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Battles, incidents, and historical events related to Japanese swords
31 events
Tengyō 2–4 (939–941)
Tengyō 2–4 (939–941): a rebellion launched by Fujiwara no Sumitomo, a former kokushi (provincial official) of Iyo Province, who led pirate groups of the Seto Inland Sea. Together with the contemporaneous Taira no Masakado Rebellion (the eastern component of the Jōhei-Tengyō Disturbances), it symbolizes the weakening of the ritsuryō state and is emblematic of a transitional period in which provincial warrior bands and swords burst onto the main stage of history.
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March 22, 1185 (19th day, 2nd month, Genryaku 2)
In the 2nd month of Genryaku 2 (1185), Minamoto no Yoshitsune launched a surprise attack on the Taira forces at Yashima on Shikoku, an important battle of the Genpei War. The crossing through the storm, Nasu no Yoichi's shooting of the fan target, and Akushichibyōe Kagekiyo's pulling of the shikoro: the fighting on both sea and land at the water's edge showed Yoshitsune's brilliant generalship and paved the way to Dan-no-ura.
March 4, 1167 (Nin'an 2, 2nd month, 11th day)
On the 11th day of the 2nd month of Nin'an 2 (March 4, 1167), Taira no Kiyomori was appointed Daijo-daijin, becoming the first warrior in Japanese history to be given this post. Building on his military victories in the Hogen and Heiji Disturbances, Kiyomori marked the practical completion of the Taira regime with his appointment to this highest office. The Taira's autocratic rule, supported by a policy of maternal and marriage alliances and by the economic power of trade with Song China, was the first case in Japanese history of a warrior who carried swords reaching the top of politics. It was a historic turning point that prepared the way for the Kamakura shogunate.
April 25, 1185 (24th day, 3rd month, Genryaku 2 / Juei 4)
On the 24th day of the 3rd month of Genryaku 2 (1185), in the sea off Dan-no-ura in Nagato Province (present-day Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture), the Minamoto forces led by Minamoto no Yoshitsune annihilated the Taira forces in a decisive naval battle. Emperor Antoku perished in the sea, the treasured sword sank into the sea, and the Taira clan was destroyed.
March 20, 1184 (7th day, 2nd month, Juei 3)
In the 2nd month of Juei 3 (1184), Genji forces led by Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Minamoto no Noriyori launched a surprise attack on the Taira army at Ichi-no-Tani in Settsu Province. Yoshitsune's “Hiyodorigoe sakaotoshi” descent is renowned as a daring stratagem that shines in the annals of war. The tragedy of Taira no Atsumori, a nephew of Taira no Kiyomori, produced episodes deeply engraved in sword culture and bushidō.
July 29, 1156 (11th day, 7th month, Hōgen 1)
In the 7th month of Hōgen 1 (1156), a conflict between Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Retired Emperor Sutoku drew in the Taira and Minamoto clans. Decided in a single night, the Hōgen Rebellion marked the decisive entry of warrior clans into central politics, featuring Taira no Kiyomori and Minamoto no Yoshitomo.
1051–1062 (Eishō 6 – Kōhei 5)
The Former Nine Years' War (1051–1062) was a protracted conflict in Mutsu Province between the Minamoto clan (Yoriyoshi and his son Yoshiie) and the Abe clan (Yoritoki and Sadato). The Minamoto victory, achieved with crucial Kiyohara clan reinforcements, established the Minamoto as the preeminent warrior house of the east and laid foundations for samurai political dominance.