Battle of Sunomatagawa

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For the 16th century battle on the same river, see Battle of Nagaragawa.

Monument marking the battle site.

Date	April 25, 1181
Location	Sunomata River, Owari Province
Result	Sneak attack fails; Taira victory

Belligerents

Commanders

Genpei War

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

The Battle of Sunomatagawa (墨俣川の戦い, Sunomatagawa no Tatakai^?) took place in Japan in 1181, in the present-day town of Sunomata, Gifu Prefecture. The battle started when Minamoto no Yukiie attempted a sneak attack against his enemies during the night. He found Taira no Tomomori and his army directly opposite from his, along the Sunomata River, near the borders of Owari and Mino provinces. The Minamoto warriors waded across, but their ambush failed when the Taira clan 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.

After crossing the river, the Minamoto went to the Yahagi River in Mikawa Province, but the Taira chased after them.

[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.