Imagawa campaign: "Short Letters to Mariko"

[Adam99]

Not a problem, wouldn't want to see all that hardwork in Kyushu wasted if some bunch of Ronin comes in through Nagato. Almost had that happen to me once. Happily though I managed half an hour on Shogun yesterday for the first time since re-installing it.

Anyway looks like Hojo are going to keep battering on your door in Totomi, let them, and maybe look for a way to slip a knife in their back whilst their doing it. Keep friendly with Oda, but keep an eye on them, and maybe have a look around Takeda, Uesugi and Mori, for alliances/ opportunities.

[patdj]

Letter from Summer 1551
Mariko,
another letter from Abe-san reports that there are only few Hôjô forces in Izu. Apparently they are sending everything they have to their eastern frontier in order to get a hold on Totomi. Poor fools, this way they are exposing themselves to Uesugi, who might soon get the idea to conquer their lands. Equally there could be a chance to raid Izu by sea. We discussed on that idea today but concluded that we would need spare troops for such a risky adventure.
Although there are no signs of regional unrest, Yasunaga-san is strengthening his Shinobi net in Kyûshû. Asking him I only got to know that it was direct order from Imagawa Yoshimoto-sama. I am afraid my son in law is not telling me the whole truth.

林 実



Letter from Autumn 1551
Mariko,
only weeks before collecting the rice tax from the peasants, Lord Imagawa urgently issued a decree raising the rates of taxation back to a level of warfare. Taking this into consideration I might have found the reason for the Shinobi activities on our own territory. They prevent overthrowers from organising revolts and ensure loyalty of the local noblemen.



I was informed that the training of the famous Satsuma swordsmen is making good progress. I am looking forward to seeing their effect on the battlefield.
Additionally there are have been completed several other building projects, such as the border watchtowers in Iyo and a magnificent palace in our homelands in Totomi. I am looking forward to visit the building, erected to honour our Great Daimyô Imagawa Yoshimoto. I wonder if Yoshiko already saw it from inside.

林 実



Letter from Winter 1551
Mariko,
happenings of epic importance are taking place. I was called to an urgent meeting with Yasunaga-san and my Lord Imagawa. To my surprise, a delegation of the gaijin was present, too. I happened to see them sometimes in the village, struggling to communicate citizen and peasants, but these were talking our language quite understandable. For the first time I noticed their weird appearance in detail. I knew from the times I met them that they looked strange, but the hours of talking provided me with enough time to carefully analyse their appearance and behaviour.
Despite not seeming strong they were all rather tall built, but equally nervous. One of them had snow-white hair and was nearly bold on top of his head. He wore a black sort of Kimono that looked very tight and had golden buttons to hold the vesture together. The other two were dressed more colourful, I would have guessed that they were merchants, in fact one was, the other was captain of one of the gaijins' ships. It was mainly the black one, a religious man as it seemed, who spoke, and the others merely nodded, bowed and added polite phrases to please my Lord.
The gaijin told us that they had started trading with the Shimazu, we already knew that and it literarily made them our enemy. They advertised their modern way of fighting and talked about how superior our clan would be with their "rifuresu". They were surprised about the poor impression we had from their fire weapons when the Hôjô used them against us. They claimed that they would happily show us their effect, if we were interested. Despite our doubts it would still be interesting for us to start trade with them, they argued. They have experienced a great demand for their goods among the Shimazu noblemen and suspect a great potential income for our Daimyô. All they asked for was the right to propagate their religion among the subjects of our domain with the blessing of our Lord. This would require my Lord to openly avow to "kurisutiyanisumo". I was taken aback by this disrespectful offer, but Lord Imagawa seemed to consider it seriously. He asked for respite and we withdrew to our back room. I was able to observe the gaijin party through a spy-hole in the Shôji, they were gesticulating wildly, like if they were bargaining on a marketplace.
Lord Imagawa talked seriously and calm. He stated that a deal with the gaijin could bring a great benefit to our campaign and that he would not mind converting to the gaijin religion in order to secure its success. I carefully argued that this could eventually be understood as open blasphemy and that the local Buddhist monasteries could provoke religious unrest among the people, like during the Satsuma rebellions against the Shimazu Daimyô. Yasunaga-san immediately assured that his Shinobi were controlling the provinces and we could react very quick if anything was about to happen.
I was asked for further doubts and I thought it over for a while. I asked if the officials to the Daimyô would be required to convert as well. Lord Imagawa contested that the gaijin asked for him and only him to convert, everything else was up to every single one of us. He would not expect this from us.
The sequel of the meeting was very technical: Lord Imagawa "converted" to the gaijins' religion by participating in some rituals and the gaijin agreed on - in deed very lucrative - trade terms. Messengers were called and send to inform the local province administrators of the recent happenings and to give selected gaijin officials certain rights and privileges. Lord Imagawa ordered the construction of gaijin temples in Hizen, Satsuma, Tosa, Bungo and Totomi and asked Yasunaga-san to take a careful control of religious unrests and expand in pro-gaijin-propaganda.
The meetings summed up to one and a half sun and I still feel every moment of it in my bones. I am to meet gaijin weapon masters in the castle of Tosa in a few days' time. They are to show me the functionality of their weapons.
We had a good harvest and Lord Imagawa lowered taxes again, promising that this emergency raise, how he called it, would not happen again. I suspect that he is running a careful policy now because of his conversion. As an immediate effect of last year's high tax rate and the good harvest, several new construction projects, including the temples, are going to start. I feel uneasy about my Lord's carelessness in religious matters. I was already approached twice by gaijin priests and they are close to really harassing me. Maybe I am a bit disappointed. I am sure that this deal was planned far in advance, without me being inducted.

林 実



Comment:
I am sorry for the late and little progress. I have the campaign on ice and still some notes to put into text. This just requires a lot of time and I am busy with loads of other stuff at the moment. I will bring the next update as soon as possible and the eventually continue playing.

[patdj]

Letter from Spring 1552
Mariko,
Lord Imagawa ordered the training of new troops since the past conflicts have cost a lot of substance and the majority of our army is stationed in Central Honshû. As for now there have been no revolts. Yasunaga-san reports some potentially dangerous tendencies in Osumi, but he intensified Shinobi activities in that region, so we would have nothing to worry about.
The gaijins' weapons somewhat may have a certain potential. Apparently these iron pipes shoot hard little balls straight along the direction they are aiming. These projectiles pierce flesh like a sword cuts through soft grass. In addition it penetrates every known sort of armour on that isle. They use a black powder, similar to the powder that was used by the Chinese and Mongol armies, and put fire to it to accelerate it through the pipe. Maybe the Hôjô just were unable to use it correctly. I asked the gaijin if he was able to train peasants on the usage of these weapons. He responded that if I provided him with necessary funds he would train me an army in no time. I still have doubts on the benefit of this method, but I will not miss to try it out.
The Takeda clan proudly announced the maturity of Takeda Nobukado-sama, son of the Takeda Daimyô.

林 実



Letter from Summer 1552
Mariko,
today a Takeda emissary passed our lands in Tosa. Yasunaga-san always sends Shinobi to tail the diplomats that pass our domain and apparently this one is on his way to bribe some army's general, since the Shinobi found a deed of a large ownership in the Takeda Empire in his luggage. Yasunaga-san ordered one of his best Ninja to tail and kill him. He does not want Takeda to gain influence in the remaining provinces of Shikoku. It is unknown where the emissary is aiming.



Apart from that the lands are calm. No signs of religious unrest, the Shinobi propaganda is working well and the gaijin try hard in learning our language. They do not seem as ignorant as I had suspected first and finally gave up on trying to convert me.
Imagawa Yoshitsune-sama reports that the Hôjô keep increasing their army size at the borders of Totomi and could invade any time. He is looking forward to see them slaughtered them again and tells us not to worry. He wished that the Uesugi took the chance of invading his backlands.
A letter from Satsuma states that the first Samurai wielding No Dachi swords have finished their training and started their march towards the Shikoku frontier. I am looking forward to see their effect on the battle field.

林 実



Letter from Autumn 1552
Mariko,
all over our country gaijin temples were completed. I am glad that this did not end up in revolts, it even attracted some interested townsfolk. The gaijin already started to educate the first priests of their religion with Japanese origin. Still, there are Buddhist monks claiming that the Wrath of our Gods evoked into a Taifun, devastating Osumi this autumn.



All the big clans in Honshû are intensively manoeuvring. Still there are no fights. Abe-san ordered the construction of a Horse Dojo in Totomi. The idea is to train archers on horseback, a unit that Abe saw in Oda-samas armies. They are of great tactical value.

林 実



Letter from Winter 1552
Mariko,
there was a Taifun in Osumi plus a poor harvest for this year. Still the population remains loyal. I have deep respect for Yasunaga-sans Shinobi and their propaganda work. The first priests are sent out for the provinces where no churches had been built in order to spread the Word of their God. The relation to the gaijin is strengthening; trading posts have started to be constructed in Tosa and Hizen.
Yasunaga-san reported that the Takeda emissary escaped to central Honshû.

林 実



Letter from Spring 1553
Mariko,
the Takeda are still reluctant to abandon their alliance with Lord Hôjô.



It was reported that the No Dachi unit arrived Iyo.
An interesting Shinobi-report that was sent to Yasunaga-san was as well handed to me today:

"Hattori-san.
I was able to follow infiltrate Lord Oda's castle and overheard the audience of one of the Hôjô emissaries at Lord Oda's court:
"My Lord, a new power has risen in the West. After the last of the Shimazu Daimyô was put to the blade the Imagawa clan quickly assimilated the isles of Kyûshû and Shikoku into their domain and is gathering strength to expand into Western Honshû."
"Expansion is a natural goal of all the major Daimyô. I am glad that the campaign to overthrow the rebellious Ronin of Nippon my friend and ally Imagawa Yoshimoto is running is blessed by success."
"Estimated Lord Oda, with the due respect, the Imagawa pose a severe threat to your holdings. Owari, your most precious land, lies within perfect range of an ambitious as well as savage warlord and may soon be attacked. Launch a major attack into Imagawa Mikawa, while the Hôjô forces overthrow Totomi, and you will have kept these raiders at distance."
"In my opinion, not mine but your holdings are the ones threatened by the Imagawa forces - with good reason, if I am not mistaken. Did Hôjô Ujitsune not recently fail in the third attempt to grab Totomi? And now you want me to assault easily defendable Mikawa, thereby break my alliance with Imagawa Yoshimoto without having to expect a massive counter attack on Owari AND Mikawa, because the Hôjô peasants succeeded in the forth try?"
"Lord Oda, please consider-"
"Please consider this conversation terminated."
"Very well, Lord Oda. I wish you the pride to not call the Hôjô for help when you need assistance with the Imagawa clan."
"In times when the Oda need assistance in dealing with Imagawa forces, the Hôjô will surely be no more."
The emissary backed out of the room, obviously flustered. My researches state that this was a real conversation and no staged production.
I will now move into Shinano, hopefully I am able to provide you with more information soon."

There are two aspects about the letter that are seriously worrying me: first, the Hôjô are apparently conspiring against us. We will certainly have to watch our allies’ moves and I sent orders to Abe-san to keep a close watch on them while residing at their courts. Secondly I did not know about Shinobi spying on our allies. I am planning to confront Yasunaga-san about the dangers of such operations.

林 実



Comment:
Still some notes to go, next "chapter" will include two battle reports, so hold on.

[patdj]

Letter from Summer 1553
Mariko,
Lord Imagawa led an attack on Awa. It was only a matter of time for this to happen since we were gathering strength for such an attack the whole past year. The Awa Ronin were the ones that opportunistically took Iyo while we overthrew the new Hôjô of Tosa. Now was to come there humiliating punishment.

Summer 1553, Battle of Awa



Lord Imagawa decided it was time for me to take immediate part in the battle. I was to mount one of his spare horses and ride as one of his Hatamoto. Although I was by now well trained in melee and ranged fighting as well as in riding war horses I felt rather uncomfortable.



As we had expected, the Ronin tried to minimize our army size advantage by encountering us at one of the few crossing points of the local river. Essentially this is why we brought a large stack of Samurai bowmen with us. By the way, the No Dachi arrived in time from Iyo to join us.
Lord Imagawa ordered his Hatamoto to loosen their formation and ride in rows of two. First I thought that Yoshimoto-sama was to tempt his fate and lead a frontal attack over the bridge when he gave his horse the spurs. We came to a halt in the very middle of the crossing.
I could hear loud voices from the enemy, their meaning blurred by wind and the sound of the current. In any way I knew what was coming.
It is funny, but in my years of commanding men on the battle field I was never exposed to archer fire. The rain fell hard. Most of the arrows now stuck in the wooden bridge, some fell to the water. Two of my fellow Hatamoto chocked down a cry of pain, but merely their legs were injured and they remained on horseback. Two horses also got hit, but their riders controlled them competently.
Lord Imagawa did not even turn his head, he somehow knew that nobody fell of his horse. Apparently to needle the enemy he broke into a loud and arrogant laughter, into which all of the Hatamoto, including me, quickly joined.
Further commands were heard from the other side of the river and a second rain of arrows threatened to crush down on us. The light breeze that I felt while the arrows were in the air must have had a way stronger impact on the arrows' trajectory than I would have expected. The arrows were carried to our left and fell into the water, only some of them hit the bridge and none of them hit us.
Lord Imagawa roared a bunch of insults towards our enemy, achieving the desired effect: a ashigaru infantry unit was marching towards us and a third volley was sent to the air.
This time two of the Hatamoto fell off their horse. One of them got hit into his shoulder, spying blood onto the arrow covered bridge base. The other one was thrown into the water by his horse, which had two arrows stuck into his neck and went totally berserk before breaking down some distance behind us.
Lord Imagawa again did not turn his head, he merely raised his sword to the air, roaring "COME HERE! You bandit dogs!"
Apparently this was a sign to our archers since they took formation on the edge of the slope from which we came.



The Ashigaru were approaching quickly travelling downhill. Imagawa Yoshimoto-sama muttered "Remain calm, do not look at their Yaris, look at the fear in their eyes.". The forth volley killed another Hatamoto instantly: two arrows into each of his legs, a third in his shoulder, only inches from his head. Three other, including me, got hit into our legs. The pain was terrifying and I struggled to remain concentrated. The Yari Ashigaru were very close now.
"Arrows!" First I wondered how quick the enemy archers were firing, but the call came from the approaching Ashigaru. All our archers had fired simultaneously, creating a death rain I had never seen before. One third of the peasants lay on the floor, the rest was clearly hit in the face. Their commander, also injured in his shoulder and barely able to stand reordered his men and drove them to a quick march towards us.



Lord Imagawa turned his horse, and so did we. Then we rode back towards our army, slowly. The second volley came down only a few feet behind us. The insults the unit leader was roaring at our retreat immediately died out.



A different voice roared "RETREAT! THIS IS HELL HERE!" and the Ashigaru ran off the bridge towards their army.



A third volley came down on them before they managed to get out of range.
Lord Imagawa turned again, riding back towards the enemy. He suddenly switched to a very fast gallop. The injured Hatamoto, including me, struggled to keep pace. We ran off the bridge, towards the enemy and suddenly turned right. Arrows rained down on us, costing another Hatamoto's life.



To our left a unit of Yari Samurai was rushing towards us. They came very close but luckily did not manage to grab one of us.



Finally out of their deadly range and looking back I saw that the whole army seemed to pursue us. What a stupidity! I saw that our infantry was already crossing the bridge without much resistance.



I later heard that, noticing that, the enemy general turned his Yari samurai towards us and rushed downhill into Lord Imagawas men that were waiting at the end of the bridge, preparing to absorb the impact. By doing this, the enemy infantry entered range of our archers and the effect was devastating.



It took only minutes for the general to call a retreat, the supporting infantry unit had not even reached us.



Meantime, the Yari samurai were still pursuing us without much prospect.



The retreat of the enemy created a dynamic that was unstoppable. None of the Ronin looked back or hesitated, they ran for their lives. Lord Imagawa, seeing the considerably distance between us and our pursuers, ordered a charge into the fleeing enemy that was coming towards us.



Seeing this the fleeing men tried to climb the mountain in front of them rather than moving towards our cavalry. Imagine hundreds of men trying to climb a very steep cliff at the same time.



Our army quickly caught up on them, creating vicious slaughtering. The pursuing Yari Samurai, seeing that our reinforcements had arrived, quickly decided to withdraw, too.



The rest was simple killing. I sat on my horse and merely watched. So did Yoshimoto-sama. He, too, was injured and had 2 arrows in his right thigh.
"You did well, Minoru."
"I just rode after you, my Lord."
"Well, that is what Hatamoto are good for."
He smiled and turned to ride towards our approaching archers, to collect their report.

End of battle notes.

This great victory shields Tosa, a very important strategic point for our Shikoku operations, from potential invasion. Furthermore the story of my Lord Imagawa Yoshimoto's strategic quality will be spread all over Nippon.



Yasunaga-san, who went to Iyo instead of joining us in battle, received a report stating that Kyûshû as well as the rest of Shikoku are still under control of his Shinobi.



So far, everything going well for us.

林 実



Letter from Autumn 1553
Mariko,
we are resting in Awa. I suspect that we attack Sanuki as soon as spring comes. Apart from the minor adjacent isles, Shikoku will then be totally under our control. In our domains everything is perfectly calm and the gaijin report good progress concerning their conversion efforts. I feel uneasy about all the people around me abandoning Buddha, although I saw many of them mixing rituals or still practising the old. Yasunaga-san is reluctant to change, too. He states that he has not much sympathy for the "new" Believe and sees it more a strategic factor, coming in quite handy. He says that it is good to keep our Faith in Buddha, since it may happen that we turn against the gaijin if the get too ambitious. Eventually, when our Lord dies, we as well as our children will have to serve his heir who might think differently about this matter.

林 実



Letter from Winter 1553
Mariko,
our harvest was average. It is stated that about 15% of our subjects already converted to the gaijins' religion and constructions on another trading post in Totomi were started.
Yasunaga-san reported that Kotega Mototsugu-san, his best Ninja, accidentally got killed in Sanuki when attempting to assassinate the local general. These are bad news, but clarify our short term plans very well, to me as well as to our target...

林 実



Letter from Spring 1554
Mariko,
news from Honshû tell that Hôjô ujimasa matured and entered the Hôjô army. Another heir to run from our Totomi Kamiame.

林 実



Letter from Summer 1554
Mariko,
the attack on Sanuki came later as I had expected, but it came. Enclosed have the report I wrote under terrible pain.

Summer 1554, Battle of Sanuki
We found the enemy hiding in the woods of a hill after only half a day of march. Apparently they hoped we wood pass them in order to attack our rear. Because of the failed attempt of assassination they were well prepared.
Our army was led by my old friend Inoue-san and I had asked him to give me the chance of distinguishing myself in battle. He therefore asked me and Yasunaga-san to lead the No Dachi infantry to the enemy's right flank while our yari infantry was pinning them down.
We were already moving to the left while our archers were drawing a circle around the woods and starting fire.



I saw that their archers were responding, but Inoue-san and his men were superior.
Their infantry came storming towards us, but as Inoue-san had planned they were blocked by our wall of Yaris while we were moving around them. My sword felt even heavier than it really was when we ordered a quick march through the woods. The battle sounds became louder and we were to attack their infantry from behind.
Yasunaga-san killed the first. It seemed that he was wounded and withdrawing from the battle, he had no time to warn his fellow soldiers. Being slower than the trained Samurai around me it took some time for me to get hands on one of the enemies. I imagined this being all like training: my opponent stormed towards me, aiming at me with his Yari and roaring his family name "Ishiroooooo!". I jumped aside, and made a spinning blow into the still running Samurai. He fell to the floor in aching pain. I quickly stepped towards him and cut his head, nearly automatically. His crying died out and it was not before I took his head into my hands before I realised that I had killed a man with the Sword.
I dropped the head and stormed towards the fighting. It was strange, first I was afraid of experiencing this again, then I looked forward to it. A thrill emerged. I would not call it blood thirst or pleasure of killing, but eagerness of being tested again. Competition. I spotted an enemy that just had pierced the back of one of my fellows. I marched towards him slowly but steadily. He took note of me, drew his Yari out of the still standing Samurai and marched towards me at same speed. He hurled his weapon to keep me at distance, I held my Sword low, nearly touching the ground, as I was taught to do in those situations. I approached him and withdrew quickly several times, making him nervous. His sweeps became wider and angrier and therefore with declining frequency. Then... I jumped forward in the right moment, when his Yari was at the turning point of his sweep, thrusting my sword right into his underbelly. The handle of his weapon hit me, but the blade was far away. I saw my Sword sticking out of his back and I saw death in his eyes. His weapon fell to the ground, I jumped back and beheaded the corpse in his fall to the floor. The experience of all these Sword techniques, working in practical with such effectiveness motivated me to further deeds.
I dashed towards more fighting. My men were hacking through the enemy quickly and we reached the edge of the forest where they were encountering our Yari Samurai. I suddenly found myself in the middle of action. I had trained fighting multiple men but this was different. I blocked two Yari chops that were aimed at me and injured on of their originators. He was felled seconds later by one of our Yari Samurai. Another chop was aimed at me. I blocked it with the sword, breaking the enemy's weapon. My following thrust killed him instantly, but I was attacked again by two others. I blocked one, dodged the other, jumped forward to kill the one that was off guard and cut open his knee. He broke down, but before I could kill him I felt a burning pain in my waist. I could not turn, or run, or move in any way, I was like stunned.
The rest happened very quickly. I heard Yasunaga-sans voice and the death cry of an enemy behind me, I was grabbed and pulled away from the fight, back to the woods. I struggled not to faint. Yasunaga-san talked to me "You watch you guard a little better, old man. How could I tell my wife that I let her father being killed?" He ordered another Samurai, only lightly injured, to watch after me and headed back to the fighting. Because of the slope my eyes followed him easily and I gained a good overview of the situation:
Our Yari infantry was being pushed back and was outnumbered, so the enemy started turning against us. Me and some other had pushed deep into their lines and had found ourselves surrounded. Yasunaga-san pushed towards them with some men and created a corridor, allowing them to return to our lines.



I saw that the enemy archers had decided to charge and were put down by Inoue-sans arrows. My No Dachi were defeating the enemy infantry, which fought till the bitter end. I heard calls of retreat and victorious roaring, I guessed that we were winning this. Apparently the remains of the enemy were running uphill towards the coast. With my men pursuing them I saw that we had payed a high price for the victory: many of the corpses at the edge of the forest were of my army.



End of battle notes.

The victory was expensive. On top of it there is a dangerous tension between us and the local people. A monastery is probably intriguing against us and could organise a revolt in the worst case.
My wound is deep but I am doing better day by day. Yasunaga-san says that I was lucky. I could easily have been killed. In fact I am happy to still be here, but otherwise I could be with you, which would at least be equally good.
Lying here in pain gives me time to think. I still miss you, and I miss Yoshiko. I think I should return to Honshû but I am not sure if I am able to travel with with my injury.

林 実



Letter from Autumn 1554
Mariko,
I'm fine but still somewhat slow in walking. No revolt so far. I will be in Tosa next year and probably take a ship to Honshû.
Apart from that there is nothing to report.

林 実



Letter from Winter 1554
Mariko,
still there has been no revolt and I do not expect one to come any more. In Totomi the training of cavalry archers started and another trading post was built in Bungo. Apart from that the funds of this years harvest are used for the training of No Dachi and the gaijins' fire throwers.

林 実



Comment:
Shikoku done. Finally my notes are done, too and I can continue to actually play. So this is the current situation, not much of a change in Honshû, I will try to post an overview with the next update.

[Herakleitos]

Hi patdj,

Good read! (As always)

I am curious of your next moves. I would probably try to reach Kawachi first and after that wrap up southern Honshu. Or will you take on the Hojo first?

[patdj]

Thanks for your interest.

I think I will spare the Hôjô for now. They isolate me from Takeda and I could not stand a massive cavalry army with my archers. Additionally I would have to defend a lot more provinces then or run a massive blitzkrieg against all the big houses there.
I am planning to remain in Totomi and Mikawa like a rock against eveyone willing may run against. And see if the moves of the other clans provide me some opportunities.

[Wishazu]

I havn`t been keeping track of this for the last couple of weeks, sorry Patdj However, I have just spent the last hour so getting up to speed and I`m loving how the campaign is going - Imagawa always seem to be the most interesting and most difficult faction to play. Keep up the good work mate.

[Adam99]

Well great update, Shikoku done, the story still as fascinating as ever, fantastic!! Long may it continue. Would the Kawachi route bring conflict with Oda? Are they in the area in strength?

[patdj]

I have no concrete information about that, but I guess not. Several strikes from rebels, the funny isolation of Lord Oda by Uesugi and the war with the Takeda have left the Oda rather weak.

[patdj]

I am sorry to announce that I can not keep that report up the way it was. It is just way to much work, and, since I am living in Tokyo now for one year I have plenty of other stuff to do. Still I will finish this campaign report the usual way, posting screens of crucial battles and situations.

Hope you enjoyed what I did so far and do not hate me for an unfinished story.

[Ludens]

Hope you enjoyed what I did so far and do not hate me for an unfinished story.

Don't worry about it. Real life is always more important. Thanks for taking us so far.

[Wishazu]

It was a great campaign mate, I`m sure it will be interesting no matter it is presented to us.

[Herakleitos]

It was a good read nonetheless, will be interesting to see how you finish the campaign off.

[patdj]

Letter from Spring 1555
Mariko,
Spring in Tosa is wonderful, it reminds me so much of you. Still, my ship is leaving tomorrow morning for Totomi, so I will not be able to enjoy it any longer. It makes me sad, and adds up to the fact that I, as usual, have a bad feeling concerning my sea trip. I guess seeing Yoshiko and her family again is worth this torture, so I will just bite my teeth. Also, the fact that Yasunaga-san is coming with me gives me strength. I feel safer in his company, we could not have got a better son in law.
Our troops are resting and waiting for reinforcements. Shikoku is under good control now and the ronin do not seem eager to counter attack. I am confident that our progress will remain stable.

林 実


With this letter the series breaks. One must assume that General Hayashi Minoru either died, was prevented from continuing writing or the following letters were delivered to a place where they have not yet been discovered. Still, one can reconstruct a considerable part of the further progress of Imagawa's campaign with help of different, less accurate, documents found all over Japan and even find hints to the fate of Minoru.


Awaji Battle Report, 1556
The Ronin retreat, the population seems grateful for the fact that there is no fighting on their isle. Reinforcements are arriving every other half year and we will soon reach Kawachi.


Poem found in Mikawa, assumingly dated 1556
The pain of loosing the father
feels like a dagger
the pain of loosing the husband
feels like a sword
the love of a child
is the only known cure.


Eye witness report of the Battle of Nagato, assumingly dated 1557, found in Totomi
I witnessed the Battle of Nagato not from far and a recording this for the following ages. I could perfectly hear the screams of dying men. The Imagawa general leading the attackers is named Inoue, but they call him the Eagle of Kyushu. They are advancing fast and push our local samurai back quickly. Amako Kageyama, a man I know from my childhood, fields the defenders. The split up, forcing Inoue-taisho to do so, too. It causes a considerably amount of losses in the attacking infantry. I am a bit surpised, since Inoue brought many untrained peasants to fight this battle. From what I heard the Imagawa troops are supposed to be very superior.
The fighting takes 4 hours to end. It seems like Inoue-taisho routed or killed the Nagato samurai, but his army has lost a lot of substance. I am eager to see how quick the reinforcements arrive and how they ensure control over the province.


Undated report of a Nagato peasant
Every moon there are new Imagawa soldiers ariving. The population by now seems happy about the presence of a new Lord and is slowly adapting to the new religion. Imagawa-sama brought with him security and wealth. He is building mines and provides us with work in construction and war infrastructure.


Record of a Takeda general, Aki, 1560
Imagawa troops are at our door step. A fleeing ronin army raided some of our border villages and I sent warning to Izumo, since there are reports of more Ronin fleeing from the Imagawa offense in Iwami.
I also sent worl to Lord Takeda in person. I am perfectly sure that Imagawa will launch attack on our lands in near future and proposed to either strike first or provide me with reinforcements for defense.



Comment:
I think I will continue it this way.

[patdj]

Records of Takeda Shingen, dated 1560 and 1561
It fills my heart with anger that our Great Emperor was blinded by the filthy Oda scum. As he announced this moon, Oda Nobuhiro was appointed Shôgun over all Japan. Not that the appointment without the necessary military gives him more authority, but seeing this important title in such unworthy hands makes my blade tremble. I sense that there will be more war in central Honshû.
Not only that the Hôjô, as well as the Uesugi began manouvring with considerable army sizes, but also do the Imagawa come very close to our western Honshû belongings and need to be treated carefully.

News from western Honshû state that the Imagawa forces have withdrawn from Iwami, probably due to Buddhist resistance against a Christian regime. It makes me happy to see that there is such a strong faith in my believing brothers.
Still, with the new General, young Tokugawa Ieyasu, a military genius will take lead over some of the Imagawa forces. He is said to be closely related to Imagawa Yoshimoto, who even seems to treat him like a son and possible heir to his considerable estate. I need to convince my father to take action against the Imagawa as long as they are weak enough.

Imagawa pushed forward into Kawachi and thereby set foot on mid western Honshû. He will be able to hold this province against massive armies, having pulled down most of the bridges on one's way into the province.
Still, he is surrounded by the massive Samurai armies that resist against Oda's campaign of bringing Kyôto under control. If they bring themselves to strike they will surely be victorious.


Record of Oda Nobuhiro, dated 1563
These honourless dogs field massive armies around Kyôto and will require time to be dealt with. My friend and ally Imagawa reported problems keeping his own borders and therefore can not assist me in my campaign of securing our Great Emperor's capital.


Record of Takeda Shingen, dated 1564
A great victory was reported today. My father's trusted general Obata Toramori took Mikawa out of the untrustworthy Imagawa hands and made it part of our Great Empire. From what I heard, the incapable brother of Imagawa Yoshimoto, Imagawa Yoshitsune, was way to slow in blocking out storm on the bridge and there got overrun by Takeda hooves. That cost him not only his head, but also his honour and his brother's province. Totomi will be the next to fall, so our lands can be cleared of the filthy Christians!
On behalf of my father I ordered to double security at our wester Honshû borders. Since Imagawa is weak in Totomi and knows that he does not stand a chance he will probably strike where he is strong.

[patdj]

Last Words of Lord Takeda Nobutora, Noto, 1577
The Oda forces have crossed the border, and hundreds of ships have appeared on the horizon. They flag the light blue Imagawa emblem. It's Tokugawa.
This battle will be decisive. Our informant in Sado has reported a very large amount of cavalry entering the ships. My army is waiting in the very north of Noto to face it's fate withut being attacked from two sides. We will either defeat these filthy intruders or die as heroes.
Still, facing my likely death on the battlefield, I want to speak honestly: the glory of the Great Takeda Clan has crumbled in my hands. Tokugawa has taken the heads of both my sons and pushed us out of the Kantô.
The downfall started after successfully taking Mikawa. Our invasion of Totomi was joined by Hôjô forces from the East, but the Imagawa troops routed both armies by taking their generals' heads with the despicable use of fire weapons.
In the meantime their was civil war in the Chûgoku area. Imagawa troops as well as ronin forces slowly took over our lands, raiding, burning and slaughtering. Roaming armies engage in nonstatic fights aorund Aki while Hôjô and my forces keep invading Totomi without success.
The Imagawa Men of Shadows started organising loyalist rebellions in Mikawa, eventually allowing Tokugawa Ieyasu to win his first victory against our forces. The battle was joined by the coward Uesugi forces, which were totally slaughtered down by my brave men, but tired them out enough to let Tokugawa snatch an easy victory.
At the same time the last Takeda banner is burned in Chûgoku chihô and Imagawa troops move forward towards Kyôto, not without buying ronin armies to speed up their progress. As it is clear now, Imagawa aimed for a stable border against the increasing Oda forces that were terrorising the Kansai.
Tokugawa sent a considerable amount of men by sea against the weakened Hôjô in Izu. The counterattack of the fanatic Lord Hôjô requests my plenty of men from Kai, but it succeeds. Still our losses are considerable, among them is Lord Hôjô himself. What is even worse is the simultaneous attack on Musashi by Tokugawa himself. Again their forces came by sea and despite being joined by Uesugi victorious.
Subsequently fell Sagami and Suruga into Tokugawa's hands and the Hôjô clan was extinguished. Young Tokugawa, apparently already assigned heir to the Imagawa domain and in charge of all holdings east of Kyôto, aimed for Kai. His attack was to massive to withstand, so we withdrew to Shinano, loosing our richest province. Still the prospects were good, since from mountaneous Shinano we can very much attack everywhere without being spotted early enough to shift forces. Going and taking back Kai was perhaps one of the big mistakes of this war.
Another one is to allow Shingen to attack Musashi. Tokugawa knew that we needed Kai's mines to feed our soldiers, so he snatched Shinano from our back. Although Shingen's troops took Musashi in a bloody battle, my son lost his life, pouring the blood of my family into the water of Kanagawa.
Tokugawa used our difficult defensive situation to take over our rich backlands, Echigo, Dewa and Mutsu, and started mooving south, closing in on Musashi from both sides. We lost Kai to sheer majorities and got isolated in Musashi. I went to Noto, leaving my second son to die in another Kantô battle and being followed by my routing armies half a year later.
And this is where I stand. Seing both my sons die, being expelled from my homelands and facing to massive armies mooving towards the last castle I own.
If the Great Buddha still has a smile for me, may he grant me my last wish: let me take Tokugawa's Christian head today.


Report of the Noto Garrison to Lord Oda, 1577
My Lord,
Noto was taken and put under your command. Tokugawa Ieyasu agreed on leaving Noto to the Oda forces in exchange for the proposed amount of Koku. Still he insisted on having Takeda Nobutora's body, so I can not, as you requested, send you his head. I beg your pardon, my Lord.
Enclosed I send you the detailed battle report. As you had expected, Tokugawa really managed to let our troops take the major casualties by skirmishing with quick horse units and harassing the enemy troops from behind. For details, please consider the following documents.
Achika Motonaru

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Comment:
Sorry for keeping it that short but, since I'm pretty busy atm I can not provide you with details not screens on this whole bunch of fights.