Battle of Arita-Nakaide

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Arita-Nakaide
Part of the Sengoku period
DateOctober, 1517
Location
and surroundings, Aki Province, Japan
Result Mōri victory
Belligerents
Takeda clan of Aki forces of Mōri Motonari and
Commanders and leaders
†
†		 Mōri Motonari
Mōri Mototsuna
Strength
5,000 850 Mōri
300 Yoshikawa reinforcements
Total: 1,150

The Battle of Arita-Nakaide (有田中井手の戦) took place in 1517 in Aki Province, Japan during the Sengoku period. During the battle, was defeated by a young Mōri Motonari. It was Motonari's first battle.[1]

Background[]

In the early 16th century (also known as Motoshigeru), a local lord of Aki Province, accompanied the daimyō Ōuchi Yoshioki, his liege lord, to restore Ashikaga Yoshitane to the shogunate in Kyoto. At some point around 1515 Motoshige returned to Aki and broke off from the Ōuchi, changing his allegiance to the Amago.[2]

At this time the Mōri clan (a vassal of the Ōuchi), were neighbors of the Takeda in Aki. When Mōri Okimoto died in 1516, and was succeeded by his young son , Takeda Motoshige took advantage of this and, in the following year, gathered an army of 5,000 and in October advanced into the territory of the Mōri's allies and surrounded (有田城). A few weeks later, Motoshige dispatched a raid into the Mōri clan's territory and set fire to houses in Tajihi (多治比). The Mōri clan's response was led by Mōri Motonari, younger brother to Okimoto and guardian of Komatsumaru.[3]

Battle[]

With most of the Ōuchi forces preoccupied in Kyoto with Ōuchi Yoshioki, the Mōri were unable to call on them for assistance, and Motonari instead mobilized his clan and called on their supporters. Motonari was also supported in this by his younger brother, Mototsuna. In total the Mōri strength comprised around 850 men, reinforced by 300 from the Yoshikawa, for a total of around 1,000.[3] This force marched towards Arita Castle and on the way encountered the Takeda vanguard of about 500 men, commanded by . The Mōri and their allies stood off and engaged the Takeda with archery fire. Kumagai Motonao was in the front ranks and was encouraging his men when he was struck and killed by an arrow.[3]

Takeda Motoshige was meanwhile with the main army at Arita Castle. Learning of Motojika's demise, he drew up his forces and marched to engage the smaller Mōri resistance. The Takeda encountered the Môri and Yoshikawa occupying the opposite bank of the and a bitter struggle ensued. Heavily outnumbered, the Mōri-led forces began to falter and fall back, and rallied only when Motonari pleaded with them to stand their ground. himself advanced forward across the river on horseback but was struck by an arrow and killed. The Takeda broke and retreated, leaving Mori Motonari the victor.

References[]

  1. ^ Arita Castle - Kitahiroshima-cho Tourist Information Website (Kitahiroshima-cho Tourism Association) Archived July 12, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Aki-Takeda family historical background (Hiroshima City Culture Foundation
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Gion west community center Web information station (Hiroshima future city creation Foundation people, town network part)

Bibliography[]

  • Rekishi Gunzō Shirizu No. 49, Mōri Senki, Gakken, Japan, 1997
  • Arita Castle (有田城址) – Kitahiroshima-chō Tourist Information Website (Kitahiroshima-chō Tourism Association)

External links[]

Retrieved from ""