to that position by killing his father and younger brother during the Battle of Ōkura in 1155. However, Minamoto no Yoshinaka, the heir of Minamoto no Yoshikata, and Yukiie, the younger brother of Yoshitomo and Yoshikata, could have claimed the position as well. Battles 1180 First Battle of Uji – regarded as the first battle in the Genpei Wars, the monks of the Byōdōin fight alongside Minamoto no Yorimasa. 1180 Siege of Nara – the Taira set fire to temples and monasteries, to cut supplies to their rivals. 1180 Battle of Ishibashiyama – Minamoto no Yoritomo's first battle against the Taira, who are victorious. 1180 Battle of Fujikawa – the Taira mistake a flock of waterfowl for a sneak attack by the Minamoto in the night, and retreat before any fighting occurs. 1181 Battle of Sunomatagawa – the Taira thwart a sneak attack in the night but retreat. 1181 Battle of Yahagigawa – the Minamoto, retreating from Sunomata, attempt to make a stand. 1183 Siege of Hiuchi – the Taira attack a Minamoto fortress. 1183 Battle of Kurikara – the tide of the war turns, in the Minamoto's favor. 1183 Battle of Shinohara – Yoshinaka pursues the Taira force from Kurikara 1183 Battle of Mizushima – the Taira intercept a Minamoto force, heading for Yashima. 1183 Siege of Fukuryūji – the Minamoto attack a Taira fortress. 1183 Battle of Muroyama – Minamoto no Yukiie tries and fails to recoup the loss of the battle of Mizushima. 1184 Siege of Hōjūjidono – Yoshinaka sets fire to the Hōjūji-dono and kidnaps Emperor Go-Shirakawa. 1184 Second Battle of Uji – Yoshinaka is pursued out of the capital by Yoshitsune and Noriyori. 1184 Battle of Awazu – Minamoto no Yoshinaka is defeated and killed by Yoshitsune and Noriyori. 1184 Battle of Ichi-no-Tani – Minamoto no Yoshitsune attacks and drives the Taira from one of their primary fortresses. 1184 Battle of Kojima – Taira fleeing Ichi-no-Tani are attacked by Minamoto no Noriyori. 1185 Battle of Yashima – the Minamoto assault their enemies' fortress, just off Shikoku. 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura – Minamoto no Yoshitsune decisively defeats Taira forces in naval battle ending the war. Major figures Minamoto Clan (also known as "Genji") The Minamoto were one of the four great clans that dominated Japanese politics during the Heian period (794–1185). They were, however, decimated by the Taira in the Heiji Rebellion of 1160. Minamoto no