Genji: Dawn of the Samurai
Encyclopedia
Genji: Dawn of the Samurai (released as Genji in Europe
) is a PlayStation 2
game released on September 20, 2005. It is loosely based on The Tale of the Heike
.
A sequel, Genji: Days of the Blade
was released for PlayStation 3
.
, thereby avenging his father. Early in his journey, he meets the Tamayori clan who are the guardians of the Amahagane – stones of power that allow select individuals to release magical powers known as kamui.
series (produced by Koei) and Shinobi 2 (produced by Sega
). The player controls Yoshitsune or Benkei, and both characters are equipped with two basic attacks: Normal and Special.
Yoshitsune is your archetypical fast and agile warrior, making up in speed what he lacks in strength. He is able to jump on small platforms (which, if jumped on by Benkei, would collapse). He wields two swords, and can also use his sword to 'hang' onto a ledge before jumping again, allowing him a double jump of sorts.
Benkei is the more powerful but slower character, with greater range than Yoshitsune. He uses a large war club, which can also be used to destroy certain structures and heavy doors in the game.
There are two ways to improve your character: By levelling up normally through defeating foes, or by using Essences of Amahagane to level up certain stats. Both methods are independent of each other. Normal experience can be gained by defeating enemies - the more enemies defeated in a row and the more strikes scored, the higher the experience. Benkei and Yoshitsune share this experience total. Amahagane experience is increased by using three Essences of Amahagane to increase a stat (either health, attack, or defense). This level is independent for both characters.
Note that in normal battle, the counter hits that happen in kamui mode can also happen. The screen turns negative for a moment, and the character scores a critical hit. However, this is quite rare out of kamui since timing the button press would be beyond the range of normal human reaction.
Kamui is a special feat that uses the power of Amahagane. A Kamui maneuver summons a magical space in which you can avoid enemy attacks while simultaneously executing a devastating attack of your own. There are some attacks that cannot be avoided using Kamui.
. Equally, Heishi (or Heike
) is reference to the Taira and an alternative reading.
Minamoto Yoshitsune
The hero of the story, Yoshitsune is the youngest son of the late Minamoto no Yoshitomo
, who was defeated and killed by Taira Kiyomori
during the Heiji Rebellion
. Never knowing about his father's death, He has spent a lonely childhood at the remote mountain shrine of Mt. Kurama. After one day being attacked by members of the Heishi Clan, who were seeking possession of his Amahagane, sixteen year-old Yoshitsune follows a mysterious warrior down the mountain to find his destiny.
The Amahagane bring Yoshitsune and Benkei together through a great duel. Benkei loses to Yoshitsune, and in doing so he realize his life's true purpose. He swears to protect the young Minamoto, and fight by his side as a brother in arms.
Lady Shizuka
Known as the “Priestess of the Tamayori”, she is the only person who can use the magical power “Yosegane” rite to enhance the power of the Amahagane. She is targeted by the Heishi, who wish to take advantage of Yosegane. To evade them, she fled far from civilization and now lives quietly in hiding with Kiichi Hogen.
Minamoto Yoritomo
Yoshitsune’s older brother, leader of the Minamoto clan.
He has planned to restore the Minamoto clan to its former glory ever since the defeat of his father Yoshitomo at the hands of the Heishi.
He is the chief of the Tamayori clan who are charged with guarding the Amahagne.
It is the duty of this clan to see that they are not used for evil purposes.
Kiichi Hogen is a master Buddhist mystic, and has enchanted Shizuka’s hiding place to help hide her.
He is one who asks Yoshitsune to help the Tamayori retrieve the Amahagne that have fallen into the possession of the Heishi.
Taira no Kagekiyo
The Main Villain.
He is the single most powerful warrior of the Heishi.
His power is rumored to exceed even that of Kiyomori Taira.
Kagekiyo rarely shows emotion and executes his orders in a calm and ruthless manner.
With Amahagne in hand, he possesses the power of a thousand men in battle.
He was on the front lines during the Heishi Rebellion and his prowess played a great role in the Taira victory.
Kagekiyo wields a special weapon that combines two blades in a single pommel, and with it he tirelessly hunts down Yoshitsune.
Taira no Kiyomori
Leader of the Taira Clan
Kiyomori is the leader of the Heishi. He used the Amahagne to defeat the Minamoto clan’s army during the Heishi Rebellion, and now governs Japan according to the whims of the Heishi. Not satisfied with his victory, he wishes to become sole master of the Amahagne and spread his power even farther. He also seeks the priestess Gozen Shizuka, the only one who can use the secret Yosegane magic.
Although she has not yet developed special powers like Shizuka, she still a bright young girl who is well liked by all the townspeople. She often carries rumors and information from her town to Yoshitsune.
He has refused to become involved in the battle between the Heishi and the Minamoto.
. Many of the characters in the game also appear in the Tale of the Heike.
The game’s storyline and time period corresponds with the Genpei War
where the Minamoto and Taira clans fought for dominance. The Minamoto won and established the Kamakura shogunate
ushering in the Kamakura period
. This is considered the beginning of the era of rule by the samurai
and hence the reference in the title.
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
) is a PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
game released on September 20, 2005. It is loosely based on The Tale of the Heike
The Tale of the Heike
is an epic account of the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War...
.
A sequel, Genji: Days of the Blade
Genji: Days of the Blade
Genji: Days of the Blade, known in Japan as , is an action game that was released on the PlayStation 3 platform.Genji: Days of the Blade takes place three years after the end of Genji: Dawn of the Samurai...
was released for PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
.
Storyline
The story follows the adventures of Minamoto Yoshitsune as he descends from his mountain retreat and eventually embraces a quest to defeat the Taira clanTaira clan
The was a major Japanese clan of samurai in historical Japan.In reference to Japanese history, along with Minamoto, Taira was a hereditary clan name bestowed by the emperors of the Heian Period to certain ex-members of the imperial family when they became subjects...
, thereby avenging his father. Early in his journey, he meets the Tamayori clan who are the guardians of the Amahagane – stones of power that allow select individuals to release magical powers known as kamui.
Gameplay
Gameplay is third-person combat, similar to what is found in the Dynasty WarriorsDynasty Warriors
is a series of tactical action video games created by Omega Force and Koei. The award-winning series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, based loosely around the Chinese classical novel of the same name. The first game titled Dynasty Warriors,...
series (produced by Koei) and Shinobi 2 (produced by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
). The player controls Yoshitsune or Benkei, and both characters are equipped with two basic attacks: Normal and Special.
Yoshitsune is your archetypical fast and agile warrior, making up in speed what he lacks in strength. He is able to jump on small platforms (which, if jumped on by Benkei, would collapse). He wields two swords, and can also use his sword to 'hang' onto a ledge before jumping again, allowing him a double jump of sorts.
Benkei is the more powerful but slower character, with greater range than Yoshitsune. He uses a large war club, which can also be used to destroy certain structures and heavy doors in the game.
There are two ways to improve your character: By levelling up normally through defeating foes, or by using Essences of Amahagane to level up certain stats. Both methods are independent of each other. Normal experience can be gained by defeating enemies - the more enemies defeated in a row and the more strikes scored, the higher the experience. Benkei and Yoshitsune share this experience total. Amahagane experience is increased by using three Essences of Amahagane to increase a stat (either health, attack, or defense). This level is independent for both characters.
Kamui
Yoshitsune and Benkei both have a number of kamui bars under their health bar. The number of kamui bars a character has depends on the number of Amahagane collected in the game. While in battle, the character's kamui bar will build up and the player can release this stored power for devastating attacks which slowly evolve as the story progresses. While in this state, time slows down allowing the player to enter what is essentially a "critical counter hit" mode where each correctly timed button press will defeat a standard foe with relative ease. A player can also use kamui while already in kamui mode. This enhanced kamui causes enemies to move even slower than a single kamui.Note that in normal battle, the counter hits that happen in kamui mode can also happen. The screen turns negative for a moment, and the character scores a critical hit. However, this is quite rare out of kamui since timing the button press would be beyond the range of normal human reaction.
Kamui is a special feat that uses the power of Amahagane. A Kamui maneuver summons a magical space in which you can avoid enemy attacks while simultaneously executing a devastating attack of your own. There are some attacks that cannot be avoided using Kamui.
Genji and Heishi
The word Genji is a reference to the Minamoto and is an alternative reading of the kanjiKanji
Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
. Equally, Heishi (or Heike
Heike
Heike may refer to:* Heike clan, a Japanese clan name* Heikegani, a species of crab named after the Heike clan* Heike * The Tale of the Heike, an epic account of the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War...
) is reference to the Taira and an alternative reading.
Minamoto YoshitsuneMinamoto no Yoshitsunewas a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period. Yoshitsune was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and the third and final son and child that Yoshitomo would father with Tokiwa Gozen. Yoshitsune's older brother Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the Kamakura...
Minamoto no Yoshitomo
was the head of the Minamoto clan and a general of the late Heian period of Japanese history. His son Minamoto no Yoritomo became shogun and founded the Kamakura Shogunate, the first shogunate in the history of Japan.-Hōgen Rebellion:...
, who was defeated and killed by Taira Kiyomori
Taira no Kiyomori
was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan.After the death of his father Taira no Tadamori in 1153, Kiyomori assumed control of the Taira clan and ambitiously entered the political realm in which he...
during the Heiji Rebellion
Heiji Rebellion
The was a short civil war fought in order to resolve a dispute about political power. The Heiji no ran encompassed clashes between rival subjects of the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan in 1159. It was preceded by the Hōgen Rebellion in 1156...
. Never knowing about his father's death, He has spent a lonely childhood at the remote mountain shrine of Mt. Kurama. After one day being attacked by members of the Heishi Clan, who were seeking possession of his Amahagane, sixteen year-old Yoshitsune follows a mysterious warrior down the mountain to find his destiny.
Musashibo Benkei
A giant warrior monk who was loyal to the Minamoto clan and now roams the land, fighting against the Taira in the hopes of one day serving the Minamoto again. Benkei uses his superhuman strength to pulverize his enemies with a giant war club that is taller and heavier than most full-grown men. Even though they were defeated in the Heishi Rebellion, Benkei dreams of the day when the Minamoto clan might return to power.The Amahagane bring Yoshitsune and Benkei together through a great duel. Benkei loses to Yoshitsune, and in doing so he realize his life's true purpose. He swears to protect the young Minamoto, and fight by his side as a brother in arms.
Lady ShizukaShizuka GozenShizuka Gozen , or Lady Shizuka, one of the most famous women in Japanese history and literature, was a shirabyōshi of the 12th century, and a mistress of Minamoto no Yoshitsune...
Known as the “Priestess of the Tamayori”, she is the only person who can use the magical power “Yosegane” rite to enhance the power of the Amahagane. She is targeted by the Heishi, who wish to take advantage of Yosegane. To evade them, she fled far from civilization and now lives quietly in hiding with Kiichi Hogen.Minamoto YoritomoMinamoto no Yoritomowas the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. He ruled from 1192 until 1199.-Early life and exile :Yoritomo was the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, heir of the Minamoto clan, and his official wife, a daughter of Fujiwara no Suenori, who was a member of the...
Yoshitsune’s older brother, leader of the Minamoto clan.He has planned to restore the Minamoto clan to its former glory ever since the defeat of his father Yoshitomo at the hands of the Heishi.
Hogen Kiichi
Leader of the Tayamori clan and guardian of the Amahagane. He helps to rescue Yoshitsune and teaches him about his kamui powers.He is the chief of the Tamayori clan who are charged with guarding the Amahagne.
It is the duty of this clan to see that they are not used for evil purposes.
Kiichi Hogen is a master Buddhist mystic, and has enchanted Shizuka’s hiding place to help hide her.
He is one who asks Yoshitsune to help the Tamayori retrieve the Amahagne that have fallen into the possession of the Heishi.
Taira no KagekiyoTaira no KagekiyoTaira no Kagekiyo , also known as Kazusa no Shichirō , was a samurai of the Taira clan who took part in the Genpei War of Japan, against the Minamoto clan....
The Main Villain.He is the single most powerful warrior of the Heishi.
His power is rumored to exceed even that of Kiyomori Taira.
Kagekiyo rarely shows emotion and executes his orders in a calm and ruthless manner.
With Amahagne in hand, he possesses the power of a thousand men in battle.
He was on the front lines during the Heishi Rebellion and his prowess played a great role in the Taira victory.
Kagekiyo wields a special weapon that combines two blades in a single pommel, and with it he tirelessly hunts down Yoshitsune.
Taira no KiyomoriTaira no Kiyomoriwas a general of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan.After the death of his father Taira no Tadamori in 1153, Kiyomori assumed control of the Taira clan and ambitiously entered the political realm in which he...
Leader of the Taira ClanKiyomori is the leader of the Heishi. He used the Amahagne to defeat the Minamoto clan’s army during the Heishi Rebellion, and now governs Japan according to the whims of the Heishi. Not satisfied with his victory, he wishes to become sole master of the Amahagne and spread his power even farther. He also seeks the priestess Gozen Shizuka, the only one who can use the secret Yosegane magic.
Princess Minazuru Hogen
She trains with her father, Hogen, hoping one day become a full-fledged Tamayoribito.Although she has not yet developed special powers like Shizuka, she still a bright young girl who is well liked by all the townspeople. She often carries rumors and information from her town to Yoshitsune.
Hidehira Fujiwara
Hidehira leads the Fujiwara clan and governs Oushu, the second-greatest city in Japan.He has refused to become involved in the battle between the Heishi and the Minamoto.
The Heishi
Led by Kiyomori Taira, the army’s warriors use Amahagane. They also employ the Yourenshu, who control demons. Its forces currently are in control of Heian-Kyou, the city that will one day be called Kyoto.Historical and literary references
The storyline of the game follows roughly the third section of the Tale of the Heike which deals with Yoshitsune’s rise against the Taira clan while the character’s early life is based on information from the GikeikiGikeiki
The is a Japanese gunki monogatari that focuses on the legends of Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his followers. Considered to have been composed during the Nanboku-chō period, it has provided inspiration to numerous Noh, kabuki and bunraku plays...
. Many of the characters in the game also appear in the Tale of the Heike.
The game’s storyline and time period corresponds with 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....
where the Minamoto and Taira clans fought for dominance. The Minamoto won and established the Kamakura shogunate
Kamakura shogunate
The Kamakura shogunate was a military dictatorship in Japan headed by the shoguns from 1185 to 1333. It was based in Kamakura. The Kamakura period draws its name from the capital of the shogunate...
ushering in the Kamakura period
Kamakura period
The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
. This is considered the beginning of the era of rule by the samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
and hence the reference in the title.