MINAMOTO NO YORIMASA
Minamoto no Yorimasa (1104–1180) was a military commander of the Minamoto clan during the late Heian period. He was renowned not only as a warrior but also as a poet, and his name appears both in historical chronicles and in The Tale of the Heike.
The Legend of the Nue
According to legend, during the reign of one emperor, the palace was plagued by strange events at night. The emperor was stricken with a terrible illness, unable to sleep as an eerie noise echoed from the roof of his residence. The disturbance, referred to as the "Purple Hall of the North Star," caused sleepless nights that drained the emperor’s health.
The courtiers suspected that a malicious spirit or monster was haunting the roof. One evening, as they watched the skies, a dark cloud appeared on the horizon. It swept swiftly across the heavens and descended upon the palace roof, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and a hideous screech. Within the cloud, they glimpsed the terrifying form of a beast with massive claws and fangs.
Desperate to save the emperor, the courtiers summoned the famed warrior Yorimasa. Known for his bravery and unmatched skill with the bow, he agreed without hesitation. Carefully preparing for the battle, he selected his finest bow and a single arrow, donned armor beneath a hunter’s cloak, and took position near the palace roof.
As night fell, the monstrous cloud returned. Lightning illuminated the sky, and within the swirling blackness Yorimasa caught sight of glowing eyes. Steadying his breath, he drew his bow to its full length, the arc mirroring the full moon above. Releasing the arrow, he struck the beast squarely. With a deafening roar, the creature plummeted from the roof and crashed to the ground.
Yorimasa and his retainer rushed to the fallen monster. By torchlight they saw its grotesque form: the head of a monkey, the body of a tiger covered in dragon-like scales, the tail of a snake, and the wings of a bird. It was the legendary nue, a chimera feared in Japanese folklore. Once slain, the emperor’s illness vanished overnight, and peace returned to the palace.
As a reward, Yorimasa received a treasured sword named Shishi-ō (“King of Lions”). The grateful emperor invited him to court, where Yorimasa later married a noblewoman celebrated as one of the most beautiful in the land.
Symbolism
This victory brought Yorimasa great fame, and he became known as the protector of the emperor. The story reinforced the prestige of the Minamoto clan. Legends speak of his sacred arrow as a talisman of protection, symbolizing loyalty, courage, and divine favor.
Yorimasa in Tattoo Art
Iconic imagery: the heroic archer drawing his bow against the monstrous chimera on the palace roof.
Design elements: Yorimasa in full armor, surrounded by storm clouds and lightning, facing the terrifying nue — a creature with the head of a monkey, the body of a tanuki, the limbs of a tiger, and the tail of a snake.
Placement: this dynamic scene works beautifully for large-scale compositions — such as back pieces, front pieces, or sleeves — where the tension between hero and monster can fully unfold.
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