Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 6.djvu/291

RV 261 Michizane. (See the Index.)

Mori, Viscouut (1848—1889), a member of the Satsuma clan, was sent abroad to study, being out of the country during the Revolution. On his return, he took part in the reforms inaugurated by the new government, especially in those relating to the abolition of feudalism. Later, he held diplomatic positions at Washington and London, and in 1885, having been ennobled, received the portfolio of Education. He was assassinated by a religious fanatic on the day the Constitution was proclaimed.

Moriyoshi, son of Godaigo, was made Shōgun after the fall of the Hōjō family. This excited the jealousy of Takauji, who managed to poison the mind of the Emperor against the prince, telling him that his son aspired to the throne. Godaigo pronounced Moriyoshi a rebel, and gave Takauji power to punish him. The unfortunate prince was taken to Kamakura, imprisoned, and secretly murdered. Later the Emperor had full reason to regret his rash act, and to consider his son as a martyr to loyalty.

Nichiren (1222—1282), a Buddhist saint and sectarian, founded the popular sect which bears his name, called by Griffis the "Ranters of Buddhism." His tenets were extreme, his attacks on the other sects virulent; and this theological bitterness bred an equally bitter enmity among his opponents, that resulted in his banishment. Returning after three years, he continued his proselyting with increased vehemence and was condemned to death. As in the case of En no Shōkaku, the sword was broken by heavenly interposition, and the saintliness of the condemned man being thus undeniably established, he was released, but again exiled. A general amnesty brought about his return, and for the remainder of his life he preached unmolested to the crowds of disciples attracted by his creed and methods.

Nitta Yoshisada (1299—1338), a descendant of Yoritomo, was a captain in the Hōjō forces, but refused in 1330 to fight against the Imperial army and raised a standard of revolt against the vicegerency and in favour of the Emperor. Marching against Kamakura, as the story goes, he cast his sword into the sea, and prayed the God of the Sea to consider his loyalty and open a path across. Next morning the waves had receded, and his army marched across on the dry strand to the attack on the Hōjō capital. It fell, and with it the power of the vicegerency (1333). In the subsequent war between the Emperor and Takauji, Nitta Yoshisada was one of the great captains. The Ashikaga general defeated him and drove him from Kyōtō in 1336, and two years later attacked him in the North with an overwhelming force. Mortally wounded, Yoshisada