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Shitennō (Minamoto clan)

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Minamoto no Yorimitsu holding a closed fan; his four retainers are all seated in court robes (clockwise from top: Usui Sadamitsu, Urabe Suetake, Watanabe no Tsuna, and Sakata no Kintoki).

Shitennō (四天王), a Japanese term normally referring to the Buddhist Four Heavenly Kings, is also applied to particularly famous or loyal retainers, in groups of four, to certain of Japan's most famous legendary and historical figures.

The following four are referred to in legend as the Shitennō of Minamoto no Yorimitsu (also known as Raikō) (948–1021):[1]

Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–1189) was accompanied by the following four, his so-called Shitennō, who are featured in the kabuki play Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura and other works:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sato, Hiroaki (1995). Legends of the Samurai. Overlook Duckworth. pp. 61–64. ISBN 9781590207307.