Around 900 years ago in the 12th century, the capital of Japan was Kyoto. This time period was known as the Minamoto Era. During this period a large civil war was waged across the country between the Minamoto and the Taira military clans. Almost completely defeated in 1159, and except for a few, the Minamoto clan and all its family members were either killed or forced to take their own lives. Of the few that survived, Yoritomo Minamoto was the most notable

samurai warrior. Founder of the Kamakura Shogunate and the military dictator of Japan, Yoritomo was 13 years old when his father was killed in 1160. Rather than executing Yoritomo, the chieftain of the Taira clan sent him away from Kyoto to the countryside of the Izu Peninsula, located 90 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. At the age of 30 Yoritomo married Masako Hojo, daughter of a local warlord. Soon after, Yoritomoand gained a lot of momentum and support for his clan.