Changes

* Popular name: 真田幸村　''(Sanada Yukimura)''

* Popular name: 真田幸村　''(Sanada Yukimura)''

* Other names: 弁丸 ''(Ben-maru)'', 左衛門佐 ''(Saemon-suke)''

* Other names: 弁丸 ''(Ben-maru)'', 左衛門佐 ''(Saemon-suke)''

[[Image:Yukimurastatue.JPG|thumb|Sanada Yukimura Statue, Ueda city]]

[[Image:Yukimurastatue.JPG|thumb|Sanada Yukimura Statue, Ueda city]]

Sanada Yukimura is probably the most famous of the [[Sanada clan]] of [[Shinano province]].  He was the second son of [[Sanada Masayuki]] and his wife  (Kanshô-in　寒松院); his older brother was [[Sanada Nobuyuki|Nobuyuki]]. The Sanada had been loyal vassals of [[Takeda Shingen]], the famed daimyo of [[Kai]].

Sanada Yukimura is probably the most famous of the [[Sanada clan]] of [[Shinano province]].  He was the second son of [[Sanada Masayuki]] and his wife  (Kanshô-in　寒松院); his older brother was [[Sanada Nobuyuki|Nobuyuki]]. The Sanada had been loyal vassals of [[Takeda Shingen]], the famed daimyo of [[Kai]].

In 1585 a quarrel between his father Masayuki and [[Hojo Ujimasa  |Hôjô Ujimasa]] over [[Numata castle]] came to a head, and [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] made plans to attack the Sanada castle of [[Ueda castle|Ueda]]. In response, Masayuki made overtures to [[Uesugi Kagekatsu]] of [[Echigo province]] and sent Yukimura as a hostage, where he was placed under the watchful eye of Uesugi general [[Suda Chikamitsu]] 須田満親. A letter of from [[Suda Mitsuchika]] dated 8/29 mentions Yukimura's arrival and says that in return, a force had been sent to aid the Sanada in their struggle against the Tokugawa. Ieyasu's [[First Siege of Ueda|attack on Ueda Castle]] ended in utter failure.  Towards the end of the year Masayuki made overtures to [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], guaranteeing a quick end to the quarrel with Ieyasu. Perhaps one result of submitting to Hideyoshi was that Yukimura was able to leave the Uesugi, who had also pledged allegiance to Hideyoshi.

In 1585 a quarrel between his father Masayuki and [[Hojo Ujimasa  |Hôjô Ujimasa]] over [[Numata castle]] came to a head, and [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] made plans to attack the Sanada castle of [[Ueda castle|Ueda]]. In response, Masayuki made overtures to [[Uesugi Kagekatsu]] of [[Echigo province]] and sent Yukimura as a hostage, where he was placed under the watchful eye of Uesugi general [[Suda Chikamitsu]]. A letter of from [[Suda Mitsuchika]] dated 8/29 mentions Yukimura's arrival and says that in return, a force had been sent to aid the Sanada in their struggle against the Tokugawa. Ieyasu's [[First Siege of Ueda|attack on Ueda Castle]] ended in utter failure.  Towards the end of the year Masayuki made overtures to [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], guaranteeing a quick end to the quarrel with Ieyasu. Perhaps one result of submitting to Hideyoshi was that Yukimura was able to leave the Uesugi, who had also pledged allegiance to Hideyoshi.

Yukimura served under Hideyoshi and married the daughter of a senior Toyotomi retainer [[Otani Yoshitsugu |Ôtani Yoshitsugu]]. In 1594 on the orders of Hideyoshi, Yukimura, along with his father and brother, played leading roles in the construction of [[Fushimi castle]].

Yukimura served under Hideyoshi and married the daughter of a senior Toyotomi retainer [[Otani Yoshitsugu |Ôtani Yoshitsugu]]. In 1594 on the orders of Hideyoshi, Yukimura, along with his father and brother, played leading roles in the construction of [[Fushimi castle]].

Now with the Masayuki and Yukimura’s position clear, Ieyasu's son [[Tokugawa Hidetada|Hidetada]] [[Second Siege of Ueda|]] attacked the father and son at Ueda Castle on his way to Sekigahara to support his father. The siege at Ueda lasted only eight days and ended in failure for Hidetada, whose 38,000-strong army arrived too late to take part in the fighting at Sekigahara and nearly jeopardized his father’s victory.  

Now with the Masayuki and Yukimura’s position clear, Ieyasu's son [[Tokugawa Hidetada|Hidetada]] [[Second Siege of Ueda|]] attacked the father and son at Ueda Castle on his way to Sekigahara to support his father. The siege at Ueda lasted only eight days and ended in failure for Hidetada, whose 38,000-strong army arrived too late to take part in the fighting at Sekigahara and nearly jeopardized his father’s victory.  

Having won the battle of Sekigahara, Ieyasu was now master of the realm and both Masayuki and Yukimura found themselves in a precarious position for having opposed him.  Luckily, Nobuyuki was able to intercede on behalf of his father and brother, so their lives were spared. However at the end of 1600,  Masayuki and Yukimura were exiled to Kudoyama 九度山 in Mt. Koya in [[Kii province]]. Yukimura was then 32 years old ([[Age Calculation|western-style age]]).

Having won the battle of Sekigahara, Ieyasu was now master of the realm and both Masayuki and Yukimura found themselves in a precarious position for having opposed him.  Luckily, Nobuyuki was able to intercede on behalf of his father and brother, so their lives were spared. However at the end of 1600,  Masayuki and Yukimura were exiled to Kudoyama in Mt. Koya in [[Kii province]]. Yukimura was then 32 years old ([[Age Calculation|western-style age]]).

A number of letters from Yukimura's time in Kudoyama exist, written to his brother or family retainers.  Among other things, he said he was learning and enjoying ''renga'', "linked poems" composed in turn in a group, though it was difficult as he had started late.  His father Masayuki died in Kudoyama in 1611.

A number of letters from Yukimura's time in Kudoyama exist, written to his brother or family retainers.  Among other things, he said he was learning and enjoying ''renga'', "linked poems" composed in turn in a group, though it was difficult as he had started late.  His father Masayuki died in Kudoyama in 1611.

Amply guarded by rivers and canals to the north, east and west, Osaka castle was most vulnerable to attack from the south.  Realizing this, the Toyotomi forces went to work on digging a dry moat that was fortified with wooden palisades. On the inner-side, a stone and earthen embankment was constructed with strong, defensive positions at the eastern and western ends to protect the roads leading into the castle.  At the eastern end, nearly a kilometer south of the castle’s Tamatsukuriguchi entrance, a half-moon shaped embankment strengthened with wooden walls was built. It was from this position that Yukimura would valiantly command 5,000 troops against the attacking Tokugawa forces, earning the barbican the name "Sanada-[[Castle terms|maru]]" (the present Sanada-yama Park).

Amply guarded by rivers and canals to the north, east and west, Osaka castle was most vulnerable to attack from the south.  Realizing this, the Toyotomi forces went to work on digging a dry moat that was fortified with wooden palisades. On the inner-side, a stone and earthen embankment was constructed with strong, defensive positions at the eastern and western ends to protect the roads leading into the castle.  At the eastern end, nearly a kilometer south of the castle’s Tamatsukuriguchi entrance, a half-moon shaped embankment strengthened with wooden walls was built. It was from this position that Yukimura would valiantly command 5,000 troops against the attacking Tokugawa forces, earning the barbican the name "Sanada-[[Castle terms|maru]]" (the present Sanada-yama Park).

By mid-December 1614, the Tokugawa forces began to tighten the noose around Osaka castle. As pointed out earlier, the castle’s southern flank was its weakest point and hence the Tokugawa launched an all-out assault on the Sanada-maru on January 3, 1615 (December 4, 1614 in the old Japanese lunar calendar). The first assault wave was led by [[Maeda Toshitsune]] 前田利常 (1593-1658) commanding 12,000 troops who retreated after scores were cut down in a deadly crossfire of arquebus fire as they rushed for the walls of Sanada-maru.  A second wave of  10,000 under the command of Ieyasu’s grandson, [[Matsudaira Tadanao ]]松平忠直(1595-1650) and an additional 10,000 troops adorning the famous red-lacquered armor of the Ii clan, led by [[Ii Naotaka]] 井伊直孝 (1590-1659) were  greeted by a hail of hot lead from the defenders of Sanada-maru. However, the combined Matsudaira-Ii force managed to withstand the constant barrage of gunfire long enough to breach the castle’s Hachomeguchi gate 八町目口門 where they were greeted by 8,000 Toyotomi troops led by [[Kimura Shigenari]] 木村重成 (1593-1615). Pressed by Kimura’s forces in front of them and facing deadly fire on their right flank from Sanada’s troops, the Matsudaira-Ii force was soon in full-retreat back to their lines. Kimura’s troops gave chase, and proceeded to rout an additional 700 Tokugawa forces led by [[Matsukura Shigemasa]] 松倉重政(1574-1630) and [[Terazawa Hirotaka]] 寺沢広高 (1563-1633) along the way.

By mid-December 1614, the Tokugawa forces began to tighten the noose around Osaka castle. As pointed out earlier, the castle’s southern flank was its weakest point and hence the Tokugawa launched an all-out assault on the Sanada-maru on January 3, 1615 (December 4, 1614 in the old Japanese lunar calendar). The first assault wave was led by [[Maeda Toshitsune]] (1593-1658) commanding 12,000 troops who retreated after scores were cut down in a deadly crossfire of arquebus fire as they rushed for the walls of Sanada-maru.  A second wave of  10,000 under the command of Ieyasu’s grandson, [[Matsudaira Tadanao ]] (1595-1650) and an additional 10,000 troops adorning the famous red-lacquered armor of the Ii clan, led by [[Ii Naotaka]] (1590-1659) were  greeted by a hail of hot lead from the defenders of Sanada-maru. However, the combined Matsudaira-Ii force managed to withstand the constant barrage of gunfire long enough to breach the castle’s Hachomeguchi gate where they were greeted by 8,000 Toyotomi troops led by [[Kimura Shigenari]] (1593-1615). Pressed by Kimura’s forces in front of them and facing deadly fire on their right flank from Sanada’s troops, the Matsudaira-Ii force was soon in full-retreat back to their lines. Kimura’s troops gave chase, and proceeded to rout an additional 700 Tokugawa forces led by [[Matsukura Shigemasa]] (1574-1630) and [[Terazawa Hirotaka]] (1563-1633) along the way.

The next day, on January 4 (December 5 in the old Japanese lunar calendar), the Tokugawa resumed their attack on Sanada-maru and a force of 4,000 under [[Tôdô Takatora]] 藤堂高虎 (1556-1630) made a dash for the Tanimachiguchi gate 谷町口門, one gate down to the west from the Hachomeguchi gate. Tôdô briefly managed to breach the castle’s wall, but came under a fierce counterattack by 5,000 troops under [[Chôsokabe Morichika]] 長宋我部盛親(1575-1615), driving the Tokugawa back, yet again.

The next day, on January 4 (December 5 in the old Japanese lunar calendar), the Tokugawa resumed their attack on Sanada-maru and a force of 4,000 under [[Todo Takatora|Tôdô Takatora]] 藤堂高虎 (1556-1630) made a dash for the Tanimachiguchi gate 谷町口門, one gate down to the west from the Hachomeguchi gate. Tôdô briefly managed to breach the castle’s wall, but came under a fierce counterattack by 5,000 troops under [[Chosokabe Morichika|Chôsokabe Morichika]] 長宋我部盛親(1575-1615), driving the Tokugawa back, yet again.

Due to the resilient defense of the Sanada-maru, it became apparent to the Tokugawa that Osaka castle could not be taken by throwing wave after wave of ground troops at the castle. A change in tactics was needed, and Ieyasu chose to bring artillery to bear on Osaka castle. While the artillery barrage that began on January 8 (December 9 in the old Japanese lunar calendar) did not have an overwhelming destructive impact, it did have the desired psychological effect. Unable to tolerate the bombardment, Hideyori’s mother, [[Yodo-gimi]], soon began to pressure her son to reach a peace agreement with Ieyasu. Proving that the walls of Osaka castle were stronger than his will, Hideyori eventually bowed to his mother’s wishes and began negotiating a settlement 10 days after the bombardment started.  On January 21 (December 22 in the old Japanese lunar calendar) the winter siege of Osaka officially ended.  

Due to the resilient defense of the Sanada-maru, it became apparent to the Tokugawa that Osaka castle could not be taken by throwing wave after wave of ground troops at the castle. A change in tactics was needed, and Ieyasu chose to bring artillery to bear on Osaka castle. While the artillery barrage that began on January 8 (December 9 in the old Japanese lunar calendar) did not have an overwhelming destructive impact, it did have the desired psychological effect. Unable to tolerate the bombardment, Hideyori’s mother, [[Yodo-gimi]], soon began to pressure her son to reach a peace agreement with Ieyasu. Proving that the walls of Osaka castle were stronger than his will, Hideyori eventually bowed to his mother’s wishes and began negotiating a settlement 10 days after the bombardment started.  On January 21 (December 22 in the old Japanese lunar calendar) the winter siege of Osaka officially ended.  

Without even giving the ink on the peace agreement to dry, Shôgun [[Tokugawa Hidetada]], under orders from his father, Ieyasu, began demolishing the outer defenses of Osaka castle. Hideyori protested, but his pleas were futile. When he attempted to rebuild his moats and walls, Ieyasu had the pretext he needed to finish off the Toyotomi once and for all. Claiming that Hideyori was reneging on the peace plan by refortifying Osaka castle and again raising a rônin army, the Tokugawa reassembled their forces in Kyoto and prepared to march once again on Osaka.  

Without even giving the ink on the peace agreement to dry, Shôgun [[Tokugawa Hidetada]], under orders from his father, Ieyasu, began demolishing the outer defenses of Osaka castle. Hideyori protested, but his pleas were futile. When he attempted to rebuild his moats and walls, Ieyasu had the pretext he needed to finish off the Toyotomi once and for all. Claiming that Hideyori was reneging on the peace plan by refortifying Osaka castle and again raising a rônin army, the Tokugawa reassembled their forces in Kyoto and prepared to march once again on Osaka.  

Knowing that it was futile to stay behind the walls of the weakened citadel to wait for the Tokugawa troops to show up, the Toyotomi forces decided to go on the offensive. The first notable clash of the summer siege occurred on May 26 (April 27 in the old Japanese lunar calendar) at [[Kashii]] 樫井, where 5,000 Tokugawa forces under [[Asano Nagaakira]] 浅野長晟 (1586-1632) defeated the 3,000 men under [[Ono Harufusa]]大野治房 as they marched toward the pro-Tokugawa stronghold of [[Wakayama castle]] 和歌山成.   

Knowing that it was futile to stay behind the walls of the weakened citadel to wait for the Tokugawa troops to show up, the Toyotomi forces decided to go on the offensive. The first notable clash of the summer siege occurred on May 26 (April 27 in the old Japanese lunar calendar) at [[Kashii]], where 5,000 Tokugawa forces under [[Asano Nagaakira]]  (1586-1632) defeated the 3,000 men under [[Ono Harufusa]]大野治房 as they marched toward the pro-Tokugawa stronghold of [[Wakayama castle]] 和歌山成.   

The next major clash occurred in the fog on  the early morning of  June 3 (May 6) at [[Dômyô-ji]]道明寺 near Japan’s imperial [[kofun]] tombs. Fighting broke out as forces under Yukimura and the Tokugawa jostled for high ground on the slope of Komatsuyama 小松山. Here, Yukimura’s troops engaged the 10,000 men under the command of the famed One-Eyed-Dragon of Sendai, [[Date Masamune]] 伊達政宗 (1567-1636)  near Hachiman shrine in Konda village. 誉田八幡神社. Yukimura had only 3,000 troops under his personal command and heavy casualties inflicted on the other Toyotomi forces were taking its toll. As dusk neared, Sanada realized further fighting was useless and executed an orderly withdrawal back to Osaka castle.  Ieyasu’s sixth son, Tokugawa Tadateru, was ordered to give chase to Yukimura’s retreating forces. But his 9,000 troops were also exhausted from a brisk march to reinforce the Tokugawa positions at Dômyô-ji and he refused, allowing the famed general to get away to fight yet one more day.

The next major clash occurred in the fog on  the early morning of  June 3 (May 6) at [[Dômyô-ji]]道明寺 near Japan’s imperial [[kofun]] tombs. Fighting broke out as forces under Yukimura and the Tokugawa jostled for high ground on the slope of Komatsuyama 小松山. Here, Yukimura’s troops engaged the 10,000 men under the command of the famed One-Eyed-Dragon of Sendai, [[Date Masamune]] 伊達政宗 (1567-1636)  near Hachiman shrine in Konda village. 誉田八幡神社. Yukimura had only 3,000 troops under his personal command and heavy casualties inflicted on the other Toyotomi forces were taking its toll. As dusk neared, Sanada realized further fighting was useless and executed an orderly withdrawal back to Osaka castle.  Ieyasu’s sixth son, Tokugawa Tadateru, was ordered to give chase to Yukimura’s retreating forces. But his 9,000 troops were also exhausted from a brisk march to reinforce the Tokugawa positions at Dômyô-ji and he refused, allowing the famed general to get away to fight yet one more day.