Background
Abe Yoritoki was born in Japan.
Abe Yoritoki was born in Japan.
He was the head of the Abe clan of Emishi who were allowed to rule the six Emishi districts (Iwate, Hienuki, Shiwa, Isawa, Esashi and Waga) in the Kitakami Basin from Morioka to Hiraizumi in what is now Iwate Prefecture. The clan emerged from the Appi River basin in what is now Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, early in the 9th century. They provided a number of generals and governors throughout the 9th and 10th centuries. By monopolizing the gold, iron and horse trade in northern Honshū the family became enormously wealthy. They were also innovative in designing a new type of stockade which could withstand a long siege.
An influential warlord, he disobeyed the Governor's orders and looted the people's property. When Yoriyoshi Minamoto proceeded to Mutsu as its lord, Yoritoki respected his authority for a time but rose in revolt together with his son, Sadato. The rebellion developed into "Zen Kunen No Eki" (Former Nine Years War 1051-1062). He was defeated and killed by a stray arrow.