Fourth Kawanakajima 1561 - Phase 3 Attack against Takeda Command Tent

The Uesugi troops had pushed forward and were in sight of Takeda Shingen*s command tent. Shingen, unaware the enemy was so close, had been directing the battle when his headquarters and bodyguard were attacked. Not having time to draw his …

1561-09-15

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The Uesugi troops had pushed forward and were in sight of Takeda Shingen*s command tent. Shingen, unaware the enemy was so close, had been directing the battle when his headquarters and bodyguard were attacked. Not having time to draw his sword, Shingen defended himself with his war-fan. Samurai rushed to aid Shingen and the assault on the Takeda command tent was repulsed. Elsewhere, the Tekeda battle line managed to hold against the fierce rotating attacks of the Uesugi army. The cost however was great as many brave Tekeda leaders would fall in an effort to maintain the line.

Kawanakajima, Shinano Province, Japan

The battles were part of the 16th-century Sengoku period, also known as the "Warring States Period", and were little different from other conflicts. After the Ōnin War (1467–77), the shōgun's system and taxation had increasingly less control outside the province of the capital in Kyoto, and powerful lords (daimyōs) began to assert themselves. Such lords gained power by usurpation, warfare or marriage—any means that would safeguard their position. It was manifested in yamajiro ("mountain castles"), which overlooked the provinces. In 1541, Shingen began his conquest of Shinano Province. In 1550, Shingen advanced once again into Shinano and quickly conquered Hayashi Castle, Kiribara and Fukashi Castle by siege. These had been controlled by Ogasawara Nagatoki, who fled to Murakami Yoshikiyo. In October 1550, Shingen began the Sieges of Toishi Castle, from which position he intended to carry out the final attack on the main Murakami castle of Katsurao. However, in November the siege was abandoned and Shingen's army was counterattacked by Murakami, and almost routed. The following year, though, Murakami was forced to leave the castle and the successful Siege of Katsurao (1553) ensued.

Wikipedia: Battles of Kawanakajima

Uesugi

Takeda