss of Power
Yoriie faced many challenges as shōgun. Some people thought he did not follow his father's good ideas. His mother, Hōjō Masako, even stopped him from making political decisions.
On June 30, 1203, Yoriie lost most of his power. A group of 13 older leaders took over his duties. This group was led by his grandfather, Hōjō Tokimasa. After this, Yoriie became a Buddhist monk.
Yoriie then tried to regain his power. He planned with the Hiki family to challenge the Hōjō family. But his plan did not work. He was placed under house arrest and had to give up his title as shōgun.
The Hiki Family Conflict
Yoriie became very sick. He suggested that his younger brother, Minamoto no Sanetomo, and his young son, Minamoto no Ichiman, should share power after him. The Hiki family, who were close to Yoriie, thought they would help rule with young Ichiman.
The Hiki family then suggested killing Sanetomo. Yoriie's mother, Hōjō Masako, supposedly heard about this plan.
To stop the Hiki family, Hōjō Tokimasa invited Hiki Yoshikazu to his home. There, Hiki Yoshikazu was killed. This led to a big fight between the Hiki family and other powerful families. The Hiki family was defeated and their power ended.
End of Yoriie's Life
Minamoto no Yoriie was killed on August 14, 1204. He was in his mansion in Izu. His grandfather, Hōjō Tokimasa, was involved in his death. Yoriie was only 21 years old.
After Yoriie's death, his younger brother, Sanetomo, became the next shōgun. Sanetomo was the last shōgun from the Minamoto family to rule Kamakura.
Yoriie's Sons
Yoriie had two sons: Ichiman and Kugyō. Both of his sons also faced sad endings because of the power struggles after Yoritomo's death.
Ichiman was the older son, born in 1198. His mother was Wakasa no Tsubone, who was Hiki Yoshikazu's daughter. Ichiman was raised by the Hiki family. It is believed he died in a fire that destroyed the Hiki home in 1203.
Yoriie's second son was Yoshinari, also known as Kugyō. He was forced to become a Buddhist monk. In 1219, Kugyō killed his uncle Sanetomo. This happened on the stairs leading to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū shrine in Kamakura. Kugyō himself was killed on the same day for this act.
Family Connections
- Father: Minamoto no Yoritomo
- Mother: Hōjō Masako
- Wife: Wakasa no Tsubone (died 1203)
- Children:
- Minamoto no Ichiman
- Kugyō
Eras During Yoriie's Rule
The time when Yoriie was shōgun falls within one Japanese era name, or nengō. This era was called Kennin, which lasted from 1201 to 1204.
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Minamoto no Yoriie
