JAPAN 70 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-5: Mount Hiei, Heiji Rebellion, Gikeiki
Document Summary
Focuses on the life of minamoto yoshitsune and his chief retainer benkei. Based on local folk stories from 15th century. Is a tragic story full of pathos but at the same time is a bright and lively tale, reflecting the optimistic spirit of the kyoto inhabitants in the muromachi period. Yoshitsune"s most glorious moment was in 1384: as a minamoto commander, he decisively defeated the heike, rather than being rewarded, he was chased out of the capital and forced to wander in the hills and mountains. Like tales of the heike, he is described as vigorous, mobile, and quick-witted man with almost superhuman martial ability in the beginning three books. In latter books, he is seen as a gentle and indecisive character, lacking in mobility and judgment to enhance his tragic, underdog quality: focus shifts to benkei. Books one and two traced birth and youth of yoshitsune who was raised by minamoto.
