Battle of Kizakihara

• Ito Yoshisuke vs. Shimazu Takahisa
  • Date: 1572
  • Location: Hyuga province

Following Yoshisuke's capture of Obi, the Ito consolidated their hold over southern Hyuga and began advancing into territory traditionally held by the Shimazu clan. Yoshisuke desired to expand Ito influence into Ôsumi, and to this end supported clans within the borders of that province hostile to the Shimazu. Takahisa was nonetheless able to subdue Ôsumi and in 1572 was in a position to challenge Yoshisuke in open battle at Kizaki plain, on the Ôsumi-Hyûga border. The day went to the Shimazu, and the Ito were routed. Four years later Takahisa again defeated Ito at Takabaru and in 1578 Yoshisuke was forced to flee to the lands of the Ôtomo. This was nearly 100 years after Shimazu Takehisa had first defeated the Ito at Obi in 1485.