Battle of Kizaki

Battle of Kizaki
Part of Sengoku period
DateJune 14, 1572
Location
Kizaki plain, on the Ōsumi-Hyūga border
32°02′22″N 130°49′49″E / 32.03944°N 130.83028°E / 32.03944; 130.83028
Result Shimazu victory
Belligerents
Shimazu clan Itō clan
kimotsuki clan last forces
Commanders and leaders
Shimazu Yoshihiro
Niiro Tadamoto
Itō Sukeyasu
Strength
300[1] 3,000[2]
Battle of Kizaki is located in Miyazaki Prefecture
Battle of Kizaki
Location within Miyazaki Prefecture
Battle of Kizaki is located in Japan
Battle of Kizaki
Battle of Kizaki (Japan)

The Battle of Kizaki (木崎原の戦い) occurred on the 4th day of the fifth month of Genki 3 (June 14, 1572) when the forces of Shimazu Yoshihiro defeated the larger army of Itō Yoshisuke.[3] The battle, also known as "The Okehazama of Kyushu".

Following their capture of Obi castle, the Itō strengthened their position on southern Hyūga and began encroaching on territory belonging to the Shimazu clan. Yoshisuke desired to expand into Ōsumi and with that in mind supported clans antagonizing the Shimazu. Still the Shimazu were able to control Ōsumi and in 1572 offered battle to Yoshisuke in the plain of Kizaki, at the border between the two provinces. The armies at Kizaki had a great disparity in strength, the Shimazu only fielded 300 warriors under Shimazu Yoshihiro, while the Itō possessed as many as 3000, led by Itō Sukeyasu. Outnumbered 10:1, the Shimazu stood in a defensive position and were able to gain victory using their famous feigned retreat.[4]

The battle, also known as "The Okehazama of Kyushu", due to how devastating Yoshihiro's victory was, seriously damaged the forces of the Ito clan and the Shimazu were left in a position to expand north, into southern Hyūga. Four years later, the Shimazu would conclude the destruction of the Itō when they captured Takabaru, forcing Itō Yoshisake to flee into Ōtomo lands.[5]

  1. ^ "Samurai Archives". Archived from the original on 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  2. ^ "Samurai Archives". Archived from the original on 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  3. ^ Turnbull, Stephen (2000). The Samurai Sourcebook. London: Cassell & C0. p. 221. ISBN 1854095234.
  4. ^ Samurai - The World of the Warrior By Stephen Turnbull. Page 101[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Samurai Battles". Angelfire. Archived from the original on 2012-11-12.