Changes

The Yamanaka were retainers of the Amako who had assisted the Amako in regaining [[Gassan-Toda castle]] in [[1486]].  

The Yamanaka were retainers of the Amako who had assisted the Amako in regaining [[Gassan-Toda castle]] in [[1486]].  

Yukimori was the second son of [[Yamanaka Mitsuyuki|Yamanaka Mikawa no Kami Mitsuyuki]] ([[1519]]?-[[1546]]). His mother issued from the Tachihara family. A natural fighter who had taken his first head at the age of 13, Yamanaka had been born during the harvest moon and even prior to the events of [[1566]] allegedly thought of himself as a child of the moon.  

Yukimori was the second son of [[Yamanaka Mitsuyuki|Yamanaka Mikawa no Kami Mitsuyuki]] ([[1519]]?-[[1546]]). His mother issued from the Tachihara family. A natural fighter who had taken his first head at the age of 13, Yamanaka had been born during the harvest moon and even prior to the events of [[1566]] allegedly thought of himself as a child of the moon.  

By [[1563]], [[Mori Motonari|Môri Motonari]] had penetrated the borders of [[Izumo province|Izumo]] and was besieging the strategically vital [[Shiraga castle]]. Yukimori was dispatched in relief with 200 horsemen and while he failed to lift the siege, he did distinguish himself for bravery. Further displays of his martial abilities would come in [[1565]], when the Mori surrounded Gassan-Toda, the Amako's headquarters. During the siege, Yamanaka's talents became well known even among the Mori, and a certain [[Shinagawa Daisen]] challenged him to a one-on-one duel. Such a request was actually quite unusual by this time, and both opposing daimyo agreed, perhaps in the hopes of encouraging their respective armies. The site chosen for the fight was an island of land in the middle of the Toda River, which ran past the Amako stronghold. At this point it should be mentioned that the 'shika' in Yamanaka's honorific title, 'Shikanosuke', can be read as deer, and Yamanaka accordingly wore a helmet adorned with deer horns. Prior to their duel, Shinagawa poked fun at him by changing his own name to [[Taraki Okaminosuke]], which essentially meant that when Yamanaka (the deer/shika) had his horns down (while eating the tara plant), Shinagawa (the wolf/okami) would kill him. In the event, Shikanosuke proved the better warrior. Under the attentive gaze of both armies, Yamanaka grappled with his foe and killed him with a knife. Cutting his head off, he shouted, "The deer has killed the wolf!"  

By [[1563]], [[Mori Motonari|Môri Motonari]] had penetrated the borders of [[Izumo province|Izumo]] and was besieging the strategically vital [[Shiraga castle]]. Yukimori was dispatched in relief with 200 horsemen and while he failed to lift the siege, he did distinguish himself for bravery. Further displays of his martial abilities would come in [[1565]], when the Mori surrounded Gassan-Toda, the Amako's headquarters. During the siege, Yamanaka's talents became well known even among the Mori, and a certain [[Shinagawa Daisen]] challenged him to a one-on-one duel. Such a request was actually quite unusual by this time, and both opposing daimyo agreed, perhaps in the hopes of encouraging their respective armies. The site chosen for the fight was an island of land in the middle of the Toda River, which ran past the Amako stronghold. At this point it should be mentioned that the 'shika' in Yamanaka's honorific title, 'Shikanosuke', can be read as deer, and Yamanaka accordingly wore a helmet adorned with deer horns. Prior to their duel, Shinagawa poked fun at him by changing his own name to Taraki Okaminosuke, which essentially meant that when Yamanaka (the deer/shika) had his horns down (while eating the tara plant), Shinagawa (the wolf/okami) would kill him. In the event, Shikanosuke proved the better warrior. Under the attentive gaze of both armies, Yamanaka grappled with his foe and killed him with a knife. Cutting his head off, he shouted, "The deer has killed the wolf!"  

Yamanaka's display of skill was not enough to save Gassan-Toda, which surrendered the following year. Yoshihisa was sent into exile and the Amako lands absorbed by the Mori. For Yamanaka, however, the war wasn't over yet. Determined to fight on to restore the Amako, he made a famous vow before the new moon, declaring that he would gladly accept all of the 'seven troubles and eight pains' if it would bring relief to the Amako.  

Yamanaka's display of skill was not enough to save Gassan-Toda, which surrendered the following year. Yoshihisa was sent into exile and the Amako lands absorbed by the Mori. For Yamanaka, however, the war wasn't over yet. Determined to fight on to restore the Amako, he made a famous vow before the new moon, declaring that he would gladly accept all of the 'seven troubles and eight pains' if it would bring relief to the Amako.