When and where did the Invasion of Shikoku take place?

It took place in 1585 at Ichinomiya Castle, Awa Province (Tenshō 13).

Who fought in the Invasion of Shikoku?

Hashiba Hidenaga of the Hashiba forces, Chōsokabe Motochika of the Chōsokabe forces were among the commanders.

Can I watch the Invasion of Shikoku 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.

The Invasion of Shikoku in 3D

About the Invasion of Shikoku

The Invasion of Shikoku was fought in 1585 (Tenshō 13) at Ichinomiya Castle, Awa Province. Under Hashiba Hidenaga as commander-in-chief, the great Toyotomi army crosses to Shikoku from three directions. With Ichinomiya Castle in Awa lost, Chōsokabe Motochika can resist no longer and surrenders, and Shikoku is pacified.

Year: 1585 (Tenshō 13)
Place: Ichinomiya Castle, Awa Province
Era: Azuchi–Momoyama period

How the battle unfolded

Landing Crossing to Awa
The 6th month of Tenshō 13. Hideyoshi, master of the realm, unleashes a great army on Shikoku. Its commander-in-chief is his brother Hashiba Hidenaga. Sixty thousand men cross the whirlpools of Naruto from Awaji and land on the shores of Awa. The Ukita move on Sanuki, the Kobayakawa on Iyo: Shikoku is attacked from three sides.
Advance Closing on Ichinomiya
Taking the castles of Kizu and Iwakura in quick succession, Hidenaga advances on Ichinomiya Castle, where the main Chōsokabe force is holed up.
Siege Ichinomiya Castle Surrounded
Hidenaga's 50,000 ring Ichinomiya Castle many ranks deep. The garrison is a mere 5,000. The gap in numbers is enormous.
Water Cutting the Water Supply
The garrison shows the grit of the "one-armour" soldier-farmers and throws back the besiegers again and again. But Hidenaga is in no hurry: he cuts the castle's water and closes its supply routes one by one.
Decision The Prodigy of Tosa Sees the Truth
Report after report of Ichinomiya's peril reaches Chōsokabe Motochika at Hakuchi Castle. Even the "prodigy of Tosa," who had mastered Shikoku in a single generation, sees that he cannot stand against the army of the realm.
Yield Shikoku Pacified
Motochika shaves his head and sues for peace. Confirmed in the single province of Tosa, he becomes Hideyoshi's vassal. The Chōsokabe dream of ruling Shikoku collapses after only a few months of fighting.

Generals and units

Hashiba forces Hashiba Hidenaga Commander-in-chief
Hashiba forces Hashiba Hidetsugu
Hashiba forces Kuroda Kanbei
Hashiba forces Hachisuka Iemasa
Chōsokabe forces Chōsokabe Motochika Commander-in-chief
Chōsokabe forces Tani Tadasumi
Chōsokabe forces Chōsokabe Nobuchika
Chōsokabe forces Emura Chikatoshi

FAQ

What was the Invasion of Shikoku?: Under Hashiba Hidenaga as commander-in-chief, the great Toyotomi army crosses to Shikoku from three directions. With Ichinomiya Castle in Awa lost, Chōsokabe Motochika can resist no longer and surrenders, and Shikoku is pacified.
When and where did the Invasion of Shikoku take place?: It took place in 1585 at Ichinomiya Castle, Awa Province (Tenshō 13).
Who fought in the Invasion of Shikoku?: Hashiba Hidenaga of the Hashiba forces, Chōsokabe Motochika of the Chōsokabe forces were among the commanders.
Can I watch the Invasion of Shikoku 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.