About the Battle of Nejirozaka
The Battle of Nejirozaka was fought in 1587 (17th day of the 4th month, Tenshō 15) at Nejirozaka, Koyu District, Hyūga Province. In the final stage of the Kyushu campaign, Toyotomi Hidenaga's great army repels a night attack by Shimazu Yoshihiro and others at Nejirozaka. The battle that sealed the Shimazu surrender and completed Hideyoshi's pacification of Kyushu.
- Year
- 1587 (17th day of the 4th month, Tenshō 15)
- Place
- Nejirozaka, Koyu District, Hyūga Province
- Era
- Azuchi–Momoyama period
How the battle unfolded
- Fort Blocking Nejirozaka
Tenshō 15, the final stage of Hideyoshi's Kyushu campaign. The Hyūga army under his brother Toyotomi Hidenaga besieges the Shimazu castle of Takajō and builds a fort at Nejirozaka, on the relief route, to block it. Its commander is Miyabe Keijun.
- Relief The Shimazu March North
Learning of Takajō's peril, Shimazu Yoshihiro and Iehisa march north under cover of night to relieve it. The Shimazu, who had slaughtered the Ōtomo and the Ryūzōji with the feigned-retreat ambush, aim here too for a single breakthrough by night attack.
- Night A Charge Through the Dark
In the dead of night the Shimazu swarm the fort at Nejirozaka. Their trademark assault nearly breaks the Toyotomi palisade, and a ferocious hand-to-hand fight begins in the dark. Shimazu Tadachika leads the charge and is killed at the palisade.
- Hold Miyabe Holds the Fort
Miyabe Keijun, in command of the fort, does not yield a step. He pours in volley after volley and plugs the broken palisade with his own body. Through a night of relentless assault the Toyotomi side grits its teeth and holds.
- Counter Counterattack at Dawn
When the night attack stalls and the Shimazu momentum fades, Hidenaga sees his chance and sends the main force forward. Tōdō Takatora and the other commanders sally from the fort at daybreak and push the exhausted Shimazu back.
- Retreat The Shimazu Withdraw
The plan for a single breakthrough has failed, and the Shimazu withdraw south having lost many men. Its lifeline cut, Takajō soon opens its gates. The offensive of the Shimazu, masters of Kyushu, is stopped here for good.
- Yield Kyushu Pacified
News of the defeat at Nejirozaka shakes the Shimazu homeland. The clan head Yoshihisa shaves his head and submits to Hideyoshi, and the pacification of Kyushu is complete. The military reputation of Hidenaga, who won this battle as commander-in-chief, rose higher still.
Generals and units
- Toyotomi forces Toyotomi Hidenaga Commander-in-chief
- Toyotomi forces Miyabe Keijun
- Toyotomi forces Tōdō Takatora
- Toyotomi forces Kobayakawa Takakage
- Shimazu forces Shimazu Yoshihiro Commander-in-chief
- Shimazu forces Shimazu Iehisa
- Shimazu forces Shimazu Tadachika
- Shimazu forces Yamada Arinobu
FAQ
- What was the Battle of Nejirozaka?
- In the final stage of the Kyushu campaign, Toyotomi Hidenaga's great army repels a night attack by Shimazu Yoshihiro and others at Nejirozaka. The battle that sealed the Shimazu surrender and completed Hideyoshi's pacification of Kyushu.
- When and where did the Battle of Nejirozaka take place?
- It took place in 1587 at Nejirozaka, Koyu District, Hyūga Province (17th day of the 4th month, Tenshō 15).
- Who fought in the Battle of Nejirozaka?
- Toyotomi Hidenaga of the Toyotomi forces, Shimazu Yoshihiro of the Shimazu forces were among the commanders.
- Can I watch the Battle of Nejirozaka in 3D?
- Yes. This page plays a free three-minute 3D animated overview showing the deployments, the movements of each army and how the battle was decided.