Battle of Kurikara

Part of the Genpei War

Date	June 2, 1183
Location	Kurikara Pass, Tonamiyama, Etchu Province
Result	Minamoto victory; turning point in the war

Belligerents

Minamoto clan

Taira clan

Commanders and leaders

Minamoto no Yoshinaka
Minamoto no Yukiie

Taira no Koremori
Taira no Michimori

Strength

5,000

40,000

The battle of Kurikara (倶利伽羅峠の戦い, Kurikara tōge no tatakai^?), also known as the battle of Tonamiyama (砺波山), was a crucial engagement in Japan's Genpei War; in this battle the tide of the war turned in the favour of the Minamoto clan.

"Yoshinaka won by a clever strategy; under cover of nightfall his troops enveloped the main body of the Taira, demoralized them by a series of tactical surprises, and turned their confusion into a disastrous, headlong rout."

Minamoto no Yoshinaka, commander of a contingent of warriors from Shinano province, invaded Taira lands in Shinano, Echigo, Etchu, Kaga and Echizen. The war was put on hold in 1181 on account of two years of famine. As conditions improved in 1183, the Taira sought retribution against Yoshinaka. Taira no Koremori, son of Taira no Shigemori and grandson of the late Taira no Kiyomori, took charge of this operation, backed by Taira Michimori, Tadanori, Taira no Tomonori, Taira no Tsunemasa and Taira no Kiyofusa. Their forces severely reduced by battle and famine, the Taira sought to recruit warriors from the surrounding lands and did so at the risk of further famine, since many of these warriors were farmers leaving their land. The Taira army departed from Kyoto on 10 May 1183.

Minamoto no Yoritomo, Yoshinaka's cousin, moved to fight him for dominance of the clan in March 1183, but was convinced to stand down and withdraw by Yoshinaka, who argued that they should be united against the Taira. To ensure his intentions, Yoshinaka also sent his son to Kamakura as a hostage. Shortly afterwards, Yoshinaka received news of Koremori's army, and moved to engage him, along with his uncle Minamoto no Yukiie, Tomoe Gozen, and his shitennō, Imai Kanehira, Higuchi Kanemitsu, Tate Chikatada and Nenoi Yukichika.

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Wikipedia