Part 1: A Fool is Felled at Okehazama
June 12th, 1560
Okehazama, Owari Province
(One Hour Earlier)
Zenshoji, Okehazama, Owari Province
(Present)
[1] Yoshimoto was said to engage in habits of the aristocracy such as having blacked teeth and shaved eyebrows, and for what it was worth the Imagawa did have the lineage to become Shogun, so taking a bit of liberty I made Yoshimoto a bit arrogant.
[2] This is the Main POD in OTL Nobunaga was able to catch the Imagawa main camp off guard and managed to kill Yoshimoto, which threw the much larger Imagawa forces into confusion causing the downfall of the Imagawa and independence of the Matsudaira. This coupled with the Miyoshi imploding and Saito growing weak allowed Nobunaga to eventually start uniting Japan Here Nobunaga is not going so lucky, with fatal consequences. A hatamoto is a daimyo's direct retainer.
[3] Yoshimoto himself was skilled at horse archery, While Motoyasu Matsudaira his Vanguard commander who would be OTL Ieyasu Tokugawa, who was an Imagawa vassal at this time.
[4] Motoyasu had met Nobunaga when Motoyasu was captured as a child and taken hostage by Nobunaga's father Oda Nobuhide, to get the Matsudaira to back the Oda. Takechiyo was Motoyasu's childhood name.
[5] Kimyomaru or strange one was the childhood name Nobunaga gave to his first legitimate son who would be known as Oda Nobutada who would die with Nobunaga at Honnoji. At this time Nobunaga has 4 sons and one daughter with possible leeway for a second one.
[6] Nobunaga's eccentric behavior didn't win him any favors with several of his retainers and vassals, that Nobunaga was derogatorily known as The Fool of Owari. This led to fights within the Oda and after Nobunaga's father died that ultimately saw Nobunaga triumphant. Among one those behaviors were informal almost disrespectful speech, his atheism, which included not believing in spirits or superstitions of any kind. On the lighter scale, his referenced earlier love of the Noh play Astumori, reciting that verse before going into battle and the tea ceremony and it's tea instruments.
[7] Head taking was a practice of the time where enemies heads would be cut off and presented to their commander for rewards.
Well, it's been a while, and I've always wanted to rewrite this. Like the original, I'll try not to deviate too much from the established style I'll do my utmost to convey the formal honorifics of Japanese in English, and it's still a narrative TL for better or worse. Any names are going done in their respective styles, so Japanese names would be family name/surname first, personal name last.
Footnotes are going to put for cultural notes, references to characters, and some POD effects. I definitely want to put in more realism than the previous version. Expect maps as well, but it's going to be much different from the original as well.
Feel free to comment and say what you wish, I hope whoever is reading this enjoys it.
Okehazama, Owari Province
It was a dull gray afternoon with a thunderstorm in the sky, It was in a sharp contrast to the air of celebration that permeated the camp of the army of Imagawa Yoshimoto, eleventh head of the Imagawa Clan. All throughout his campaign into Owari, Yoshimoto had encountered resistance so pitiful, he wondered just how foolish The Fool of Owari, Oda Nobunaga truly was.
Having heard the rumors of the disrespect he had shown at his father, Nobuhide’s funeral, and his erratic behavior, it seemed he lived up to his nickname. Yet he here was, invading Nobunaga’s land with Nobunaga not even bothering to fight. Perhaps the fool wasn't so foolish after all, although still foolish enough to not surrender to him in the first place. It made sense, he was Imagawa Yoshimoto of the Imagawa Clan, Lord of Suruga, Totomi, and Mikawa. His forces greatly outnumbered the Oda, who had yet to engage him in a serious battle, his victory was all but assured.[1]
However, a growing sense of unease made Yoshimoto wary, what if all of this alleged weakness was really a trap. Before he could think further, a bolt of lightning struck one of Yoshimoto’s battle standards, setting it on fire. Taking this an ill omen, Yoshimoto had given the order for his men to be on guard, but not give off the feeling of alertness. Yoshimoto had turned towards one of his hatamoto.[2]
"You, I want you to take my place for a diversion." ordered Yoshimoto "I fear an ambush, but I do not wish to let the chance to catch these snakes pass us by. Do not worry we will lie in wait to retaliate." Yoshimoto explained to ease his hatamoto's concerns.
(One Hour Earlier)
Zenshoji, Okehazama, Owari Province
The Oda forces had camped not too far from Imagawa, while the soldiers were prepared their leader was not yet in camp.
A man dressed in armor was engaging in song and dance with a fan in his hand, with only a lone attendant with a small drum to accompany him. Slowly moving around as if he were a part of his favorite play, and not about risk his life, fighting in an almost suicidal battle. “A man’s life of fifty years is nothing compared to the age of this world. Life is but a fleeting dream, an illusion, is there anything that lasts forever?” sang the man. The man was Oda Nobunaga of the Oda clan of Owari, calmly dancing and singing a line from Atsumori before what may be his last battle.
Nobunaga’s choices against the Imagawa were bleak, A frontal attack would be foolish, but neither could he hold the Imagawa off in a siege. His only alternative was a surprise attack on the Imagawa and hope it worked. Gathering a small force of 1500 men, Nobunaga set out to ambush the Imagawa army. Nobunaga, greatly outnumbered, had to make a daring gamble. Either he would defeat the Imagawa and rise to greatness or fade into the mists of history. Nobunaga returned to his camp and set out under the cover of a thunderstorm he would begin his most important march of his life.
(Present)
Nobunaga and his men had made their way towards the Imagawa camp with one-third of them mounted on horseback while the Imagawa soldiers were still drunkenly celebrating. Having made his way to rear of Imagawa army, their main camp Nobunaga began his assault. Things seemed to be progressing with the Imagawa forces seemingly too drunk to retaliate and began to run away, but they were cut down to prevent them from warning the rest of the army.
Yoshimoto’s instincts were proven right! Yoshimoto was hidden with several soldiers near his main camp and when Nobunaga’s soldiers came to attack his body double they were ambushed and promptly slain. Yoshimoto vowed he would personally make that upstart fool Nobunaga regret his decision. Yoshimoto had sent out a messenger to inform the commander of the vanguard Matsudaira Motoyasu to cut off the Oda escape, while he would engage in a counter attack. Mounting a horse and grabbing his bow Yoshimoto pursued the fleeing Oda forces, with his own. [3]
Nobunaga and his forces were forced to escape back towards the forest north of Yoshimoto's forces. Nobunaga was annoyed, Apparently, not all of Yoshimoto’s army were drunken sots, and someone was taking down his horsemen with only a bow be it just the horse or sometimes the solider. Chances are it's Yoshimoto himself horse archery was an antiquated way of war fitting for a man who was a relic of the past. However, for such a relic he's no less deadly. Thought Nobunaga while he and his men where forced to press on.
Nobunaga and his forces managed to escape the forest only to be confronted all too familar banners of the Matsudaira, most of his forces fought to cover his retreat, while he and a small group of horsemen rode back to Kiyosu Castle. However horsemen from the Matsudaira started to engage them, Nobunaga was able to best a few before comming up against a solider, Nobunaga struck the horse with his spear, but not before his own horse was struck as well.
Both men were able to dismount safely, with Nobunaga losing his spear in the process. Nobunaga had confronted with what looked to be a commander judging by the armor. Nobunaga drew his sword before the commander could strike him with his spear. Nobunaga deflected the blow and cut off the upper part of the shaft. The commander drew his own sword allowing Nobuanaga to get a good look at his opponent, it was his old friend Matsudaira Motoyasu.
“So Takechiyo, is this how things end?” asked Nobunaga caring little for formality. [4]
“I am Motoyasu now Nobunaga, and I'm afraid it is the way of this world” replied Motoyasu gravely.
Both men began to fight, with both sides evenly matched, Nobunaga was much older and exprienced while Motoyasu being well rested and was trained during his time as a hostage. Motoyasu had managed to exploit his oppentent's tiredness gradually pressing the advantage, stabbing Nobunaga through the abdomen. Realizing he was about to die he looked at Motoyasu one last time. “Motoyasu, look after Kimyomaru and the others for me.” said Nobunaga in an uncharacteristically solemn tone. [5]
Nobunaga recalled his 26 years, the death of his father and the power struggle with his brothers and cousins, only for it to end now. Life truly was an illusion, a fleeting dream under heaven, despite believing there being nothing at the end. An another arrow had suddenly struck Nobunaga in his arm, the last thing Nobunaga saw was his fromer friend's face almost in tears, moving to decapitate him.[6]
The Imagawa forces had managed to drive back the Oda forces, and the heads of their slain where gathered in front of Yoshimoto a their camp. One of the last to arrive was Motoyasu with the head of Nobunaga himself.
"Motoyasu." said Yoshimoto causing Motoyasu to stand at attention. "You knew Nobunaga did you not?"
"Only when I was a hostage of the Oda, My Lord" responded Motoyasu.
"I had heard many things about the man most of them negative and apprently false, what where his last words?" asked Yoshimoto curious as to how foolish Nobunaga truly was.
"He wanted to me look after his family." replied Motoyasu, unsure of how his lord would react.
"Hmm fool or not, anyone can recognize your talents Motoyasu. I will let you honor that request if you wish." Yoshimoto's remark had slightly lifted Motoyasu's spirits. "Make sure your men are rested we are to conitune our march towards Kiyosu Castle tomorrow," ordered Yoshimoto.
"Yes, My lord." Motoyasu had left to return to his post.
As Motoyasu returned to his men, the Imagawa forces in camp mostly had returned to celebrating, while Yoshimoto stared at the collection of heads with Nobunaga's among them. [7]
[1] Yoshimoto was said to engage in habits of the aristocracy such as having blacked teeth and shaved eyebrows, and for what it was worth the Imagawa did have the lineage to become Shogun, so taking a bit of liberty I made Yoshimoto a bit arrogant.
[2] This is the Main POD in OTL Nobunaga was able to catch the Imagawa main camp off guard and managed to kill Yoshimoto, which threw the much larger Imagawa forces into confusion causing the downfall of the Imagawa and independence of the Matsudaira. This coupled with the Miyoshi imploding and Saito growing weak allowed Nobunaga to eventually start uniting Japan Here Nobunaga is not going so lucky, with fatal consequences. A hatamoto is a daimyo's direct retainer.
[3] Yoshimoto himself was skilled at horse archery, While Motoyasu Matsudaira his Vanguard commander who would be OTL Ieyasu Tokugawa, who was an Imagawa vassal at this time.
[4] Motoyasu had met Nobunaga when Motoyasu was captured as a child and taken hostage by Nobunaga's father Oda Nobuhide, to get the Matsudaira to back the Oda. Takechiyo was Motoyasu's childhood name.
[5] Kimyomaru or strange one was the childhood name Nobunaga gave to his first legitimate son who would be known as Oda Nobutada who would die with Nobunaga at Honnoji. At this time Nobunaga has 4 sons and one daughter with possible leeway for a second one.
[6] Nobunaga's eccentric behavior didn't win him any favors with several of his retainers and vassals, that Nobunaga was derogatorily known as The Fool of Owari. This led to fights within the Oda and after Nobunaga's father died that ultimately saw Nobunaga triumphant. Among one those behaviors were informal almost disrespectful speech, his atheism, which included not believing in spirits or superstitions of any kind. On the lighter scale, his referenced earlier love of the Noh play Astumori, reciting that verse before going into battle and the tea ceremony and it's tea instruments.
[7] Head taking was a practice of the time where enemies heads would be cut off and presented to their commander for rewards.
Well, it's been a while, and I've always wanted to rewrite this. Like the original, I'll try not to deviate too much from the established style I'll do my utmost to convey the formal honorifics of Japanese in English, and it's still a narrative TL for better or worse. Any names are going done in their respective styles, so Japanese names would be family name/surname first, personal name last.
Footnotes are going to put for cultural notes, references to characters, and some POD effects. I definitely want to put in more realism than the previous version. Expect maps as well, but it's going to be much different from the original as well.
Feel free to comment and say what you wish, I hope whoever is reading this enjoys it.
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