I became the object of the most damning slanders, in consequence of which my great exploits have been ignored. I, Yoshitsune, though innocent of all offences, have incurred blame; though worthy of honour and guilty of no mistake, I have fallen into his Lordship’s disfavour....My armour and helmet were my pillow; my bow and arrows were my trade….Realising that only through the help of the Buddhas and the gods could I hope that my appeal might succeed, I inscribed oaths on talismans of various temples and shrines, swearing by the gods of the great and small shrines in Japan and by the spirits of the underworld that I never for a moment harboured any evil ambitions; and all these pledges of loyalty I submit yet I receive no pardon.