Kōzuki Castle

Kōzuki Castle (上月城の戦い, Kōzuki-jō no Tatakai) was the last stronghold of the Amago clan. They were the Mōri's most prominent rivals until they fell in decline. The Mōri launched a final offensive in the year 1578, where the Amago requested assistance from the Oda. This battle is lauded in folklore for the heroics of the Amago general, Shikanosuke Yamanaka.

Role in games

In Samurai Warriors 3, this battle only appears in Motonari's story. Motonari, Muneshige and Ginchiyo besiege the castle controlled by Hideyoshi. There is little reference to the Amago but Motonari manages to break through the Oda encirclement and the tactics of Hanbei and Kanbei. This battle received it's own unique map in Sengoku musou chronicle 2nd.

In Samurai Warriors 4, the battle is an expanded version of the Chronicles map and there is more of an emphasis on the Amago clan. Motonari and Takakage Kobayakawa employ skillful strategy to whittle down the Amago defenses, with Katsuhisa perishing. In the second half of the battle, the Oda reinforcements arrive and ambush the Mōri, causing Motonari and Takakage to order a withdrawal. Mitsunari, Masanori, and Kiyomasa all appear to impede the Mōri Army, but their inexperience aids the Mōri salvage the situation. After the battle, Hanbei passes away in ill health causing friend and foe alike to lament.

In Chikai no Sanshi, Kōzuki Castle was designated as the last base of the Amago clan rescue army. In which the player will have to lead the Terumoto and his army to destroy Amago Katsuhisa. In this stage, the player have to watch out for enemy generals who are Shikanosuke, Hisatsuna Tachihara and Iorinosuke Akiage. In addition, the player will have to watch out for Hideyoshi's army that will attack the player's rear.

In Samurai Warriors 5, it represented as alternative version or reverie. With support of Mitsuhide, Toshimitsu and Hideyoshi, Shikanosuke give a last chance to defeat Mori once and for all to revive Amago clan by saving Katsuhisa and Michihisa. When its almost done, Nobunaga orders to the others to retreat for 5 minutes. However, Shikanosuke refuse to return. Mitsuhide says that if Shikanosuke and the others manage to defeat Mori led by Motonari, they should be able to arrive Harima in time. Killing Motonari will end the stage.

Historical Information

The campaign between the Mōri and the Oda began when Amago Katsuhisa approached Oda Nobunaga for help retaking his clan's former lands from the Mōri. Nobunaga agreed and sent Hashiba Hideyoshi to begin defeating the Mōri. Katsuhisa's retainer, Yamanaka Shikanosuke led much of the Amago's efforts. They managed to capture Kōzuki Castle from Ukita Naoie and Akamatsu Masanori in Hideyoshi's signature speedy strikes. He entrusted the fortress to the reemergeant Amago clan as he moved on towards other Mōri castles.

In response to this lost castle, the Mōri gathered up an army of 30,000 men in hopes of attacking and wiping out the Amago. They set up a blockade around the castle, digging a large moat for good measure. Outnumbered more then 10 to 1, the Amago asked for help from the Oda army under Hideyoshi. Hashiba reported this matter to Nobunaga but his master was more interested in suppressing Bessho Nagaharu than saving allies he didn't intend to keep around long term. With no aid coming, the Amago morale continued to fall under the watch of the Mōri.

Legends claim that Shikanosuke performed admirably, being the force that held the Amago together despite their bad odds. Nevertheless The 30,000 men of Mōri proved too much for the Amago to hold off. Desperate to save the men, either Shikanosuke offered his own lord, Amago Katsuhisa, in exchange for his comrades life or Katsuhisa agreed to such a deal on his own. Either way, Katsuhisa committed seppuku and the siege ended. Yamanaka Yukimori (Shikanosuke) also did not manage to escape disaster, as he was assassinated after being arrested by Mōri (with some claiming his death coming as theend of a personal grudge held by Kikkawa Motoharu).