According to the "Azuma Kagami," the court noble Tametoki TAKASHINA (it is said that he was an envoy dispatched by the Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa) visited the accommodations where Yoshitsune was staying before his departure to Yashima on February 16, and asked Yoshitsune saying, ' I don't know a lot about military strategy, but don't you think that the commander in chief should not spearhead the battle, but should rather send his assistant chief first?'
『吾妻鏡』によると、2日16日に屋島へ出陣する義経の宿所を訪れた公家の高階泰経（後白河院の使いだったとされる）が「自分は兵法に詳しくないが、大将たる者は先陣を競うものではなく、まず次将を送るべきではないか」と訊いた。