Stories of the Japanese 00509 [Late Heian Period] The Battle of Yashima: The Fan Target

Yoshitsune's army, which had only 150 horsemen, had been joined one after another by local warriors opposed to the Taira clan, bringing their numbers to about 300.
"The sun is about to set. The outcome has not been decided," Yoshitsune said, and just as they were about to withdraw, a small boat from the Taira side approached the shore and turned sideways. As everyone watched, wondering, "What could that be?" a graceful court lady appeared from the boat, holding a fan with a golden sun painted on a crimson background. The fan was tied to the tip of a pole and held high.
Yoshitsune called his subordinate Goto Sanemoto and asked, "What could that mean?" Sanemoto replied, "It must be a challenge to shoot that fan."
This was clearly a challenge from the Taira side. They could not refuse to accept it. When Yoshitsune asked Sanemoto, "Who is good with a bow?" he replied, "Nasu no Yoichi (1169–1189?) from Shimotsuke Province would be good. He is a man who can shoot down two out of every three birds in a competition to shoot down flying birds." Thus, Nasu no Yoichi was summoned. Nasu no Yoichi tried to decline, saying, "If I miss, it will be a disgrace to our side," but Yoshitsune became angry and insisted he could not refuse, so he reluctantly went to the water's edge.
The distance to the fan target was about seven tan (75 meters), and the boat was swaying back and forth. Nasu no Yoichi prayed, "Namu Hachiman Daibosatsu... I pray that you let me hit the center of that fan," and vowed that if he missed, he would take his own life, then released the arrow. Sure enough, the arrow pierced the center of the fan.
Both the Minamoto and Taira sides were filled with admiration and erupted in cheers. Regardless of whether they were friend or foe, everyone praised Nasu no Yoichi's skill.