Battle of Sunomata

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Battle of Sunomata
Part of the Genpei War
Monument marking the battle site.
Date April 25, 1181 Location Sunomatagawa, Owari Province Result Sneak attack fails; Taira victory
Combatants
Minamoto clan	Taira clan
Commanders
Minamoto no Yukiie	Taira no Tomomori

Genpei War
1st Uji – Nara – Ishibashiyama – Fujigawa – Sunomata – Yahagigawa – Hiuchi – Kurikara – Shinohara – Mizushima – Fukuryūji – Muroyama – Hōjūjidono – 2nd Uji – Awazu – Ichi-no-Tani – Kojima – Yashima –Dan-no-ura

The Battle of Sunomata (墨俣川の戦い, Sunomata-gawa no tatakai^?) took place in Japan in 1181 when Minamoto no Yukiie attempted a sneak attack in the night. He found Taira no Tomomori and his army directly opposite from his, along the Sunomata River. The Minamoto warriors waded across, but their ambush failed when the Taira could distinguish dry friend from soaking, dripping wet foe, even in the pitch dark of night. Yukiie and a number of other surviving Minamoto were forced back across the river.

[edit] References

• Sansom, George (1958). 'A History of Japan to 1334'. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.
• Turnbull, Stephen (1998). 'The Samurai Sourcebook'. London: Cassell & Co.