Tales of the Samurai and Lady Hosokawa, a Historical Drama; Stories Illustrating Bushido, the Moral Principles of the Japanese Knighthood (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1920. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... the heroism of torii katsutaka little garrison besieged in the Castle of Nagashino, in the province of Mikawa, was in desperate straits. Okudaira Sadayoshi, Governor oi the castle, was away at a distance on business of importance, and his son, Sadamasa, was left in command with a small company of but eight hundred men. These fought with the courage ot despair; but having been taken at unawares, the castle was ill provided with ammunition and provisions, and at the end ot a fortnight death, from starvation, or the alternative of surrender, stared them in the face. It was at the close of April in the third year of Tensho (1575). Takeda Katsuyori, Lord oi" Kai, knowing his feudal enemy, Sadayoshi, to be absent, deemed it a good opportunity to attack his stronghold; and, therefore, at the head of 28,000, suddenly swooped down and surrounded the castle. Stationing his head-quarters on a hill opposite the main entrance, he invested it on all sides, day and night continuing the assaults on the walls, so that, if possible, it might fall into his hands before either Sadayoshi's liege lord, Tokugawa lyeyasu, or the latter's powerful ally, Oda Nobunaga, could come to the rescue. By the end of two weeks some three hundred of the defenders had been killed, or so seriously wounded as to be incapable of rendering further aid; and sparing though they had been of it, food remained for barely two days more. In this sore strait Sadamasa summoned all his men and with calm courage and determination addressed them as follows: --"My men," he said, "I cannot speak too highly of your bravery and devotion, and I thank you. But the odds against us are too great and the castle must be given, up. Our ammunition has almost run out and we have food for but two days more. To send for help is im...