Battle of Nagashino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Nagashino |
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| Part of the Sengoku period | |||||||
 General launching his troops to attack the castle of Nagashino in 1575, by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Takeda forces | Combined forces of Oda and Tokugawa | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Takeda Katsuyori, Anayama Nobukimi, Takeda Nobukado, Takeda Nobutoyo | Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Okudaira Sadamasa | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 15,000 | 38,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Between 3,000 and 10,000 dead, incl. 54 samurai leaders Takeda Nobuzane Baba Nobufusa Yamagata Masakage Naito Masatoyo Hara Masatane Sanada Nobutsuna Sanada Masateru Kasai Mitsuhide Wada Narishige Yonekura Shigetsugu |
6,000 Matsudaira Koretada |
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The Battle of Nagashino (長篠の戦い, Nagashino no Tatakai) was a major fight that happened in Japan in 1575. It took place near Nagashino Castle in the Mikawa province. This battle was a big moment in the Sengoku period, a time when Japan was divided by many wars.
Contents
What Was the Battle of Nagashino?
The Battle of Nagashino was a clash between the forces of Takeda Katsuyori and the combined armies of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is famous for how Nobunaga used new tactics with firearms to defeat the Takeda's strong cavalry. This battle changed how wars were fought in Japan.
Why Was Nagashino Castle Important?
The battle started because Takeda Katsuyori attacked Nagashino Castle. This castle was very important because it was located along key supply routes. If Takeda took the castle, it would make it harder for his enemies to get supplies.
About 500 soldiers defended Nagashino Castle. Their leader was Okudaira Sadamasa. These defenders had a good number of matchlock guns, around 200, and at least one cannon. They bravely held out against the Takeda army.
How Did the Battle Unfold?
When Nagashino Castle was under attack, Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga sent their armies to help. Their combined forces were much larger than Takeda's. They met the Takeda army on the Shitaragahara plain, near the castle.
Nobunaga's Smart Strategy
Oda Nobunaga used a very clever plan. He built wooden fences, called stockades, to protect his soldiers. Behind these fences, he placed his soldiers with firearms. They fired their guns in turns, like a rotating volley. This meant some guns were always ready to shoot. This tactic was very effective against the Takeda's charging cavalry. It helped Nobunaga and Tokugawa win a big victory.
Nagashino in Movies and Games
The Battle of Nagashino and the story of the Takeda clan's final years are shown in the famous 1980 movie Kagemusha. This movie was directed by Akira Kurosawa. Many video games about Japanese history also feature this important battle.
Images for kids
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Battle of Nagashino pictured on a Byōbu screen
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Nagashino para niños
