Invasion of Shikoku (1585)

In the 1585 invasion of Shikoku, Toyotomi Hideyoshi seized Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, from Chōsokabe Motochika.

Hideyoshi's army was divided into three forces. The first, under Hashiba Hidenaga and Hashiba Hidetsugu, consisted of 60,000 men, and assaulted the provinces of Awa and Tosa, approaching Shikoku via Akashi island. The second force was led by Ukita Hideie, who led 23,000 men against Sanuki Province. The final attack force consisted of 30,000 men, and advanced on Iyo Province, led by Mōri Terumoto, Kobayakawa Takakage, and Kikkawa Motonaga. In total, it took 600 larger ships and 103 smaller ships to transport Hideyoshi's army to Shikoku.

Despite the overwhelming size of Hideyoshi's army, and the suggestions of his advisors, Chōsokabe chose to fight to defend his territories. The battles culminated in the siege of Ichinomiya Castle, which lasted for 26 days. Chōsokabe made a half-hearted attempt to relieve his castle from the siege, but surrendered in the end. He was allowed to keep Tosa province, while the rest of Shikoku was divided among Hideyoshi's generals.

References

• Turnbull, Stephen (1998). The Samurai Sourcebook. London: Cassell & Co.