Ordered: That the Genji and bands of troops in the various provinces
of the three circuits of Tokai, Tosan, and Hokuriku proceed forthwith against
the master of Buddhist Law Taira Kiyomori, his partisans and rebels.
The foregoing is decreed by the ason and former governor of Izu Minamoto
Nakatsuna. The pronouncement of His Excellency the prince declares that Kiyomori,
Munemori, and others, using the prestige of their office and influence, have
incited rebellion and have overthrown the nation. They have caused the officials
and the people to suffer, seizing and plundering the five inner provinces
and the seven circuits. They have confined the ex-sovereign, exiled public
officals, and inflicted death and banishment, drowning and imprisonment.
They have robbed property and seized lands, usurped and bestowed offices.
They have rewarded the unworthy and incriminated the innocent. They have
apprehended and confined the prelates of the various temples and imprisoned
student monks. They have requisitioned the silks and rice of Mount Hiei to
be stored as provisions for a rebellion. They have despoiled the graves of
princes sand cut off the head of one, defied the emperor and destroyed Buddhist
Law in a manner unprecedented in history. Now the country is saddened and
the ministers and people alike grieve. In consequence thereof, I, the second
son of the ex-sovereign, in search of the ancient principles of Emperor Temmu,
and following in the footsteps of Prince Shotoku, proclaim war against those
who would usurp the throne and who would destroy Buddhist Law. We rely not
on man's efforst alone but on the assistance of providence as well. If the
temporal rulers, the Three Treasures, and the native gods assist us in our
efforts, all the people everywhere must likewise wish to assist us immediately.
This being so, let those of the Minamoto, the Fujiwara, and the brave now
living in the provinces of the three circuits add their efforts to the cause.
If there be those who not of like mind, they shall be regarded as partisans
of Kiyomori and they shall suffer pain of death, exile, or imprisonment.
If there be those who perform meritoriously, despatch missions to me and
inform me of their names and deeds, and I shall, without fail, following
my enthronement, bestow rewards upon them according to their wishes. Proclaim
this message in all the provinces and carry out the terms of this pronouncement.
Jisho 4:4,9
Minamoto Nakatsuna, Ason
Former Governor of Izu
Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade
(Shinoda, 1960, p. 151 - 2).