UESUGI - Way of the Sword and Bow

[Wishazu]

UESUGI ~ Winter 1536 - Winter 1547

Winter, 1536 My peers, Lord Imagawa and Lord Takeda have made peace. Yoshitomo`s Emmissary again requested an audience and I agreed to see him.



He explained that his master felt no ill will toward me over my decision to break off relations with him at the outbreak of hostilities with the Takeda. He asked If I would now reconsider my position and enter a new alliance. I agreed.

Autumn, 1541 I have spent the last five years buried in work, organising new construction works, training my armies etc. that I had quite forgotten about this journal. Not much of interest has occured these past years, however I received a guest a few months ago who claimed to represent the interests of several towns and villages in Kazusa province. This gentleman was a skilled talker and convinced me to come to the rescue of these places. Apparently ever since their old lord died the people of Kazusa have been plagued by groups of Ronin and Bandits riding roughshod over the countryside, pillaging and looting as they went. I agreed to deal with these miscreants in return for the loyalty of the province. Needless to say the problem has been dealt with and I will be spending this winter here in Kazusa building a new castle. War has broken out again on the edge of my territory, the Lord`s Imagawa and Hojo both blamed each other for a series of raids along their mutual border and the dispute has developed into a full scale confrontation. I have decided to remain faithful to Yoshitomo for the time being, the arrogance of the Hojo Daimyo`s has always offended me.

Autumn, 1542 The war is not going well for Lord Hojo, he sent an emmissary to seek my favour but I would not see the man.

Autumn, 1543 Abe Ujitsugu, my faithful retainer has been murdered at the court of Lord Hojo, I do not know who would have anything to gain by such a move but it is disturbing none the less.



Imagawa Yoshitomo has now declared war on the Takeda, I have informed him that I cannot remain on friendly terms with him whilst he shows such blatant aggression and disregard to my own friends and allies.

Autumn, 1544 I have invaded Shimotsuki, the Ronin and Bandit forces that have previously made this place their home had come to stop me in the hills but thought better of it once they saw the full magnificence of my army. We have heard nothing of them since.

Winter, 1544 Now that Lord Hojo and Lord Imagawa are once again at peace I have resumed my previous alliance with the Hojo.

Spring, 1546 My second son, Kenshin has come of age this year and like his brother he immediately entered service with my army. Ever since he was a small boy he has shown great promise, and great skill with the bow. He now commands my garrison in Shimotsuke.

Winter, 1547 I have once again entered into an alliance with Lord Imagawa. We have agreed on a mutual offensive into the lands bordering ours in order to clear out any other raiders and bandits etc. He has agreed to assist me in an attack on Mutsu next year.

Overview
Imagawa are on the warpath and for once hav`nt been swiftly destroyed. I don`t want to go to war with them if I can help it as I need them to keep Shimazu busy as I don`t want a predictable half and half face off later on. This just seems like such an easy job so far compared to my Oda campaign.