In 1575, Takeda Katsuyori set out on a campaign against Tokugawa Ieyasu, originally intent on taking the Tokugawa capital of Okazaki, however, a series of incidents led to the Takeda setting siege to the small castle of Nagashino instead.
 
At first, it must have seemed like the siege would be a pushover for the Takeda; the Tokugawa garrison commanded by Okudaira Sadamasa had only 500 men to fend off Takeda Katsuyori's 15,000.  Once battle began, however, it became apparent that the small besieged force would not give up easily.  In fact, they were able to hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive, in the form of 30,000 men from their ally, Oda Nobunaga, along with a further 8,000 Tokugawa warriors.
 
When Takeda Katsuyori realized that this mighty force was on its way, he organized his army, leaving behind a small force of some 3,000 men to continue the siege, and rode out to meet the relief force.  Although he was outnumbered by over 2:1, the Takeda cavalry had a well deserved reputation and had a good chance of defeating the enemy if all went their way.  It is here that our battle begins...
 
All the following photos were taken during my Taiko! demonstration game at Conquest 2001.  I have reduced the size of the images to aid in downloading times for those of you with slower connections.  At the end of this report are some "stats" on the scenario as I ran it, if you are interested in taking a go at it yourself.  I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the boys from the US Pike and Shot Society and others who took part in this game.  They all contributed to make it a rousing great game for all!
 
Here is a shot of the Oda-Tokugawa lines looking from the north.  The majority of the troops are positioned behind the famous bamboo screen/wall, the purpose of which was to break up the feared Takeda cavalry charge.  In front of their lines runs the Rengogawa River.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And here's a view of the Takeda lines.  In the center are the troops of Takeda Katsuyori, screened by Takeda Nobutoyo's and Obata Nobusada's men.  It's a little hard to tell in this reduced resolution photo, but the majority of the troops in the Takeda front lines are mounted samurai cavalry.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here is the castle of Nagashino itself.  The Takeda have taken all the outer works, and the defenders are left to defend the inner castle itself.  This recreation of the battle features both the main battle around the Rengogawa, and the smaller action at the castle itself.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The forces of Sakai Tadatsugu emerge from the hills and forest to descend on the Takeda men left to screen the castle.  Sent secretly by Oda Nobunaga, Sakai's men were able to basically "ambush" the besiegers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Back at the big battle, Yamagata Masakage's cavalry prepare to slam into the extreme right flank of the Oda-Tokugawa line.  At this point, they are unprotected by the bamboo palisade, their only protection being the woods themselves.
 
Behind the charging cavalry come some foot troops in support.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The rest of the Takeda advance a little more cautiously, intent on hitting the entire Oda-Tokugawa line simultaneously if possible.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meanwhile, back at the castle...
 
Sakai's men descend on the Takeda forces stationed at the Tobigasuyama defenses, a series of small forts constructed to screen the Nagashino castle during the siege.  In this refight, the Oda men fell upon the Takeda and killed their commander in the first incident.  This caused the Takeda samurai to begin to withdraw, but before they could completely run away, a loyal family retainer stepped forth and rallied them back to the fight.  Soon, the situation developed into a rather pitched series of melees...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here the Takeda cavalry charge across the Rengogawa straight into the center of the Oda-Tokugawa defenses!  This melee went well for the Takeda, as they were able to concentrate several of their larger cavalry units onto this spot.  Soon, the Oda troops were reeling back in the face of the mounted onslaught!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Although repulsed several times by handgun fire, the Takeda cavalry under Yamagata Masakage eventually manage to get over the Rengogawa and mix it up with Tokugawa's samurai.  The battle in these woods raged back and forth for three turns (that's a lot in a Taiko! game!) before it was decided in the Tokugawa's favor, and then only after both sides had lost many brave samurai and ashigaru in the bargain.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Success for the Takeda seemed imminent as they crashed over, around and through the bamboo palisade and deep into the Oda lines!  Nobunaga frantically rushed reinforcements from his reserve into the gap to try and stem the tide, but, at this point, the Takeda forces seemed overwhelming.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
While it is difficult (okay, impossible) to see here, the Oda men under Sakai Tadatsugu are beginning to overwhelm the Takeda on this side of the Onogawa River.  Soon the surviving Takeda samurai would be fleeing for their lives!
 
On the other side of the river, however, the Nagashino garrison was still outnumbered by the besiegers.  They continued to fire their small cannon, more for morale effect than anything else, and this, combined with the fire of the garrison's handgunners, they soon put the remaining Takeda to flight!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A badly orchestrated photo, to be sure, but you can just make out the Takeda continuing to throw in troops into the gap they have made in the line.  By this time, they have taken very heavy casualties, and they are running out of reserves.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finally, their reserves all but exhausted, the Takeda are pushed back and back until it is clear that they can no longer continue the offensive.  The point is accentuated when Takeda Katsuyori himself decides to withdraw his personal command from the field.
 
All that is left now is for Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu to view the heads of the defeated...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

There was room for eight players - four commanders to a side - and each was given his own Tai to control.  The battle lasted around eight turns (more or less), and after passing many Tai morale checks, it finally ended when Takeda Katsuyori himself failed his Tai morale check after taking over 50% casualties and he withdraw from the field.
 
The Takeda fought valiantly.  Every Tai on their side suffered very heavy casualties but they kept coming on until the end.  There were a few moments when it looked like they may break through, especially when Obata Nobusada's cavalry were but 150 yards away from Oda Nobunaga's headquarters!  In the end, however, the disrupting ability of the Oda handguns combined with their good use of reserves made up the difference and victory was theirs, although it was hard earned.
 
On a few final notes, this was by far the largest Taiko! game I have ever undertaken.  While I am glad that it turned out true to history, it could have gone either way, and I have had two other Taiko! players report that, in their recreations, the Takeda have won this battle quite handily.

I put a lot of time, effort and money into preparing this game, and I must admit that all the kind comments received made it all worth it.  I would also like to add a special thanks to two great friends - Thomas Foss and Stanley Stinnett - without whose help this scenario would not have been possible.

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