The Battle of Sunomata-gawa (墨俣川の戦い, Sunomata-gawa no Tatakai?) took place in Japan on 6 August 1181 (or by the Japanese calendar, Jishō-5 year, 4-month, 25-day), in the present-day town of Sunomata, Gifu Prefecture. The battle started when Minamoto no Yukiie attempted a sneak attack against his enemies during the night. He found Taira no Tomomori and his army directly opposite from his, along the Sunomata River, near the borders of Owari and Mino provinces. The Minamoto warriors waded across, but their ambush failed when the Taira clan could distinguish dry friend from soaking, dripping wet foe, even in the pitch dark of night. Yukiie and a number of other surviving Minamoto were forced back across the river.
After crossing the river, the Minamoto went to the Yahagi River in Mikawa Province, but the Taira chased after them.
Famous quotes containing the words battle of and/or battle:
“The militancy of men, through all the centuries, has drenched the world with blood, and for these deeds of horror and destruction men have been rewarded with monuments, with great songs and epics. The militancy of women has harmed no human life save the lives of those who fought the battle of righteousness. Time alone will reveal what reward will be allotted to women.”
—Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928)
“No battle is worth fighting except the last one.”
—J. Enoch Powell (b. 1912)