Shin no Aruke

**Shin no Aruke** [行の荒元; しんのあるけ] was a clan chief, *konbūshin* and military leader who is known for uniting Shinkō Prefecture under his governance in the late 12th century. He was the first *konbūshin* [or 'prefectural commander'] of Shinkō, and won the position through his conquest of the region and his ruthless military campaigns, which granted him power over the entire region within 35 years.

## Early life/background

Aruke was born in Kesso as the first-born son to the chief Shin no Jungi, who was the head of the Shin clan and also commanded its three vassals, the Hiyū, the Amedo, and the Monzu. The exact identity of his mother is unknown, although it is considered probable that she was a daughter of one of the retainers under the Shin. He had three younger brothers, who went on found the Shingata clan. He was most fond of Shingata no Sakagane, whom he appointed as chief *sai* during his conquests.

## Career

After the death of his father Jungi in 1123, Aruke assumed control of the Shin clan and ambitiously decided to expand the territories which he had inherited. Using the force of his vassal clans, he managed to conquer and subdue the southern region of the province by 1157, having sworn multiple clans to his banner, and eliminated a number of lineages besides.

After his success in the southern campaigns, particularly after the admirable defeat of the Fukui clan in the Battle of Kitsuhara, Aruke caught the attention of Hatake no Konji, who was the figurehead of the Hatake family and the most powerful man in the province. Interested in gaining more territory for himself, Konji contacted Aruke and suggested that they strike a deal; if they could share equally the tracts of land which Aruke conquered, Konji would supply him with troops and provisions to assist his campaigns. Aruke accepted this offer.

From 1162 until 1169, Aruke used Konji's considerable might to conquer vast stretches of Shinkō, taking control of the western regions and heading northwards. However, it was not long before the peace between the Shin and Hatake began to wear down, and conflicts amongst Hatake and Shin soldiers were pulling away morale and making it difficult to keep the army together. After Aruke's decisive campaign in the north, which ended with the Battle of Kiyamitsu and the defeat of the Hami forces, he betrayed Konji and began to march on Meikai, the seat of the Hatake clan.

In loaning his forces to Aruke, Konji had made a grave, somewhat naive mistake, and found himself with few men left to defend against the seiging Shin army. After days of intense fighting, Shingata no Sakagane took Hatake no Konji and his wife Shika hostage, along with a team of other warriors, while other Shin men worked to defeat Hatake's strongest warriors and deputies. Eventually the Hatake were forced to surrender, and Shin no Aruke personally executed Hatake no Konji in Meikai Castle, bringing an end to his line. As for Konji's young wife Shika, she and her two children were assimilated into the Shin clan, and she was later married to Aruke's youngest son Shin no Yonno.

Aruke took the prefectural seat of Meikai Castle and was made the first *konbūshin* of Shinkō Prefecture by Emperor Jihon [竟不] in 1178. He remained in this position until his death in 1185, after which time it was taken over by his first son Shin no Shikiru. According to records, he died of illness under a terrible fever.

## Family and relations

* Father: Shin no Jungi
* Mother: unknown, possibly of the Hiyū clan
* Wife: Monzu no Anmei
* Children:
	+ Shin no Shikiru [1144]
	+ Shin no Moeyū [1146]
	+ Shin no Arikusa [1158]