Battle of Utsunomiya castle

• Bakufu loyalists Vs. Emperor loyalists
  • Date: 1868/4/19-23
  • Location: Utsunomiya, Shimotsuke province
  • Japanese: 宇都宮城の戦い(Utsunomitajo no tatakai)

Boshin War Toba-Fushimi - Koshu-Katsunuma - Utsunomiya castle - Ueno - Hokuetsu - Aizu - Hakodate

In April, 1868, about 2000 Bakufu loyalists gathered at Konodai in Shimosa province. They formed 3 units and headed north. (Commander: Ôtori Keisuke)

• 4/19, the front unit (captains: Akizuki Noborinosuke and Hijikata Toshizô) defeated the Imperial troop(Kagawa unit) and occupied Utsunomiya castle. The Reinforcement corps were immediately called. They defeated other Bakufu troops at Iwai. (4/20)
• 4/22, the Ôtori units attempted to take over Mibu castle but defeated by the reinforcement corps.
• 4/23, the Ôtori units abandoned Utsunomiya castle due to the increase of Imperial troops and retreated to Aizu.

References

• Bakumatsu Boshin Seinan Senso (幕末戊辰西南戦争) Gakken 2006