Changes

==Unification of Shikoku==

==Unification of Shikoku==

Following his conquest of Tosa, Motochika turned north and prepared for an invasion of Iyo. The lord of that province was [[Kono Michinao|Kôno Michinao]], a daimyo who had once been driven from his domain by the Utsunomiya clan, returning only with the assistance of the powerful [[Mori clan|Môri]]. It was unlikely that Kôno could count on that sort of help again, however-presently the Môri were embroiled in a war with [[Oda Nobunaga]]. Nonetheless, Chosokabe's campaign in Iyo did not go off without a hitch. In [[1579]], a 7,000-man Chosokabe army, commanded by [[Hisatake Chikanobu]], met the forces of [[Doi Kiyonaga]] at the Mimaomotegawa. In the ensuing battle, Chikanobu was killed and his army defeated, though the loss proved little more than an unfortunate delay. The next year, Motochika led some 30,000 men into Iyo, and forced Kôno to flee to Bungo province. With little interference from either the Môri or the Ôtomo, Chosokabe was free to press onwards, and in [[1582]] he stepped up ongoing raids into Awa and defeated the Sogo clan. By [[1583]], Chosokabe troops had subdued both [[Awa clan|Awa]] and [[Sanuki clan|Sanuki]], making Motochika's dream of ruling all of Shikoku a reality.  

Following his conquest of Tosa, Motochika turned north and prepared for an invasion of Iyo. The lord of that province was [[Kono Michinao|Kôno Michinao]], a daimyo who had once been driven from his domain by the Utsunomiya clan, returning only with the assistance of the powerful [[Mori clan|Môri]]. It was unlikely that Kôno could count on that sort of help again, however-presently the Môri were embroiled in a war with [[Oda Nobunaga]]. Nonetheless, Chosokabe's campaign in Iyo did not go off without a hitch. In [[1579]], a 7,000-man Chosokabe army, commanded by [[Hisatake Chikanobu]], attacked the strongest fortress in Southern Iyo, [[Okayama castle]], held by [[Doi Kiyoyoshi]]. During the ensuing [[Siege of Okayama|siege of Okayama castle]], Chikanobu was shot and killed by an arquebus and his army defeated, though the loss proved little more than an unfortunate delay. The next year, Motochika led some 30,000 men into Iyo, and forced Kôno to flee to Bungo province. With little interference from either the Môri or the Ôtomo, Chosokabe was free to press onwards, and in [[1582]] he stepped up ongoing raids into Awa and defeated the Sogo clan. By [[1583]], Chosokabe troops had subdued both [[Awa clan|Awa]] and [[Sanuki clan|Sanuki]], making Motochika's dream of ruling all of Shikoku a reality.  

Sometime around [[1579]], Motochika entered into communication with Nobunaga, whom he fancied an ally. For his part, Nobunaga appears to have humored Motochika, though in private he referred to him as 'a bat on a birdless island' and planned to take Shikoku at some point (in fact naming his son Nobutada commander of the future invasion). This was averted by Nobunaga's death in [[1582]], and Motochika, whether he was aware of it or not, was given a new lease on life. By now he was something of a national power and became involved in the struggle between [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] and [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] the following year. He promised the latter support, though made no direct moves to that end. Hideyoshi, to make sure, sent [[Sengoku Hidehisa]] ([[1551]]-[[1614]]) to block any efforts on Motochika's part, though these troops seem to have been roughly treated by the Lord of Shikoku upon arrival on the island. The so-called [[Komaki Campaign]] between Hideyoshi and Ieyasu ended in a peace treaty, which odd ill for Chosokabe. In May [[1584]] Hideyoshi ordered a full-scale invasion of Shikoku, spear headed by 30,000 troops from the Môri clan and 60,000 more under [[Hashiba Hidenaga]]. Evidently, the late Nobunaga's assessment of the Chosokabe was accurate enough, for the invaders found a small army with such equipment as was available in poor condition. After desultory resistance, Motochika expressed a desire to negotiate. Hideyoshi's terms were generous. Motochika would get to keep his head and his hard-earned province of Tosa, an offer Motochika did not feel inclined to refuse.

Sometime around [[1579]], Motochika entered into communication with Nobunaga, whom he fancied an ally. For his part, Nobunaga appears to have humored Motochika, though in private he referred to him as 'a bat on a birdless island' and planned to take Shikoku at some point (in fact naming his son Nobutada commander of the future invasion). This was averted by Nobunaga's death in [[1582]], and Motochika, whether he was aware of it or not, was given a new lease on life. By now he was something of a national power and became involved in the struggle between [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] and [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] the following year. He promised the latter support, though made no direct moves to that end. Hideyoshi, to make sure, sent [[Sengoku Hidehisa]] ([[1551]]-[[1614]]) to block any efforts on Motochika's part, though these troops seem to have been roughly treated by the Lord of Shikoku upon arrival on the island. The so-called [[Komaki Campaign]] between Hideyoshi and Ieyasu ended in a peace treaty, which odd ill for Chosokabe. In May [[1584]] Hideyoshi ordered a full-scale invasion of Shikoku, spear headed by 30,000 troops from the Môri clan and 60,000 more under [[Hashiba Hidenaga]]. Evidently, the late Nobunaga's assessment of the Chosokabe was accurate enough, for the invaders found a small army with such equipment as was available in poor condition. After desultory resistance, Motochika expressed a desire to negotiate. Hideyoshi's terms were generous. Motochika would get to keep his head and his hard-earned province of Tosa, an offer Motochika did not feel inclined to refuse.