Shimazu Campaign - Spring 1530
Vanya_Summer1530_Str_MapSpring1530.jpg (51246 bytes) Lord Shimazu has decided to mount an all-out attack against Imagawa in hopes of wresting the whole of the island of Kyushu for himself.   Chikugo and Chikuzen were to border provinces on Imagawa's dominion in Kyushu. Ijuin Shigenobu was sent north to Chikuzen with the primary attack force, while a smaller diversionary force was sent to hold the garrison in Chikugo at bay and keep them from reinforcing their brethren to the north.

Given the expected reactions of Imagawa's forces, Shimazu called off the attack on Chikugo, for the diversion had worked.   Shigenobu was to lead the battle of Chikuzen for the openning gambit against Imagawa.

 

Battle of Chikuzen
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Shigenobu holds a slight advantage over is Imagawa opponent.  But that advantage is in the form of an additional unit of Ashigaru.  Shigenobu at once sees that the Imagawa general is hiding in the forest near the easter sector of the field.  He sends his archers forward to keep the occupied while ordering his infantry -- 3 yari samurai and the ashigaru units -- to circumvent their archer position in the forest by marching farther to the east.

Slowly, Shigenobu's infantry circled around the enemy's position while the two archer units exchanged fire.  As they drew closer, Shigenobu ordered his men to charge Imagawa's position from the rear, as they now enjoyed a slight height advantage.  Sensing trouble, Imagawa came out of the forest to attack Shigenobu's archers, which prompty moved forward to face the onslaught of the enemy.

Soon, Shigenobu's infantry crashed into the rear of Imagawa's spearheading yari samurai.  He ordered the Ashigaru unit to give chase to the Imagawa general, as he was attempting to withdraw. 

Shigenobu spotted Imagawa reinforcements emerging from a distant forest, but knew they would never reach their comrades in time.  The lead yari samurai unit was utterly crushed, and Shigenobu's forces gave chase to the Imagawa general.  Within minutes, the Imagawa general lay dead -- instants after he fled for his worthless life. 

Shigenobu's men regrouped to face the incomming reserve unit of archers.  They routed the ashigaru unit fairly quickly, but were no match for Shigenobu's samurai infantry. 

Victory was sealed!  But the rout of the ashigaru unit to the Imagawa reserves made the death toll seem more even and indicative of a close battle.  But, victory was never in jeopardy, for the Shimazu general outclassed the enemy on the field in both numbers and tactics.

 

Aftermath
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 Chikugo remained in Imagawa hands, but Chikuzen was firmly in Shimazu control.   Shigenobu's rank was augmented to 1, for a job well done.