UESUGI - Way of the Sword and Bow

[Wishazu]

UESUGI ~ The Battle of Echigo

Spring, 1555 Another long break in my journal as these last few years have been relatively peaceful. I have once again put ink to paper today to record the birth of my newest child, Kagekatsu.

Autumn, 1556 Another barbarian delegation has been turned away. They seem incapable of understanding my lack of interest in anything they have to offer. Likewise they baffle me, their entire lives seem devoted to the pursuit of material riches. I do not understand them, I hope they do not bother me again.

Winter, 1556 After many years of preparation we were finally able to launch our invasions of both Echigo and Dewa. I feel this will be my last offensive as I am feeling my age now, my saddle hurts me on long rides, my back aches constantly and I swear I am losing my hearing! Anyway, I personally led the march on Dewa but didn`t get to fight any battles as the Ronin here took ship and fled to join the pirates on Sado. My son, Kenshin, led the assault with our main army into Echigo. Once again my great ally, Lord Imagawa sent a large force of Archers to help in the attack. Kenshin informs me that the Imagawa soldiers requested the honour of leading the attack across the bridge and my son accepted with one proviso, after the battle was won the Imagawa soldiers would take part in another archery tournament, to which they happily agreed. Kenshin recounted to me that our allies crossed the bridge whilst our own archers covered them from the riverbank. They were able to draw the enemy in close where our archers could cause maximum damage and when the timing was right they feigned a retreat back across the bridge. Sensing victory, the inexperienced enemy Taisho launched himself and his army into pursuit. They were halted on our side by our own Yari Samurai, then when they were fixed in place, our allies counter-charged. Within minutes the enemy commander was dead and his army were fleeing into the hills. Our casualties were light, about 200 killed. On the other hand the enemy army was practically wiped out. In the subsequent tournament my men achieved victory over the Totomi Samurai. A most excellent day!

Spring, 1557 Lord Hojo has died of an illness. His son, Ujiyasu now rules the clan.

Overview
First off, sorry for the lack of screenshots. I took about 12 during the battle but they all seemed to have been corrupted somehow, sort of like a camera film that`s been double exposed. Anyways I`m sitting pretty now, here are a couple of screenies showing the state of play, just wondering if anyone has any thoughts...