【Town & Gourmet】 Sekigahara Warland (Yamagata pref.)
The Battle of Sekigahara, which took place in 1600 between the Western Army led by Ishida Mitsunari and the Eastern Army led by Tokugawa Ieyasu, is the site of a theme park called "Sekigahara Warland." I recently learned about it and drove there
There, you'll find samurai figures, about two meters tall, set up outdoors, making you feel as if you've stepped right into the "battle that decided the fate of Japan"! (Nihedon @ KesaranPasaran Lab)
Yoshikawa Hiroie: Although a retainer of Mori Terumoto, the commander-in-chief of the Western Army, he predicted the victory of the Eastern Army and apparently made a secret collusion with Ieyasu, making an agreement that "the Mori territory would remain intact even after the defeat of the Western Army." He seems to have been quite a shrewd strategist.
Chousokabe Morichika: A general of the Western Army, he seems to have positioned his troops behind Ieyasu during the Battle of Sekigahara. Next time I go, I'd like to check the relationship between the "positions of the general figures in the Sekigahara War Park" and the "actual troop deployment."
Miyamoto Musashi (in his youth): It seems that even the unparalleled master swordsman was still a foot soldier at this time.
Matahachi Hon'iden (Miyamoto Musashi's old friend): He's also a character in the manga "Vagabond," isn't he? Unlike in the manga, he has a rather handsome face.
Wow!
Okubo Hikozaemon in his younger days!
Otani Yoshitsugu: A general of the Western Army who participated in the battle while blind due to illness. When defeat seemed imminent, he committed seppuku on the battlefield, and was beheaded by his loyal retainer Yuasa Gosuke, with his head buried in a place unknown to the public.
Tokugawa Ieyasu inspecting the head of Yuasa Gosuke: Yuasa Gosuke was a loyal retainer of the aforementioned Otani Yoshitsugu. There's quite a beautiful story about this "head of Yuasa Gosuke" from the Battle of Sekigahara. If you're interested, please Google "Yuasa Gosuke".
Ishida Mitsunari: He's the well-known ringleader of the Western Army. He seems to have been quite a character himself. The anecdote about him refusing to eat persimmons is quite touching. If you don't know about him, you should definitely Google him!
Shimazu Yoshihiro: A samurai from Satsuma who fought in the Western Army. Apparently, he was considered one of the most formidable warriors of the Sengoku period!
Yamauchi Kazutoyo: A famous general of the Eastern Army, whose story has even been made into a drama. It seems his wife was a remarkable woman.
Hiratsuka Tamehiro: A general of the Western Army. He was apparently a castle lord in Mino Province and a master of the spear.
Kobayakawa Hideaki: In novels and dramas, he is portrayed as a warlord who, after the war began, was intimidated by warning shots from the Tokugawa and betrayed them, joining the Eastern Army. However, the reality seems to be a little different.
Takeda Shingen: He had already passed away by the time of the Battle of Sekigahara, so this must be his spirit. It seems he participated in the battle as a ghost!