Battle of Bonari Pass

Battle of Bonari Pass
Part of Boshin War
Date October 6, 1868 (1868-10-06) Location Inawashiro, Fukushima 37°35′44.5″N 140°14′34.7″E Result Imperial victory
Belligerents
Bakufu Army	Imperial Japanese Army
Commanders and leaders
Ōtori Keisuke Hijikata Toshizō	Itagaki Taisuke Ijichi Masaharu Murata Tsuneyoshi
Strength
800	7000
class=notpageimage| Location within Japan

The Battle of Bonari Pass (Japanese: 母成峠の戦い) was part of the Boshin War, and occurred on the 6 October 1868 (Gregorian Calendar), or the 21st day of the Eighth Month, Keiō-4 year (Japanese calendar). The Bonari pass was a strategic access at the limit of the fief of Aizu.

The battle opposed a mixed force of 800 troops- including former shogunate soldiers (Denshūtai and Shinsengumi) led by Ōtori Keisuke and Hijikata Toshizō, Aizu forces, and soldiers of various northern domains—to 7000 troops favourable to the Imperial government. Outnumbered, the shogunal troops had to retreat to the North to Sendai, where the fleet of Enomoto Takeaki was ready to evacuate them to Hokkaidō. This left Aizu exposed, and facilitated the imperial advance.

Three days later, the Imperial troops reached the castle of Wakamatsu and led siege to it, in the key action of the Battle of Aizu.