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Japan: Taira clan warriors and their womenfolk prepare for battle with the Minamoto clan at the Fuji River (Battle of Fujikawa, 1180). Kokkan Otake (1880-1945), 1909

Japan: Taira clan warriors and their womenfolk prepare for battle with the Minamoto clan at the Fuji River (Battle of Fujikawa, 1180). Kokkan Otake (1880-1945), 1909

The Genpei War (源平合戦 Genpei kassen, Genpei gassen) (1180–1185) was a conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late-Heian period of Japan. It resulted in the fall of the Taira clan and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto Yoritomo in 1192.

The Battle of Fujikawa (富士川の戦い Fujikawa no tatakai) was a battle of the Genpei War of the Heian period of Japanese history. It took place in 1180, in what is now Shizuoka Prefecture.

Attempting to recover quickly from his exile, and to rebuild his army, Minamoto no Yoritomo sent out messengers to recruit other families. As he continued through the region below Mount Fuji and into Suruga Province, he planned a rendezvous with the Takeda clan and other families of the provinces of Kai and Kozuke to the north. These allies arrived just in time to fight off the pursuing Taira army. Supposedly, in the night, the Taira mistook the sound of a flock of birds for that of a Minamoto surprise attack, and fled, with no actual battle taking place.

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