Siege of Hiuchi

Hiuchiyama (火打ち山) was one of Minamoto no Yoshinaka's fortresses in Echizen Province, Japan. In April and May 1183, a Taira force led by Taira no Koremori attacked the fortress.[1]

Siege of Hiuchi
Part of the Genpei War
DateApril–May 1183
Location
Hiuchiyama, Echizen Province
Result Siege succeeds; fortress falls, but Minamoto survive and escape
Belligerents
Minamoto clan Taira clan
Commanders and leaders
Minamoto no Yoshinaka Taira no Koremori

It was built on rocky crags, and well-defended; the Minamoto had even built a dam to create a moat. However, a traitor within the fortress tied a message to an arrow, firing it into the Taira camp, and revealing a way to breach the dam and drain the water. The castle soon fell to the Taira, but Yoshinaka and much of his forces survived and escaped.[2][3]

References
  1. Sansom, George (1958). A History of Japan to 1334. Stanford University Press. p. 293. ISBN 0804705232.
  2. Turnbull, Stephen (1998). The Samurai Sourcebook. Cassell & Co. p. 201. ISBN 1854095234.
  3. Turnbull, Stephen (1977). The Samurai, A Military History. MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc. p. 58. ISBN 0026205408.

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