The warrior monks were always vehemently independent, strongly disliking anyone who abused their power or position.
It was this independent spirit that caused the Emperor Go-Shirakawa
(October 18, 1127 – April 26, 1192) to bitterly lament that:
“There are three things that I have absolutely no power over: The roll of the dice, the flow of the river Gamo, and the warrior-monks of Mount Hiei.”