Minamoto Yoshitomo (1123-11 February 1160) was the daimyo of the Kamakura Minamoto clan and a key politician in the government of Japan. He led the Hogen Rebellion and then the Heiji Rebellion, and was killed in the latter.
Biography[]
Yoshitomo was the son of Minamoto Tameyoshi and was born into the proud Minamoto family. He made himself head of his clan by parricide in 1156, fighting in alliance with the Taira family against his own father in the Hogen Rebellion. In 1159, Yoshitomo turned against the Taira in the Heiji Rebellion, but was defeated and killed, along with his two eldest sons. His son Minamoto Yoritomo would create the Kamakura Shogunate, aided by his generals Minamoto Noriyori and Minamoto Yoshitsune, his younger brothers.