The Battle of Dan-no-ura, also known as Dan-no-ura no tatakai, was a significant naval battle during the Genpei War. It took place at Dan-no-ura in the Shimonoseki Strait, located off the southern tip of Honshū, Japan. On April 25, 1185 (or March 24, 1185, according to the official page of Shimonoseki City), the fleet of the Minamoto clan, led by Minamoto no Yoshitsune, achieved a decisive victory over the fleet of the Taira clan. The battle unfolded with the advantage of the morning rip tide initially favoring the Taira, but it later turned against them in the afternoon. Among the casualties were Taira nobles, including the young Emperor Antoku.
During the battle, the Taira faced a difficult situation as the war had been unfavorable for them. Although they still had the Emperor's support and possessed the Imperial Regalia symbolizing imperial authority, they had lost much of their territory. Nevertheless, they had the advantage of fighting on their home turf with experienced southern warriors who were familiar with the local waters. Despite being weaker in terms of military strength (despite having more ships), the Taira possessed superior knowledge of the tides in the area and naval combat tactics. Additionally, the Taira commander faced the challenge of his son, Taguchi Shigeyoshi, being held hostage by the Minamoto. Some Taira generals advised dismissing or executing Shigeyoshi as a liability, but the commander believed in his loyalty and kept him within their ranks. The Taira also brought the young emperor, dressed in full court attire, along with some of his retainers, aiming to inspire their troops and demonstrate the legitimacy of their cause.
The Taira fleet divided into three squadrons, while the Minamoto arrived in full force with ships aligned and archers prepared. The battle commenced with a long-range exchange of arrows before the Taira seized the initiative and attempted to surround the enemy ships using the tides to their advantage. They engaged the Minamoto in close combat, transitioning from archery to hand-to-hand combat with swords and daggers as the crews boarded each other's ships. However, the tide changed, shifting the advantage back to the Minamoto.
One crucial factor that contributed to the Minamoto's victory was Taguchi Shigeyoshi's defection. His squadron attacked the Taira from the rear and revealed the location of Emperor Antoku's ship to the Minamoto. The Minamoto archers redirected their focus to the helmsmen, rowers, and the rest of the Taira fleet, causing chaos and loss of control. Witnessing the battle turning against them, many Taira members chose to commit suicide. Those who perished included Antoku, his grandmother (Nun of the Second Rank, Taira no Tokiko), and Taira no Kiyomori's widow, Taira no Tokiko. The Taira attempted to throw the imperial regalia into the sea to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Minamoto, managing to discard the Kusanagi sword and Yasakani jewel before their ship carrying the regalia was captured. According to legend, the woman who attempted to throw the mirror gazed into it and instantly perished due to its spiritual power. Divers later recovered the jewel, while the fate of the sword remains uncertain. Eventually, a new sword was found and enshrined at Atsuta Shrine, although different explanations exist regarding its origin.
The decisive defeat of the Taira in this battle marked the end of their quest for control over Japan. Minamoto no Yoritomo, the elder half-brother of Minamoto Yoshitsune, became the first shōgun and established the Kamakura shogunate, a military government, in Kamakura. Notable Taira casualties in the battle included Taira Tomomori, Taira Noritsune, Taira Norimori, Taira Tsunemori, Taira Sukemori, Taira Arimori, and Taira Yukimori, who were all killed.
See also
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Battles of Kawanakajima
The Battles of Kawanakajima were a series of fierce conflicts during Japan's Sengoku period, waged between Takeda Shingen of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province from 1553 to 1564. These battles centered around the strategic Kawanakajima plain, lying between the Sai and Chikuma rivers in northern Shinano Province, now within Nagano City. The rivalry began when Shingen took control of Shinano, forcing Ogasawara Nagatoki and Murakami Yoshikiyo to seek refuge with Kenshin, prompting repeated clashes.
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Siege of Odawara 1590
The Third Siege of Odawara in 1590 was a pivotal moment in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's efforts to neutralize the Hojo clan as a challenge to his authority. In the months leading up to the siege, the Hojo made significant, hurried improvements to the castle's defenses as Hideyoshi’s intentions became clear. However, despite Hideyoshi's overwhelming force, there was little actual combat during the siege.
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Battle of Tenmokuzan
The Battle of Tenmokuzan in 1582 is remembered as the final stand of the Takeda clan in Japan. This battle marked the last attempt by Takeda Katsuyori to resist Oda Nobunaga's relentless campaign against him. Fleeing from his pursuers, Katsuyori set fire to his fortress at Shinpu Castle and sought refuge in the mountains at Iwadono, a stronghold held by his loyal retainer, Oyamada Nobushige. However, Oyamada betrayed Katsuyori, denying him entry. Left with no other option, Katsuyori committed suicide alongside his wife, while the remnants of his army made a valiant effort to hold off their attackers.
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Battle of Oshu
The Northern Fujiwara clan had governed the Mutsu and Dewa provinces since 1087, maintaining their rule for over a century by 1189. The clan was founded by Fujiwara no Kiyohira, alongside Minamoto no Yoshiie, who established their independence in Hiraizumi, located in present-day Iwate Prefecture. Under Kiyohira, and later his successors Fujiwara no Motohira and Fujiwara no Hidehira, the Northern Fujiwara reached the height of their power in the Tohoku region. They infused the area with Kyoto culture and constructed significant temples, such as Chuson-ji, founded in 1095.
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Battle of Omosu
The 1580 Battle of Omosu (Omosu no Tatakai) was one of many conflicts between the Hojo and Takeda clans during Japan's Sengoku period. What sets this battle apart is its rarity as one of the few naval engagements in pre-modern Japan. The conflict occurred off the coast of the Izu Peninsula, involving the fleets of Hojo Ujimasa, the leader of the Hojo clan, and Takeda Katsuyori, the head of the Takeda clan.
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The Battle of Azukizaka
The Battle of Azukizaka, also known as the Battle of Bato-ga-hara, occurred in 1564, as Tokugawa Ieyasu aimed to quash the emerging threat of the Ikko-ikki, a coalition of monks, samurai, and peasants strongly opposed to samurai rule.
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Battle of Osaka
Upon Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death in 1598, Japan entered a period of governance by the Council of Five Elders, with Tokugawa Ieyasu wielding the most influence. Following his victory over Ishida Mitsunari in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Ieyasu effectively seized control of Japan and disbanded the Council. In 1603, the Tokugawa shogunate was established in Edo, with Hideyoshi's son, Toyotomi Hideyori, and his mother, Yodo-dono, permitted to reside at Osaka Castle. Hideyori was granted a significant fief valued at 657,400 koku but remained confined to the castle for several years. As a means of control, it was arranged for Hideyori to marry Senhime, the daughter of Hidetada, in 1603, who had ties to both clans. Ieyasu aimed to establish a strong and stable regime under his clan's rule, with only the Toyotomi, led by Hideyori and influenced by Yodo-dono, posing a challenge to his ambitions.
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Battle of Shizugatake
The Battle of Shizugatake, occurring during Japan's Sengoku period, unfolded between Toyotomi Hideyoshi (then known as Hashiba Hideyoshi) and Shibata Katsuie in Shizugatake, Omi Province, spanning two days from the 20th day of the fourth month of Tensho 11 (equivalent to June 10-11, 1583, on the Gregorian calendar). Katsuie, supporting Oda Nobutaka's claim as successor of Oda Nobunaga, engaged in a succession dispute within the Oda clan, ultimately favoring Hideyoshi.
