Battle of Minatogawa
The Battle of Minatogawa (Japanese: 湊川の戰い), also known as the Battle of Minato River, was part of the Nanboku-chō Wars fought near the Minato River in Settsu Province (present day Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture) on 5 July 1336.
| Battle of Minatogawa | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Nanboku-chō Wars | |||||||
Battle of Minatogawa | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Ashikaga clan | Imperial loyalist forces | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Ashikaga Takauji Ashikaga Tadayoshi Kō no Moroyasu |
Kusunoki Masashige † Nitta Yoshisada | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 35,000 | 17,500 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| ? | Kusunoki force decimated | ||||||
Location within Japan | |||||||
The Imperial forces loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo led by Kusunoki Masashige and Nitta Yoshisada attempted to intercept the Ashikaga forces led by Ashikaga Takauji in Settsu. The Ashikaga invaded from Kyushu after consolidating their forces at the Battle of Tatarahama and attacked the Imperial force at the Minato River from land and sea. The Imperial force was surrounded and destroyed by Ashikaga, killing Kusunoki and causing Yoshisada to retreat, and allowing the Ashikaga to march to Kyoto.
The Battle of Minatogawa was a major defeat for the Imperial loyalists but became famous in Japanese mythology for the loyalty displayed by Kusunoki to the Emperor in the face of certain death and defeat.