Great generals assemble! The battle of Nagashino

Shinshiro-city, Aichi A.D.1575

This is a lineup drawing of brawny cavalry vs. musket troops. In the aforementioned battle of Mikatagahara, Takeda Shingen defeated Oda/Tokugawa army completely. Then, Shingen’s son Takeda Katsuyori did not stop the invasion of Tokugawa territory after his father’s fall to illness in the middle of his ambition. Takeda army and Oda/Tokugawa army fought again in Mikawa Nagashino. As a result, the musket troops of Oda army easily defeated the cavalry of Takeda army that was said to be the strongest. Oda/Tokugawa army won the battle. Takeda army that lost their famous general declined after this battle.

Highlights of the map

In the lineup drawing, they are facing straight across the Rengogawa River. Even for the cavalry celebrated as the strongest in Japan was at disadvantage in a water place with bad footing. It could be said this site condition beat them. In the map from the Geographical Survey Institute that we used, easytounderstand place names such as "Battlefield Headquarters of Oda Nobunaga" and "Ieyasu Monomizuka Site" are still mentioned.

Behind the scenes drama

Do you know the proud orderly "Torii Suneemon Katsuaki" that was the senior vassal of Tokugawa? Cornered by Takeda army, the man ran out from Nagashinojo Castle that was about to fall to Tokugawa family for reinforcement request. Shortly after, he learned that Oda army was coming to support and he was in high spirits to bring back the news; unfortunately, Katsuaki was captured by Takeda army. Katsuaki who became a captive, was crucified and exposed in front of Nagashinojo Castle, and was threatened to tell a lie: "Scream at the castle that reinforcement is not coming." However...he did not yield to that threat and screamed "Help is coming!" and he was killed with a spear by Takeda army. Right after, Oda army arrivedbehind Takeda Katsuyori... Takeda army was wiped out. Ochiai Saheiji of the enemy Takeda army was deeply moved by Katsuaki’s loyalty even when he was crucified. Saheiji praised Katusaki’s Bushido who did not fear death or succumb to the enemy, so he started heading to battles flying a flag with a picture of crucified Katsuaki.