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Torches on the Bulls' Horns! Yoshinaka's Fire Cattle Ruse Routed the Taira Army

At the Battle of Kurikara Pass in 1183, Yoshinaka allegedly drove cattle with torches on their horns into the Taira forces. Fact or legend, the result was real: his 50,000 routed 100,000 Taira troops.

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At Kurikara Pass in 1183, Yoshinaka routed the vastly larger Taira army — the legend says by driving cattle with torches on their horns into the enemy at night. Real or embellished, the victory was decisive: he then marched on Kyoto and drove the Taira from the capital.

Portrait of Minamoto no Yoritomo — Yoshinaka's cousin. After the victory at Kurikara, Yoshinaka clashed with Yoritomo and was eventually killed by him

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Minamoto clan kabuto — Yoshinaka also fought as a Minamoto warrior against the Taira. Kurikara Pass was a turning point in the Genpei War

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Jufukuji, Kamakura — temple symbolizing the Kamakura culture that emerged after the Minamoto's victory, for which Yoshinaka's triumph at Kurikara was a prelude

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Key Figures

Kiso Yoshinaka

The Rising Sun General

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