Battle of Nakasuji River, Spring 1468

There is an ongoing fight against the Ichijo Clan in the Nakasuji River valley twenty miles to the south, between the towns of Sukumo in the west and Shimanto in the east. There is frequent skirmishing on the Kochi Plain, near the village of Arioka, about once a month. The Ichijo Clan is headquartered in Shimanto, in Nakamura Castle. They wish to expand their territories to the west, at the expense of the Saionji. Eventually, this will lead them to the PC's lands. 

The Spears of Kamigoryo arrived on the scene first, riding in the vanguard of the Saionji column. They reached the bridge over the Nakasuji (one of several in the area) closest to the Enkoji Temple, where they encountered a small picket force of Ichijo samurai and ashigaru. This force was attempting to make the bridge impassable. The PC's charged in, quickly defeating the Ichijo and securing the river crossing. The Saionji main body arrived shortly afterward, occupying the village of Hirata and spreading across the southern roads to try to seize the other bridges. This was largely unsuccessful, as the Ichijo had already invested the villages on the northern bank of the river and held a strong position and superior numbers. There was significant fighting along the bridges and riverbanks near Sukumoshi and Tobu, the two villages in the center, but nothing much was accomplished. 

After nightfall, the Spears of Kamigoryo conducted a commando-style operation against the Ichijo forces in the center. They crept into the hills behind the Ichijo lines and then snuck into the occupied village of Wakamiya. The raid was generally successful, as the PC's managed to steal several of the samurai-owned cavalry horses, including that belonging to Lord Uzukami Shoko, a well-regarded Ichijo vassal. This demoralized the Ichijo, as it proved that the Spears of Kamigoryo were thoroughly involved. 

The next morning, with all troops in position and rested, the fight began in earnest. The Spears of Kamigoryo were instrumental in rolling the Ichijo west flank, destroying Lord Ichijo Tanyu's contingent at the same time that the Ichijo were nearly successful in breaking the Saionji center. The PC's slammed into the rear of Lord Uzumaki's troops just as they pushed the Saionji back, catching them in the center. During the fight, Muramoto Yukichi (Sean) fought a glorious duel against Lord Uzumaki, receiving a severe spear wound to the face. He followed it up with a devastating blow that crushed Lord Uzumaki. 

Though the Ichijo still retained greater numbers than the Saionji, the heavy losses in troops and the deaths of Lord Ichijo Tanyu and Lord Uzumaki Shoko at the hands of the Spears of Kamigoryo convinced the overall force commander, Lord Ichijo Utemaru, that it was best to withdraw. The Ichijo forces fell back across the small but defensible barriers of the Yamada and Yokose Rivers (tributaries of the Nakasuji River). They dug in at the village of Arioka, around the Ichijo field headquarters. The Saionji commanders agreed that this was a close-run battle and let them depart. Thus ended the Battle of Nakasuji River. 

A few days later, two troubling bits of information arrived to the PC's:

1. A force of elite samurai arrived in Shimanto (Ichijo main castle town) from the capital of Kyoto. They are from House Kuroboshi, vassals of Lord Michinaga, the family enemy of Kingoro (Jason), and a rival of Prince Akihiro (the PC's patron). The timing of their arrival hints that someone in the Ichijo sent a message, and the Kuroboshi were immediately dispatched straightaway. This means that Prince Michinaga has made a high priority out of the Spears of Kamigoryo.
2. A merchant called Tekikuchi has been spreading gold around in Uwajima (Saionji castle town), asking pointed questions about who might have burned down the Mongol fort on the coast of southern Kyushu a few weeks back (Answer: You did it. It was you). While Kurisu (Chris) is certain that his pirates wouldn't talk (they know the results would be devastating), it is still unnerving that the Mongols already know enough to ask around the region where the PC's reside. 

Needless to say, life will get interesting down in quiet Cape Noto.