Fourth Kawanakajima 1561 - Phase 5 Takeda Pincer Attack

By midday Kosaka's flanking force was across the Chikumagawa and charged into the rear of the Uesugi army. Caught between Kosaka from the rear and Shingen, who had reformed the Takeda battle line, to their front, the Uesugi army began …

1561-09-19

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By midday Kosaka's flanking force was across the Chikumagawa and charged into the rear of the Uesugi army. Caught between Kosaka from the rear and Shingen, who had reformed the Takeda battle line, to their front, the Uesugi army began to fall back. Nobutaka”s “Operation Woodpecker” plan had turned what looked like a defeat into a Takeda victory. Both sides had suffered an incredible number of casualties, and a lot of heads were to be viewed in Shingen's triumphant head-viewing ceremony.

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