Battle of Bubaigawara

The Battle of Bubaigawara (分倍河原の戦い, Bubaigawara no tatakai^?) was part of the decisive Kōzuke-Musashi Campaign during the Genkō War in Japan that ultimately ended the Kamakura Shogunate. Fought in present day Fuchū on May 15 and 16, 1333, it pitted the anti-shogunate imperial forces led by Nitta Yoshisada against the forces of the Hōjō. It was the final major battle in Kōzuke-Musashi Campaign and was preceded by the Battle of Kumegawa.

The battle

After his victory three days earlier at the Battle of Kumegawa, Nitta Yoshisada took time to rest his horses and men. Meanwhile, the forces loyal to the Shogun retreated to Bubaigawara to regroup. Unbeknownst to Nitta, the Shogun's forces had received reinforcements on the 14th greatly restoring strength and morale.

As the Imperial forces advanced on Bubaigawara on the 15th, the Shogun's forces attacked with a great archery barrage and thus halted the Imperial attack. The main body of the Shogun's army then engaged the Nitta's army, and despite aggressive counterattacks by Nitta, heavy losses forced Nitta to retreat.^[1]

Had the Shogunate forces immediately pressed their advantage of the first day, it was likely their victory would have been complete. However, during the night of the 15th, Nitta received critical reinforcements led by Miura Yoshikatsu. And at dawn on the 16th, Miura led his fresh troops and attacked an unsuspecting enemy. Nitta Yoshisada and his brother Nitta Yoshisuke advanced to the front while Miura harassed the enemy from the rear.^[1]

The Result

The battle resulted in a rout in favor of the Nitta brothers and Miura. Although the Shogunate forces held the initial advantage, their failure to exploit it led to defeat.^[2]

Aftermath

The remnants of the Hōjō forces retreated in disarray to Kamakura where they regrouped. The forces led by Nitta pursued and were victorious during the Siege of Kamakura.^[2]

References

• McCullough, Helen Craig (1959). "The Taiheiki. A Chronicle of Medieval Japan." 1959. Charles E. Tuttle Company, Tokyo, ISBN 9789804835381.
• Sansom, George (1963). "A history of Japan 1334-1615." Eight Printing (1993). Charles E. Tuttle Company, Tokyo, ISBN 4-8053-0375-1
• Papinot, E. (1910). "Historical and Geographical Dictionary of Japan. 1972 Printing. Charles E. Tuttle Company, Tokyo, ISBN 0-8048-0996-8.

Notes