Battle of Dan-no-ura
Kanmon Strait, off Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan
What happened
The Minamoto clan's fleet under Minamoto no Yoshitsune fought the Taira clan's fleet under Taira no Munemori and Taira no Tomomori. It was the last battle of the Genpei War between Japan's two most powerful warrior clans. In the morning the tide helped the Taira ships, but in the afternoon it turned against them. A Taira commander changed sides, and the Minamoto won a complete victory; the child emperor Antoku, who was with the Taira, died in the battle.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The Taira clan's hopes of ruling Japan ended. Minamoto no Yoritomo became Japan's first shōgun and set up a warrior government at Kamakura.
What came next
The story of the Taira clan's rise and fall was told in the great epic 'The Tale of the Heike'. Akama Shrine in Shimonoseki was built to honour Emperor Antoku.
Did you know?
A legend says the 'Heike crabs' of the Kanmon Strait carry the spirits of Taira warriors.
Timeline
- 25 April 1185The Minamoto win at Dan-no-ura.
- 1185Emperor Antoku, about six years old, dies in the battle.
- After 1185Minamoto no Yoritomo sets up the Kamakura shogunate.