Our whole series on the samurai can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbAHi3fZpuFCebpCxd4iXskRq7gemedn EP 1: https://youtu.be/4gMBq1hiiWI EP 2: https://youtu.be/e-s0i_cQaWo EP 3: https://youtu.be/00nEH8kCBsw EP 4: https://youtu.be/XYRqwrDZPQo Who was Yoshitsune, one of the greatest generals in all Japanese history? What part did he play in the ferocious Samurai civil war between the Minamoto clan and the Taira? And, who would win the most decisive victory in all of Samurai history? Join Tom and Dominic as they delve deeper into the origin, rise, and triumph of the mighty Samurai, in 12th century Japan. Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Social channels: https://www.instagram.com/theresthistory/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theresthistory https://x.com/TheRestHistory https://bsky.app/profile/theresthistory.bsky.social https://www.threads.com/@theresthistory 0:12 Benkei on the Bridge: the most famous samurai fight 3:04 Yoshitsune’s origins and the war between the Taira and Minamoto 5:37 The legend of Yoshitsune’s youth, the Tengu, and his destiny 10:04 Yoshitsune meets Yoritomo as civil war engulfs Japan 14:48 Famine, plague, and how Yoritomo turns crisis into power 16:44 The surprise rival: Kiso Yoshinaka enters the story 21:08 The Battle of Kurikara begins 24:38 Kiso’s trap, samurai theatrics, and the oxen charge 29:24 Panic in Kyoto as Kiso closes in on the capital 31:25 The emperor flees with the imperial regalia 34:05 Go-Shirakawa: the slippery cloistered emperor makes his move 36:28 Kiso takes Kyoto and the Taira become outlaws 39:00 Kiso’s men run wild in the capital 40:46 Secret plotting between Go-Shirakawa and Yoritomo 42:47 Kiso’s failed campaign against the Taira 43:57 Kiso launches a coup against the imperial court 48:19 Yoritomo seizes his chance to dominate Japan 50:49 Yoshitsune is sent to destroy Kiso 53:17 The race to cross the Uji River 55:41 Yoshitsune rushes to Kyoto to rescue Go-Shirakawa Creative Director of Animation: Michael Sherdyts Lead Animator / Production Lead: Kate Korolko Lead Illustrator: Vadym Berkutenko Illustrator: Viktoria Lafazan Map Animator: Mike Dunakovskiy 3D Artist / Blender Animator: Vishal Dekuzy Video Editor: Jack Meek, Harry Swan & Adam Thornton Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Aaliyah Akude & Tabby Syrett Senior Producer: Callum Hill Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Head of Digital & Social: Sam Oakley