Battle of Mizushima

The naval battle of Mizushima took place on 17 November 1183. One of the most important bases of the Taira was Yashima, a small island off the coast of Shikoku. In November 1183, Minamoto no Yoshinaka sent an army to cross the Inland Sea to Yashima, but they were caught by the Taira just offshore of Mizushima (水島), a small island of Bitchu Province, just off Honshū. The Taira tied their ships together, and placed planks across them to form a flat fighting surface.[2]

Battle of Mizushima
Part of the Genpei War
DateNovember 17, 1183
Location
Mizushima, Bitchu Province
Result Taira victory[1]
Belligerents
Minamoto clan Taira clan
Commanders and leaders
Yada Yoshikiyo Taira no Shigehira
Taira no Tomomori
Taira no Noritsune

The battle began with archers loosing a rain of arrows upon the Minamoto boats; when the boats were close enough, daggers and swords were drawn, and the two sides engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Finally, the Taira, who had brought fully equipped horses on their ships, swam to the shore with their steeds, and routed the remaining Minamoto warriors.

References
  1. Sansom, George (1958). A History of Japan to 1334. Stanford University Press. p. 296. ISBN 0804705232.
  2. Turnbull, Stephen (1998). The Samurai Sourcebook. Cassell & Co. p. 202. ISBN 1854095234.


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