What is natto shogun?

Natto Shogun

Natto Shogun, also known as Natto Shougun (納豆将軍), is a historical nickname given to Minamoto no Yoshiie (1039-1106), a prominent samurai of the late Heian period in Japan. The moniker stems from an incident during his military campaigns in the Mutsu Province (modern-day Tohoku region).

The story goes that Yoshiie and his troops, while campaigning in the north, were caught in a snowstorm and ran out of provisions. Discovering some fermented soybeans (natto) in a village, they seized them to feed themselves and their horses. Some villagers protested, claiming the natto was for their own consumption during the winter months. Yoshiie, however, insisted it was necessary for the war effort. While the historicity of this event is debated, the name "Natto Shogun" stuck.

The nickname can be seen as both endearing and slightly derisive. It highlights Yoshiie's resourcefulness and practicality in a difficult situation, but also implies a certain ruthlessness or disregard for the concerns of common people. It is worth noting that natto in that period was generally considered peasant food, and thus associating a powerful warrior with it could also be seen as somewhat unflattering.