The Story of the Japanese 00540 [Early Kamakura Period] Arrival in Hiraizumi

February 10, 1187. Yoshitsune and his party arrived in Hiraizumi. Fujiwara no Hidehira welcomed them warmly and celebrated their reunion after seven years.
Hidehira was the man who had raised Yoshitsune like a father from the age of 15 to 21. While he must have been happy to reunite with the Yoshitsune he had cherished, sheltering Yoshitsune, who was already a wanted man, was an extremely risky act.
This was because conflict had already begun to arise between Hidehira and Yoritomo. In 1186, Yoritomo sent a letter to Hidehira stating,
"From now on, I will mediate the horses and gold sent from Mutsu to the capital,"
thereby attempting to keep him in check. For Hidehira, who had negotiated directly with the capital without any Minamoto mediation until then, this was a highly insulting proposal, equivalent to being told to become Yoritomo's subordinate. However, to avoid a clash with Yoritomo, Hidehira delivered the horses and gold to Kamakura.
It was during such a delicate time that Yoshitsune fled to Hiraizumi, relying on Hidehira.
About two months after Yoshitsune arrived in Hiraizumi, Yoritomo told Hidehira through the Imperial Court,
"A large amount of gold plating is needed for the reconstruction of Todai-ji Temple, so pay thirty thousand ryo."
However, there was no telling if Yoritomo would actually deliver the thirty thousand ryo to the Imperial Court even if it were paid to him.
Hidehira replied,
"Thirty thousand ryo is excessive, and the established precedent is only one thousand ryo. Furthermore, in recent years, the gold dust has been almost entirely exhausted, so I cannot meet your request."
Yoritomo was not satisfied with this response and stated to the Imperial Court,
"It is strange to refuse an imperial decree. I would like to make an additional strong request to Hidehira."
On September 4, Yoritomo complained to the Imperial Court that "Hidehira is sheltering Yoshitsune and plotting rebellion," so an official document from the Cloistered Government inquiring about the situation was sent to Hidehira. By this time, it seems that Yoshitsune's presence in Hiraizumi had already been exposed. Hidehira defended himself by saying he had "no disloyal intentions," but at this time, officials sent by Yoritomo were also dispatched to Mutsu Province, and a report was made to the Imperial Court stating, "It appears there are already preparations for rebellion."
Hidehira was gradually being driven into a corner.