Battle of Kurikara
Kurikara Pass, between Tsubata (Ishikawa) and Oyabe (Toyama), Japan
What happened
The Minamoto general Minamoto no Yoshinaka fought a large Taira army under Taira no Koremori. During the Genpei War, the Taira army marched into the mountains to stop Yoshinaka. He kept them busy with formal archery contests and duels while his troops moved behind them. At nightfall, according to the story, he drove oxen with burning torches on their horns into the Taira camp, and the Taira fled in confusion.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a major victory that turned the Genpei War toward the Minamoto. Soon afterwards the Taira abandoned the capital, Kyoto.
What came next
Two years later, in 1185, the Minamoto destroyed the Taira at the Battle of Dan-no-ura.
Did you know?
The Taira warriors happily joined the formal duels, hoping to win fame in the chronicles and poems that would be written about the battle.
Timeline
- 1183The Taira abandon Kyoto.