In the case of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, it is certain that he stands of one of Japan's great tragic heroes. To this day, he is remembered both for his valor and cunning on the battlefield as well as the unfortunate circumstances of his demise. The forces that impacted Yoshitsune's life, whether internal or external, mortal or supernatural, were forces that he himself allowed to change his fate. Whether training with the tengu king or charging down the cliff, Yoshitsune was a warrior who went at life head-on. In this way, Yoshitsune's story affirms the fact that the making of a warrior in Japan is not a simple task. Power can come from different places; but, ultimately, how we concieve of and react to such forces is what shapes our future. Our greatest gift is our ability to choose. Minamoto no Yoshitsune, though his life ended tragically, chose a path that has allowed him to be remembered through the ages. Perhaps it was on account of Sojobo, perhaps it was only his own mettle. Jiriki? Tariki? At least in legend, it is both. Whatever the case may be, the passage of time has only made Yoshitsune into an even greater warrior, one who's legacy has lived on for nearly a thousand years.
Header Image: Yoshitoshi's painting of Gozen leaving Yoshitsune on Mount Yoshino
Header Image: Yoshitoshi's painting of Gozen leaving Yoshitsune on Mount Yoshino