Battle of Yashima
Yashima, Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan
What happened
Minamoto forces under Minamoto no Yoshitsune fought the Taira clan under Taira no Munemori. In the Genpei War, the Taira had set up a fortress and a temporary palace for the child Emperor Antoku at Yashima on the island of Shikoku. Yoshitsune crossed the sea with a small force and lit bonfires at night, making the Taira think a large army was coming. The Taira fled to their ships and lost their base.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The Taira lost their last stronghold on land and were forced back to sea. The war was decided a month later at Dan-no-ura.
What came next
Most of the Taira fleet escaped west to Dan-no-ura, where they were defeated about a month later.
Did you know?
According to The Tale of the Heike, the archer Nasu no Yoichi rode into the waves and hit a fan placed on a pole on a Taira ship with a single arrow.
Timeline
- 22 March 1185The Minamoto win at Yashima.
- 1185The Taira are defeated at Dan-no-ura.