About the Battle of Mimigawa
The Battle of Mimigawa was fought in 1578 (12th day of the 11th month, Tenshō 6) at Takajō River plain, Hyūga Province. The Shimazu speciality, the feigned-retreat ambush, swallows the great Ōtomo army in the decisive battle for Kyushu. At the end of the rout, tragedy waits at the Mimi River.
- Year
- 157812th day of the 11th month, Tenshō 6
- Place
- Takajō River plain, Hyūga Province
- Era
- Sengoku period
The two armies
Troop strengthTotal of the units shown in 3D
Fought 18,500
Main camp 8,000Fought 8,000
Shimazu forcesBy troop strength
- Shimazu Yoshihisa 島津義久 Commander-in-chief 10,000
-
Shimazu Yoshihiro 島津義弘 3,000 - Shimazu Iehisa 島津家久 3,000
- Hongō Tokihisa 北郷時久 2,000
- Yamada Arinobu 山田有信 500
Ōtomo forcesBy troop strength
- Tawara Chikakata 田原親賢 Commander-in-chief 8,000
- Takita Shigekane 田北鎮周 3,000
- Saeki Koremichi 佐伯惟教 3,000
- Yoshihiro Shigenobu 吉弘鎮信 2,000
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
SiegeTakajō Surrounded
The 11th month of Tenshō 6. Ōtomo Sōrin's 40,000-strong army, invading Hyūga, surrounds the Shimazu castle of Takajō. Its commander Yamada Arinobu has a mere 500 men. Signal fires call for help to the southern sky.
- 7:30 AMCh. 2
ReliefThe Shimazu Arrive
A relief army of 30,000 under Shimazu Yoshihisa takes up position on the south bank of the Takajō River. In the Ōtomo camp the council of war splits. Tawara Chikakata, the senior commander, urges patience, but the hawks' discontent has reached its limit.
- 8:30 AMCh. 3
RushTakita Crosses the River
At dawn Takita Shigekane ignores the council, crosses the river on his own authority and charges the Shimazu lines. "Am I to die called a coward?" Saeki Koremichi has no choice but to follow. The Ōtomo army pours out onto the riverbed like an avalanche.
- 9:30 AMCh. 4
BaitThe Feigned Retreat
Yoshihiro's contingent in the Shimazu centre gives way and falls back as if pushed. Hungry for victory, the Ōtomo chase them deeper and deeper, unaware that ambush parties are lying low on the hills to left and right.
- 10:30 AMCh. 5
PincerThe Ambush Rises
At a single blast of a conch shell, the ambushers under Shimazu Iehisa and others burst onto the riverbed from both sides. The retreating Yoshihiro contingent turns about. Trapped in the bag, the Ōtomo vanguard is annihilated together with Takita, Saeki and the other commanders.
- 11:30 AMCh. 6
RoutThe Ōtomo Army Collapses
At the news that the front has been destroyed, the Ōtomo headquarters collapses without fighting. Forty thousand men run north, each for himself. The Shimazu pursuit shows no mercy.
- 12:30 PMCh. 7
RiverTragedy at the Mimi River
The fleeing soldiers cannot cross the Mimi River, swollen by the rains; thousands drown or are cut down. In a single day the Ōtomo lose most of their senior retainers, and the balance of power in Kyushu tilts decisively toward the Shimazu.
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 Mimigawa?
The Shimazu speciality, the feigned-retreat ambush, swallows the great Ōtomo army in the decisive battle for Kyushu. At the end of the rout, tragedy waits at the Mimi River.
When and where did the Battle of Mimigawa take place?
It took place in 1578 at Takajō River plain, Hyūga Province (12th day of the 11th month, Tenshō 6).
Who fought in the Battle of Mimigawa?
Shimazu Yoshihisa of the Shimazu forces, Tawara Chikakata of the Ōtomo forces were among the commanders.
Can I watch the Battle of Mimigawa 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.