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Events on Wednesday 4 July 1336 2
1294 – 1336Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336)Died 4 July 1336, aged 42Kusunoki Masashige was a samurai general who fought for Emperor Go-Daigo's restoration against the Kamakura shogunate and then against Ashikaga Takauji. He was defeated at the Battle of Minatogawa and took his own life rather than be captured. He became a lasting symbol of loyalty and self-sacrifice in Japanese culture.
1336Battle of MinatogawaAshikaga Takauji crushes the loyalist army of Kusunoki Masashige near KobeAshikaga Takauji's forces defeated the imperial loyalist army of Kusunoki Masashige and Nitta Yoshisada at the Minato River near present-day Kobe. Kusunoki Masashige was killed, and Emperor Go-Daigo's position in Kyoto collapsed. The victory let Takauji enter Kyoto and set up a rival emperor, opening the Nanboku-cho era of divided imperial courts.