Battle of Motomiya-Ji

Battle of Motomiya-Ji
Part of the Sengoku period
Date Nov. 17 Location Half a mile from Motomiya-Ji Result Date Victory;Hatakeyama and allies retreat
Belligerents
forces of Date Masamune	Hatakeyama clan Soma clan Satake clan Ashina clan
Commanders and leaders
Date Masamune Oniniwa Yoshinao †	Hatakeyama Yoshitsugu Satake Yoshishige
Strength
7,000	30,000

Background

After Masamune's father was abducted and killed near Abukuma river, a general war proceeded between the Date clan and their traditional rivals the Hatakeyama clan. The Hatakeyama allied with the Soma, Satake, and Ashina. The allies marched with their 30,000 troops toward Motomiya-Ji. Masamune with only 7,000 troops prepared a defensive strategy, including forts that were on the way to Motomiya-Ji.

Battle

Things did not look good for the Date clan. Three of his valuable forts were taken, and one of his chief retainers, Moniwa Yoshinao was killed in battle. The allies pressed on towards the Seto River. Date tried to force them back but failed. Date gathered his remaining forces for a last stand. But the next morning no doubt to the Date's amazement the main army picked up and marched away. These were Satake Yoshishige's men. In his absence the Satomi clan had attacked his lands in Hitachi Province. The allies thought they could not take down Motomiya with the remainder of men they had left, so they too retreated.

References

Coordinates: 37°31′N 140°24′E / 37.517°N 140.400°E