Battle of Okehazama - Nobunaga’s First True Battle - Update 15
It is time for one of if not the most important battles of Nobunaga’s life. Yoshimoto and Nobunaga square off, the Oda and Imagawa war.
The Battle of Okehazama(Quest)
Yoshimoto Imagawa, said to be the greatest warrior in Tokai, advanced his army into Owari. Ignoring his panicking retainers, Nobunaga looked far into the future.
Surround Narumi Castle.
Surround Narumi Castle completed!
Retainer 1:
We must surrender ourselves to the enemy for the sake of our clan!
Retainer 2:
What madness is that? The best course is to fortify here and stop our enemy’s momentum!
Nobunaga Oda:
We live but 50 years… Can we achieve our desires in life while worrying about nothing?
Nobunaga Oda:
Never. I shallow where my heart leads me, and therein, I will gain it all.
The Battle of Okehazama(Quest)
Defeat Yoshimoto Imagawa
Nobunaga Oda:
Yoshimoto…I’ve found you! Everybody, listen! The enemy doesn’t know of our presence, not through this thunder and rain! We cut into their main camp before they notice us! We aim for but one thing – Yoshimoto’s head!
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
This sound, this stench… Everyone, prepare for the enemy! The fool of Oda has drawn near!
Nobunaga Oda:
Well noticed, Yoshimoto! But you’re too late!
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Attacking from the front under the cover of rain… Haha, you truly are like a storm!
Oda Soldier:
The Imagawa army has noticed our attack and begun to move! Please be careful, my lord!
Motoyasu Matsudaira:
What s this, this unsettling quiet… Something is happening. Something unbelievable… Everyone, return to the main camp!
Defeat Yoshimoto Imagawa completed!
Soldier:
Reporting! Our allies have cornered Yoshimoto Imagawa! A horseman has left him with grave wounds!
Nobunaga Oda:
Good news… Perhaps I can fell him at last. I’ll watch his death myself. Bring me to him.
Soldier:
Yessir!
An earth shaking turning of tables had taken place in Owari. The mighty daimyo of Suruga, Yoshimoto Imagawa, attempted to conquer Owari with overwhelming force. However, he met with an unexpected ambush at Okehazama. Leading the ambush was the young daimyo of Owari, Nobunaga Oda. And now, at the hands of a young warrior with a paltry force, the daimyo known as the greatest warrior in Tokai was meeting his end.
Nobunaga Oda:
Curtains, Yoshimoto.
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Nobunaga, of all the people… I never expected to die watched over by an enemy. But, listen… Surpass me. Overcome what I’ve become. An average daimyo…satisfied with the single realm of Owari…is someone you must never…be…
…
Nobunaga Oda:
That I do not need to be told. What my heart desires is larger, wider than you could ever imagine. You were but the first step on the path of my ambition. Worry not for me; pass on.
And so, Yoshimoto met the end of his chaotic life. At the same time began the age of Nobunaga Oda, a conqueror among conquerors.
The battle at Okehazama(Quest)
Completed!
Yoshimoto Imagawa dead. News of hs defeat came as a great shock to Motoyasu Matsudaira, who had faithfully served in Yoshimoto’s vanguard.
Motoyasu Matsudaira(Tekechiyo):
This cannot be! Are you certain?
Soldier:
Yes, my lord. They were taken by surprise, and–
Motoyasu Matsudaira:
That’s not what I’m asking! I don’t care about that! What I want to know is, was it really Nobunaga Oda that did it?
Soldier:
Y-Yes, sr. The reports say that Nobunaga led the assault on the Imagawa camp himself.
Motoyasu Matsudaira:
He really did it… And where does that leave me? Listen well, warriors of Mikawa! It is time for us to return to our homeland! If we dawdle now, the Matsudaira clan will never get another chance to reclaim Okazaki and Mikawa! I can’t believe it was Nobunaga… I must make sure not to get on his bad side.
And so, Motoyasu Matsudaira broke off from the Imagawa army at Okazaki Castle to reclaim Mikawa, the land of his ancestors. With the death of Yoshimoto, the Imagawa clan quickly began to collapse.
Historical Tidbits
When Nobunaga talks of living but 50 years this is something that is often attributed to him. This is based on a Noh play called Atsumori by Zeami Motokiyo… The play contains a scene with a song/poem about the life of a warrior and how long they live. It took place in 1184 during the battle of Ichi-no-Tani and is about the samurai Taira no Atsumori.
To my understanding the original goes as follows.
Ningen Gojuunen,
Geten no uchi wo kurabureba,
yumemaboroshi no gotokunari.
Hitotabi sei wo ete,
metsusenu mono no
arubekika?
Which may have two translations, or more.
A man’s life of 50 years under the sky
is nothing compared to
the age of this world.
Life is but a fleeting dream, an illusion –
Is there anything that lasts forever?
or
In truth, this world is not eternally inhabited
It is more transient than dewdrops on the leave of grass, or the moon reflected in the water.
After reciting the poetry of flower at Kanaya, all glory is now left with the wind of impermanence.
Those who leisurely play with the moon of southern tower, now hide in the cloud of Saṅkhāra.
Human life lasts only 50 years, Contrast human life with life of Geten, It is but a very dream and illusion.
Once they are given life from god, there is no such thing don’t perish.
Unless we consider this a very seed of awakening, it is a grievous truth indeed.
Also while in the game we see Nobunaga and Yoshimoto meet we don’t really know if they ever did. Supposedly he was killed in battle against Nobunaga but the killer was a common soldier, and it is said Yoshimoto’s head was brought to Nobunaga and it was essentially paraded through Owari. Reminder, nearly everyone in this game is a monster.
Also something additional about the battle. It should be noted that what happened was the Imagawa army was many times larger than the Oda army but was spread out to conquer all of Owari. Because of that Nobunaga was able to use a secret path and ford a river which would normally have too high of water that receded thanks to the particular position of the moon that night. He crossed it then ambushed Yoshimoto at his camp sneaking past the spread thin soldiers and basically assassinated him.
If you’d like me to go over the history more in these little additions I can. Do let me know if it’s desired.
- Yes More History Tidbits
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