The Battle of Koromo River took place during the opening years of the Kamakura period (12th century) of Japan.
Minamoto no Yoritomo owed his ascension to the title of Shogun to the victories won by his brother, Yoshitsune. Yoritomo became jealous of his brother as a result. Yoritomo banished Yoshitsune and then pursued him to the northern reaches of Japan. This led to the Battle of Koromo River and victory for Yoritomo. Throughout the battle, one of Yoshitsune's retainers, Saito MusashibÅ Benkei defended his lord. Benkei supposedly died standing up, which caused great fear in his enemies. Yoshitsune himself commited suicide at the end of the battle.
