GP30. KOROMOGAWA, June 1189

Declared a traitor by imperial decree and hunted by his brother, the shogun Yoritomo, Minamoto no Yoshitsune spent the first years after the Genpei War on the run across Japan, accompanied by a few loyal retainers. He eventually found refuge in the northern province of Mutsu with his childhood guardian, Fujiwara no Hidehira. When Hidehira died in 1188, his son Yasuhira came under increasing pressure from Yoritomo to betray the oath made by his father to protect Yoshitsune. In June, 1189, Yasuhira eventually bowed to Yoritomo’s directive and attacked Yoshitsune in the Takadachi mansion above the Koromo River. Yoshitsune prepared for death, reciting sutras while his dozen remaining retainers mounted an heroic defense against overwhelming odds. Chief among these was Yoshitsune’s oldest and most faithful companion, the monk Benkei, who held the bridge across the river and famously remained standing even after death, confusing the attackers who were afraid to approach him. Yoshitsune committed seppuku and a retainer killed his wife and two children. So died the hero of the Genpei War and one of the most famous samurai in Japanese history.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Fujiwara (Red)
> Move first


H&F 3

Minamoto (Yellow)


H&F 5

Victory
5 Banners
1 Victory Banner for each Leader or Unit eliminated
The Fujiwara may not win unless there is at least one Fujiwara unit on the Minamoto side of the Koromo River at the same time as they have 5 Victory Banners
(See Death of a Hero special rule)

Special Rules

• * Legendary Monk – Any unit to which Benkei is attached rerolls all H&F in battle for additional results, as if it were a sohei unit (the first H&F on an Inspired Leadership roll is still cancelled and does not trigger a reroll). In all other respects, the unit functions as a normal unit of its type.
• * Intimidating Defense – The Koromo River is unfordable to Fujiwara units while there is a Minamoto unit or leader on the bridge hex.
• * Death of a Hero – Yoshitsune may not leave the five building hexes representing the Takadachi mansion. At any time after the Fujiwara have gained their 4th Victory Banner, and if no Fujiwara unit occupies a Takadachi mansion building hex, Yoshitsune may be ordered by command card to commit seppuku instead of moving. Yoshitsune is removed from the board and the Minamoto player gains 2 Victory Banners. This ordered seppuku has none of the other rulebook effects of seppuku and rulebook seppuku performed by Yoshitsune instead of a leader retreat does not grant the Victory Banner award.