Satō Tadanobu (佐藤忠信) (role 1161 – 1186)

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Biography:

Anyone who has studied or done a research paper on an early Japanese hero, or villain, for that matter, knows that whatever story they read is often only one of a number of versions, many of which are somewhat contradictory. Times, places and even the names of the characters involved are frequently difficult, to say the least. Therefore, whenever you read a description at this web site or anywhere else, you should keep in mind that what you are reading is not gospel. It is only one telling of a very complex set of accounts. That said, here is one version of one aspect of the life of Satō Tadanobu, mythic or true. It doesn't matter because it has come down to us and is meant to excite and thrill.

Satō Tadanobu and the go board

This is the story as related by James Seguin De Benneville in Saitō Mussashi-bō Benkei (Tales of the Wars of the Gempei). Tadanobu was one of Yoshitsune's aides and defenders. After he killed Yokugawa Kakuhan, "a thoroughly bad man", Tadanobu sought a safe haven where he could hide out. "So by the mountain roads, carefully avoiding the plain he reached Miyako through Yamashina, and sought refuge with his former concubine Koshiba Oguruma. She lived in Shijō Muromachi.

"Here he met with the warmest of welcomes. Perhaps old Koshiba Nyūdō was pleased at the unexpected apparition of Tadanobu. Oguruma pretended to be. While Yoshitsune had been at the heighth of his power she had been faithful to her lover. When he departed with his lord on the ill-starred expedition to the West she soon found a new lover in Kagehisa Saburō, younger son of Kajiwara Genda. Tadanobu made earnest inquiries into the fate of his lord, and in this Oguruma aided him for very opposite reasons. She too wanted to learn of Yoshitsune's whereabouts, but nothing could be ascertained. He was reported at Tonomine, at Nara, as killed at Yoshino, and was resuscitated in Kyushu. Tadanobu had decided to go down to Mutsu, where at least the information did not filter through Kamakura channels. Perhaps his lord might already be there. But the girl clung to him, and thwarted every such proposition. Her intentions were anything but amorous. At last she heard of the long wished for arrival in Miyako of Kagehisa. As he failed to come to her she feared he had heard of Tadanobu's presence in the house. This worried her very little, for the noted retainer of Yoshitsune had to lie very close, and keep to his apartment. He was not of stature or reputation to escape notice if he walked abroad. Kagehisa was surprised to get a letter from her. Meeting her, as directed, at the Kiyomidzu-dera he was still more surprised to learn of Tadanobu's presence in Miyako, and was anything but pleased at Oguruma's betrayal. He was very unlike his father and uncle Kagesuye and Kagetaka. These favoured their old father Kagetoki, in disposition and dislikes. In anger and disdain he thought that this unfaithful, insincere, and treacherous wench might some day do the same to him. So he merely replied: — "Tadanobu is the brave and faithful retainer of Yoshitsune, a captain of great merit. He has in former days been your lover. You should warn him, and urge his departure to Mutsu." His contempt and coldness were so marked that the girl parted with him angry at heart. " This coward is afraid of Tadanobu, and he dares to thus openly despise me. Well! Perhaps Rokuhara will think differently." Ema Koshiro Yoshitaka heard her story next day with no surprise, and with no particular pleasure. Kagehisa could not ignore the piece of information, but he acted on it with commendable slowness. Oguruma had plenty of time to repent of her intended treachery. Now Kagehisa had taken Yoshitsune's place as kebiishi in Miyako. He too lived in Horikawa and luxury, with a train of concubines in kaleidoscopic succession or simultaneity as his humour seized him. Of these Oguruma had been a favourite. The next day he sent his message to Ema, with the hope that Tadanobu was well on his way to the North. The officer had the missive under his eye during his interview with the girl. He did his duty, and at the hour arranged by her surrounded the house with two hundred of his men.

Tadanobu had dined and wined well. He was aroused from sleep by the noise of men breaking into the house. Springing to his feet he found that his armour no longer lay in the tokonoma. His two swords also had disappeared. While he slept Oguruma had stolen up stairs. With the cords of her kōtō she had tied up the two swords. Afraid to make a noise she had piled armour and all in a closet. At this juncture Tadanobu had no time to ask questions. The men were already breaking into the house. Yakunin from Rokuhara his sword made little difference to him. He would have disdained to use the noble weapon on such trash. Seizing a heavy go board he sprang at those entering the room, and mowed them down by his blows. In the course of a few minutes fifteen lay prostrate with broken necks or crushed ribs. The others fled in haste and Tadanobu hurled the go board after them. Some vigorous kicks laid open the closets and disclosed his weapons and the evident treachery. He sought out the girl. Willingly she would have escaped, but the assailants drove her back and threatened her with drawn bows. Yoshitaka had lost so many men that he determined to kill instead of capture, and had advanced his archers. These held their hands before this final settlement. Even then she tried to escape, but Tadanobu grasped her. "Yes," shouted Yoshitaka," she was the one who betrayed you." Tadanobu squeezed her neck until the eyes almost dropped from the sockets. Then with a twist he broke her neck, and cast the limp carcass to one side. For himself the game was up. There was no time now to array himself in armour, and against the arrows he was without protection. He saw that he would be spitted like a pigeon. He advanced at once to the roka and stood forth. At his sign to stop for a moment Yoshitaka held up his hand, and the bowmen stood at attention. Said Tadanobu : "Ah ! You are Ema Koshiro, son of Tokimasa. I thank you for telling me who betrayed my presence here. But is this not a cowardly business to attack a man while asleep ? I could readily kill many more of you, but it is a poor business to slaughter innocents. As I have no hope of escape I leave life without regret. Look, and see how one of the followers of Iyo-no-kami, Kuro Yoshitsune, knows how to die." All stood silent.

"Tadanobu bared the upper part of his body, and holding his dagger in his hand prayed to Hachiman Daibosatsu. Then he thrust the dagger into his left side and pulled it slowly across to the right side. Then he drew it out and plunged it into his stomach pulling it down below the navel. Thus he made a cross-cut in his belly. Drawing the sword out of his body he looked at it, and laughing said, 'how sharp is that treasure of the Satō House! Be sure and send it as a present to Yoritomo who should be much pleased at getting it." He thrust in his hand, and pulling out the guts he severed them and hurled them at Ema Koshirō. This latter dodged, but they struck two or three men standing behind their chief. "How warm!" they exclaimed. In a few day, says the romancer, they died. Tadanobu had made his last effort. He took Yoshitsune's sword. Gasping, "see a samurai die," he put the point in his mouth and fell forward. The blade pierced his neck and came out behind. Thus died Satō Shirobei Tadanobu, "Go-ban" Tadanobu. He was twenty-seven years old on this 16th day of February, 1187 A.D. Great was the regret over the treacherous action of Oguruma. The two swords, and the head pickled in salt, were sent to Kamakura. Yoritomo was anxious to see the latter. Hatakeyama warned him that the sight would not be pleasant. However the head-box was brought in. Yoritomo looked through his fan ; to see the head open its eyes and show its teeth. He gazed at Tadanobu's features with tears of admiration. Then he said : — "Take it away. It is too angry. I would gladly have made him governor of a province." For three days the head was exposed to the public gaze. Meanwhile Hatakeyama sent for the body, and later both were buried with great pomp and respect in the grounds of the Chōju-in temple at Kamakura. Bitter was the anger of Yoshitsune and his retainers when the news of this treacherous deed came to their ears."