Battle of Imizu
Encyclopedia
The was fought during Japan's Sengoku Period
between two rival daimyo
, Jinbo Nagamoto
and Shiina Yasutane
, in Etchū province
during the third month of 1554. Nagamoto and Yasutane had been at odds for years, skirmishing numerous times with no clear winner. This particular battle came about by a particularly aggressive move by Nagamoto, when he moved over 8,000 soldiers into the Imizu district of Etchū. The Shiina clan not only had ancestral roots in Imizu district, but Shiina Yasutane's cousin, Shiina Tanehiro held a fortress on the outskirts of Oshima village, which guarded a pass that was heavily used for trade and politics in Shiina lands, in particular building materials and salt. If the Jinbo were able to bring down Tanehiro's fortress, they would gain control of an important trade highway, and possibly put the Shiina in an economic stranglehold. Tanehiro dispatched his brother Shiina Yasuhiro to Yasutane to request immediate assistance. Because of the immediate danger, Yasutane readily agreed, and dispatched his army.
, which was meant to split the main Shiina force. The charge was met head on by Shiina general Nitta Kazunaga's force of spearmen, who were able to hold off Kiyotaro's forces long enough for the main Shiina army to deploy. The main battle took place in a fairly confined space consisting of the burning remains of Oshima fortress, thick forest, and steep hills. Because of this, the fighting was close and violent, however only a small fraction of both armies were actually engaged in combat at any one time - perhaps less than 1000 soldiers on each side actually fought in the battle.
The battle of Imizu is best known for one of the few documented cases of hand-to-hand combat between two daimyo on the field of battle during the Sengoku period. According to the Etchū Ranki, Nagamoto rode into the Shiina camp disguised with the helmet of a dead Shiina soldier, accompanied by his oldest friend and advisor, Jinbo Kiyoshige
and a small contingent of mounted warriors. Nagamoto attacked Yasutane, who was struck across the jaw, but was pulled to safety by vassals before Nagamoto could deliver the killing blow. Nagamoto's page, Chiba Kazusa, who had followed his lord into the enemy camp, spirited him away on horseback and was pursued by Shiina Yasuhiro (who had returned with the Shiina army), and 20 mounted warriors who he had been given command of. Nagamoto's retreat was covered by Kiyoshige and his remaining five mounted warriors (who would be, including Chiba Kazusa, known posthumously as the Seven Spears of Imizu). Unable to get out from behind enemy lines, and with Yasuhiro and his men in close pursuit, Nagamoto transferred to Kiyoshige's horse, and Kazusa then rode into the ranks of Yasuhiro's men wearing his lord's distinctive helmet (which he had been carrying for his lord), drawing attention to himself. He killed several of the enemy and delayed their pursuit long enough for Nagamoto to make his escape.. Despite being both outnumbered and their leader incapacitated, the Shiina forces were able to rally and drive the Jinbo forces from the field, and during a fierce fighting retreat, Jinbo Kiyoshige also fell in battle. Although both sides lost many notable warriors, this defeat weakened the Jinbo in particular and helped in striking a temporary peace between the two clans later that year, which was brokered with help by Uesugi Kenshin
, and cemented with the return of the slain Kiyoshige's distinctive blue armor.
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
between two rival daimyo
Daimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
, Jinbo Nagamoto
Jinbo Nagamoto
was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period, who was the last lord of the Jinbō clan. He is most remembered for almost constant warfare with Shiina Yasutane, and their rivalry has been compared to that of Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. Much like Shingen and Kenshin, they met once in personal...
and Shiina Yasutane
Shiina Yasutane
Shiina Yasutane was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period, who was lord of the Shiina clan of Etchu Province. Throughout the 1550's and 60's he led numerous attacks on the Jinbo clan, and in one of the few documented cases of two generals engaging personally in combat on the field, Yasutane...
, in Etchū province
Etchu Province
was an old province in central Honshū, on the Sea of Japan side. It was sometimes called , with Echizen and Echigo Provinces. It bordered Echigo, Shinano, Hida, Kaga, and Noto provinces...
during the third month of 1554. Nagamoto and Yasutane had been at odds for years, skirmishing numerous times with no clear winner. This particular battle came about by a particularly aggressive move by Nagamoto, when he moved over 8,000 soldiers into the Imizu district of Etchū. The Shiina clan not only had ancestral roots in Imizu district, but Shiina Yasutane's cousin, Shiina Tanehiro held a fortress on the outskirts of Oshima village, which guarded a pass that was heavily used for trade and politics in Shiina lands, in particular building materials and salt. If the Jinbo were able to bring down Tanehiro's fortress, they would gain control of an important trade highway, and possibly put the Shiina in an economic stranglehold. Tanehiro dispatched his brother Shiina Yasuhiro to Yasutane to request immediate assistance. Because of the immediate danger, Yasutane readily agreed, and dispatched his army.
Opening Siege
In the meantime, the Oshima fortress was besieged. Jinbo Nagamoto, knowing that Yasutane would quickly deploy his army to defend Oshima, quickly ordered the castle set on fire. A hail of fire arrows were launched into the castle, and within minutes, the castle was in flames. In all, it took 18 hours for Yasutane's army to arrive and engage the Jinbo forces, but by this time Oshima had fallen, and Tanehiro had been killed in a final suicide charge into the Jinbo ranks. The arriving Shiina army was greeted with the burning remains of Oshima fortress, and a Jinbo army fully deployed and prepared for battle.Main Battle
The battle opened with a charge at the left flank of the Shiina army by Jinbo general Matsutake KiyotaroMatsutake Kiyotaro
was a general of the Jinbō clan during the mid-16th century, who lead the vanguard during the battle of Imizu in 1554....
, which was meant to split the main Shiina force. The charge was met head on by Shiina general Nitta Kazunaga's force of spearmen, who were able to hold off Kiyotaro's forces long enough for the main Shiina army to deploy. The main battle took place in a fairly confined space consisting of the burning remains of Oshima fortress, thick forest, and steep hills. Because of this, the fighting was close and violent, however only a small fraction of both armies were actually engaged in combat at any one time - perhaps less than 1000 soldiers on each side actually fought in the battle.
The battle of Imizu is best known for one of the few documented cases of hand-to-hand combat between two daimyo on the field of battle during the Sengoku period. According to the Etchū Ranki, Nagamoto rode into the Shiina camp disguised with the helmet of a dead Shiina soldier, accompanied by his oldest friend and advisor, Jinbo Kiyoshige
Jinbo Kiyoshige
, was the grandson and only surviving descendant of Jinbō Nagakiyo. Unlike his grandfather, who was executed for betraying the Jinbō clan, Kiyoshige was a valuable asset to the Jinbō, and a general and advisor to Jinbō Nagamoto. Kiyoshige was fearless on the battlefield, often leading charges and...
and a small contingent of mounted warriors. Nagamoto attacked Yasutane, who was struck across the jaw, but was pulled to safety by vassals before Nagamoto could deliver the killing blow. Nagamoto's page, Chiba Kazusa, who had followed his lord into the enemy camp, spirited him away on horseback and was pursued by Shiina Yasuhiro (who had returned with the Shiina army), and 20 mounted warriors who he had been given command of. Nagamoto's retreat was covered by Kiyoshige and his remaining five mounted warriors (who would be, including Chiba Kazusa, known posthumously as the Seven Spears of Imizu). Unable to get out from behind enemy lines, and with Yasuhiro and his men in close pursuit, Nagamoto transferred to Kiyoshige's horse, and Kazusa then rode into the ranks of Yasuhiro's men wearing his lord's distinctive helmet (which he had been carrying for his lord), drawing attention to himself. He killed several of the enemy and delayed their pursuit long enough for Nagamoto to make his escape.. Despite being both outnumbered and their leader incapacitated, the Shiina forces were able to rally and drive the Jinbo forces from the field, and during a fierce fighting retreat, Jinbo Kiyoshige also fell in battle. Although both sides lost many notable warriors, this defeat weakened the Jinbo in particular and helped in striking a temporary peace between the two clans later that year, which was brokered with help by Uesugi Kenshin
Uesugi Kenshin
was a daimyo who ruled Echigo province in the Sengoku period of Japan.He was one of the most powerful lords of the Sengoku period. While chiefly remembered for his prowess on the battlefield, Kenshin is also regarded as an extremely skillful administrator who fostered the growth of local industries...
, and cemented with the return of the slain Kiyoshige's distinctive blue armor.