Total War: Shogun 2 Game Diary Part 1 - The Shimazu Diary

The year is 1545, a turbulent time in Japanese history as rival clans seek to oust the current Shogun to gain the right to become Shogun themselves. The Shimazu clan, ruled by Shimazu Takahisa, was the masters of integrity. The Shimazu clan had great honour and loyal generals that would defend that honour to their deaths. They were also renowned for their Katana Samurais who were feared throughout Japan. Gaining a foothold in their Southern region is not going to be easy, as the vile Ito clan never ceases to annoy us.




Takahisa has three sons that are still too young to be leaders. The Shimazu has general Tanegashima Tomokata, fiercely loyal to the Shimazu but the years of peace has made him a little rusty. Things are about to change and he will have a huge responsibility of leading the Shimazu on the battlefield.



Osumi, just outside Satsuma became target number one. However Takahisa knew he can’t just waltz in to Osumi expecting them to take the fortress without a good fight. Tanegashima held our borders while his armies were bolstered with new Ashigaru(peasant) units to make sure he will not fail in his conquest for Osumi.



The enemy struck us before we even had our new recruits ready. The Ito clan invades Shimazu borders and attacked Tanegashima’s army. We quickly destroy that army with some loses on our side. The Ito are surprisingly aggressive. Once our ranks have new recruits, Tanegashima marches to Osumi. Not wanting to take unnecessary risks, Tanegashima smartly decides to move his archers around the outer perimeter of the fortress and pepper the enemy with arrows(while avoiding enemy archers stationed in the fortress).



Once the archers have run out of arrows Tanegashima orders his troops to scale the walls. He placed forces surrounding the enemy fortress. Many lives were lost, but Osumi is now in Shimazu hands. Tanegashima, fresh from these victories, is now starting to blossom into a great general.



1556, with Osumi under Shimazu control, Takahisa’s eyes now looked to Hyuga and to finally put down the Ito clan. But before moving in, Tanegashima’s army needs to be replenished. A trade port was created in Satsuma to bring in much needed resources. It didn’t take long before The Ito clan sends another army to defend the southern pass into Hyuga.



The enemy army was lead by Kodama Hiromoto. The first engagement ended with victory for the Shimazu clan. Unfortunately The Ito reinforce Hiromoto’s army with new recruits. The Ito seem to have an endless supply of fresh troops and Tanegashima had to retreat back to Osumi to replenish his army. One of Shimazu Takahisa’s son has now matured and can lead his own troops. For now, he is left in Satsuma.

1557 was the year Tanegashima strikes back Hiromoto’s army and destroys him. Seeing an opportunity with Hiromoto splitting his forces up, Tanegashima struck. The battle was a slaughter. Hiromoto ceases to exist. But a defending army just slightly North from there came in for a counter attack.

Outnumbered, things looked dire for Tanegashima. During battle, archers were placed on top a cliff, protected by Yari Ashigarus. Tanegashima managed to beat the enemy back. Victory! Unfortunately it was a pyrrhic victory. Both Tanegashima’s forces and the enemy lost lots of men. They are still equal but things have gone bad to worse for Tanegashima.



Now stuck in enemy territory in winter and taking losses due to attrition. The enemy retreated South of him, essentially blocking the Shimazu army’s retreat back to Shimazu territory. This can only end badly.