By Stephen Turnbull
An excellent yet little-known operation, the Shimazu extended family raid at the self sufficient state of Rykkyu (modern Okinawa) in 1609 is likely one of the so much outstanding episodes in samurai heritage and the fruits of centuries of contention among the 2 powers. The defeat of the Shimazu at Sekigahara in 1600, and their have to win prefer with the recent ShMgun, led them to hatch an audacious plot to assault the islands at the ShMgun's behalf and convey again the king of Rykkyu as a hostage. Stephen Turnbull supplies a blow-by-blow account of the operation, from the bold Shimazu amphibious touchdown, to their swift increase overland, and the tactical feigned retreat that observed the Shimazu defeat the Okinawan military and kidnap their king in mind-blowing style. With an in depth heritage and specifically commissioned art, the scene is determined for a dramatic retelling of this attention-grabbing raid.
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Extra resources for The Samurai: Capture a King. Okinawa 1609
Sample text
The place selected by the Shimazu for landfall on Okinawa had to be carefully selected because the extreme northerly end of the island provides little opportunity for anchorage. Safe mooring could be found at the large harbour of Unten, which lies in a sheltered position on the north-eastern side of the Motobu peninsula. Protected from the rough seas by the two islands of Kourijima and Yagajishima, it would have been an ideal place for an invasion fleet to make preparations for a further advance.
Kyan notes that a final attempt at negotiation with the advancing army was considered but rejected, because ‘the houses were already burning’. Shuri Castle was now isolated. Like Nakijin and the other castles, Shuri was a gusuku with the same characteristic limestone walls, gracefully curved and with exquisite masonry. However, where administrative buildings had been built within the inner baileys of Nakagusuku and Katsuren, Shuri boasted the palace of the kings of Ryu-kyu-. The fortress occupied a naturally strong position on a hill 130m above sea level at its highest point, giving a panoramic view across to Naha Port.
33 The Samurai Capture a King: Okinawa 1609 ASSAULT ON THE NAKIJIN FORTRESS 29 APRIL – 2 MAY 1609 The gusuku of Nakijin was the first place on the main island of Okinawa to be attacked by the Shimazu army. Here we are looking from the north-west towards land. In the distance lie the islands of Yagajishima and Kourijima that provided shelter for the Shimazu fleet. In close-up we see the Shimazu samurai attacking the Heiromon Gate of Nakijin castle. NAKIJIN FORTRESS, DEFENCES AND SHIMAZU ADVANCE 1 Ushimi riding field 2 Heiromon Gate 3 Nakijin gusuku 4 Shijimojo gate 5 Yagajishima island 6 Shimazu fleet 1 11 8 The Hatamoto guards, highly visible to both friend and foe thanks to their gold fan insignia.
