Battle of Uji (1180)

First Battle of Uji
Part of the Genpei War

The Phoenix Hall of the Byōdō-in, in front of which the battle took place
Date20 June 1180[1]
Location
Uji, just outside Kyoto
34°53′4″N 135°47′59″E / 34.88444°N 135.79972°E / 34.88444; 135.79972
Result Taira victory; Minamoto commander and Prince Mochihito killed
Belligerents
 Minamoto clan  Taira clan
Commanders and leaders
Strength
1,500 (Heike Monogatari) 28,000 (Heike Monogatari)

The First Battle of Uji (宇治平等院の戦い, Uji Byōdō-in no Tatakai), alternatively known as "Mochihitos Raising of an Army" in Japan is a battle which took place on June 20, 1180, following Prince Mochihito and Minamoto no Yorimasa plan to raise an army to overthrow the Taira clan and the issuing of an edict urging the Minamoto clan, major temples, and shrines in the country to revolt.

Due to lack of preparation, the plan was discovered by the Taira,[2] and Prince Mochihito and Yorimasa were defeated, dying at the battle. However, this triggered multiple anti-Taira forces to raise their armies. The battle is famous for having begun the Genpei War.

  1. ^ Turnbull, Stephen (2016). The Gempei War 1180–85: The Great Samurai Civil War. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 9781472813862. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  2. ^ Turnbull, Stephen. The Gempei War 1180–85. ISBN 9781472813862.