Atlas of Battles

siege, medieval

Siege of Shirakawa-den

Siege of Shirakawa-den was a siege conducted in July 1156 at Shirakawa Barrier, in what is now Japan. It was part of the Hōgen rebellion. The recorded result: Palace burnt to ground.

See it on the globe Read the article

“The Rebellions of the Hogen and Heiji Eras,” Edo period (1615–1868), 17th century. Progressing from right to left, the screen illustrates a number of legendary fighting scenes as narrated in “The Tal
“The Rebellions of the Hogen and Heiji Eras,” Edo period (1615–1868), 17th century. Progressing from right to left, the screen illustrates a number of legendary fighting scenes as narrated in “The Tal. Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
FoughtJuly 1156
WhereShirakawa Barrier, Japan37.047N, 140.229E
OutcomePalace burnt to ground
BelligerentsMinamoto clan in support of Emperor SutokuagainstTaira clan in support of Emperor Go-Shirakawa
Part ofHōgen rebellion1156

Record

DateJuly 1156 (month precision)
PlaceShirakawa Barrier, Japan
37.047N, 140.229E
KindSiege, medieval
Commanders
  • Minamoto no Tameyoshi
  • Minamoto no Tametomo
  • Taira no Kiyomori
  • Minamoto no Yoshitomo
Siege of Shirakawa-denSiege of Shirakawa-denBattle of ShirakawaBattle of Kitsuregawa-SōtomezakaBattle of HitotoribashiSiege of Aizu CastleSiege of Kanasa CastleBattle of ShirakawaBattle of Kitsuregawa-SōtomezakaBattle of HitotoribashiSiege of Aizu CastleSiege of Kanasa CastleNiigataFukushimaMitoUtsunomiyaMaebashiKawagoe100 km37.047N, 140.229E
The recorded site, with the nearest other engagements in the atlas. Present-day coastlines, rivers and borders; towns from Natural Earth.

Nearest engagements

Elsewhere in 1156

Siege of Shirakawa-den is one of 438 engagements of the 12th century in the atlas and one of 481 in present-day Japan.

Sources

Identity, coordinates, dates and the war from Wikidata Q3486062, released under CC0. Result, belligerents, commanders, strength and casualties from the infobox of the English Wikipedia article Siege of Shirakawa-den, revision 1370745220, read 2026-11-14, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; the article's text is not reproduced here. Present-day country and state from Natural Earth. Dates before 1582 follow the Julian calendar as recorded.