Important Battles and Strategies
Battle of Nagakute
At the battle of Nagakute, Ieyasu Toyotomi built a series of forts to connect with Komaki castle. Hideyoshi realized that his encampments were lower than Ieyasu’s, so he ordered the construction of a long rampart to connect them. The two leaders, Ieyasu and Hideyoshi, were too scared to actually start fighting which resulted in a stalemate. In the end the battle was fought several miles away from the Komaki lines. This trench system was never used again because it was against samurai ethics and values. |
Nagashino Castle
Protection of Nagashino Castle involved lots and lots of arquebuses (portable guns) being fired from behind fortifications. The position that Nobunaga was in was not an easy target for outmaneuvering tactics. Arquebuses had been supplied by allies and subordinates before the battle began. This situation was never repeated, but it did influence many battles in the future. Other Examples
In 1581 at Tottori, the weapon of starvation was used against a stubborn general who only surrendered to prevent his men from eating each other. In 1583 at Shizugatake, Hideyoshi used forward outposts to protect his communications with Kyoto. Instead of attacking the first castle in the chain of castles being attacked, he made his way to the back and attacked that one. The last castle then became the base for attacking the next one, and so on. This would have worked had they not been caught. |