The express courier arrives from Kyoto, where on 21 June 1582 Akechi Mitsuhide murdered his master Oda Nobunaga in the Honnoji temple. Akechi set out to become shogun, which he then was for 13 days until his defeat at Yamazaki and death on July 2.
In between, messengers from Kyoto rode out in all directions to deliver the news to Nobunaga's generals who were scattered fighting on the various fronts. Naturally, the expectation was for all to be the first to avenge the lord's death, not least to justify further claims of their own afterwards. The cleverest won, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He had just all but completed the siege of Bitchu-Takamatsu Castle in the west by flooding it. Hideyoshi was smart enough to wait for the commander's seppuku and the handover, while he already ordered the local population along the route towards Kyoto to provide food and water along the road. Then he set off in great secrecy. They ran more or less the whole distance, even at night. The horsemen in front, Ashigaru partly leaving some pieces of armour behind. In fact, Hideyoshi surprised his opponent west of Kyoto, not so far from present-day Osaka at Yamazaki. In the battle, Akechi was crushingly defeated and, as he fled, was ignominiously stabbed by a peasant.
Some explanation of the individual figures
WEKO 31 A high officer and excellent horseman. Wearing full equipment and imitating his master with the exotic tiger skin saddle blanket. WEKO 32 Toyotomi-domo Hideyoshi, riding a nervously prancing horse. Gesticulating loudly with a command fan, urging his men on. He wears gold armour with prominent white feathers at the sleeve openings. It is one of the original pieces of equipment preserved by Hideyoshi, and dates relatively early. Mr. extravagant Hideyoshi always rode white horses with exotic tiger skin saddle covers. Gold was Hideyoshi's heraldic colour. Besides also white and red. WEKO 33 Ashigaru archer. The bow and arrows are combined in a supporting structure. In addition a sword and a conical hat (jingasa). WEKO 34 Farmer with wooden barrel, pouring water. Across the barrel are some bamboo sticks tied together, on top of which are some ladles. WEKO 35 Ashigaru horse-holder with jimbaori waistcoat. He is desperately trying to regain control of the reins that have slipped and to calm the nervous horse. Jimbaori waistcoat (Jimbaori=field camp overcoat). Usually sleeveless, these are richly embroidered and often bear the coat of arms of the clan or liege lord on the back. Such waistcoats were a popular and cheap way for a lord to show off. WEKO 36 Ashigaru with yari. This man has left his breastplate at home and is now armed only with armoured sleeves and splint leg guards. A sword, headband and wild long hair. Plus some accessories on his belt. WEKO 37 Ashigaru with Yari. He has lowered his kimono to his waist. Armour protectors on the sleeves and simple armour on the lower legs. Conical helmet and yari. His sword is not in his belt but is carried by hand. WEKO 38 Ashigaru with yari. He is wearing a full set of equipment. Equipped in armour made of sewn-on leather or metal plates (tatami-do), spare sandals and baggage, and a back flag (sashimono). WEKO 39 Akita Inu. The dog growls and yelps in defence of its territory. Akita Inu is an old Japanese national breed. Akita stands for a province in Japan, the addition "Inu" translates simply as "dog". Colour: red, sesame, brindle, white, each with white markings on the head, chest, legs, under the belly and under the tail WEKO 40 Farmer's wife with rice balls (onigiri) and small rice cooker. The onigiri are large and almost fill the woman's palm. The rice cooker is an iron pot with a wide rim and stands steaming on carefully constructed logs. WEKO 41 Ashigaru with rectangular banner over her shoulder. The banner has a small swivel (maneki) at the top. Only breastplate, but no backplate. On his head a jingasa (conical hat) with cloth and a sword in his belt. WEKO 42 Ashigaru with conical hat and yari, drinking water from a ladle. WEKO 43 Samurai on foot. Skimpy armour, small shoulder plates but armour sleeves. A lush headband and armoured cheek flaps. He wears a short sword on his belt and a long nodachi (greatsword) and a regular sword in its scabbard on two strings of cord across his back. A real macho man! WEKO 44 Flustered Ashigaru with yari and sword. He wears a short kimono with breastplate, but no back armour. Only three armour plates at the front of the hip and a cone helmet. Lower leg armour but no armour on the arms. WEKO 45 Samurai, bearer with Hideyoshi's great standard (dai uma-jirushi). A golden fruit on pole, a hyotan fruit (not a gourd), gilt leather below, suspended in the manner of a Roman vexillium. The colour gold is already found very often as a banner colour around 1582, even without a coat of arms. As an elite henchman he also has a special samurai armour with an interesting helmet and two swords. The armour is massive and of the type that replicates the anatomy of an ascetic monk. The helmet is a high Zunari that was completely covered with black hair on top. WEKO 46 Samurai on foot. A short lance and full armour. A simple Zunari helmet to go with it. He has no thigh armour, otherwise he would be a horseman. WEKO 47 Ashigaru wants to run on with rice cakes (onigiri), but comes precariously close to the dog. WEKO 48 Sub-leader (kogashira). A nasty sub-leader who shoos an ashigaru he thinks is too slow in front of him. The kogashira wears fine armour, two swords and the stick, which he also uses liberally. At his hip two quivers of arrows, a sub-leader of archers. WEKO 49 Ashigaru archer. He wears a headband with armour stripes. WEKO 50 Samurai on horseback. A very well-dressed young gentleman. A scion from the best house. Fully status-conscious, he parades stiffly and pedantically among the rushing masses on foot. He wears an eboshi cap of lacquered gauze to match his correct riding posture and noble equipment. It was worn under the helmet, but also in the formal camp. His helmet hangs on his back. With it he wears a waistcoat (jimbaori) and is armed with two swords and a short lance in his right hand. WEKO 51 Samurai on horseback, a veteran of many battles. He is wearing full equipment. A helmet on his head. Two swords and a short lance in his right hand. In addition a rectangular back flag.
