Lindsey’s Reviews > A History of Japan to 1334 > Status Update

Section 3 goes over Yoritomo’s attitude towards the court. Despite his lofty ambitions and power, he was careful to obtain official permission from
the cloistered emperor for his actions.
It also tells the story of the later years of Yoritomo up to his death in 1199, as well as the events leading up to Yukiie and Yoshitsune’s death. After the ships he and Yoshitsune traveled on crash-landed and they became separated, Yukiie was captured and killed in 1186. Yoshitsune eventually made his way to the northern provinces controlled by Fujiwara Hidehira, the last real opponent to Yoritomo. He sought protection, but was eventually betrayed by Hidehira’s son Yasuhira in 1189 after giving in to Yoritomo’s request to have him killed, although Yoshitsune took his own life beforehand. After this, Yoritomo attacked the northern Fujiwara leaders, easily defeating them. He was also solidifying his power both in Kamakura and Kyoto, influencing the court to promote Kanezane’s position. After Go-Shirakawa’s death, Yoritomo was able to obtain the title of Shōgun in 1192. Relations between Kamakura and Kyoto were harmonious, and there was peace. Yoritomo committed some last acts of treachery, having Noriyori killed in 1193, as well as every male member of Yasuda Yoshisada’s family (an ardent supporter of the Minamoto) killed in 1194. However, in 1196 a successful uprising by Minamoto Michichika displaced Kanezane and all of his supporters. Yoritomo died in 1199, leaving Kamakura without a leader and giving the restorationists under Michichika hope of fulfilling their ambitions.

Section 4 gives a brief overview of Yoritomo’s character, although I feel that it’s obvious enough if one reads into the motives of his actions.