Fujiwara no Yasuhira

In this Japanese name, the surname is Fujiwara.

Fujiwara no Yasuhira (藤原 泰衡, 1155 – October 14, 1189) was the fourth ruler of Northern Fujiwara in Mutsu Province, Japan, the second son of Hidehira.

At first protecting Yoshitsune, according to his father's will, he was finally forced by Minamoto no Yoritomo to attack Yoshitsune. Yoshitsune, rather than surrender, killed his wife and children and committed suicide. In 1189 Yasuhira was defeated by Yoritomo's forces and subsequently killed in Nienosaku, Hinai District. This marked the end of the Northern Fujiwara.[1][2]

A casket purportedly containing the head of Fujiwara no Yasuhira is housed within the Konjiki-dō at Chūson-ji in Iwate Prefecture.

  1. ^ Sansom, George (1958). A History of Japan to 1334. Stanford University Press. pp. 325–328. ISBN 0804705232.
  2. ^ Sato, Hiroaki (1995). Legends of the Samurai. Overlook Duckworth. p. 154. ISBN 9781590207307.