源義経(みなもとのよしつね)

みなもとのよしつね
noun (proper)
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–1189), samurai commander
proper-nounperson-namehistory
1. Minamoto no Yoshitsune, samurai commander
A samurai commander and younger half-brother of Minamoto no Yoritomo, who led the Minamoto to victory over the Taira in the Genpei War. After falling out with Yoritomo he fled north to Hiraizumi, where he was driven to take his own life. He is a favorite tragic hero of legend, noh, and kabuki.
源義経(みなもとのよしつね)の伝説(でんせつ)。
Legends of Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
源義経(みなもとのよしつね)は兄(あに)の頼朝(よりとも)に追(お)われた。
Minamoto no Yoshitsune was hunted by his older brother Yoritomo.
源義経(みなもとのよしつね)は壇(だん)ノ浦(うら)の戦(たたか)いで平家(へいけ)を滅(ほろ)ぼしたが、その後(ご)兄(あに)と対立(たいりつ)して悲劇的(ひげきてき)な最期(さいご)を遂(と)げた。
Minamoto no Yoshitsune destroyed the Taira at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, but later fell out with his brother and met a tragic end.

Usually called 義経(よしつね). As a boy he was known as 牛若丸(うしわかまる); the tale of young Ushiwakamaru defeating the warrior monk 弁慶(べんけい) on Kyoto's Gojō Bridge, after which Benkei served him loyally to the end, is known to every Japanese child.

Common expressions

  • 判官(ほうがん)びいき: sympathy for the underdog — from Yoshitsune's court title 判官(ほうがん) and the public's pity for him
  • 牛若丸(うしわかまる): Yoshitsune as a boy, hero of children's tales
  • 義経(よしつね)と弁慶(べんけい): the lord and his devoted retainer, a byword for loyalty
general
Added 2026.9.24 21:22 · Revised 2026.9.24 21:24
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