Battle of Motomiya-Ji

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Motomiya-Ji
partof=the Sengoku period


caption=
date=Nov. 17
place=Half a mile from Motomiya-Ji
casus=
territory=
result=Date Victory;Hatakeyama and allies retreat
combatant1=Date clan
combatant2=Hatakeyama and other clans
commander1=Date Masamune
commander2=Hatakeyama Yoshitsugu Satake Yoshishige
strength1=7,000
strength2=30,000
casualties1=
casualties2=

Background

After Masamune's father was abducted and killed near Abukuma river, a general war proceeded betwwen the Date clan and their traditional rivals the Hatakeyama. The Hatakeyama allied with the Soma, Satake, and Ashina. The allies marched with their 30,000 troops toward Motomiya-Ji. Masamune with only 7,000 troops prepared a defensive strategy, including forts that were on the way to Motomiya-Ji.

Battle

Things did not look good for the Date. Three of his valuable forts were taken, and one of his chief rtainers, Moniwa Yoshinao was killed in battle. The allies pressed on towards the Seto River. Date tried to force them back but failed. Date gathered his remaining forces for a last stand. But the next morning no doubt to the Date's amazement the main army picked up and marched away. These were Satake Yoshishige's men. In his absence the Satomi clan had attacked his lands in Hitachi Province. The allies thought they could not take down Motomiya with the reamainder of men they had left, so they to retreated.

References

[http://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.php?title=Date_Masamune]