Original Chikanobu (1838 - 1912) Japanese Woodblock Print
Yamashiro, Snow at Fushimi, Lady Tokiwa, Otowaka, Ushiwaka, and Imawaka, No. 3 
Series; Snow, Moon, Flowers

The life of Yoshitsune’s family was a tragic one. After Yoshitomo was murdered, Lady Tokiwa (Yoshitsune’s mother) had to run away to protect their children. Yoritomo (his older brother from other family of Yoshitomo) was forced to exile. Their names were Ushiwaka (Yoshitsune), Otowaka (Gien) and Imawaka(Zenjou); Ushiwaka being the youngest one, a baby at the time. At first, Tokiwa tried to reach her mother’s house only to discover the Taira clan had arrived before her. Not having any other alternative, the poor woman surrendered eventually to Taira no Kiyomori, the responsible of her love’s death. She was forced to be Kiyomori’s concubine to spare her children’s life, after Kiyomori was impressed by her beauty. When Otowaka and Imawaka reached a certain age they were ordered to become monks separated from her mother. Kiyomori kind of raised Ushiwaka, though the feeling not being strong enough to prevent the kid of being sent to Mt. Kurama at age seven to have religious training. He didn’t stand it and eventually escaped, being aware at the time of his identity as heir of the Minamoto clan…
And that is only the beginning of the story.

If you want to write something related to this man, I highly recommend this page, this book, and this japanese dorama. The dorama actually combines the mythology of Yoshitsune’s legends and it is well done.