When the sun sets, stillness drifts in, calling for ceasefire from war.

A small Taira clan boat drifted in from Oki, bringing respite from their war with the Minamoto clan up on land. A folding fan is hoisted on its prow, almost preening in its conspicuousness. The Taira provoked the Minamoto: “Can you pierce this fan?”

Failure would mean shame for the Minamoto clan. Still, it would take more than an average archer to hit such a small, distant, and swaying target. “Will nobody answer?” Yoshitsune asked his retainers, but they all hesitated. But then, one man said, “I can shoot two out of three birds out of the sky.” It was the master archer, Nasu-no-Yoichi.


Yoshitsune ordered Yoichi to take up his bow, but the target was too difficult, even for the arm of a master. He hesitated, until Yoshitsune roared “If you will not do it, begone.” This steeled Yoichi’s resolve. He had to hit that fan. He took a deep breath before, fighting the trembling in his voice, he yelled, “I am ready to commit suicide, right here!” A warrior is a warrior, no matter the time or place. Yoshitsune nodded at the dauntless Yoichi.

Yoichi found a nearby large boulder. It was a perfect perch for aiming. Yoichi stood firm upon the stone and focused his gaze on the fan. The target was swaying. Nevertheless, he must not let his own resolve sway. Yoichi reached into his quiver. His fingers brushed one of his beloved arrows, but instead, he decided on a whistling arrow. In an instant screams broke out nearby. His weapon had a whistle attached to it; extra decorations would lower the accuracy of his shot. Yoichi’s life was on the line. If he succeeded here, he would go down in history.

Silence engulfed Yoichi. The arrow whistled, shattering the quiet. It cut a beautiful arc through the air as it fell towards the sea. No one saw where the arrow landed…because the fan whirled high in the sky. Yoichi splendidly pierced the target. The windborne fan fell into the sea, and everywhere erupted in cheers, not just from the Minamoto clan, but from the Taira side, too. Such was the miracle of this feat.
***
Later, visitors to Yashima would say “This is where Yoichi stood,” and consider the strife Yoichi must have felt in those bygone days.