Japan's Sengoku Period: The Sanada Clan's Ambition

Chapter 2 Takigawa Kazumasu

In February of the tenth year of Tianzheng.

Oda Nobunaga, the overlord of the Kinai region, joined forces with Tokugawa, Hojo and other daimyo to launch an attack on the Takeda clan in the Koshino region.

In less than two months, the once dominant and powerful Takeda clan of Kai was destroyed.

The world was shaken.

Oda Nobunaga, the head of the Oda clan, didn't even have time to personally arrive at the battlefield before the war to destroy the Takeda clan was already over.

On March 19, Oda Nobunaga arrived in Suwa District, Shinano Province, to begin taking over the postwar assessment (meeting).

For Oda Nobunaga, defeating the Takeda clan was equivalent to eliminating the most threatening force in the east, thus freeing up his resources to continue his westward offensive and ultimately unify the country.

Meanwhile, at the temporary camp outside Suwa-Uehara Castle, Sanada Masayuki and his two sons waited anxiously.

Although the Sanada family's various claims and surrender documents have been accepted by the Oda family, the final decision will not be made until today when they personally meet with Oda Nobunaga.

"Father, elder brother, the Oda clan's military power is truly formidable."

"Look at all these cannons, just casually left aside like this, what a lavish display!"

Sanada Nobushige watched with envy as squads of foot soldiers carrying arquebuses passed by him; it was the first time he had ever seen so many arquebuses.

Sanada Nobushige, who had recently come of age, was the second son of Sanada Masayuki and was commonly known as Genjiro.

Because the Sanada family often lost their sons young, the title "Taro" was generally not used. For example, Sanada Nobuyuki, as the eldest son, was simply called "Genzaburo".

"Genjiro, shut up, stop looking around, and stay put!" Sanada Masayuki scolded in a low voice.

The fate of the Sanada family is now in someone else's hands, and even the worldly-wise Sanada Masayuki is feeling very uneasy.

On the contrary, the inexperienced Sanada Nobushige appeared fearless.

Sanada Nobuyuki looked at Sanada Nobushige, who had an innocent and silly look on his face.

"Is this the famous Japanese No. 1 Soldier in history?"

"He's just a foolish son of a landlord."

Just then, footsteps sounded in front of the three of them.

The three men, including Sanada Masayuki, were immediately alarmed and lowered their heads even further.

"So you are Sanada Awa no Kami?"

Upon hearing the voice, Sanada Masayuki looked up and saw a samurai of about fifty years old, dressed in full armor, walking up to him.

Although I have never met Oda Nobunaga, the person in front of me is clearly not him; their ages don't match.

"My name is Takigawa Sakon Kazumasu," Takigawa Kazumasu introduced himself. Sakon was Takigawa Kazumasu's official title; his full title was Sakon Shōkan.

"So it's the renowned Lord Takikawa, my apologies," Sanada Masayuki hurriedly said.

Then, Sanada Masayuki eagerly asked, "When will I be able to pay my respects to Lord Oda?"

"The Lord is busy receiving other people, so I'm afraid there won't be an opportunity today."

"However, the ruling regarding the Sanada family has already been issued." Takigawa Kazumasu changed the subject, looking at Sanada Masayuki with a strange expression.

Sanada Masayuki felt a little uncomfortable under the gaze, but still asked the question that was on his mind most, "I wonder what Lord Oda has done with our main family?"

Takigawa Kazumasu smiled slightly, sat down opposite Sanada Masayuki, and then said unhurriedly, "Thanks to the trust of my lord, I have been granted the province of Ueno and the two districts of Shinano."

Kazumasu Takikawa of the Sanada family deliberately kept everyone in suspense before continuing, "The Sanada family's territory will be preserved, but they will serve under my command as tenants."

"The order for safety will be issued soon." After hearing Takikawa Kazumasu's words, Sanada Masayuki breathed a sigh of relief.

Takigawa Kazumasu patted Sanada Masayuki on the shoulder and said with a smile, "The Sanada clan was the first vassal state in Ueno to express their submission to our main family, which is why we were able to preserve our territory. This is all thanks to our lord."

"Yes, yes, yes, the great kindness of the Oda family will be forever remembered by the Sanada clan," Sanada Masayuki quickly replied.

Nobuyuki Sanada, who was standing nearby, was also greatly encouraged.

Historically, the Sanada clan chose to ally with the Oda clan in April, making them essentially the last group of former Takeda retainers to surrender. As a result, the Sanada clan's already small territory was reduced by two-thirds.

The territory in the Ueno area was completely confiscated, with only a small part of Shinano remaining.

Clearly, under Sanada Nobuyuki's influence, the Sanada family surrendered quickly enough and reaped a pleasant surprise.

Of course, this is also because the Sanada family is not considered a "die-hard" member of the Takeda family, at least from the perspective of outsiders.

Because it was only during the time of Sanada Masayuki's father, Sanada Yukitaka, that the Sanada family began to serve the Takeda family, which was only a little over thirty years ago.

Compared to other senior retainers of the Takeda clan who were purged, the Sanada clan was indeed not prominent and had little presence.

"I hope you will take good care of me in the future, Lord Sanada."

"The matter of Ueno will inevitably require the assistance of Awa no Kami."

Without hesitation, Sanada Masayuki replied, "Lord Takikawa, rest assured, the Sanada clan will do everything in our power to help you."

"Of course, hostages are essential; the Sanada family must hand over hostages to the main family."

"Yes, I understand." Sanada Masayuki nodded quickly, then asked, "But Azuchi Castle is a long way away. When will your family depart? Will they travel with the Oda clan's army, or will our main family escort them themselves?"

Sending hostages was a common practice to express loyalty during the Warring States period. Typically, one would send their principal wife, children, or even important retainers as hostages.

Kazumasu Takigawa shook his head. "There's no need to send them to Azuchi Castle. The hostages from Ueno and Shinano can be sent to Minowa Castle, which will be my residence."

Takigawa Kazumasu, one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Oda," was appointed "Commander of the Kanto Army" by Oda Nobunaga after the war, and was in full charge of all affairs of the Oda family in the Kanto region.

Considering that Takigawa Kazumasu was a newcomer and that the areas under his jurisdiction were all newly occupied territories, Oda Nobunaga assigned him to manage the hostages in Ueno and Shinano, in order to provide him with support.

With these hostages in hand, Takigawa Kazumasu will be able to manage these areas more easily.

Afterwards, Takigawa Kazumasu gave Sanada Masayuki some more instructions and left, leaving Sanada Masayuki and his two sons looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Gensaburo, thank goodness you reminded us, otherwise our clan would have suffered heavy losses this time!" Sanada Masayuki said with lingering fear.

During his conversation with Takigawa Kazumasu, Sanada Masayuki also learned about the handling of other powerful clans in Shinano through subtle questioning.

Most of the powerful clans had their territories confiscated, but the Sanada clan, because they surrendered quickly enough, were among the few who were able to "settle peacefully in their territories."

"It's a pity we didn't get to meet the famous Oda Nobunaga, what a shame," Sanada Nobushige suddenly said with a regretful expression.

Sanada Nobuyuki smiled and said, "Now that our main family has become a vassal of the Oda clan, there will certainly be opportunities in the future."

This was meant to comfort Sanada Nobushige, because a "barbecue party" would be held soon.

"Gensaburo, Genjiro, it is a great fortune that the Sanada family was able to escape unscathed this time."

"From now on, you must be careful with your words and actions while in the Oda family, and never give them any leverage over you," Sanada Masayuki instructed.

"Ha!" Nobuyuki Sanada and the other man quickly responded.

"The Oda clan is demanding hostages, the two of you."

Before Sanada Nobuyuki could speak, Sanada Nobushige, who was standing to the side, volunteered, "My brother has just returned home, so let me be his hostage this time."

(End of this chapter)