The Battle of Un no Kuchi (referred to in Japanese as 海ノ口城, un no kuchi jou, literally Un no Kuchi Castle) in 1536 was the first major victory for Takeda Harunobu, aged fifteen at the time. He would later take on the name Takeda Shingen, and grow to become one of Japan's most famous warlords.

Battle of Un no Kuchi
Part of the Sengoku period
Date1536
Location
Un no Kuchi, Shinano province
36°2′13.330″N 138°29′44.239″E / 36.03703611°N 138.49562194°E / 36.03703611; 138.49562194
Result Takeda victory
Belligerents
Forces of Hiraga Genshin Takeda clan
Commanders and leaders
Hiraga Genshin  Takeda Nobutora
Takeda Harunobu
Strength
over 1,000 8,000[1]
Battle of Un no Kuchi is located in Nagano Prefecture
Battle of Un no Kuchi
Location within Nagano Prefecture
Battle of Un no Kuchi is located in Japan
Battle of Un no Kuchi
Battle of Un no Kuchi (Japan)

Battle

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Harunobu's father, Takeda Nobutora, attacked Hiraga Genshin in his fortress at Un no Kuchi, but was forced to retreat. Harunobu, at the rear of the withdrawing forces, waited until they were clear of the fortress, and then turned around, leading his men to defeat a castle garrison which was caught unprepared, having seen the Takeda flee.

Aftermath

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Shingen usurped his father as leader of the Takeda in 1541, and resolved to outdo Nobutora by conquering Shinano. He invaded the province in 1542 and ultimately spent over two decades fighting there.

References

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  • Turnbull, Stephen (1998). 'The Samurai Sourcebook'. London: Cassell & Co. p209
  1. ^ Sato, Hiroaki (1995). Legends of the Samurai. Overlook Duckworth. pp. 206–207. ISBN 9781590207307.