Battle of Hetsugigawa

Part of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kyūshū Campaign

Date	January 20, 1587
Location	Hetsugigawa (present-day Ōnogawa), Kyūshū
Result	Shimazu victory

Belligerents

forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi

forces of Shimazu clan

Commanders and leaders

Chōsokabe Nobuchika †
Sengoku Hidehisa
Ōtomo Yoshimune
Sogo Masayasu †

Shimazu Iehisa

Strength

20,000

10,000 - 13,000

Casualties and losses

The Battle of Hetsugigawa (戸次川の戦い, Hetsugigawa no Tatakai^?) was the last battle before the Toyotomi main army's arrival on Kyūshū during Japan's Sengoku period.

In 1586 at Hetsugigawa (present Ōnogawa) in Bungo province Toyotomi's vanguard divisions under and Sengoku Hidehisa landed on Kyūshū with orders to act defensively until further troops were able to join them. But the advance party decided to disobey Hideyoshi's commands and relieve the castle of Toshimitsu. The Shimazu besieging army noted their approach, and redoubled their efforts to take Toshimitsu, so that when the invaders arrived at the Hetsugi river, which flowed within sight of the castle, they could see the flags of Shimazu flying from its towers.

Chōsokabe Motochika proposed a withdrawal, but his companions insisted on doing battle, so the Shimazu set their trap. The decoy force led by Ijuin Hisanori attacked across the river and then withdrew, which persuaded the allied left wing to follow them. They were met by arquebus and arrow fire, and the main body of the Shimazu then fell upon them. After much fierce fighting the invading force withdrew across the river and caused confusion to its own right wing.

Chōsokabe Motochika was obliged to signal a full retreat, during which his son and heir Nobuchika was killed.

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