Battle of Kurikara
The Battle of Kurikara was a skirmish that occurred during the Gempei War in 1183 . It is considered the turning point in the battle between the Taira and the Minamoto and one of the bloodiest battles in Japanese history .
course
The commander of the Taira, Koremori , advanced with about 40,000 men on the Kurikara pass to get to Etchu . Because of the high blood toll in the past three years of war, his army consisted to a large extent of inexperienced peasants and was accordingly undisciplined. Minamoto no Yoshinaka had previously occupied the Kurikara Pass. He only had about 5,000 men. When he saw the enemy, he ordered his warriors to wave white flags (the symbol of his clan ) on the surrounding hills to simulate a larger army. The Taira, who actually outnumbered them, did not dare to continue on their way and made camp in front of the pass. At sunset, the Minamoto attacked their opponents from three sides and, among other things, took them under fire with a rain of arrows. Yoshinaka drove a herd of oxen down the pass into the enemy army. This messed up the taira. Many of their fighters were trampled to death or fell into the depths. Most of their troops were killed in an ambush by the Minamoto, only a few escaped.
meaning
The losses of the Taira were probably enormous. The Battle of Kurikara is therefore considered to be a decisive battle and a turning point in the Gempei War.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Pöcher, Harald: wars and battles in Japan, Vienna 2009, p 62nd