About the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani
The Battle of Ichi-no-Tani was fought in 1184 (7th day of the 2nd month, Juei 3) at Ichi-no-Tani, Settsu Province. Yoshitsune's cavalry plunge down the cliff at Hiyodorigoe. Struck from behind, the Taira crumble toward the sea, and the young Atsumori dies.
- Year
- 11847th day of the 2nd month, Juei 3
- Place
- Ichi-no-Tani, Settsu Province
- Era
- Late Heian period
The two armies
Taira (Heike) Commander-in-chiefTaira no Tomomori 53,5005 units 
Minamoto (Genji) Commander-in-chiefMinamoto no Yoshitsune 52,1404 units Troop strengthTotal of the units shown in 3D
Fought 48,500Did not fight 5,000
Fought 52,140
Taira (Heike)By troop strength
- Taira no Tomomori 平知盛 Commander-in-chief 30,000
-
Taira no Noritsune 平教経 9,000 - Taira no Tadanori 平忠度 8,000
- Taira Fleet 平家の軍船 Did not fight 5,000
-
Taira no Atsumori 平敦盛 1,500
Minamoto (Genji)By troop strength
-
Minamoto no Noriyori 源範頼 50,000 -
Kumagai Naozane 熊谷直実 2,000 - Minamoto no Yoshitsune 源義経 Commander-in-chief 70
-
Musashibō Benkei 武蔵坊弁慶 70
Portraits are public-domain images from Wikimedia Commons (some are later imagined depictions).
How the battle unfoldedTimes follow the 3D clock
- 6:00 AMCh. 1
LinesBetween Mountain and Sea
The 2nd month of Juei 3. The Taira, rallied from Yashima, base themselves on the old capital of Fukuhara and build a strong position at Ichi-no-Tani. The Rokkō mountains to the north, the Harima Sea to the south. With the eastern and western gates held, it was a stronghold that should not easily fall.
- 7:00 AMCh. 2
IkutaThe Main Attack: Ikuta Forest
Minamoto no Noriyori's main army of 50,000 presses on the Ikuta forest to the east. The gate held by Taira no Tomomori is firm, and arrows fly like rain. But this is a decoy. The Minamoto's real aim lies at the rear, where no one believed anyone could come.
- 8:00 AMCh. 3
ClimbInto the Hills at Hiyodorigoe
Yoshitsune, leading the flanking force, has pushed into the steep hills during the night. Asking the way of local men, he stands on the cliff at Hiyodorigoe looking down on the Taira headquarters. Below is a sheer drop. But Yoshitsune declares they will go down here.
- 9:00 AMCh. 4
PlungeThe Plunge at Hiyodorigoe
"If deer can pass, so can horses." Yoshitsune is first to send his horse leaping over the edge. Seventy riders plunge down the cliff in a single rush amid a landslide of earth. At the white banners pouring in from an impossible direction, the Taira headquarters falls into chaos.
- 10:00 AMCh. 5
AtsumoriTo the Sea: The Death of Atsumori
Broken by the pincer, the Taira race for the ships offshore. At the water's edge the young Taira no Atsumori is called back by Kumagai Naozane, who weeps as he takes the head of a boy the age of his own son. The pathos of war is carved into Ichi-no-Tani.
- 10:30 AMCh. 6
YashimaThe Red Banners Put to Sea
Tadanori and other Taira nobles are killed one after another, and the survivors flee by ship to Yashima. Ichi-no-Tani, which had seemed impregnable, was overturned by the idea of a single horseman. The tide of the Genpei War turns ever more toward the Minamoto.
In Ultra detailBattle Pass
The same scene in the standard quality and in Ultra detail. Drag the line to compare, and switch between "Wide" and "Close-up". Ultra detail adds rugged mountains, forests and rocks in 3D, rippling seas and rivers, rows in the fields and soldiers as figures. Chapter 1 of every battle can be watched in Ultra detail without the Battle Pass.
FAQ
What was the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani?
Yoshitsune's cavalry plunge down the cliff at Hiyodorigoe. Struck from behind, the Taira crumble toward the sea, and the young Atsumori dies.
When and where did the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani take place?
It took place in 1184 at Ichi-no-Tani, Settsu Province (7th day of the 2nd month, Juei 3).
Who fought in the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani?
Minamoto no Yoshitsune of the Minamoto (Genji), Taira no Tomomori of the Taira (Heike) were among the commanders.
Can I watch the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani in 3D?
Yes. This page plays a free three-minute 3D animated overview showing the deployments, the movements of each army and how the battle was decided.