The Tale of the Heike is a collection of tales describing the livelihood of warriors during the Heian and Kamakura periods. These tales illustrate that warriors during this period spent their lives dedicated to their duty to Buddhist Law and that the growing contention arose from each warrior's devotion and loyalty to Buddhist Law. The tales convey that a warrior's duty was to protect Buddhist Law which in turn was intended to protect imperial authority. Letters written among the Onjōji at Kōfukuji temples attest that “the great virtue of Buddhist Law is that it protects imperial authority; imperial authority survives thanks to Buddhist Law.” Furthermore, the letters state that whether one is “the capital of the south or the north, we are all disciples of the Buddha.” Middle Captain Shigehira's appeal to the Buddha, before his execution, is an example of this. Shigehira stated: “I was not acting of my own free will when I committed my grave sins; I was simply trying to do my duty. Can anyone alive reject an imperial command?” Regardless of what was commanded, the warrior was obligated to obey. Military Warehouse Bureau Director Yorimasa confirms this decree when ordered to restrain an invisible monster. Yorimasa reported that “from the ancients, the mission of the warriors sent to the court was to repel the rebels and destroy the violators of the imperial commands” then, ready to die for his lord, he shot the monster with an arrow. Inomata no Koheiroku Noritsuna reveals that warriors announced their identities before battle in consideration of religious beliefs. He argued that “a man who kills an enemy does no great feat unless he takes the head after identifying himself and requesting…… middle of paper…… Genji held off their attack to “give the enemy time to celebrate religious rites". Furthermore, senior officials changed the sentences from death to exile. As in the case of the warrior Nobutsura whose life was spared after Kiyomori was given an account of Nobutsura's meritorious reputation. The warriors would need time to justify why they are unable to save them from execution like Yortiomo did with Munemori. Yoritomo made it clear that "it is impossible for anyone born in this country to ignore an imperial edict." It is the actions of these warriors that display the characteristics of people who kill purely out of duty. Wars, victories, defeats and deaths arise from the warrior's duty to Buddhist Law. These warriors lived their duty and this is reflected in tales that illustrate actions that include loyalty and respect towards other warriors.