Battle of Okita Nawate
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Okita Nawate was fought on May 3 of 1584 between the combined forces of the Shimazu and Arima clans, and the Ryūzōji army.
Ryūzōji Takanobu
was attacking a number of independent clans close to his territories. In 1582 he attacked the Arima clan
and Arima Harunobu
decided to ask the help of Shimazu Yoshihisa
. Yoshihisa send an army in December of that year but not much progress was made until 1584 when the army was reorganized and commanded by the able Shimazu Iehisa
, younger brother of Yoshihisa. The allies put Shimabara
under siege and Takanobu marched to relieve the castle with his main army.
On May 3 the Shimazu-Arima army entrenched on a hill in front of Shimabara and received the attack of the Ryūzōji who were well armed with muskets, including high calibre ones. They attacked the hill in three columns, one advancing along the road, another advancing along the hills and a third along the beach. The third column was driven back by the Arima which attacked the from troops carried in boats, armed with arquebuses and a few cannons. The other columns assaulted the hill but were defeated. Takanobu died in the fighting he was killed by a Shimazu retainer called Kawakami Tadakata.
Ryūzōji Takanobu
Ryuzoji Takanobu
was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period, who ruled a region in northern Kyūshū. He was the eldest son of Ryūzōji Chikaie, and upon headship, became the 19th head of the Ryūzōji clan. Takanobu's son, Masaie, would become the last head of the Ryūzōji....
was attacking a number of independent clans close to his territories. In 1582 he attacked the Arima clan
Arima clan
The was a Japanese feudal daimyo family dating to the Sengoku period. Its name "Arima," transliterates as "has horses," reflecting the samurai/cavalry origins of the family. Famous members include Arima Harunobu and Arima Naozumi....
and Arima Harunobu
Arima Harunobu
was the second son and successor of Japanese daimyo Arima Yoshisada. Harunobu was born in the castle of Arima and controlled the Shimabara area of Hizen province. After Harunobu's father's death, he began the persecution of Christians in his region. With Ryūzōji Takanobu expanding into his domain,...
decided to ask the help of Shimazu Yoshihisa
Shimazu Yoshihisa
was a daimyo of Satsuma Province and the eldest son of Shimazu Takahisa. His mother was a daughter of Nyurai'in Shigesato , Yukimado . Shimazu Yoshihiro and Shimazu Toshihisa are his brothers....
. Yoshihisa send an army in December of that year but not much progress was made until 1584 when the army was reorganized and commanded by the able Shimazu Iehisa
Shimazu Iehisa
was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, who was a member of the Shimazu clan of Satsuma Province. He served in a command capacity during his family's campaign to conquer Kyūshū....
, younger brother of Yoshihisa. The allies put Shimabara
Shimabara
Shimabara can refer to any of the following:* Shimabara, Nagasaki, a city in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan* Shimabara Peninsula, the geographic feature that hosts Shimabara, Nagasaki* Shimabara Castle, in Shimabara, Nagasaki...
under siege and Takanobu marched to relieve the castle with his main army.
On May 3 the Shimazu-Arima army entrenched on a hill in front of Shimabara and received the attack of the Ryūzōji who were well armed with muskets, including high calibre ones. They attacked the hill in three columns, one advancing along the road, another advancing along the hills and a third along the beach. The third column was driven back by the Arima which attacked the from troops carried in boats, armed with arquebuses and a few cannons. The other columns assaulted the hill but were defeated. Takanobu died in the fighting he was killed by a Shimazu retainer called Kawakami Tadakata.