Total War: Shogun 2 Shimazu Campaign Game Diary 3 - Cunning Maneuvers On The Strategic Map

With the Shoni army right at the doorstep of Buzen, Shimazu reinforced the region with more troops from Hizen. Instead of engaging the Shoni invasion force directly, Hongo Yoshimune(the general leading the army) decided to make the Shoni army wait in the winter and that losses from attrition. The Shimazu cut out the enemies escape route by placing their navy at the straits to Kyushu essentially blocking the Shoni army from retreating in the winter.

We will crush any army that tries to fight back Shimazu expansion. Shoni learned the hard way

In the summer, Yoshimune moves in to finish this Shoni army. The Shoni were made up of an Ashigaru army(peasants) and Yoshimune had a few units of Katana samurai and Bow samurai. The Shoni bring for the first time ever, Ashigaru Arquebusier units. Fire arms, what weird weapons. They make a loud noise and produce lots of smoke. But lack punch. Yoshimune’s archers tear them apart before they even make an impact. The better troops make a huge difference as the Shoni army were decimated. Their Daimyo and general dead! But the Shoni still taunt the Shimazu from across the straits. Their heir has now become Daimyo.


Yoshimune moves into Nagato and the Shimazu naval fleet blockades their port. Just outside of Suo, stood a large army of the Mori clan. They are also at war with the Shoni. The Shimazu clan decide to conquer Suo instead of Nagato since the large Mori clan right in front of Suo would take it instead. Bad tactical judgement.

Mori Clan tried to take Suo. Not so fast buddy!

Before the Shimazu could put the end on the Shoni, the Mori clan has captured Nagato right before Shimazu armies march towards Nagato. Now only with Suo and not able to send armies towards Kyushu(the straits joining these islands are in Nagato’s territory). But luckily for the Shimazu Navy, they will have to do for now(transporting armies across to Kyushu).

In 1554, with the Shoni gone and the Mori breathing down Shimazu’s domain, Shimazu Takahisa looks at the tactical situation they are in. The Mori are a large and powerful clan that own much of the south of Kyushu. They are at war with the Chosokabe who are segregated on their own island(Shikoku). The Mori are more powerful than the Chosokabe but since they are right beside Shimazu, they present the greatest threat. With that, Shimazu Takahisa enters into an alliance with the Chosokabe. A wise man once said ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’.

War was declared with the Mori and out from the shroud of Nagato comes an army that outnumbered Hongo Yoshimune’s army. The Mori Daimyo, Mori Motonari lead this huge army. A tactical decision was made to retreat to the woods. Yoshimune decided that the best bet was to ambush this army and hit them when they least expect it. The Mori army would surely try to take Suo.

He was right, Mori Motonari lead the invasion force to try to take Suo. Yoshimune’s army lie in wait. AMBUSH! In the torrential downpour, Yoshimune’s army surround Mori Motonari’s army. The plan… Surround them as fast as possible. Like all plans however, it didn’t exactly go as planned. The enemy move their main force up a hill and left their archers stranded to Yoshimune’s army that closed them down and cut them to bits.

With a lack of ranged units, the enemy was in the mercy of Yoshimune’s own archer(but the rain made it tough). They had to close ground, and Yoshimune knew moving uphill to meet the enemy would be suicide. Mori Motonari led a valiant charge but alas, Shimazu earned a glorious heroic victory. Decimating their army. Unfortunately their Daimyo escaped.

The remnant of that army completely crushed together with their Daimyo in the autumn. Nagato was now under Shimazu rule. The Shimazu clan is now more renowned amongst people of Japan. The Mori clan launch a half hearted invasion of Suo only to be beaten down by  castle defenders. Back in the safety of Shimazu territory, the populace of Bungo is becoming restless. Investigating the situation, our Daimyo has found out that the population of Bungo has a large population of the Christian faith. A few units we quickly rushed to try to pacify the mob. By now that mob has turned into an Ashigaru rebel army.

The rebels had no chance

With the protection of the fortress, Shimazu defenders easily defeat the rebels. Now the war with the Mori clan continues and Aki, the region north of Suo has now been conquered. The Mori clan must surely feel the threat of Shimazu greatly now. And a cornered animals is a lot more dangerous.