Minamoto no Yoshihira

Who was Minamoto no Yoshihira?

Minamoto no Yoshihira was a Minamoto clan warrior who fought alongside his father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo, in the Heiji Rebellion.

His mother was the daughter of Miura no Yoshiaki, thus indicating the close ties between the two families. His brothers were Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Noriyori and Yoritomo. He married the daughter of Minamoto no Yoshishige.

In 1155, after a disagreement with uncle Minamoto no Yoshikata, Yoshihira attacked his storehouse and home in Musashi Province.

Then, in 1159, Yoshihira was sent to Kyoto to fight in the Heiji Rebellion. The Taira offered to make a peace agreement, but the Minamoto refused, and were soon defeated. Although Yoshihira fled the battle, and lived peacefully, in disguise, for a time in Kyoto, he was soon captured and killed by Taira no Kiyomori, the head of the enemy faction.