The next day, something happened during the battle that no one could have predicted.

Yoshitsune, shogun of the Minamoto clan, dropped his bow and turned his complete attention to finding it. Surrounded by Taira soldiers who wanted his head, his recklessness caused his retainers to rush to his side and cover him.

Why did Yoshitsune take such an enormous risk? It was not just to avoid giving the Taira clan the satisfaction of saying they took his bow. Yoshitsune was a handsome young man in the stories, but the truth is that he was rather small. Bows are made to match the archer’s physique. If it fell into Taira hands, they would have undoubtedly mocked the Minamoto shogun for using a small bow. This would shatter the Minamoto clan’s renown.

The desperation proved worthwhile, as Yoshitsune managed to retrieve the bow. He recovered his confidence as shogun and guided his retainers precisely while fighting himself. Yoshitsune gave his best, and overwhelmed the Taira clan. His victory became clear soon after, and the Taira clan escaped from Yashima Island.

The Battle of Dan-no-Ura, which would spell the end of the Taira clan, was fast approaching.
***
Just who was Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune? Theories abound, but when you learn this story of the dropped bow, which is carved into a stone monument, you will feel it brimming with Yoshitsune’s humanity.