Jōmyō Yama 浄妙山: Honoring Courage in Battle

 

Jōmyō Yama records an astonishing moment in Japanese martial history.

Jōmyō Yama depicts two renowned warrior monks, Tsutsui Jōmyō and Ichirai Hōshi, in a famous battle from the 12th-century Genpei War between the Minamoto and Heike clans.

The Uji Bridge was a strategic crossing on the way to Kyoto. In the Battle of Uji, they were defending the Minamoto clan from oncoming Heike samurai. Records note that Jōmyō fought with bow and arrow, halberd (warrior monks’ signature weapon) and sword and dagger. Moreover, records claim he continued fighting even as he was shot through with over 60 arrows.

Meanwhile, the crush of fighters trapped Ichirai at the far end of the bridge, away from the action. He came up with a solution, an incredible combined act of courage, determination and acrobatic prowess: he catapulted over the head of Jōmyō in front of him, to get to the front lines. And, in quintessentially Japanese style, it’s said that he asked pardon for his bad manners as he leapt. Consequently for some time, Jōmyō Yama’s nickname was the “Pardon My Manners Float”

Jōmyō Yama depicts the incredible courage and prowess of these two warriors.

Read More: https://sites.google.com/view/jomyo-yama-gion-festival/home