Minamoto no Yoshitsune is a name many are familiar with. Being an actual historical figure, Yoshitsune is elevated to legendary status through his exploits as a warrior during a chaotic period where 2 sides engaged in war over control of Japan. His exploits have been documented and retold through numerous mediums, from written records, theatrical performances, to TV shows. His fame has reached modern times, for even if you are not so versed in Japanese history, there are chances that you have come across his name in pop culture, which includes comics and video games.

Yoshitsune is viewed as a protégé in both martial arts and military affairs, which is a large appeal to many. In fact, many have made strides to keep alive, albeit few, his knowledge of combat. This extends to martial arts styles that not only give credit to him, but have skills and instructions accredited to his documented combat sense. These attempts are even visible in the scrolls of defunct styles (most of which were devised centuries later during Edo period), some of which are named after him, as the contents claim to be of instructions of his fighting style. While it’s safe to say that Yoshitsune himself didn’t create any style of his own, his exploits were vividly recorded where they may have given inspiration to others to develop similar techniques and strategies. How much of his legacy was preserved? Let’s proceed with the following discussions below.

MYRIAD OF WEAPONS

Out of the pages of official records such as Azuma Kagami (吾妻鏡), as well as war chronicles like Gikeiki (義経記), are the names of strategies, techniques, and weapons Yoshitsune used in his illustrious career.

Yoshitsune’s combat experience heavily weighs on kenjutsu, which he was proficient in from a young age. The source of his swordplay stems from Kurama Temple on Mt. Kurama, the source of knowledge for all established sword schools in Japan, where he stayed for several years during his youth. From Kurama Temple hails the famous style “Kyōhachi ryū” (京八流), which is said to contain methods of swordplay and other strategies spread througout Japan through 8 disticnt schools, with Yoshitsune’s thought to be the first.

Before going through specific techniques, let’s examine actual weapons Yoshitsune once wielded when he was alive. Keep in mind that some of these are either claimed to be of his possession, or are recreations.

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#1: Kuruma dachi / Sha dachi (車太刀)
DIMENSION: ???
MAKER: ???
Although identified as a tachi (battlefield sword), it doesn’t come even close to the standard length of one. This aligns more to the length of a kodachi (short sword) that would normally be worn alongside with a tachi. However, what sets this apart from the normal kodachi is the unusually wide curve generally found on a tachi. Used since his youth, it’s thought that its short length allowed Yoshitsune to utilize fast, agile, and graceful movements, which allowed him to outbest others in duels or fights. Not as long as a standard tachi, it’s also not so short where it has no reach similar to a knife, setting it as a versatile weapon against any opponent. This balance in both length and versatility was adopted by other sword schools associated with the swordplay from Mt. Kurama, which includes sets of techniques and strategies against those with longer swords being taught.

This sword is currently in the safekeeping at Kurama Temple (鞍馬寺, Kuramadera). No pictures are allowed to be taken while visiting, so outside of the actual website for the temple, it’s difficult to see in greater details online.

#2: Usumidori (薄緑)
LENGTH: around 80cm
MAKER: Chōen (長円)
This is a sword that has no concrete origins. Believed to have been first mentioned in the war chronicle Heike Monogatari (平家物語) as “Tsurugi no Maki” (剣巻), it’s speculated to have been in the possession of the Minamoto family for quite a bit of time. In fact, some believe that it was passed down within the Minamoto family for several generations alongside with other swords, such as Higegiri (髭切). Depending on the source, it goes under numerous names as it is used in different scenarios not just by Yoshitsune, but his half brother Minamoto no Yoritomo as well, such as Hizamaru (膝丸). Nowadays, this sword is recognized under the label “Usumidori”.

This is often labeled as Yoshitsune’s favorite sword. Depending on the source, the length of Usumidori is measured about 80cm. It is a sword he’s said to have carried on his person since his youth after he received it during his stay at Kurama Temple. Various documents reference this…however it is known by numerous names.

To make matters even more confusing, there are apparently 3 sources that claim to have the authentic Usumidori. One of these sources is a private collector by the name of Ishijima Morio (石島護雄).

#3: Naginata (薙刀)
MAKER: unknown (unsigned)
While not normally associated with him, Yoshitsune is said to have been adept with a naginata. There’s really not much info on the actual naginata itself, nor about the instances he used it while in battle.

It is kept at the shrine Ōyamazumi Jinja (大山祇神社) in Imabari City, Aichi Prefecture, which is the same location where Yoshitsune’s loyal retainer, Musashibō Benkei’s famed giant naginata is. Unfortunately, photography of it appears to not be allowed, thus why there’s no pictures of it up on the Internet to easily review it.¹

#4: Ima no Tsurugi (今剣)
LENGTH: 18 ~ 24 cm²
MAKER: Munechika (Sanjō)
This is a bladed weapon that is thought to have been in use between the Nanboku period and the Muromachi period. Mentioned in the Gikeiki as Yoshitsune’s beloved sword, it is stated to once have been a very long sword³ received from one of the priests at Kurama temple when he was younger. However, it appears to have survived into today’s generation the length of a tantō. Why the drastic difference in length? One thought is that there was an error in how it was documented, where the length being written as “6尺5寸” (around 197 cm) should’ve been written as “6寸5分” (around 24 cm). This could be the case, especially since it’s also documented as being the blade used to commit suicide.

While it was deemed as missing for several centuries, this Ima no Tsurugi was reported as found in Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture in 2015, then went on display for public viewing in 2016.

#5: Tomonari-saku no tantō (友成作の短刀)
MAKER: Tomonari (友成)
An unnamed blade, only recognized by the swordmaker’s name on the tang. Believed to be the product of a swordsmith of the Ko-Bizen line. While not much details in sword-related documents like Chōkyō Meizukushi (長享銘尽), it is thought to actually be the length of a tantō, or a very short sword that would align closer to a knife.

Outside of it being documented, this weapon is currently lost in history.

#6: Nodachi (野太刀)
MAKER: ???
A very long battlefield sword, it is claimed that Yoshitsune used this particular one in battle, which is in the collection at Kurama Temple. In fact, there are two present, one for Yoshitsune, and the other for Benkei. Like many of the antiquated items there, no photos or further details online other than what is present on Kurama Temple’s website, so currently no way to prove this claim.

#7: Minamoto no Yoshitsune no chōshin tachi (義経朝臣太刀)
MAKER: ???
When Yoshitsune was appointed by the Imperial court his position as General, this tachi may have been acquired to signify his position. Appearing to be of the general length of a long sword, it is also adorned lavishly. One of the treasures said to be of Yoshitsune’s, it is in the possession of Kuramadera, which is visible online. There is also a note that it was restored, which can be interpreted in many ways. Apart from this, no other information about this sword.

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One thing to note is, outside of the naginata, almost all of the swords mentioned (especially the ones deemed as a candidate for being his most cherished blade during his youth) are pretty short in length. Most are described as being either the length of a shorter tachi or fitting the image of an actual kodachi. This is probably to align with Yoshitsune’s portrayal as both graceful and elusive with his swordplay, and occassionally incorporating small items to distract his opponents before taking them down. This idea was further followed by the other sword schools part of Kyōhachi ryū, where specific forms and strategies evolved around using a shorter sword. One lingering question regarding all this would be, “which one is the real sword of Yoshitsune during his youth”? It’s highly possible that all these short swords are one in the same, with varying dimensions details to the appearance, and stem from the same documented sources. However, we can’t disregard the idea that many of them may just be recreations, since there are so many that claim they have in possession the “real deal”.

SWORD TECHNIQUES

Looking further into his sword skills, there are few scenes from where Yoshitsune’s fighting style is presented in details. There is one particular incident where, after his coming of age⁴, he sets off from Kurama Temple, descends the mountain, and accompanies a traveling gold merchant who’s familiar with his father. It is from here that Yoshitsune comes upon a large gang of thieves led by an individual identified as Kumasaka Chōhan (熊坂長範)⁵. Despite being outnumbered, Yoshitsune was able to skillfully defeat Chōhan and his criminal gang thanks to his quality training at Kurama Temple.

In certain sources, there were a few sword techniques presented as being used during the battle. Particularly, there is a theatrical rendition called “Eboshi Ori” (烏帽子折), which is said to give visual details of these techniques in action. The following are those said techniques below:

• Kiri no Hō (霧の法)
• Kotaka no Hō (小鷹の法)
• Shishi Funjin (獅子奮迅)
• Ko Rannyū (虎乱入)
• Hichō no Kakeri (飛鳥翔)

Here’s some explanations regarding each of these techniques.

Kiri no Hō / Kotaka no Hō: These 2 are not necessarily specified attacks, for it is said that they don’t appear in scrolls of classical sword schools that have connections to the swordplay of Kyōhachi ryū. Instead, they are more like higher-level methods of combat, as the names became more commonly used in martial arts schools from Edo period onward. This doesn’t mean there’s any actual relations to Yoshitsune, per say.

Shishi Funjin / Ko Rannyū / Hichō no Kakeri: These 3 are names of actual sword techniques. While one would be suspicious of these techniques being real, in truth there are sword schools such as Shintō ryū and Chūjō ryū that actually have one or more of these techniques listed as part of their curriculum. For the 1st and 2nd techniques, their movements are more aggressive in nature, while the 3rd technique represents much agile, elusive movements⁶. These techniques, from their respectful systems, don’t directly reflect what is presented in the Eboshi Ori theatrical play, though. One can view this as the director of this performance possibly consulting with a particular school(s), and only gaining inspiration from the information that was shared.

Whether the movements shown in the performance for each technique are the same in execution to the sources they come from or not, the fact that there is this connection between different kenjutsu ryūha is one of the reasons why Kyōhachi ryū is thought to have been real. At the very least, it can be thought that the essence of the techniques themselves, said to be drawn from Yoshitsune’s swordplay style, are inspirations for each kenjutsu ryūha.

CONCLUSION

Just by covering more tangible points such as weapons and fighting techniques, we get an idea of how much impact Minamoto no Yoshitsune, drawing the attention of many who became fans of his story. While his life history is fairly grounded, novel-like stories and live performanaces retelling about his past often present him and his abilities bigger than life, thus the large collection of weapons all claimed to be that very one he grew up with. As for sword techniques, martial arts schools hold their link to his legacy through just the few mentioned, and retain them as proof of the validity of Kyōhachi ryū. This concludes part 1 here. We’ll pick up with part 2 in the next article, which will cover topics including recorded strategies, and martial systems & battle skills that bear Yoshitsune’s namesake.

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1) I have managed to find one picture online, but since it is from someone else’s social media account, I decline posting it here.

2) I’ve seen it reported as 18 cm, as well as about 24 cm. The difference in length could be that one is for the length of the blade alone (from tip to base, right before the tang), and the other measuring the entire sword length (including the tang).

3) It is estimated that Yoshitsune left Kurama Temple between the age 15 ~ 16.

4) This is ōdachi (大太刀) in Japanese, which is generally described as a sword much longer than a regular battlefield sword (ie. tachi) of that time period.

5) Depending on the source, the gang leader’s name varies. In some cases, such as Gikeiki, a name is not mentioned.

6) Animals are part of these techniques’ names, which seem to indication the type of movements that would be involved. Shishi Funjin has “lion”, Ko Rannyū has “tiger”, while Hichō no Kakeri has “flyig bird”.