Minamoto no Noriyori

Quick Facts: Who was Minamoto no Noriyori?

Subject:

Minamoto no Noriyori

Known for:

Samurai lord of the late Heian/early Kamakura period, key figure in the Genpei War.

Born:

1150

Died:

1193-09-14

Century / Era:

1150s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Minamoto no Noriyori (源 範頼; 1150 – September 14, 1193) was a Japanese samurai lord of the late Heian period and early Kamakura period, who fought alongside his brothers Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune at a number of battles of the Genpei War. He was the sixth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo. As children, he and his brothers Yoritomo and Yoshitsune were spared by Taira no Kiyomori in 1160, following the death of their father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo, after their mother Tokiwa became Kiyomori's concubine. Noriyori seemingly disappears from any record until 1180, when he served his brother Yoritomo in Kamakura. Beginning in 1184, four years into the Genpei War, he was sent out from Kamakura by Yoritomo, and made his way to the Taira strongholds of Shikoku.

Career & Major Achievements

Noriyori helped defeat the wayward Minamoto no Yoshinaka, his cousin, at the Second Battle of the Uji and the Battle of Awazu, before moving on to play a central role in the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani. The Taira were pushed back, and the war fell into a lull for about six months, during which Noriyori returned to Kyoto. Noriyori was sent out once more, in September 1184, to secure the provinces of the Chūgoku region, and then to move on into Kyūshū. He played a major role in the Battle of Kojima. However, attempting to push further, he ran into difficulties of a lack of supplies, and the fact that the Seto Inland Sea was controlled by his enemies.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He wrote to his brother in Kamakura, and was told that supplies were on the way, but that the Taira were watching, so any shipments had to be done very carefully. Noriyori finally managed to get rice, other supplies, and a handful of war junks from a local magnate in Suo Province. He moved on into Kyūshū as planned, and remained there, playing no role in the decisive Battle of Dan-no-ura. After the Genpei War was over, Noriyori returned to Kamakura, where he was rewarded by Yoritomo for his services. However, there was now a feud for dominance of the clan between Yoritomo and Yoshitsune.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1150: Birth of Minamoto no Noriyori — Samurai lord of the late Heian/early Kamakura period, key figure in the Genpei War.
2. 1160: 1160 Milestone — As children, he and his brothers Yoritomo and Yoshitsune were spared by Taira no Kiyomori in 1160, following the death of their father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo, after their mother Tokiwa became Kiyomori's concubine.
3. 1180: 1180 Milestone — Noriyori seemingly disappears from any record until 1180, when he served his brother Yoritomo in Kamakura.
4. 1184: 1184 Milestone — Beginning in 1184, four years into the Genpei War, he was sent out from Kamakura by Yoritomo, and made his way to the Taira strongholds of Shikoku.
5. 1193 (1193-09-14): Passing & Historical Legacy — Minamoto no Noriyori passed away on 1193-09-14, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Minamoto no Noriyori

“Even if Yoritomo were killed, he would be there for her and for the clan.” (1193)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Minamoto no Noriyori

True or False: “Minamoto no Noriyori was executed by his brother Minamoto no Yoritomo immediately after the conclusion of the Genpei War.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he faced conflict with Yoritomo afterward, records suggest he was placed under house arrest rather than being summarily executed right after the war's end.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Minamoto no Noriyori