The Road to Kyoto, 1574

"Why have I not heard from the Hatakeyama and the Hojo? It has been months since the fall of Akashi!" The Shogun demanded angrily.

"The armies of the Hatakeyama and Yamana suffered heavy losses at Akashi. Based on most recent reports, after the fall of Akashi, the Hojo proceeded south to attack Okayama Castle at Bizen and the Hatakeyama proceeded south west to attack Tsuyama Castle in Mimasaka. Since then we have heard nothing. Our agents are completely silent. It is as if a great wall has risen up between the north and the south," an advisor reported somberly.

"Don't give me metaphors, I want facts!" The Shogun shouted.

Suddenly there was a sharp thwack by the window. Everyone in the room turned at the direction of the sound - there was an arrow sticking to the window frame. They rushed to the window. Far down below, beyond the castle walls, they could see a rider in red lacquered armour, waving at them with his bow. He spun his horse around, galloped swiftly across the plains and disappeared behind the hills even as the Shogun's cavalry rode out from the castle to give chase.

There was a little parchment tied to the arrow. The Shogun opened and read the parchment, and turned pale almost immediately. It read:

My father had a saying - "Mori dogs bite". The Hatakeyama, Yamana and Hojo, the fools who followed you, now know how we can bite. Even now the carrion crows feast on their corpses in the fields of Bizen and Mimasaka where their broken banners lie. And soon you will feel our teeth upon your neck! Watch for the red banners in the fields of Kamo - the Mori are coming for you, Ashikaga!

Daimyo Mori Sanemune

They learned later that the Hojo and Hatakeyama were completely annihilated in the attacks on Okayama and Tsuyama. The Mori now have a clear road to Kyoto.

~ ~ ~

"Your name is Shishido Morikane?" Mori Motohira asked.

"Yes, sir." replied Morikane, a captain in Motohira's army.

"The Shishido family have a long history of service to the Mori. That is good. Many say that you showed personal courage and leadership in our counter attack on Akashi Castle."

"I was only doing my duty, sir." replied Morikane modestly.

"That is good. The Mori have lost many good leaders in these wars. The Mori are in need of good leaders. Consequently, I am going to promote you to field commander. You will lead the vanguard in our push on Kyoto. The vanguard was my former command. They are a good lot. Treat them well, use them well."

"I will serve the Mori with my life!" said Morikane, overwhelmed.

~ ~ ~

News of the cavalry of the Mori vanguard under Shishido Morikane encamped on the plains of Kamo near Kyoto caused much panic in Kyoto. The Ashikaga generals believed that the best course of action was defense - to hold out in Kyoto, one of the strongest fortresses in Japan. But faced with daily pressure from the Shogun and the populace to do something. They had no choice but to do something, however ill judged. So, they mobilized the Shogunate army to fight the Mori on the plains of Kamo.