Miyoshi Clan Daimyo: Miyoshi Chokei (Nagayoshi) Heir: Miyoshi Yoshioki Family: Miyoshi Yoshikata (younger brother), Atagi Fuyuyasu (younger brother), Sogo Kazunari (younger brother) Factions: Ashikaga Shogunate Retainers (2/2), Kyoto Politicians (4/2), Miyoshi Retainers (4/4), Hatano Clan (3/4) Koku: 73,500 Military: Experienced troops, ashigaru spearmen, pikemen, and archers, several skilled, loyal samurai, light cavalry, some arquebus gunners, several capable sailors Army: 95 companies Navy: 18 ships Prestige: 6 Growth: 20% Ruling from Tokushima, the Miyoshi were once vassals of the Hosokawa Clan, a once-powerful family ruling from Shikoku. Before the rise of Ashikaga Yoshiteru to the position of shogun, the Hosokawa had considerable political power in Kyoto, having essentially appointed and supported Yoshiteru's father, Yoshiharu. Yet during these years, the Miyoshi were drawing away from the Hosokawa and attempting their own acquisition of power. When Yoshiteru took the position of shogun, the Miyoshi began to have more political power and pressed the shogun, causing the shogun to distance himself from the Hosokawa. This eventually caused the Hosokawa to flee Kyoto. With the help of their vassals the Matsunaga, the Miyoshi expelled the Hosokawa from Kyoto and took the clan's former territories in Shikoku. Miyoshi Chokei, current daimyo, was responsible for much of this success. He is a cunning politician, and some would call him a schemer. He is also a formidable commander, having captured the daimyo of Hosokawa in 1559. Currently, the Miyoshi hold the largest amount of political power over Kyoto and the shogun. The Miyoshi also have significant vassals in Tanba Province: the Hatano Clan Now they have allies to the east and west. Otomo Clan Daimyo: Otomo Yoshishige (Otomo Sorin) Heir: Otomo Yoshimune Family: Wife, who goes by the name "Jezebel" to Jesuits, but who opposes Christianity (unlike her husband) Factions: Kyushu Jesuits (2/2), Portuguese Merchants (2/4), Otomo Retainers (4/0), Tachibana Clan (4/0) Koku: 78,000 / 4,000 Military: Experienced troops, ashigaru spearmen, pikemen, and archers, gunners armed with arquebus, several skilled, loyal samurai, light cavalry, a capable fleet of ships, skilled, experienced sailors Army: 90 companies Navy: 25 ships Prestige: 5 Growth: 25% The Otomo Clan, ruling from their fortress at Funai, have become a powerful clan over the years. Since the early 1500s, the Otomo have been gathering retainers and attacking smaller clans, and have thus emerged as a dominant power. These vassals include the once-powerful Tachibana Clan, whose domains in northern Kyushu are formidable defenses for the Otomo against their current enemies, the Mori. Yet in many ways, the Tachibana are more like allies than vassals. Despite this, the Otomo hold a military presence within Tachibana castles. The Otomo were recently defeated attempting to retake Moji Castle from the Mori, who overtook it when they expanded into Kyushu. Even though the war with the Mori is draining, the Otomo are masters of trade and, like other Kyushu-based clans, have adequately courted Portuguese merchants over the years. Even though this trade has given commercial opportunities and weapons to the Otomo, Otomo Yoshishige's friendly treatment of Jesuit missionaries has created tension with his retainers, as the Jesuits have been known to desecrate Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. About ten years ago, Yoshishige entertained Francis Xavier and allowed him to establish a mission in Bungo Province, further infuriating Otomo retainers. In addition to the Mori threat and some internal problems, the Otomo are not sure of the Shimazu's current intentions. But now they are. They are allies with the Shimazu clan. They really hate the Yamana clan and their allies the Amako clan, whom they have a bit more respect for the latter. Otomo Sorin and Yamana Yosisada (Toyosada) both narrowly survive a battle 3 months ago in which it was a Otomo victory but Yamana/Amako allied strategic victory. Takeda Clan Daimyo: Takeda Shingen Heir: Takeda Yoshinobu (son) Family: Takeda Yoshinobu (the heir and son, who is married to a daughter of the Imagawa Clan), Takeda Nobutora (Shingen's father), Takeda Nobukado (a brother of Shingen and a general), and Takeda Nobushige (another brother), Takeda Katsuyori (another son) Factions: Tsutsujigasaki Samurai (4/5), Takeda Retainers (4/4) Koku: 108,000 / 2,000 Military: Exceptional cavalry (converted 'samurai lancers' of sorts, highly capable of charges), samurai loyal to Warlord Shingen, ashigaru spearmen, pikemen, and archers Army: 65 companies Navy:0 Prestige: 10 Growth: 15% Governing from Tsutsujigasaki Palace, the Takeda Clan is currently hostile to the Hojo and at war with the Uesugi. Takeda Shingen is an incredible daimyo and general who has battled Uesugi Kenshin in northern Shinano Province three times by 1560. Because of Shinano's large horse-breeding economy, the Takeda have been able to successfully field excellent cavalry. Currently, Takeda Shingen wishes to consolidate his current holdings, make sure that Shinano remains his, and successfully battle the Uesugi, and to a lesser extent, the Hojo. Shingen remains weary about some within his family, though he is confident in the loyalty of his retainers. His suspicions are justified, as he recently uncovered a plot to overthrow him by his cousin of the Katanuma family. They are now allied with the local clans and are in a fierce war with Oda and Uesegui clans. Shimazu Clan Daimyo: Shimazu Takahisa (?, Check this Nintz) Heir: Shimazu Yoshihisa Family: Shimazu Yoshihiro, Shimazu Toshihisa (Yoshihisa's brothers) Factions: Kyushu Jesuits (2/2), European Merchants (2/4), Shimazu Retainers (5/5) Koku: 65,000 / 1,500 Military: Experienced troops, ashigaru spearmen, pikemen, and archers, several skilled, extremely loyal samurai, some horses, skilled units fully equipped with arquebus, a light fleet, skilled sailors Army: 52 companies Navy: 15 ships Prestige: 12 Growth: 22% Ruling from the castle town of Miyakonojo, the Shimazu Clan have achieved much in recent years. Their retainers are some of the most loyal in all of Japan, determined to support the Shimazu family and help expand their power. The Shimazu also enjoy a strong economy from domestic production, trade with the Portuguese, and superb government organization. As if that was not enough to contribute to the Shimazu's success, the clan is the only clan that has successfully established domestic production of arquebus guns. As such, Shimazu Takahisa and his son Yoshihisa have employed firearms in their army since 1549, earlier than all other clans. This has made the Shimazu army extremely adept with tactics involving the weapons. The Shimazu have many options in 1560. The Otomo are strong to the north, but more immediate is the presence of the Ito in Hyuga Province. One great advantage of the Shimazu is that their hold over their territories is secure, strong, and tucked away in southern Kyushu. They are now staunch allies of the Otomo clan and are looking forward to invading the Mori lands to get back at Amako and Yamana. Mogami Clan: Daimyo: Mogami Yoshiaki Heir: Koku: 17,500 Military: Experienced troops, ashigaru spearmen,light cavalry Army: 60 companies Navy: 10 ships Date Clan: Daimyo: Date Terumune Heir: Date Masamune Koku: 28,000 Military: Experienced troops, ashigaru spearmen, pikemen, archers, and some arquebus gunners, several loyal, skilled samurai, light cavalry Army: 100 companies Navy: 6 ships They been at war with the Oura clan as Mogami with their allies. Amako Clan: Daimyo: Amako Yoshihisa Heir: Koku: 43,000 Military: Experienced troops, ashigaru spearmen, pikemen, and archers, gunners armed with arquebus, several skilled, loyal samurai, light cavalry, capable commanders. Army: 140 companies Navy: 15 ships The Amako clan is a powerful Eastern clan. They been fighting since 1560, fight against the Urakami, then the Mori and Otomo, then against the Otomo with the Mori. They and the Yamana clan are fierce allies, having both been betrayed by the Mori 2 years ago whom are now there allies. Their Daimyos are close allies and are determined to destroy the enemy.