Battle of Bonari Pass

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Boshin War
Toba-Fushimi – Awa – Kōshū-Katsunuma – Utsunomiya Castle – Ueno – Hokuetsu - Bonari Pass – Aizu – Miyako Bay – Hakodate – Hakodate Bay

The Battle of Bonari Pass (Japanese:母成峠の戦い) was part of the Boshin War, and occurred on October 6th, 1868 (Gregorian Calendar), or August 21 (Lunar Calendar). The Bonari pass was a strategic access at the limit of the fief of Aizu.

The battle opposed 700 troops loyal to the Shogun, essentially composed of Denshutai and Shinsengumi, and led by Otori Keisuke and Hijikata Toshizo, to 2,000 troops favourable to the Imperial government. Outnumbered, the Shogunal troops had to retreat to the North to Sendai, where the fleet of Enomoto Takeaki was ready to evacuate them to Hokkaidō.

Three days later, the Imperial troops reached the castle of Wakamatsu and led siege to it, in the key action of the Battle of Aizu.