Ikezuki (horse)
Encyclopedia
Ikezukiis the name of a white horse that belonged to Shogun Yoritomo and also makes an appearance in the Tale of Heike, being ridden by Sasaki Takatsuna
, as well as other appearances throughout the Genpei War
.
Ikezuki was well known for his ability to swim and bite.
Today, the name Ikezuki is used as the name for a park in Mima City
, the name of a station in Miyagi Prefecture (Ikezuki Station
), and as the name of a sake maker.
, Tokushima Prefecture
, Japan
. His mother was a captive horse from Mima and his father was a wild horse from Mount Tsurugi
, south of the Yoshino River
. Ikezuki's father taught him to swim in the strong currents of the Yoshino River. He grew up to be very strong. One day, his mother fell into a marshy pond and died. He stood at the bank of the pond and caught a glimpse of her (failing to realize that it was actually his own reflection). He jumped after her many times. Villagers saw the image of him jumping over and over again into the pond (ike 池) with a beautiful moon (tsuki/zuki 月) behind him and therefore named him "Ikezuki".
Sasaki Takatsuna
was a Japanese samurai commander in the Genpei War, the great conflict between the Minamoto and Taira clans.An infant at the time of the Heiji Rebellion , Takatsuna was spared the destruction of his family several years later...
, as well as other appearances throughout the Genpei War
Genpei War
The was a conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late-Heian period of Japan. It resulted in the fall of the Taira clan and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto Yoritomo in 1192....
.
Today, the name Ikezuki is used as the name for a park in Mima City
Mima, Tokushima
is a city located in Tokushima, Japan.It was founded on March 1, 2005, when Mima District was divided into the city of Mima and Mima District. The towns of Mima, Anabuki, Waki, and the village of Koyadaira, became part of the city of Mima, while the towns of Handa, Sadamitsu, and the village of...
, the name of a station in Miyagi Prefecture (Ikezuki Station
Ikezuki Station
Ikezuki Station is a JR East railway station located in Ōsaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...
), and as the name of a sake maker.
History
Ikezuki is believed to have been born in what is now Mima Town, Mima CityMima, Tokushima
is a city located in Tokushima, Japan.It was founded on March 1, 2005, when Mima District was divided into the city of Mima and Mima District. The towns of Mima, Anabuki, Waki, and the village of Koyadaira, became part of the city of Mima, while the towns of Handa, Sadamitsu, and the village of...
, Tokushima Prefecture
Tokushima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku island. The capital is the city of Tokushima.- Tokushima Prefecture and Myodo Prefecture :Long ago, Tokushima City belonged to a region known as Myōdō-gun...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. His mother was a captive horse from Mima and his father was a wild horse from Mount Tsurugi
Mount Tsurugi
Mount Tsurugi may refer to:* Mount Tsurugi , in Hokkaidō, Japan* Mount Tsurugi , in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan* Mount Tsurugi , in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
, south of the Yoshino River
Yoshino River
The Yoshino River is a river on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is 194 km long and has a watershed of 3,750 km². It is the second longest river in Shikoku , and is the only river whose watershed spreads over the four prefectures of the island.It is regarded as one of the three greatest rivers of...
. Ikezuki's father taught him to swim in the strong currents of the Yoshino River. He grew up to be very strong. One day, his mother fell into a marshy pond and died. He stood at the bank of the pond and caught a glimpse of her (failing to realize that it was actually his own reflection). He jumped after her many times. Villagers saw the image of him jumping over and over again into the pond (ike 池) with a beautiful moon (tsuki/zuki 月) behind him and therefore named him "Ikezuki".