Japan's Sengoku Period: The Sanada Clan's Ambition

Chapter 32 Shinano, the Sanada family wants it!
Hideyoshi Hashiba was the son of a farmer from Nakamura Village, Aichi District, Owari Province.

At the age of eighteen, Hideyoshi Hashiba, then known as Fujikichiro, left his first lord, Matsushita Nobutsuna, and subsequently served the Oda clan, becoming a servant under Oda Nobunaga.

He then gradually began to gain merit as a foot soldier.

At the age of twenty-five, Hideyoshi Hashiba married Nene, the adopted daughter of Nagakatsu Asano, and began to call himself Kinoshita Tokichiro.

Over the next twelve years, Toyotomi Hideyoshi fought in a series of major battles, including the Battle of Kannonji Castle (which destroyed Rokkaku), the Battle of Kanegasaki (which led to Nobunaga's encirclement), and the Battle of Odani Castle (which destroyed Asai), gradually becoming a general in the Oda clan.

During this period, Hideyoshi Hashiba took one character each from the names of Shibata Katsuie and Niwa Nagahide, two senior retainers of the Oda clan, and changed the surname character from Kinoshita to Hashiba.

At the age of thirty-seven, he was granted Nagahama Castle on the shore of Lake Biwa in Omi Province for his meritorious service, and became its lord.

At the age of thirty-nine, he was granted the rank of Junior Fifth Rank, Chikuzen no Kami, and subsequently participated in the Battle of Tedorigawa (against Uesugi Kenshin) and the Battle of Shigiyama Castle (attacking Matsunaga Hisahide), becoming a general in the Oda clan who could stand alone.

At the age of forty-two, as a legion commander, he led his army to attack Harima, Tajima and other places, and successively conquered four provinces. As a result, Oda Nobunaga granted him the territories of Harima, Tajima and Inaba.

At this time, the 46-year-old Hideyoshi Hashiba had defeated Akechi Mitsuhide after the Honnoji Incident and began to become the de facto leader of the Oda clan.

But for Masayuki Sanada, that was too far off.

"Hashiba is too far away from us and has no power to influence the situation in Shinano. Do you really expect that when my Sanada family is attacked, Hashiba Hideyoshi will send troops to support us?" Sanada Masayuki felt that Sanada Nobuyuki was simply talking nonsense.

Although Nobuyuki Sanada demonstrated his abilities, Masayuki Sanada still did not believe that choosing to join Hideyoshi Hashiba at this time would be a good choice.

The two families live too far apart; if something really happens, distant water can't quench a nearby fire.

“Father, the Tokugawa family is extremely ambitious. It is not hard to see from the Tokugawa family’s actions after Honnoji that Tokugawa Ieyasu already considers Kai and Shinano as his own.”

"To form an alliance with the Tokugawa clan is undoubtedly like seeking a tiger's skin."

"If my Sanada family were to submit to the Tokugawa, we might be able to preserve our family name, but is that really what Father wanted?"

Sanada Nobuyuki said a lot just to express one thing: Shinano, do you want it or not?

Sanada Masayuki understood the unspoken meaning behind Sanada Nobuyuki's words, but he still hesitated.

Or rather, he had high expectations for Tokugawa Ieyasu, after all, Tokugawa Ieyasu was known for his loyalty and honesty, and he did not believe that Tokugawa Ieyasu would do such a thing as discarding a useful tool after it has served its purpose.

“Father, don’t forget, we are still Oda’s retainers.” Sanada Nobuyuki couldn’t help but remind him.

Unlike other Shinano Provinces that launched uprisings against the Oda clan, the Sanada clan chose to continue serving the Oda clan from the beginning, and played a significant role in the retreat of Mori Nagayoshi and Takigawa Kazumasu.

At least at this time, the Sanada family was still recognized within the Oda clan.

"To Shinano and Kai, Uesugi and Hojo are invaders. While the Tokugawa family may have the permission of the Oda family, doesn't our main family also have the permission of the Oda family?"

When Takigawa Kazumasu and Mori Nagayoshi left, they acknowledged the Sanada family's decision to organize defenses in the Shinano region.

"If the Tokugawa clan can openly occupy Kai under the banner of the Oda clan, why can't my Sanada clan take the opportunity to seize Shinano?"

boom!
Sanada Nobuyuki's words were like a wake-up call, exploding in Sanada Masayuki's mind and completely opening up his perspective.

Although Sanada Masayuki was a very strategic and intelligent person of his time, the limitations of his era and region meant that he still had the mindset of a person from a small country.

When faced with a crisis, they still think about finding a powerful ally to rely on, in order to ensure that the Sanada family will not suffer annihilation.

But Sanada Nobuyuki's words made Sanada Masayuki realize that if Tokugawa could take it, why couldn't the Sanada family?

Sanada Masayuki hurriedly picked up the letter that had been sent from Kiyosu Castle. After reading it word by word, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Gensaburo, you’re right.”

"Shinano, the Sanada family wants it!"

If Heaven grants something and you don't take it, you will suffer the consequences; if you don't act when the time is right, you will suffer the calamity.

The opportunity has arrived; we must seize it.

Seeing that Masayuki Sanada had finally made a decision, Nobuyuki Sanada felt a surge of joy.

He is not yet the head of the clan, and there are some things that cannot be done without Sanada Masayuki's permission and support.

“But the Oda clan’s letter clearly stated that our family must assist the Tokugawa clan in resisting the Hojo and Uesugi,” Sanada Masayuki said, looking troubled. Sanada Nobuyuki smiled slightly. “The Oda clan only requested our family’s assistance to Tokugawa; they didn’t say we were to obey Tokugawa’s orders.”

"Since the goal is to defend against the attacks of the Hojo and Uesugi clans, wouldn't it be enough to just drive the Uesugi and Hojo out of Shinano?"

Upon hearing this, Sanada Masayuki leaned back in awe.

As expected of my son, Sanada Masayuki, he has won my heart.

Shinano, Suwa County, Uehara Castle.

This area was originally the territory of the Suwa family, but it was captured by the Takeda family during the reign of Takeda Shingen, and has been under the control of the Takeda family ever since.

After the Honnoji Incident, with the killing of Kawajiri Hidetaka, who controlled the area, the former retainers of the Suwa clan enthroned Suwa Yoritada as their commander-in-chief, launched an uprising, recaptured Uehara Castle, and restored the Suwa clan name.

After the Hojo clan invaded Shinano, the Suwa clan immediately contacted the powerful Hojo clan and pledged allegiance, joining forces with them to fight against the Tokugawa clan.

July 16th, evening.

In the height of summer, when it gets dark late, several foot soldiers were whispering among themselves against the wall of Uehara Castle.

Slacking off is always the best way to kill time, no matter the era.

"Inuhachiro, when do you think this battle will end?"

"Why are you asking this? Isn't that something a samurai gentleman should be concerned with?"

"Hehe, I'm getting married next month. I heard it's a girl from the neighboring village. She has a big butt, and it cost my family three liters of rice plus twenty dried fish." The foot soldier seemed to be feeling sorry for her, but the corners of his mouth were practically turned up to the sky.

Sure enough, the foot soldier's words immediately aroused the envy of the others.

In these chaotic times, being able to marry, have children, and live a peaceful life is simply a luxury.

"I've heard that things aren't very peaceful in the south lately either. The Hoshina family has captured Takato Castle, and I heard that Lord Hoshina Danjo personally commanded the attack."

"Is that Lord Hoshina Dan Masatada? He's still alive?"

The Hoshina family previously served the Takato clan, which was a collateral branch of the Suwa family, so Hoshina Masatoshi's name was very influential in the Suwa and Ina districts.

"By the way, I heard yesterday that there was also a rebellion near Minowa Village. Inuhachiro, isn't your family from Minowa Village? Are you alright?" a foot soldier added.

Inuhachiro shook his head. "With Fujisawa-sama here, what could possibly happen in Minowa Village?"

Despite saying that, Inuhachiro's face still showed a hint of panic when it came to his family.

Just then, a foot soldier suddenly pointed outside the castle and asked, "What's that?"

Everyone quickly turned to look outside the city and saw a group of people slowly approaching Shangyuan City.

Already on edge, Inuhachiro immediately took off running into the city and found the samurai in charge of the city's defenses.

When they returned, the people outside the city had already stopped at the Dashoumen (a type of city gate; Dashoumen is the main gate, and Nuoshoumen is the side gate).

"Sir, we are merchants from Totomi Province, and we are preparing to transport a batch of grain to Ueno."

"It's getting late and there's fighting everywhere. Could you let us into the city to rest for the night?"

　Minowa-go: Located in Ina District, southern Shinano, it shares the same name as Minowa Castle in Ueno, but is not the same place.

　　Historically, the Sanada clan was forced to cede Numata Castle to the Hojo clan due to Tokugawa Ieyasu's betrayal. In return, Tokugawa Ieyasu granted the Sanada clan Minowa village and its surrounding 3,000 koku of land.

　　Some online videos and popular science articles often confuse Minowa Township in Shinano with Minowa Castle in Ueno. Kira would like to clarify this for you.

　　Matsushita no Tsuna: Commonly known as Kahei, lord of Todaji Castle in Tōtōmi Province, and a retainer of the Iio clan, a senior retainer of the Imagawa family.

　　After Imagawa Yoshimoto's death, Matsushita Nobutsuna served Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi granted Matsushita Nobutsuna a fief of 3000 koku in Tanba and Kawachi. In 1588, Toyotomi Hideyoshi appointed Matsushita Nobutsuna as lord of Kuno Castle in Tōtōmi Province and granted him a fief of 16,000 koku.

　　Toyotomi Hideyoshi treated his first lord fairly well.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)