STW War Story Part III - Western Uprise

Chapter 2    Kinki Invasion

p.s. Kinki area refers to the provinces close to Kyoto, the capital of Japan at that time.

Spring 1531

After the fall of the Aki castle, Mori Saigo Iezane was ordered to assist Motonari in the warfare aginst Oda on the east. The Mori clan was not satisfied by just seizing Kawachi. Right in the next season, spring of 1531, Mori Motonari soon launched an attack into Tamba.

Tamba: 279 (Mori) vs. 177 (Oda)

Lord Oda Nobuhide wasn't expecting Mori's sudden attack. He had moved part of the defense force in Tamba to Wakasa, strengthening this strategically important province. Therefore, the invasion force of Mori outnumbered Oda. The Oda army withdrew on the battlefield.

Summer 1531

Now Oda has a larger force in Wakasa; our Tajima province is now exposed, defenseless. Lord Mori immediately launched another attack to Wakasa, this time led by general Miyoshi Hideyashu (R2). Hideyashu was appointed to Tajima invasion last spring, and in the next season assaulted the castle. Mori Motonari the daimyo himself now returns to Kawachi, suprevising the defense of this important river province.

Wakasa: 266 (Mori) vs. 237 (Oda)

Miyoshi Hideyashu's army soon encountered the enemy Taisho's ashigaru. Using all available force to attack, the enemy taisho was on the run. He soon rallied, and ran again, and rallied once more, and ran eventually. This time he didn't come back.

Leaving his soldiers behind, Oda's army started to show anxiety. Under the Mori's arrows of rain, the Oda ashigarus fell into chaos and ran for their lifes. These poor peasants were intercepted by our yari samurais who were chasing their taisho.

The battle was won with very little casaulty. The incompetent enemy Taisho was left alive - let's let this continue!

Summer 1531

After occupying Wakasa, peasants told us that lord Oda has gathered a large army in Mino. Along with the force in Omi, we will not be able to defend Wakasa with only 200+ men. Due to our financial hardship, we could only slowly send more reinforcement to Wakasa. 

As a result, the rest of year 1531 was spent in peace. The harvest of 1531 was good! Yet since we do not have enough garrison to keep all newly acquired provinces well guarded, again Lord Mori let the peasants pay minimal taxes. We only had 1800 koku income this year.

One year has past. The harvest in 1532 was normal, and we have brought back the tax rate to low this year - yet we still had only 2000 koku ended up in the storage...

In the meantime, general Mori Saigo Iezane has arrived the east front. He was ordered to ensure the loyalty of peasants in Tamba.

Autumn 1532

After one year of strengthening ourselves, Lord Mori Motonari started the second phase of Kinki invasion.

The defense of Kii was poor, thus it became our first target. With insufficient army, the local Oda force withdrew to Yamato. Soon Motonari marched his troops to Yamato in winter. The defense of Kii was left to general Amako (R2).

Winter 1532

Yamato: 251 (Mori) vs. 240 (Oda)

    Yamato is famous for its numerous hills, usually covered by the forest. The forest at the most distant corner also offers the highest elevation, making it our first guess. Proceeding with care and scouting by Motonari himself, we found the enemy hiding in this very forest.

    Sneaking from the other end of the forest, we occpuied the higher grounds under the arrows of both sides. The enemy taisho rushed out of the forest, and charged down towards our archers. However, he was back-attacked by our yari samurai and yari ashigaru who had climbed up to the highest point.

In a short time, Mori's men took the head of the enemy taisho, and the enemy lost their will to fight! The ashigarus undoubtedly ran home, while the samurai archers withdrew to a nearby mountain. Our soldiers soon followed up and destroyed them. Finally we killed 97, lost 25.

On the west, our emissary has completed his mission to achieve a cease-fire and alliance with Shimazu Takahisa. This will hopefully ensure the safety of our western border for now - yet Lord Mori still tried to match up the defense force of Nagato with Shimazu's army in Buzen.

Summer 1533

    With Yamato conqured, the time to face Lord Oda's main force will be close. Mori Motonari waited another season for the reinforcement, while general Mori Saigo Iezane has now arrived in Yamato to be responsible for the order of peasants there.

Iga: 291 (Mori) vs. 180 (Oda)

Occupying the high grounds, our archers' arrows soon succumbed the approaching enemy. Lord Mori at the same time ordered the full assault of the fleeing troop.

The enemy taisho finally came forward himself, routed and killed. The Oda army was already smaller in size, and they acted independently. 1 vs. 6, they had no chance to win.

With 135 Oda's men slain, Mori Motonari only lost 6! The total victory in Iga has shaken the morale Oda elsewhere, although numerically they might be superior in total.

Waiting no longer, Mori Motonari soon combined the forces of Wakasa and Omi for a large- scale assualt in Omi. The enemy retreated, now concentrated in Mino. Indeed the Mino defense force is large, probably 1500+.

Mori Saigo Iezane was re-appointed to Iga, doing the same job of comforting the peasants again. His 40 men has thus earned the name of "daimyo's tail".

Year 1533 has past. Fortunately we obatined another good harvest this year, yet we had to give the peasants a low tax rate once more. We ended up with 2500 koku in the storage, just enough to start a castle in Kii and a mine in Harima (the one in Aki has now been completed).

The large battle with Oda Nobuhide is close!