BSM_Skkzarg
09-01-2001, 20:49
First, to the Admins, this is a very long and detailed story of what may be one cause of the rebellions that occur at your diamyo's death in battle. If it is in an improper forum, then I apologize and will look for it elsewhere. However it does give a picture of why such rebellions may occur.....
A messenger rides in, so exhausted he has barely kept his seat on the horse. The animal, flanks heaving, looks near to dropping dead. The man is helped from his horse, and taken to the head of the estate, the Samurai Asai. "My Lord, there is devastating news!" he says - "Lord Hojo has fallen in battle with the Takeda! His son claims the leadership of the clan, and the Taisho are to swear fealty to him." The older man looks up, the pain of his liege lord's death apparent in his eyes. He states "Our lord has fallen in battle with honor. We will honor his memory." At this the eldest son of Asai stands and approaches. "Father" he says, "Shall I prepare your escort to go see the new Diamyo?" Asai, looks shrewdly at his son and responds, "No, we swore our loyalty to Lord Hojo, but not to his son. This land was once ours, and our name had honor among the clans. The Hojo are beset by the Takeda, they have lost their leader, and we shall take this opportunity to reclaim our lands from them. We have honored our oath to our lord, and we are released on his death."
Aghast, the son of Asai stares at his father, not fully comprehending the full import of the older man's words. He is snapped out of the stupor when his father orders "Gather our retainers and those who are the most loyal to our family. Arm them as you can. We will take back our lands and our honor, even at the cost of our blood. Years ago, the Vesugi took those from us, and today we step forward to take them back!"
The son leaves to execute his father's orders...
Over the following few months, the Asai family take back their ancestral lands, and do what they can to prepare for the return of the Hojo. Their only hope is that the war the Hojo are in with the Takeda is enough to keep the new Hojo Diamyo from moving against them soon.
Six months have passed, and the Asai have completed their takeover and are starting to rebuild, when disaster strikes!
Another messenger arrives, not nearly as tired but much more frighten. He goes directly to Lord Asai, and is admitted immediately. He imparts bad news - "My Lord, the Hojo have entered the lands, and their army is immense! At there head is the enemy Taisho, famous throughout Japan for his skill and cunning. We cannot hope to defeat them. All is lost!" Lord Asai looks up, to see his son approach. He shakes his head in negation, smiles and says "It is said that a frightened man counting the enemy sees three for every single man. Nothing is lost." He continues "One day, long ago, my grandfather stood upon the field of battle and looked out and saw the Vesugi clan arrayed against him. Like us, his forces were small, and his chance of victory smaller. And yet he stood on the battlefield. In the end, he gave his life defending his home, and I can do no less. To run, or beg forgiveness would be to dishonor our name. Ready the men, for we go to defend our homes." His son begins to object, and is silenced with a glance. He approaches his father, hoping to save him from this folly. "Father, allow me to lead the men, so that you may disavow any knowledge and thus continue to lead our family." Asai looks at his son, and sadly shakes his head. "No, my son" he says, "You will remain here, and will not ever mention your involvement. For while my attempt has failed to return us to our proper place permanently, the day may come when you, as the leader of our family, will succeed. Now, go! And remember."
A few days later, Lord Asai meets the Hojo on the field of battle, and is killed in battle, along with the majority of his men. The populace accept the change of control yet again, as their burden is the same under either master. Yet his son remains, hidden for a time, waiting until the proper moment to re-emerge as Lord Asai, and waiting to return his family to their rightful place in their lands.
And there you have a possible explanation of the rebellions. All the large (clan sized) families in the Warring States period kept a large group of retainers. Most were peasants, although a few did keep some small number of samurai as a tiny private army. In addition, if one digs hard enough, you may find historical fact that this type of thing did occur.
I hope that answers the question of how a province with high loyalty can still "revolt" and turn Ronin at the death of a Diamyo. It also explains why one must always be wary of the factors that could cause a revolt. Any thoughts?
------------------
BSM_Skkzarg
"A mind is a terrible thing to taste."
[This message has been edited by BSM_Skkzarg (edited 09-01-2001).]
A messenger rides in, so exhausted he has barely kept his seat on the horse. The animal, flanks heaving, looks near to dropping dead. The man is helped from his horse, and taken to the head of the estate, the Samurai Asai. "My Lord, there is devastating news!" he says - "Lord Hojo has fallen in battle with the Takeda! His son claims the leadership of the clan, and the Taisho are to swear fealty to him." The older man looks up, the pain of his liege lord's death apparent in his eyes. He states "Our lord has fallen in battle with honor. We will honor his memory." At this the eldest son of Asai stands and approaches. "Father" he says, "Shall I prepare your escort to go see the new Diamyo?" Asai, looks shrewdly at his son and responds, "No, we swore our loyalty to Lord Hojo, but not to his son. This land was once ours, and our name had honor among the clans. The Hojo are beset by the Takeda, they have lost their leader, and we shall take this opportunity to reclaim our lands from them. We have honored our oath to our lord, and we are released on his death."
Aghast, the son of Asai stares at his father, not fully comprehending the full import of the older man's words. He is snapped out of the stupor when his father orders "Gather our retainers and those who are the most loyal to our family. Arm them as you can. We will take back our lands and our honor, even at the cost of our blood. Years ago, the Vesugi took those from us, and today we step forward to take them back!"
The son leaves to execute his father's orders...
Over the following few months, the Asai family take back their ancestral lands, and do what they can to prepare for the return of the Hojo. Their only hope is that the war the Hojo are in with the Takeda is enough to keep the new Hojo Diamyo from moving against them soon.
Six months have passed, and the Asai have completed their takeover and are starting to rebuild, when disaster strikes!
Another messenger arrives, not nearly as tired but much more frighten. He goes directly to Lord Asai, and is admitted immediately. He imparts bad news - "My Lord, the Hojo have entered the lands, and their army is immense! At there head is the enemy Taisho, famous throughout Japan for his skill and cunning. We cannot hope to defeat them. All is lost!" Lord Asai looks up, to see his son approach. He shakes his head in negation, smiles and says "It is said that a frightened man counting the enemy sees three for every single man. Nothing is lost." He continues "One day, long ago, my grandfather stood upon the field of battle and looked out and saw the Vesugi clan arrayed against him. Like us, his forces were small, and his chance of victory smaller. And yet he stood on the battlefield. In the end, he gave his life defending his home, and I can do no less. To run, or beg forgiveness would be to dishonor our name. Ready the men, for we go to defend our homes." His son begins to object, and is silenced with a glance. He approaches his father, hoping to save him from this folly. "Father, allow me to lead the men, so that you may disavow any knowledge and thus continue to lead our family." Asai looks at his son, and sadly shakes his head. "No, my son" he says, "You will remain here, and will not ever mention your involvement. For while my attempt has failed to return us to our proper place permanently, the day may come when you, as the leader of our family, will succeed. Now, go! And remember."
A few days later, Lord Asai meets the Hojo on the field of battle, and is killed in battle, along with the majority of his men. The populace accept the change of control yet again, as their burden is the same under either master. Yet his son remains, hidden for a time, waiting until the proper moment to re-emerge as Lord Asai, and waiting to return his family to their rightful place in their lands.
And there you have a possible explanation of the rebellions. All the large (clan sized) families in the Warring States period kept a large group of retainers. Most were peasants, although a few did keep some small number of samurai as a tiny private army. In addition, if one digs hard enough, you may find historical fact that this type of thing did occur.
I hope that answers the question of how a province with high loyalty can still "revolt" and turn Ronin at the death of a Diamyo. It also explains why one must always be wary of the factors that could cause a revolt. Any thoughts?
------------------
BSM_Skkzarg
"A mind is a terrible thing to taste."
[This message has been edited by BSM_Skkzarg (edited 09-01-2001).]