The Hour of the Tiger

It is the year 1156 in the Japanese imperial capital. Two rival Emperors face each other across the Kamo river, each supported by warriors of the Heike and Genji clans.

Watching is the nine-year-old Yoritomo. One day he will become Japan’s first Shogun. But for now, all he can do is hope that his father has chosen the right side.

Key figures in this episode:

West of the river:
- Go-Shirakawa (reigning Emperor of Japan)
- Shinzei (Go-Shirakawa's senior advisor)
- Yoshitomo (Genji heir, eldest son of Tameyoshi)
- Yoritomo (Yoshitomo's son; future First Shogun)
- Kiyomori (Head of the Heike clan)

East of the river:
- Sutoku (Retired Emperor, Go-Shirakawa's elder brother)
- Tameyoshi (Head of the Genji clan; Yoshitomo's father)
- Tamatomo (Yoshitomo's younger brother; a giant)
- Tadamasa (Heike commander; uncle of Kiyomori)

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham. 
Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

Chapters

• 0:00 The Two Emperors
• 0:56 Plan of Attack
• 3:38 The Demon at the Gate
• 6:57 Brothers' Face-Off
• 12:24 The Hour of the Hare
• 15:41 Imperial Decree
• 21:47 Four Locks of Hair
• 25:32 "You must stay alive."
• 27:09 Cages and Curses

Transcript

 THE FIRST SHOGUN

 Ep. 3: The Hour of the Tiger

It is the year 1156, and there is panic in the Japanese capital of Heian-kyo.

War is about to break out between two claimants to the Imperial throne.  

Two Emperors face each other across the Kamo river. To the west is emperor Go-Shirakawa, supported by warlords of the Heike and Genji clans.

Waiting for them is the army of the emperor’s elder brother, Sutoku. Watching as events unfold is the nine-year-old Yoritomo, son of the Genji heir. 

One day Yoritomo will become Japan’s first shogun. But for now, all he can do is watch and wait to see whether, in this clash of emperors, his father has chosen the right side. 

It is the hour of the tiger, 4am, and the Genji and Heike leaders – Yoshitomo and Kiyomori – with more than a thousand mounted samurai, are heading east toward the Kamo River.

One of Yoshitomo’s scouts arrives with first reports of the enemy’s position.

“My Lords, the retired Emperor has placed troops at every gate surrounding his palace, we estimate over a thousand men.”

The scout sketches out the enemy’s deployment.

“Here, at the main gate on the West side, facing the river, are Tameyoshi and five of his sons, with about a hundred men.”

The scout pauses to see Yoshitomo’s reaction.

“So, it’s true,” says Yoshitomo. “My father and my brothers have all allied with Sutoku.”

“Yes, it appears so,” says the scout. “There are two main gates on the south side of the mansion. The far side, the south-eastern one is guarded by Taira no Tadamasa.”

“Ha,” says Lord Kiyomori. “So my uncle really is a turncoat.”

“And the other south gate?” asks Yoshitomo.

“Yes, it’s very strange – the gate at the south west, by the river, seems to be guarded by… just one man, but according to my reports, he is… a giant.”

Yoshitomo gives a rueful smile. 

“It seems my brother Tametomo believes he can guard a gate with no assistance! He certainly has courage”

“And the northern gate?” asks Kiyomori.

“That appears to be guarded by… one of your clansmen, Lord Kiyomori. Taira no Iehiro.”

“Mm, then I will cross the river at Sanjo and up the bank to attack the north gate. On the way, Yoshitomo, maybe I can dispose of your arrogant brother.”

“Do not underestimate Tametomo, kiyomori – he may be young but he has the power of a hundred men. Any stories you have heard about him are probably true.”

“Don’t worry, my Heike archers can deal with him. I’ll take the north entrance, Yoshitomo, and you can deal with your father at the west gate.”

“Agreed,” says Yoshitomo. “I’ll meet you within an hour inside Sutoku’s mansion. And then we’ll capture the retired Emperor before his Nara warriors have even arrived.”

For a brief moment, the two men cast aside their animosity and exchange a nod of respect.

“For the honour of the samurai”, Kiyomori says

Yoshitomo nods. “For the honor of the samurai”

Kiyomori orders his Heike riders to advance and heads east to the Sanjo crossing.

Yoshitomo musters his Genji troops to cross the river further upstream at Nijo.

It will be the last time these two great samurai clans - Genji and Heike - will ever join together in battle. 

Shortly after 4am Kiyomori’s forces emerge on the far side of the river. In the twilight, they see a gate with apparently just one man on guard. Kiyomori sends his deputy commander, Ito Kagetsuna, to investigate.

“Hey, you who guards the gate, identify yourself to us! I am Ito Kagetsuna from Ise, of the household of our great commander Lord Kiyomori of the Heike.”

In the pre-dawn gloom, they watch as someone comes out from the gate 

As the figure emerges, there are gasps from some of the Heike infantry

The man is over seven feet tall. His armour is white, his helmet adorned with a glittering dragon’s head. His right hand holds a gold-trimmed sword. But the sword is not what strikes terror in the Heike warriors who see him. The man has a gigantic left arm, a good four inches longer than his right, and with it he holds an enormous bow – eight and half feet long – and behind him, there are more than 20 arrows, the longest anyone has ever seen. 

“I guard this gate.” says the giant. “I am Tametomo of the Genji.  If you are a Heike underling, withdraw, you are not a worthy opponent. Where is your Lord Kiyomori? Ha, but perhaps even he is not worthy. I am a descendant of the Emperor Seiwa, and the Genji warrior Hachimantaro Yoshiie. If I were to loose my arrows on you, it would just be a waste.”

Kagetsuna decides to try diplomacy. “Tametomo, the Genji and the Heike both serve His Majesty – we are like the two wings of a bird. Never before has a Heike man shot a Genji. If none does now, there will be no clash.”

There is silence from the giant.

“So… what do you say, Tametomo?”

Again, silence.

Kagetsuna, looks back nervously at Kiyomori who nods. Kagetsuna places an arrow, draws and fires – but his aim is poor and it strikes the metal rim of Tametomo’s scabbard.

The giant roars with laughter.

“Haaaaa, you’re no man at all. You Heike just spout hot air! Here, why don’t you take one of mine? Take it, and you can claim glory in this life, and the next!”

He fits a sharp-tipped arrow on his massive bow, draws it to the full. At the same time, just before he releases the arrow, two brothers move forward to protect Kagetsuna. 

The younger brother Rokuro immediately feels Tametomo’s arrow enter his breastplate, rip through his chest, and exit from his back; in an instant, his brother Ito, who is behind him, feels the arrow plunge into his left arm. 

Rokuro topples, dead, to the ground. Ito looks in horror at his brother’s body and at the arrow that is now sticking from his own arm. He rushes to present himself before Kiyomori, blood pouring from his wound.

“My Lord, Tametomo’s bow has colossal power! No ordinary man can do that – he is more a monster than a man!”

Kiyomori can see that Tametomo’s assault is striking terror among his troops, who think they are now facing a demon. He risks losing control over his men’s morale, and more of his Heike men to this demonic son of the Genji.

“This gate is not important,” Kiyomori declares, “we will go around the palace and attack, as planned, from the north.”

Over to the west, having just crossed the river at Nijo, Yoshitomo hears reports that Kiyomori has bypassed Tametomo’s gate and is now heading north. 

“Ha, I told him Tametomo was worth a hundred men. So now I’ll have to take care of him myself.”

Yoshitomo orders more than a hundred men to the southwest gate. Among the first to arrive are two riders, brothers Oba no Kageyoshi and Oba no Kagechika, who announce themselves to the lone samurai on guard.

“Ah, I have heard of you,” says Tametomo. “You are from the north, in Kanto? I have never before shown Kanto men what I can do.”

Before the brothers can react, Tametomo draws the string of his bow to the furthest extent and lets fly. 

The arrow flies more than 50 meters and rips through Kageyoshi’s knee, before passing straight through his horse’s chest. The horse collapses on the spot. 

Kageyoshi’s brother races to where his older brother now lies crushed beneath his mount. He drags the horse off him, and tries to draw him to his feet but in vain, as Kageyoshi’s knee is shattered and he cannot stand. Kagechika slings his brother over his shoulder, and carries him out to the riverbank. 

The giant Tametomo looks in puzzlement at his bow. One of his retainers arrives to congratulate him. “That was an amazing shot,” he says

“Ha, the worst! I was aiming for his spine.”

By the time most of Yoshitomo’s troops have arrived, Tametomo has been joined by a small group of retainers who accompanied him from Kyushu, the furthest and most notorious province of Japan. Before fighting commences they announce themselves one by one to Yoshitomo’s nervous troops. 

Each of Tametomo’s men has earned his own unique nickname, for among the 28 renegades are the defrocked monk Hawkeye Akushichi, the fighter Johachi Steelfist, Sudo the Arrow-Deflector, the notorious Take-‘em-alive Yojisaburo, and the man-mountain known as Longrock Kiheiji. 

Together they stand as a formidable team.

Suddenly a voice rises to challenge the guardians of the gate: 

“You who oppose us. I speak as my men’s commander, Yoshitomo of the Genji,”

“I too am a Genji,” comes the reply. “I am Tametomo from Kyushu.”

“Then you are my younger brother,” shouts Yoshitomo. “You should know the Gods have no blessings for a brother who draws a bow against his elder.”

Tametomo laughs. ‘Ha, is that so. Then how about a son who draws his bow against his own father?”

Making out Yoshitomo’s tall figure among the throng of warriors, Tametomo calculates the distance, and decides to take his chance. He fits the best of his battle arrows, lifts his enormous bow again, draws the string, and then pauses: should I really kill my brother with no sanction from my father?

He hesitates for a moment, then releases the arrow.

Yoshitomo has been preparing to fire, but is caught by Tametomo’s arrow. It rips off the stars on Yoshitomo’s helmet, and plunges into a wooden panel just behind his head.

Stunned, Yoshitomo nearly falls off his horse. Feeling his helmet and finding no arrow, he regains his composure, and shouts back.

“Ah, Tametomo, so maybe you’re not as good as they say you are!”

Tametomo laughs again. “You’re my older brother, so I left some room between you and that first arrow. I have my reasons. With your permission, my second will answer you more to the point, I wouldn’t presume to shoot you in the face, though. Your neck, perhaps? Your breastplate? Shoulder plate? Bowstring guard? Tell me where you’d like it. And get those servants around you out of the way!”

Yoshitomo sees his brother is fitting another arrow to his string, and decides that discretion is the better part of valor. Urged by his retainers, he moves back into the shadows away from Tametomo’s direct line of sight. 

Despite his archery skills, Tametomo knows they will be overwhelmed – unless they receive reinforcements. 

“This gate is under dire threat,” he says to his retainers, “but while I am here I will not let them pass!”

Suddenly, a southerly wind blows open the gate doors. Yoshitomo and his men withdraw to either side, expecting an enemy sortie. Just one infantryman, a man named Toshihira, stands his ground in the middle and declares “You cowards, it’s just the wind!”

Yoshitomo’s men surge forward to the gate, and slam into the fighters from Kyushu. Tametomo releases arrow after arrow, each one reaching its target. Johachi Steelfist smashes every warrior he meets, Hawkeye Akushichi shoots rapid-fire arrows that decimate Yoshitomo’s troops, and Longrock Kiheiji hurls huge stones that obliterate advancing troops.

Yoshitomo begins to calculate his losses. By now he estimates he has lost more than 50 men from Tametomo’s defenders, with more than 80 wounded, just to secure this one side gate of the Emperor’s mansion.

Like Kiyomori before him, Yoshitomo decides that continuing the attack is not worth it – and, having lost so many men, he orders his troops to withdraw.

Instead, he orders his forces to attack the west gate that is defended by his father, Minamoto no Tameyoshi, and five of Yoshitomo’s own brothers.

As they move to attack, Yoshitomo realizes that he began the assault at the hour of the tiger, 4am, and now it is approaching the Hour of the Hare, 6am. 

How long this battle will last? he wonders. As the morning light spreads across the battlefield, let us imagine we are an eagle flying north over Sutoku’s palace. 

Below us we see the giant warrior Tametomo and his Kyushu supporters defending the south gate against the Yoshitomo’s infantry

Over to the right at the east gate the Heike warrior Tadamasa faces the veteran Genji Yorimasa - a man who will play an important role later in our story. 

As we look to the north, the Heike Lord Kiyomori has arrived to launch his attack against his own clansman Taira no Iehiro.

And over to our left, at the west gate, we see the fiercest fighting: Hand-to-hand combat between Yoshitomo’s mounted samurai and the forces of his father and his brothers.

At this moment, there are Genji fighting Heike, Genji fighting Genji, Heike fighting Heike; it is a clash of brother against brother, nephew against uncle, father against son. 

Never again will Japan experience a battle like this, with its samurai clans so divided. 

And at this moment, as we approach 6 o’clock in the morning, there is still no sign of which side will claim victory – and the fate of the Genji and the Heike, and of the two clashing Emperors, still hangs in the balance.

At the western gate, Yoshitomo’s deputy, Masakiyo, urges him to force an end to the conflict.  

“My Lord, there is no sign they are weakening. And Sutoku’s reinforcements may arrive soon.”

Yoshitomo decides to send a message to the emperor

“The enemy is strong, and Sutoku’s mansion is well defended. I see no chance of success without resort to fire. However the wind is toward Hosshoji, and the fire might destroy the temple as well.”

Soon a reply arrives from the Emperor’s chief advisor Shinzei:

“You are a fool, Yoshitomo. Hosshoji can be rebuilt in a day. There is no need to even inform the Emperor. Press the attack – and burn down Sutoku’s mansion!”

Yoshitomo issues the order – Sutoku’s mansion will be burned to the ground.

In the early morning light, the people of Heian-kyo see smoke and fire erupt from the east side of the Kamo river. In less than an hour, the retired Emperor’s mansion has been turned to rubble, as too has much of the surrounding area. 

Choked and blinded, Sutoku’s warriors flee the compound, seeking refuge from the Emperor’s pursuing forces. The elderly Genji Lord Tameyoshi and his sons try to protect the retired Emperor as they flee east into the mountains, but eventually they are captured.

The battle of the Two Emperors is over, and the fate of the survivors will now be decided.

As the flames of battle are extinguished, Lords Yoshitomo and Kiyomori receive a summons to attend the Imperial Palace.

But when they enter the reception hall, they see only the seated figure of the Emperor’s chief advisor Shinzei, backed by a row of imperial bodyguards. 

“Lords Yoshitomo and Kiyomori,” Shinzei smiles. “I am afraid the emperor is busy and has instructed me to speak to you in his place. Please be seated.

“The Emperor wishes me to pass on this message. Recently, evil rebels plotted to overthrow the realm and sow chaos throughout the land. However, you swiftly destroyed them, cleansed the land of its shame, and lifted high the names of your houses. We are deeply impressed.”

The two warlords lower their foreheads to the ground.

“And so reward are earned. For your deeds, Lord Kiyomori, you will be granted the governorship of Harima Province.”

“Lord Yoshitomo, you will be appointed to the position of acting chief left equerry.”

Kiyomori is understandably pleased with his appointment - Harima being one of the wealthiest provinces in Japan. But Yoshitomo struggles to contain his frustration.

“Yoshitomo, you do not look grateful for the Emperor’s benevolence?”

“Of course, I appreciate that as current deputy right equerry to become acting left equerry is… a promotion. But considering that I turned against my father and abandoned my brothers to serve His Majesty, and risked my life to fight for him, considering that …”

“Considering that your family almost brought us all to ruin, you should be grateful that as a Genji you have any position at all! Unless you are rejecting the emperor’s generosity?

Yoshitomo bows reluctantly. “I humbly accept the emperor’s appointment.”

“Which brings us to the fate of your family members who supported the rebellion. In the cases of Minamoto no Tameyoshi and Taira no Tadamasa, the Emperor has decided an appropriate punishment.”

“If it is exile,” says Yoshitomo, “I would humbly ask that the Emperor show leniency, considering my father’s age, his years of service as…

“The Emperor has chosen a different punishment for the traitors… Death.”

The word hovers in the air. Yoshitomo is shocked.

“But the death sentence has not been issued against a nobleman for more than 300 years!”

“Exceptions can be made, and given the exceptional circumstances of a rebellion against his majesty…”

“But this is outrageous. Kiyomori?!” Yoshitomo looks to the Heike warlord, his eyes pleading for support.

“If it is the Emperor’s decree,” says Kiyomori. “I will exact the execution.” 

“But Kiyomori, it’s your own uncle!”

Kiyomori continues to stare straight ahead, his eyes cold. “Tadamasa knew what he was doing. He chose his fate when he rejected his clan.” Kiyomori bows. “I accept the court’s decision.”

“I am glad that Lord Kiyomori understands. You are free to leave.”

Kiyomori sweeps out of the hall, without casting a glance at Yoshitomo, who seethes in anger.

“Yoshitomo, there is something more.” Says Shinzei. “The Emperor is concerned that Tameyoshi has many other sons.”

“He does…”

“And several of these took part in the rebellion.”

“Some of my brothers did take part, and I am sure they regret…”

“The Emperor has chosen the same punishment for your brothers. Tametomo unfortunately has escaped, but others have been caught – and you will oversee their execution.”

“But Tamenari, Tamenaka…they were just following my father’s orders. To execute his sons just for taking part in their father’s uprising would be…”

“No, Yoshitomo. You do not understand. You are to oversee the execution of all of your brothers.”

It takes several seconds for Yoshitomo to fully realize what Shinzei is saying.

“But my half-brothers …”

Shinzei nods

“But they’re just children– they are innocent! Naruten’o is barely seven years old!”

“They are children now, but one day they will no longer be infants. Your family does have a history of producing powerful warriors, does it not? The Emperor does not want Genji offspring of Tameyoshi seeking vengeance in the future and threatening the stability of his realm…. It is the Emperor’s will.”

“I will do not do it.”

“If you are rejecting the will of the Emperor, Yoshitomo, you are no better than your traitorous brothers. 

“Ha, this is your wish, Shinzei, not the Emperor’s…”

Shinzei leans so close that Yoshitomo can feel his breath. “Do not cross me, Yoshitomo. All it would take is a few words in the ear of the emperor, and I can have him extend the death sentence to you, and your sons. Your son Yoritomo is just 9 years old is he not? It would be a great shame to lose a son at such an age when he still has so much potential. But is that what you choose?”

Yoshitomo begins to rise, his hand closing on the hilt of Higekiri, but the imperial guards pull their weapons and close around Shinzei. 

“I did warn you that after the battle, the Genji would receive their just reward.”

“You’ll regret this, Shinzei.”

Shinzei rises to leave. “I believe our business is at an end.”

One morning some days later, at the household of Tameyoshi, four boys reluctantly bid farewell to their mother as she prepares to visit a shrine in the south of Heian-kyo. There she plans to pray for the wellbeing of her husband, the head of the Genji clan, who she has not seen since he left for battle several days ago. The children beg to accompany her but she is concerned for their safety on the road, as nearly all the family’s attendants have fled because of the fighting.

Shortly after she leaves, the boys see a group of fifty mounted men approach the mansion. The eldest child, 13-year-old Otowaka, asks who they are.

“My name is Yoshimichi and I have a message from your father Tameyoshi. He says there may be another battle today in the capital. Lord Tameyoshi is in hiding on mount Funaoka and instructs me to bring you to him there. Please now, quickly, we do not have much time. Your mother will follow later”

The boys are overjoyed at the thought of seeing their father again, and willingly get into the palanquins the riders have brought. 

The riders urge their horses north up Horikawa street and then up the slopes to the summit of the hill known as Funaoka. It is one of the quietest places in the capital and no one is around. There they set the palanquins down, and the children step onto the grass.

The youngest, Naruten’o looks around. “Where is our father?”

Then they notice that Yoshimichi has tears in his eyes. Otowaka, the eldest child, begins to suspect all is not what it seems.

“Our father isn’t here, is he.”

“No,” Yoshimichi shakes his head. “I had to tell you that, otherwise you would not have come. Boys, your father is dead. He was executed at dawn today, by order of the Emperor. Yesterday morning, Lord Yoshitomo likewise had five of Tameyoshi’s sons executed, your half-brothers who took part in the rebellion.”

Otowaka stares at the samurai with loathing.

“Where were they executed?”

“Here. Now I have received the order to execute the four of you. If you have any last words, please say them now.”

Naruten’o cries out “It must be a mistake! I’m too young to fight!”

“I’m sorry.”

“So,” says Otowaka, “Yoshitomo has killed his father, he has killed his brothers, and now he is alone. If we had known we were going to die, we would have left some last words for our mother. So at least give these to her, to remember us by.”

He cuts sidelocks from the hair of his three brothers, cuts his own, and wraps the four together; then he draws blood from his finger and writes their names on the wrapping. 

“Give this to my mother,” he passes it to Yoshimichi. “Please do not lose it.”

“Come, my brothers, do not cry” Otowaka says. ”If you love our father, dry your tears and pray: ‘All hail, Amida Buddha, Lord of the Western Paradise, receive us four and our father, too. Then we will join our father again.”

The four boys kneel on the grass, bow low three times to the west, and stretch out their necks to let the sword fall.

At the house of Yoshitomo, there is now an air of sadness and defeat, in contrast to the celebrations that immediately followed victory against the rebels. Now, having been forced to oversee the executions of his father and brothers, Yoshitomo feels more alone than ever before.

His son Yoritomo wanders through the house, and finds himself gazing again at the heirlooms of  his heroic ancestors – the armour of the great Genji samurai generals, and Higekiri – the sword that had once cut through a demon at Rashomon Gate.

The Genji were once the greatest samurai clan in the land. Now their very existence seems to hang by a thread.

He hears his mother approach. The Lady Yura sees that her son is struggling to hold back tears.

“How could he, mother? 

“He had no choice, Yoritomo. “

“But our own family!”

“He did it to preserve the family. Your grandfather made a great error, and the family has paid a terrible price. But your father must ensure the Seiwa Genji line continues. It was the only way.”

“Father refuses to speak to me. He does not come out of his room.” 

‘I know. Your father is deciding what to do - to ensure the survival of the family. Yoritomo, you must promise me that whatever happens, you will keep close to your brothers.”

“And promise me that no matter what occurs from now on, the most important thing is you must stay alive.”

Today the events of the summer of 1156 are known as the Hogen Rebellion, and although the uprising was short-lived, it marks a turning point in Japan’s history – the first step in a chain of events that would eventually see the samurai take over as rulers of Japan.

But the bloodshed of that year did not end with the executions of Tameyoshi’s family. 

After hearing of her children’s deaths and receiving their locks of hair, Tameyoshi’s wife drowned herself at the Katsura river. 

Tameyoshi’s son, the giant Tametomo, was finally captured after a long manhunt. Because his valor during the battle was so renowned, he was excused execution. But to reduce his power, Yoshitomo was ordered to cut the joints in his brother’s shoulder blades. Tametomo was then placed in a huge cage and exiled to Oshima, close to Devil’s Island off the coast of Izu. In time, though, his shoulders healed, he escaped from his cage, and began shooting longer arrows than ever. Finally, a fleet of warriors was sent to contain him. In 1170, the Genji giant, facing overwhelming odds, set fire to his house, and slit his own belly - the first instance of a Japanese warrior committing seppuku.

The former Emperor Sutoku, whose resentment over his son’s exclusion from the imperial succession had sparked the whole rebellion, was likewise exiled. But the former Emperor was sent to Sanuki, a remote region on the island of Shikoku, where he was placed alone in a specially built walled enclosure, with one gate locked from the outside. Secluded far from the capital, Sutoku’s resentment grew greater than ever, until one day he bit off the tip of his tongue, and wrote a blood oath cursing the Emperor and his supporters.

Despite Sutoku’s curse, the next three years pass peacefully. In 1158, Go-Shirakawa abdicates in favor of his 15-year-old son, who becomes Emperor Nijo. But the real power remains with the now Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, together with his chief advisor Shinzei, and Lord Kiyomori of the increasingly powerful Heike clan.

Yoshitomo, now leader of what remains of the Genji, buries his father at Engakuji in the capital, where he builds a tomb and prays for his father’s spirit. 

For three years, he waits to make his next move. Then, when the Heike Lord Kiyomori departs from the capital on a pilgrimage, he decides to act.

It is time for the Genji to strike back.

In the next episode, Yoshitomo launches a daring plan to bring down the Emperor’s advisor Shinzei. But will he complete his plan before Kiyomori returns to the capital?