About the Battle of Ishigakibaru
The Battle of Ishigakibaru was fought in 1600 (13th day of the 9th month, Keichō 5) at Ishigakibaru (Beppu), Bungo Province. The "Sekigahara of Kyushu," fought in step with the main battle. Kuroda Yoshitaka (Josui) defeats Ōtomo Yoshimune, who had risen to recover Bungo, at Ishigakibaru near Beppu, taking his first step toward sweeping Kyushu. Remembered for the heroic death of Yoshihiro Muneyuki.
- Year
- 1600 (13th day of the 9th month, Keichō 5)
- Place
- Ishigakibaru (Beppu), Bungo Province
- Era
- Azuchi–Momoyama period
How the battle unfolded
- Rising Josui Moves
The 9th month of Keichō 5. The realm is split between east and west. Kuroda Yoshitaka (Josui), at Nakatsu, seizes the opening of Sekigahara to gather masterless samurai, hastily forms an army and sets out to crush the Western Army's Kyushu supporters one by one. Even in old age his ambition for the realm had not died.
- Landing The Ōtomo Land in Bungo
Ōtomo Yoshimune, who had once ruled Bungo, lands in the province with Mōri backing under the banner of recovering his old domain. He advances to Ishigakibaru near Beppu and threatens Josui's rear. In Kyushu too, the war of east and west has caught fire.
- Lines Across Mount Jissō-ji
The two armies face each other on the alluvial fan of Ishigakibaru, with Mount Jissō-ji between them. Josui's troops are a scratch force but strong. On the Ōtomo side, brave former retainers have rallied, staking everything on the revival of the great house of Bungo.
- Charge Yoshihiro Muneyuki Wields His Spear
The brave Ōtomo commander Yoshihiro Muneyuki leads from the front and cuts furiously into the Kuroda. His prowess is tremendous, and Josui's vanguard is pushed back for a time. The pride of the Bungo samurai strikes sparks across the fan.
- Hill Taking Mount Jissō-ji
Josui sends in the troops he had held back and seizes the high ground of Mount Jissō-ji, the key position. Commanding the heights, the Kuroda fire down and, little by little, push back the visibly tiring Ōtomo.
- Fall Muneyuki Falls
Fighting on, Yoshihiro Muneyuki is at last overwhelmed by numbers and killed. Having lost their standard-bearer, the Ōtomo collapse and Yoshimune surrenders. The dream of reviving the Ōtomo of Bungo is extinguished in a single day.
- Sweep Racing Across Kyushu
With the victory at Ishigakibaru, Josui presses on to sweep Kyushu. But the main battle at Sekigahara was decided in a single day, and his design on the realm came to nothing. Still, it was the last great work of a peerless strategist, of whom it is said: "If the war had lasted another half year..."
Generals and units
- Kuroda forces Kuroda Yoshitaka (Josui) Commander-in-chief
- Kuroda forces Inoue Yukifusa
- Kuroda forces Mori Tomonobu
- Ōtomo forces Ōtomo Yoshimune Commander-in-chief
- Ōtomo forces Yoshihiro Muneyuki
- Ōtomo forces Munakata Shigetsugu
FAQ
- What was the Battle of Ishigakibaru?
- The "Sekigahara of Kyushu," fought in step with the main battle. Kuroda Yoshitaka (Josui) defeats Ōtomo Yoshimune, who had risen to recover Bungo, at Ishigakibaru near Beppu, taking his first step toward sweeping Kyushu. Remembered for the heroic death of Yoshihiro Muneyuki.
- When and where did the Battle of Ishigakibaru take place?
- It took place in 1600 at Ishigakibaru (Beppu), Bungo Province (13th day of the 9th month, Keichō 5).
- Who fought in the Battle of Ishigakibaru?
- Kuroda Yoshitaka (Josui) of the Kuroda forces, Ōtomo Yoshimune of the Ōtomo forces were among the commanders.
- Can I watch the Battle of Ishigakibaru 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.