or Asaina Yoshihide, also known as , was a Japanese warrior of the early 13th century, and the son of Wada Yoshimori and Tomoe Gozen.Kusumoto (2002:170) His name (also written with the characters ) comes from , where he lived at one time. Though very likely a historical figure, Yoshihide appears in literature and in ''

kabuki is a classical form of Theatre of Japan, Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with Japanese traditional dance, traditional dance. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylised performances, its glamorous, highly decorated costumes ...

'' as a somewhat

superhuman The term superhuman refers to humans, humanoids or other beings with abilities and other qualities that exceed those naturally found in humans. These qualities may be acquired through natural ability, self-actualization or technological aids. ...

legend A legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions, believed or perceived to have taken place in human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the ...

ary character. According to these, his mother was the renowned female warrior Tomoe Gozen, and he had

superhuman strength Superhuman strength is a superpower commonly invoked in fiction and other literary works, such as mythology. A fictionalized representation of the phenomenon of hysterical strength, it is the power to exert force and lift weights beyond what is ...

which he used to accomplish a number of stunning feats.

Legends

Asahina's name is associated with some incredible feats. According to the Azuma Kagami, he and future shōgun

Minamoto no Yoriie was the second ''shōgun'' (1202–1203) of Japan's Kamakura shogunate, and the first son of first shōgun Yoritomo. His Dharma name was Hokke-in-dono Kingo Da'i Zengo (法華院殿金吾大禅閤). Life Minamoto no Yoriie was born to Hōj ...

, who were good friends, one day were together in Kotsubo. Yoriie said he had heard what a good swimmer Yoshihide was, and challenged him to give a demonstration of his prowess. Immediately, Asahina jumped into the sea and soon re-emerged with two or three sharks in his fists. Asahina is also mentioned in the ''Soga Monogatari'' as having competed for strength with Soga Goro Tokimune. Finally and most famously, he is said to have opened the Asaina Pass by himself in one night, thus giving this extremely important pass his name.Kamakura Shōkō Kaigijo (2008:55)

War against the Hōjō

A retainer of

, Yoshihide fought alongside his father and Yoriie in a revolt against the Hōjō in 1213. An account described how he led an army of Wada soldiers against Hōjō Yoshitoki, the shogunal regent. He was noted for his strength in battle and defeated a number of notable personalities in the shogunate such as Takai Shigemochi and Taka no Shikan. It was Yoshihide who raided and burned the

Ōkura Bakufu (also called is the name given in Japan to the first government of the Kamakura shogunate, shōgun Minamoto no Yoritomo. The name is that of the location in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, where Yoritomo's palace used to stand. ...

, seat of

Minamoto no Yoritomo was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, ruling from 1192 until 1199, also the first ruling shogun in the history of Japan.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Minamoto no Yoriie" in . He was the husband of Hōjō Masako ...

's government. The Wada army, however, was defeated and Yoshitoki distributed the fiefs of the Wada estate to his loyal retainers. According to the Azuma Kagami, the 38-year-old Yoshihide fled to Awa no Kuni with 500 horsemen. Another account cited that after his father's death along with his brothers, he put to sea and escaped with fifty men. From this moment, his whereabouts are unknown but, according to the Wada family records (), he fled first to Awa no Kuni, and then to

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

Notes

References

* Papinot, Edmond (1910). Historical and geographical dictionary of Japan. Tokyo: Librarie Sansaisha. * * Fictional characters from the 13th century Legendary Japanese people Samurai {{samurai-stub