The battle in Sekigahara in 1600 was one of the most decisive battles in Japanese History.

Just two years after the death of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi, who governed Japan, the battle broke out between TOKUGAWA Ieyasu and ISHIDA Mitsunari, retainer of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi. Approximately 80,000 combatants participated on each side, a total 160,000.

The battle lasted just a half day and TOKUGAWA Ieyasu (Eastern Army) defeated ISHIDA Mitsunari (Western Army). This was the end of internal wars in Japan during the middle age for more than 100 years. In 1603, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu established his government "Edo Bakufu" and it continued in peace until 1868. This period is called the EDO Age.

The location of Sekigahara is at the west end of Gifu Prefecture, near the border with Shiga Prefecture. Sekigahara is the bottleneck between West and East Japan. The route through Sekigahara was the only route for large armies to march between Nagoya and Osaka in the past.

Just before the Sekigahara-Battle, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu was in the Kanto Area and marched west through Nagoya. ISHIDA Mitsunari stayed in Osaka and planned to conduct a battle in Sekigahara.

This issue will explain the outline of the battle of Sekigahara and historical spots, for example, sites of forces of key commanders, monuments and mounds.

At first, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu positioned to the east of Sekigahara. The location was more than two kilometers away from the main battle area.

The position of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu was on the hill across the street. As the location was far from the main battle area, it was difficult to see the area.

Near to Sekigahara Station, the positions of II Naomasa and MATSUDAIRA Tadamasa were located. On September 15, 1600 at 8:00AM, when II and MATSUDAIRA's force marched to UKITA's force, the battle started.

A red banner is of II's force. II's force were so brave that their enemies were afraid of the red banner.
Near to these positions, the burial mound for severed heads of dead soldiers was located.

It is said that 8,000 to 20,000 soldiers died at this battle. TAKENAKA Shigekado, who was the feudal lord of Sekigahara area, made the mound to pray for them to rest in peace.

TOKUGAWA Ieyasu moved 200 meters north-east of the positions of II Naomasa and MATSUDAIRA Tadamasa from the original position, when the tide of the battle had turned in Ieyasu's favor.

The site of his final position was being well maintained.

Five hundred meters to the north of Sekigahara Station, Okayama Signal-Fire Place was located. When the battle began, the signal fire was set off at this place.

At this place, KURODA Nagamasa and TAKENAKA Shigekado were positioned. As this place was on a hill, the view from the signal-fire place was very nice.

You can see the original TOKUGAWA Ieyasu's position on your left and the position of KONISHI Yukinaga on your right as shown in the above picture.

Five hundred meters west from Okayama Signal-Fire Place, the monument of the decisive battle was located.

This place was just in front of the position of ISHIDA Mitsunari. Armed forces of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu attacked ISHIDA Mitsunari's force. When ISHIDA Mitsunari perceived his defeat and escaped from the Battlefield, the battle of Sekigahara finished.

Both banners of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu and ISHIDA Mitsunari were displayed at the "Monument of the Decisive Battle".

The banner of ISHIDA Mitsunari is shown on the above left picture. The letters on the banner means "One for all and all for one". The meaning of the banner had very advanced meaning in the middle age.

ISHIDA Mitsunari, who was the retainer of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi and was strongly opposed to TOKUGAWA Ieyasu, positioned on the small hill named Mt. Sasao.

Wooden defense fences are restored at the foot of the hill.

Although Mt. Sasao is a small hill, the scenery from the position of ISHIDA Mitsunari is nice. At the foot of the mountain on the left (Mt. Nangu), the first position of TOKUGAWAA Ieyasu is located. The monument of the decisive battle is located in the rice field just in front of the hill.

ISHIDA Mitsunari must have seen many combatants attacking his position. I wonder how ISHIDA Mitsunari felt and what were his thoughts when he saw that scenery.

To the south of ISHIDA Mitsunari's position, a small village is located along the National Route 365. If you go through the village and cross the National Route, you will arrive at the position of SHIMAZU Yoshihiro, who was the younger brother of the feudal lord of Kagoshima in Kyushu.

He was on the ISHIDA Mitsunari side, but he and his force did not join the battle. Actually, a couple of commanders did not join the battle as SHIMAZU didn't. Even KOBAYAKAWA Hideaki who positioned on Mt. Matsuo changed his support from the western side (ISHIDA's side) to the eastern side (TOKUGAWA's side). This was the reason why TOKUGAWA beat ISHIDA.

Just to the south of the position of SHIMAZU Yoshihisa, the monument of The Opening of the Battle is located.

The battle of Sekigahara broke out between FUKUSHIMA Masanori on the TOKUGAWA side and KONISHI Yukinaga on the ISHIDA Mitsunari's side. The monument is just in front of KONISHI Yukinaga's position.

OHTANI Yoshitsugu was the feudal lord of Tsuruga area currently in Fukui Prefecture. He was a good friend of ISHIDA Mitsunari, but he thought TOKUGAWA Ieyasu would be the next leader after TOYOTIMI Hideyoshi. He was planning to join with TOKUGAWA's army. However, he finally decided to join ISHIDA Mitsunari side, according to his persuasion.

OHTANI Yoshitsugu's position was on the hill shown in the above picture. After KOBAYAKAWA Hideaki changed his support from the West to the East, he attacked the OHTANI Yoshitsugu's force and OHTANI Yoshitsugu's force was defeated.

When OHTANI Yoshitsugu perceived his defeat, he decided to commit suicide "Harakiri" and asked his retainer to support his suicide. His body was buried in a forest and the grave was made after the battle.

After the battle was finished, dead bodies would be scattered in the battlefield. But, now more than 400 years have already passed and scenery in Sekigahara is very peaceful and calm. Only monuments and mounds are the evidence of the battle.

MINAMOTO-NO Yoshitomo was the father of MINAMOTO-NO Yoritomo who established his government "Kamakura Bakufu" in 1185. He was also the farther of MINAMOTO-NO Yoshitsune, whose mother was Tokiwa-Gozen. Yoshitsune was a younger brother of Yoritomo, but he was killed by Yoritomo in 1189. Tokiwa-Gozen was also arrested by Yoritomo's government.

Another historical spot in Sekigahara is "Fuwanoseki", which was one of three important border stations for guarding Kyoto.

At Sekigahara, "Jinshin Revolt" also broke out in 672 between Ooama-NO-Miko (later Emperor Tenmu) and Ootomo-NO-Miko, the eldest son of Emperor Tenchi.

How to get there
From Nagoya, take a JR rapid train bound for Maibara. Or, take a rapid train for Ohgaki and transfer to an ordinary train at Ohgaki bound for Maibara. Get off a train at Sekigahara.
The final position of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu is walking distance from Sekigahara Station. Rent-a-cycle is available at Sekigahara Museum of History and Folklore, near the final position of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Ohgaki Castle Town
Ruins of Ibi Castle
Yoro Falls