In the meantime Tameyoshi and his sons with their horse and foot militia arrived at Shirakawa, where they found the ex-Emperor and his advisers in a frenzy of anxiety. News of Chikaharu's capture on the previous evening increased the disquiet over the failure of Yorinaga's other troops to arrive from outlying provinces. Yorinaga had counted on three thousand horse and foot to arrive in time for a combined attack on the capital, and no more than sixteen or seventeen hundred had yet reported in. Nor could he expect the monks from Nara and Yoshino, who had promised aid, to come for another twenty-four hours. The fevered atmosphere heightened that night as Yorinaga looked out across the Kamo River and saw the glow in the western sky change to dense columns of smoke. Before long, messengers arrived with the news that the Willow-Spring Palace, where part of Yorinaga's troops were garrisoned, was in flames. Although the Minister ordered an auxiliary force to be sent there, Tameyoshi of the Genji and Tadamasa (Kiyomori's uncle) prevailed on him to desist, pointing out the wisdom of further strengthening the defenses of the Shirakawa Palace.
Tadamasa and his three hundred horse and foot, to which were added a hundred of Yorinaga's own forces, took up their post at the eastern gate of the Palace, facing the foothills of Mount Hiei. On the opposite side of the Palace, overlooking the Kamo River, Tameyoshi stationed himself and his well-appointed forces at the main western gate. His youngest son, Tametomo, and an additional one hundred mounted and foot-soldiers, commanded a smaller gate of the same wall.
Yorinaga, who inspected the defenses of the Palace, could not suppress his dismay at the paucity of his troops, though Tameyoshi's presence, he assured himself, was almost as good as ten thousand. Yorinaga's spirits rose, however, when he saw Tametomo and his twenty-eight mounted soldiers. They had been trained in the arts of war in Kyushu, where Tametomo's fame as a fighter had become legendary. He eyed the youth with curiosity. Tametomo stood a head taller than the tallest around him. He wore heavy armor threaded with white lacings, under it a dark-blue tunic, and carried a long sword in a scabbard of bearskin. One of his soldiers carried his iron helmet. This was the notorious Tametomo, who as a wild, headstrong lad had caused his father much trouble, and at thirteen had finally been sent to his kinsmen in Kyushu; there, at only seventeen, he had gained a name as a fearless warrior and was acclaimed as one of the local chieftains.
Yorinaga approached Tametomo to obtain his views on strategy, and was told: "We cannot expect to win unless we make a night attack. Tonight is not too soon. I am rather surprised by the hesitation to do so."
"A tactic that would occur to even the most inexperienced soldier"—Yorinaga smiled—"and we have already prepared for that."
"That being so," Tametomo continued, "we must cripple the enemy in the capital on both flanks and from the rear by flame, and then throw in our troops from the front. We can thus trap the enemy and at the same time make the best use of our inferior numbers."
"What if your brother Yoshitomo attacks first?"
"I'll send an arrow through his helmet and force him to turn tail."
"Kiyomori of the Heike, I hear, is in the field."
"There's nothing to brushing aside his troops and making straight for the Palace and taking the Emperor prisoner. This is the moment to strike. Now—before dawn."
"A daring bit of strategy, I dare say," Yorinaga said smiling scornfully, "and good enough, I imagine, when ten or twenty horses are engaging in one of your local skirmishes down in Kyushu, where I hear you have quite a name, but you must realize that our operations here are not on such a petty scale. I fear, Tametomo, that your opinion carries little weight with us here."
Sullen-faced, Tametomo returned to his post, and there lay down on his large shield to find sleep until dawn.
"The enemy have attacked!"
"The enemy have crossed the river!"
Shouts and cries rang out shortly before dawn of the 12th. There was confusion in the Palace, the clangor of arms and the neighing of horses. Bowmen, who lined the walls of Shirakawa Palace, were already aiming their shafts at the approaching enemy.
Yoshitomo, at the head of more than a thousand mounted warriors and foot soldiers, arrived on the right bank of the Kamo River, opposite Shirakawa, and was preparing to ford it, when he saw dawn whitening the shoulder of Mount Hiei. Realizing the disadvantage of advancing with the rising sun full in their faces, he turned back and led his troops downstream a short distance before fording the river; then began a slow march northward until he reached a point just out of reach of the enemy's arrows.
Tameyoshi of the Genji ordered the south and west gates to be opened and was about to ride forth when Tametomo galloped out ahead of him shouting: "Let me be first to the attack!" He was pursued by his elder brother, Yorikata, protesting Tametomo's right to be the first in the field. Tametomo forthwith, impatiently calling out that he did not care, made off toward the western gate by the river.
In the half-light of the dawn Yorikata galloped toward the enemy line and challenged them: "Who comes there, Genji or Heike? This is I, Yorikata, fourth son of Tameyoshi of the Genji!"
One of Yoshitomo's soldiers replied to the challenge, giving his name and rank as retainer of Yoshitomo, Lord Shimotsukй. Demanding that the general himself appear, Yorikata sent two arrows flying in rapid succession close to where Yoshitomo sat astride his horse. He saw two horsemen succumb to his shafts, and then turned to go back, when an arrow glanced off his helmet. Without more ado, Yorikata galloped back to his cheering comrades.
Roused to fury by the sight of his wounded soldiers, Yoshitomo started in pursuit of Yorikata, vowing he would chastise his brother for his insolence, but his soldiers restrained him by force.
Kiyomori, meanwhile, rode upstream along the left bank with more than eight hundred horses to a point north of Shirakawa Palace and waited for Yoshitomo to open the attack. As the sun rose and the heavy mist over the river lifted, he saw how Yoshitomo's troops were deployed. Though neither side showed any movement, Kiyomori's heart began to drum wildly. Savage shouts and cries rose from either side in a barbaric crescendo. Between the dispersing mist, he saw how the distance between the opposing lines narrowed imperceptibly. Suddenly fifty horsemen detached themselves from Kiyomori's troops and advanced to the river-bank opposite the gate guarded by Tametomo. Three warriors then rode forward, demanding the name of him who stood at the gate, announcing themselves as retainers of Kiyomori of the Heike.
A strong young voice rang out above the rushing sounds of the river:
"This is I, Tametomo, Tameyoshi's son. I have no arrows to spare for such as you. Even your leader, Kiyomori of the Heike, is a sorry match for me. Go back and tell him to come."
As three arrows whistled past Tametomo in unison, his carelessly aimed shaft climbed through the air with a weird whine and pierced clear through the chest of one warrior and lodged in the shoulder-piece of a second. The riderless horse reared, whinnying madly; horsemen to the rear quickly came forward in a phalanx, their bows set, to give cover to the two warriors and their wildly plunging mounts, while a rain of arrows came from the enemy.
The ground shook and rumbled under Kiyomori; his horse, nostrils aquiver, suddenly trembled and tossed its mane. "What's that?" he demanded sharply. The crowding of mounted soldiers around him kept him from reining round his horse, when a warrior galloped up to Kiyomori .shouting:
"Itoroku has fallen! Tametomo shot him. Your lordship, you'll be his next target if you don't get beyond the range of his arrows."
"What, Itoroku fallen? Why should we fear Tameyoshi's youngest son?"
"Your lordship, see for yourself—this arrow!"
From his shoulder-piece the warrior drew out an oversized shaft and handed it to Kiyomori. It was a polished length of bamboo of three years' growth, tipped with iron sharpened to a chisel edge, and fletched with pheasant.
"I see—a wicked-looking one, fit for bringing down demons. Good reason that the men fear him."
Kiyomori examined the arrow interestedly,
then abruptly said: "There's no reason why we should attack this gate. I had no orders to do so and only chose this at random. If we find this somewhat forbidding, we'll try the North Gate. To the North Gate!"
As the order went out, Kiyomori's troops made a concerted move to the north, but Kiyomori's eldest son, Shigemori, who heard the command, cried out:
"What folly! Folly, indeed, to choose the North Gate, because of Tametomo's arrows. A shame on us who are under orders from the Emperor!"
Calling to some thirty horsemen about him, Shigemori impetuously started toward the enemy.
"Stop him! Bring him back!" Kiyomori cried in alarm to those around him, "only a madman would be rash enough to face that bow and risk his life!"
Even at a distance Shigemori presented a fine target for his enemies, for he wore that day a tunic of red brocade under his armor and carried a sheaf of twenty-four arrows in his quiver. The warriors restrained him with some difficulty, for Shigemori, protesting loudly and scornfully at his father's cowardice, struggled to escape, until one of his men said: "Let me go in your stead and face Tametomo himself." The soldier was off before his comrades could restrain him, and there were shouts of "Come back, come back!" But Koreyuki, looking back over his shoulder, replied: "I ask no one to come with me, nor do I wish any of you to follow me. Just watch!"
Accompanied by two foot-soldiers, he forded the river. Tametomo came out to meet Koreyuki, but, seeing him hesitate, retired inside his gate and closed it. When he was within shooting distance of the gate, Koreyuki loudly challenged Tametomo, who finally rode out, smiling scornfully, and replied: "Welcome, foolhardy one! I am Tametomo. You shall release the first arrow at me. The second is mine."
Before he even finished speaking, Koreyuki's arrow pierced the left tasset of Tametomo's armor. As he watched Koreyuki hurriedly fitting another arrow to his bow, Tametomo released his own, which dug through the thickest part of his opponent's thigh and lodged in his saddle, pinning the rider there for an instant. Koreyuki's soldiers quickly ran forward as he pitched backward and fell from his horse, and, hoisting him to their shoulders, ran back to their lines as fast as their legs would carry them.
The riderless mount, covered with blood, galloped wildly back and forth along the riverbank, then made its way downstream in the direction of Yoshitomo's lines. Some of Yoshitomo's soldiers ran out to meet the fear-crazed horse, lest it plunge among their troops and cause a stampede. There were shouts of "Catch him, catch him, step on his bridle!" until they had finally caught it; then they found a stirrup filled with blood, and a giant arrowhead embedded in the saddle.
"Here, is this really an arrowhead? Who owns such a powerful bow?"
"That must be Tametomo of the Genji."
One of Yoshitomo's retainers led the horse to where his master was, and said: "Sir, just look at this! I've heard of such arrows, but I never believed I would ever see anything like this."
Yoshitomo, however, did not appear surprised. A wry smile appeared on his lips as though he pitied Masakiyo for his timidity. "Come, Tametomo is not a man yet and cannot draw such a strong bow. This looks to me like a clever trick to frighten us. Masakiyo, the troops will be divided into two companies, of which one will attack Tametomo's gate."
Masakiyo, accompanied by two hundred foot-soldiers, rode toward a gate in the western wall, and in the accustomed manner challenged Tametomo, who appeared at once.
"So it's you, Masakiyo, a retainer to Lord Yoshitomo. Have you come to offer yourself as a mark?"
Masakiyo quailed for an instant, but mustered up courage to call out defiantly: "I am one of the Emperor's loyal followers. My duty is to kill traitors!" And with these words he released an arrow, then quickly made his way back to his men. The arrow pierced the neck-piece of Tametomo's helmet. Plucking it out, Tametomo dashed it to the ground and cried out: "So you dare insult me, Masakiyo? Let me catch you with these bare hands so I can look at your face and see who you are."
With this, Tametomo started in pursuit of Masakiyo, who, uttering a yell of terror, fled before him. Tametomo, his bow under one arm, his other arm waving, continued to gallop after Masakiyo until the frantic cries of his soldiers made him wheel abruptly and return to his post.
Yoshitomo, who looked on from a distance, saw his brother retreat and ordered five of his best warriors to ride out and engage him, saying: "Tametomo's bow is good in a sea fight, but his horsemanship is weak compared with ours."
The sun was now high in the sky, and the summer trees were filled with the droning of cicadas.
Tametomo turned at the sound of cries behind him and made a rush at the approaching horsemen, who gave way before him. One figure on a coal-black stallion, whose appearance proclaimed him to be a general, stood in his path. He wore a horned helmet and the armor of the Genji.
"This is I, Yoshitomo of the Genji, who come in the Emperor's name. Who are you to raise your sword against rightful authority? If you are of the same clan, lay down your arms and disperse your men. I warn you for your own sake."
Tametomo stared full at his brother's face and cried out: "Let me tell you who I am. I am the son of Tameyoshi of the Genji, who sprang to the call of his liege lord, and I am he who will stay with his father in life and in death. I am not so ungrateful as to forget my own father for love of fame. I'm no cur, and I, Tametomo, will fight any dog or whoever calls himself my enemy."
"You dare say that to me, Tametomo?"
"I do. I have itched many days to tell you this."
"Do you, my brother, dare fight me? Do you refuse to acknowledge the authority of the Emperor? If you revere him and honor the ways of virtue, then lay down that bow and prostrate yourself before me."
"I may be wrong in fighting a brother, but is it right for you to raise your hand against your own father?"
The tree-lined road along the western and northern walls of the Hoshogon-in Temple between Shirakawa and the Kamo was the scene of the bloodiest fighting that day. Across the road a stream twisted its way through the flat landscape, broken only by a grove encircling the roofs and spires of the Shichikatsu-ji Temple, and beyond it rose the foothills of Mount Hiei, and here the two armies fought each other with a copious spilling of blood, and even at sunset the slaughter went on. Between the clouds of dust which partly concealed the foe, Tametomo sometimes caught sight of his brother, Yoshitomo, recognizable in his Genji armor, and was tempted time and again to send his arrows at that soldierly figure. Implausible as it seemed, Tametomo was tempted to believe that a secret compact existed between his father and Yoshitomo and that the victors would sue for mercy for the vanquished. Tametomo did not use his bow unless challenged, and saw that his brother did the same. Yoshitomo's soldiers, however, were not afraid of Tametomo's deadly bow and attacked one after another so boldly that there was no way of telling who was friend or foe.
Though twenty-three of Tametomo's best horsemen were killed and the rest wounded, fifty-three of Yoshitomo's finest men were cut off in death and some eighty maimed, and the battlefield was piled with the bodies of the dead and flowed with their blood while the struggle went on. Believing that the odds were against Yoshitomo, Tametomo called to his men:
"I'll frighten the general with a shaft and, when the enemy begins to fall back, plunge in and scatter his troops."
Tametomo locked his fingers around his heavy bow and arched it.
"Ah, is it safe, sir? What if—'
"Easy enough, my arm remembers its skill."
Tametomo aimed his shaft at the star in Yoshitomo's helmet. Clouds of dust and the flourishing of weapons obscured his view, but he drew a deep breath and released an arrow. He watched it as it sped toward that distant speck in Yoshitomo's helmet, scraped the mark, and traveled on until it embedded itself in one of the pillars of the temple gate. When Yoshitomo saw this he grasped his reins and rode furiously at Tametomo, crying: "A poor hand, indeed, for one who has no rivals in Kyushu!"
The Heike Story Page 24