The relationship between Oe Hiromoto, one of the "13 Lords of Kamakura" and Minamoto no Yoritomo's wise man, and Yamagata Prefecture

the NHK Taiga drama"The 13 Lords of Kamakura,"Oe no Hiromoto, who appears as one of the main characters in

appears in history lessons,"Shugo-Jito"system, whichOe no Hiromotois said to have been conceived by

Did you know that Oe Hiromoto, who was an indispensable figure for the Kamakura shogunate, actually had deep ties to Yamagata Prefecture, far from Kamakura?

Oe no Hiromoto, a close confidant of Minamotono Yoritomo, and Yamagatawe will introduce

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Who is Oe Hiromoto?

Oe Hiromoto is believed to have been born in 1148 (Kyuan 4), towards the end of the Heian period (there are various theories about his origins)

He originally served the Imperial Court as a lower-ranking aristocrat, but was invited to Kamakura because Hiromoto's older brother, Nakahara Chikayoshi, was on friendly terms with Minamoto no Yoritomo, and at the age of 37, he began serving as Yoritomo's advisor

Eventually, Yoritomo defeated the Taira clan and established the Kamakura shogunate. At that time, Hiromoto was appointed betto (similar to today's chief director) of the Komonsho (later the Mandokoro), which was in charge of general government affairs and finances, and he played an active role on the front lines as an important figure in the shogunate

During the Jokyu War, in which Emperor Gotoba raised an army to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate, he supported the second regent, Hojo Yoshitoki, together with Yoritomo's wife, Hojo Masako, and is said to have made a significant contribution to the victory of the shogunate forces

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After the fall of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, he took control of Yamagata

In 1189 (Bunji 5), Yoritomo attacked Hiraizumi in Oshu (present-day Iwate Prefecture) on the grounds that it had sheltered his younger brother, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, andthe Oshu Fujiwara clandrove

As a reward for his efforts in this battle, Hiromoto was appointed as the lord of Sagae Manor (present-day Sagae City and Nishimurayama County) and Nagai Manor (present-day Nagai City area) in Yamagata Prefecture

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Laying the foundations of Sagae City

The Oe clan ruled the Sagae region for approximately 400 years, spanning 18 generations, until they were destroyed by Mogami Yoshiaki during the Sengoku period, laying the foundation for present-day Sagae City.
During the reigns of the 8th head of the clan, Tokiuji, and the 9th head, Mototoki, Sagae Castle was surrounded by a triple moat and underwent extensive renovations and reconstructions. Samurai residences were built one after another around the castle, and Sagae became a bustling castle town.

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Spots related to the Oe clan

Jionji Temple

This is a historic temple with a history dating back 1,300 years since its founding. It is said that the fifth head of the family, Motoaki, contributed to the restoration of the temple and shrine after it was destroyed by fire in the late Kamakura period. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate granted the temple 2,812 koku of land, and it became famous as one of the largest temple complexes in the Tohoku region

Jionji Temple＜Information＞

• Name: Motoyama Jionji Temple
• Address: 31 Jionji, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture, 990-0511
• Phone number: 0237-87-3993
• Official URL:Jionji Temple Official Homepage

Google Map

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Jionji Temple Terrace

This is a new facility that just opened in May 2021. It clearly conveys the former grounds of Jionji Temple, which has been designated a national historic site

Jionji Terrace <Information>

• Name: Jionji Terrace
• Address: 1178-1 Jionji, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture, 990-0511
• Phone number: 0237-84-6811
• Official URL:Jionji Terrace Official Homepage

Google Map

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Hontatekan ruins

Hiromoto, who held important positions in the shogunate and owned several estates mainly in the Kanto region, is said to have entrusted the governance of Sagae to his wife's father, Tada Hitoshi. Hontate-kan is the mansion that Tada Hitoshi is said to have first built

The Mogami River once flowed nearby, but now only remains of earthworks and other structures can be seen

Hontatekan Ruins <Information>

• Name: Hontatekan ruins
• Address: 2529-6 Hontate, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture, 991-0049
• Phone number:
• Official URL:

Google Map

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Sagae Castle Ruins

This was the base of operations for the Oe clan when they ruled Sagae.
According to one theory, it was built by Chikahiro, the eldest son of Hiromoto.

During the Jōkyū War, Chikahiro, who was serving as the Kyoto Guardian, parted ways with his father, Hiromoto, and sided with the imperial court. After
being defeated in battle, Chikahiro fled to Sagae, seeking refuge with his grandfather, Tada Hitotsuna, and is said to have lived in hiding until he was pardoned by the shogunate.

Sagae Castle was abandoned during the Edo period, and no buildings remain today, only a monumental stone remains. Part of the site of the main castle is now the site of an elementary school

Sagae Castle Ruins <Information>

• Name: Sagae Castle Ruins
• Address: 1-3-11 Marunouchi, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture, 991-0023
• Phone number:
• Official URL:

Google Map

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Conclusion

Sagae City is dotted with spots that evoke the atmosphere of the Oe clan era.
Now that the historical drama "The 13 Lords of Kamakura" has made the figure of Oe Hiromoto feel much closer, why not visit some spots associated with the Oe clan, perhaps as preparation or review for the drama?

Reference: "History of Hometown Sagae" by Abe Torikio and Ui Kei (Sagae City Board of Education, Yamagata Prefecture)

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