The Minamoto Capture the Taira Bases at Ichi-no-Tani

After leaving Kyoto, the Taira established positions around Fukuhara and Ichi-no-Tani on the coast of present-day Kobe. Their proximity to the Inland Sea allowed ships to supply the bases and offered an escape route. Antoku and the regalia remained with the wider Taira coalition, giving the continuing campaign a dynastic as well as military purpose.

In the second month of 1184, following the defeat of Yoshinaka in the Kyoto region, Minamoto no Noriyori and Yoshitsune attacked the Taira positions. Noriyori approached from the east around Ikuta, while Yoshitsune’s force operated from the west toward Suma and Ichi-no-Tani. The attacks broke the coastal defense and forced surviving Taira onto their ships. Leading members of the family were killed, and Taira no Shigehira was captured.

Shigehira’s capture had consequences after the battle: he was eventually handed over for punishment connected with the burning of Nara temples and was executed in 1185. The execution occurred a year after the 1184 fighting. Antoku and the western court survived this defeat and continued with the fleet.

War tales made Yoshitsune’s descent from the heights above the base a famous episode. The exact route and form of that maneuver remain disputed. The result was the loss of the Taira’s coastal positions near Kyoto. They retained a fleet and fought again at Yashima and Dan-no-ura the following year.