Minamoto no Yorinobu

Minamoto no Yorinobu (源 頼信, December 21, 968 – June 1, 1048) was a samurai commander and member of the powerful Minamoto clan. He was the son of Minamoto no Mitsunaka (912–997). Along with his brother Yorimitsu, Yorinobu served the regents of the Fujiwara clan, taking the violent measures the Fujiwara were themselves unable to take. He held the title, passed down from his father, of Chinjufu-shogun, Commander-in-chief of the Defense of the North. He served as Governor of the Japanese Ise and Kai Provinces, and was the progenitor of the Kawachi Genji family line and his son, Minamoto no Yorisue, was ancestor of the Takanashi clan of Shinano Province.

Yorinobu is particularly known for being a favorite of the Regent Fujiwara no Michinaga, and for suppressing a revolt by Taira no Tadatsune, vice-governor of Kazusa Province. He had originally refused, for personal reasons, but eventually assented to taking on the charge of defeating Tadatsune, after being made Governor of Kai. While making preparations to attack, Tadatsune surrendered, offering no resistance in 1031. In putting an end to this rebellion, Yorinobu not only furthered the Court's goals and his own reputation, but he created an opening for Minamoto influence in the eastern portions of the country.

The story of the capture of Tadatsune while Yorinobu was the Governor of Kai, and other stories while he was the governor of Kōzuke Province and Hitachi Province, appear in the Konjaku Monogatarishū (vol. 25, sec. 9 and 11).