Born in 1139 as Endo Morito, a warrior of the hokumen no bushi (palace guards). According to legend, around 1167 he accidentally killed Kesa Gozen—the married woman he loved—and in shock and remorse became a monk, taking the name Mongaku. He wandered eastern and western Japan, enduring extreme ascetic practices including a hundred-day meditation under Nachi Falls. He petitioned the court aggressively to fund the restoration of Jingoji in Kyoto, but his high-handed approach earned him exile to Izu (around 1173). During his exile he formed a close bond with the exiled Minamoto no Yoritomo. He reportedly showed Yoritomo the skull of his father Yoshitomo and urged him passionately to rise up and avenge his family's defeat. When Yoritomo raised his banner in 1180, the matter was resolved and Mongaku devoted himself to restoring Jingoji, securing support from both Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Yoritomo. After Yoritomo's death he clashed with Retired Emperor Go-Toba and was exiled again in 1203—first to Sado, then to Tsushima. He died in 1203. His extraordinary life has been a rich subject for literature and performing arts.

A tempestuous, unconventional monk. Combined iron willpower for extreme asceticism with the boldness to challenge the powerful. His unpredictable actions astonished all.

A behind-the-scenes catalyst of the Genpei War through his influence on Yoritomo. Known for restoring Jingoji, he became the archetype of the wild monk in Japanese literature and performing arts.