The Setting: The Winter Battle of Shibono Pass serves only to confirm that the opposing forces will meet again in Spring. Spring is here. The mountain daimyo formally accepts Inoue as his overlord. Together, they seek allies for the coming fight. A prize is obtained when they concluded a treaty with the Nichen sect of Buddhist monks, whose famous Abbot is always ready for a good fight. Inoue makes a gift of the mountain pass to the Nichen sect, along with a tax on the mountain’s produce. In exchange, he receives a pledge from the Abbot to build a fortified monastery that will secure Shibono Pass against any incursions from the north. Geography favors the Inoue interest. Being on the southern slopes of Gonjo Mountains, the pass is sufficiently open to allow the monks to take possession of the Pass early in Spring. Mobilizing a huge workforce of mountain peasants, they quickly set to work on the foundations of the Abbey/fort. In the face of these provocations, Minamoto is far from idle. Using his considerable treasury, he recruits a much larger army, increased by almost a third by the Uesugi clan. His political agents foment conflict on Inoue’s southern border, thereby spreading the enemy forces thin over a large territory. His intelligence confirms that Inoue is understrength in the Pass for the fight that is inevitable, and also that progress on the monk’s fort is proceeding more quickly than expected. Minamoto understands that his best, and possibly last, chance is at hand. Bringing in the last of the forces that will assure his 3:2 advantage on the field, he set the battle in motion. The battle was fought by the Gourmet Wargaming Club with 25mm figures, using a variation of the Fire and Fury rule set called Daimyo Fury. Click here to download a PDF containing the order of battle. And be sure to scroll down to read haiku inspired by the second Battle of Shibono Pass.

The battlefield at the start. Minamoto's army advances from the left towards Inoue's line at right.	Inoue's line of defense centers on a fortified monastery under construction.	Minamoto's right flank contains a sizeable cavalry element.	Minamoto's center.	Minamoto himself (under reddish umbrella) with his 2 hatamotos, messenger, and samurai unit.
Inoue's defenses are lightly held as the battle begins. Peasants man the earthen walls.	A squall of rain (represented by plastic templates) hits Minamoto's right flank, reducing visibility but not slowing the advance.	As the battle progresses, Minamoto's far left flank (bottom) is eager to be the first to close with the enemy.	Cavalry races ahead of the foot soldiers in Minamoto's right flank.	Inoue's Buddhist monk allies show themselves in the middle of the line.
Samurai and Ashigaru move up to hold Inoue's far left flank.	Minamoto's cavalry in full stride.	The road to the monastery is blocked by Inoue's troops.	The view from the barricades.	Minamoto's left flank.
Reinforcements arrive behind the monastery.	More of Inoue's reinforcements in the center.	Inoue's left flank prepares for the inevitable enemy cavalry attack.	The cavalry hit home, but are flanked by mounted monks.	Contemplating the completion of the monastery.
A vigorous shake of the dice sometimes yields surprisingly mediocre results.	The big clash! Against enemy expectations, Minamoto's left flank hits the ramparts with fury.	A close-up of the action. Inoue's peasants (left) try to stem the tide.	Another view of the attack.	A large attack is also brewing on Minamoto's right flank. The cavalry jockeys for position.
A lone cannon in the center of Inoue's line keeps up a steady fire on the enemy cavalry.	The enemy are across the ramparts! Minamoto's troops swarm over the peasants and are met by a counter-attack.	Arquebus-armed Ashigaru of both sides blast away at point-blank range.	Heavy fighting near the monastery as Minamoto surges forward.	Minamoto's center moves up gingerly to threaten the road to the monastery.
Inoue's defenders (right) bear the brunt of an all-out push by Minamoto's right flank.	Cavalry versus cavalry. The monk cavalry holds its own throughout the battle, aided by cannon fire.	Reinforcements arrive down the road behind Minamoto's command post (top).	The chef (left) with her sous chef. Prepare yourselves for a fine dining experience and a welcome intermission.	The food line forms quickly, and no one dallies for fear of being knocked aside (and perhaps eaten on the spot).
A band of very merry gourmet wargamers. The chef and assistant are comfortably ensconced in a cool bedroom with a bottle of hard cider, and thus do not appear at the table.	Gosh, life is hard.	A light desert refreshes us throughout the second half of the battle.	This is the high-water mark of Minamoto's push on the left. Inoue's command post is within a short distance of the fighting, and one cannot help wondering if a few beads of sweat were seen tracing their way out from under the commander's helmet.	A couple of Tai commanders fight a personal combat in the woods on Inoue's left flank.
A lone group of Minamoto's peasants (center) finds itself cut off as the rest of the left flank is forced back. Inoue prepares to counter-attack.	Inoue's center is menaced by Ashigaru and bow-armed troops.	Drawing back, we see the density of the fighting across the lines--except in front of the more formidable monastery.	Minamoto's cavalry reform for yet another thrust.	Inoue's right flank advances to retake the earthen ramparts.
Minamoto's center makes a sudden move to capture the monastery! Ashigaru in yellow advance beyond the first (and now undefended) stone wall.	Inoue's bowmen fire volley's into the enemy cavalry as it tries its luck with the Buddhist monks again.	The infantry battle on Minamoto's far right flank continues to see-saw back and forth with no decision.	Minamoto's recent arrivals move up towards the center of the battle.	The battle as viewed from Minamoto's right.
Savage fighting in the woods. Inoue's left flank holds steady.	Monks push forward from the center in a counter-attack to defend the unfinished monastery.	A peasant unit occupies the fortification with a little time to spare. Now Minamoto's troops have little chance of taking the building.	These men are doers, not just thinkers. Although they like to think while they sit and do. I guess that makes them doers, thinkers, and sitters. A dangerous combination!	Inoue's right flank (left) surges against weakening enemy forces.
Just as Minamoto's men think they have a shot at the fort, they are counter-attacked. There will be a haiku or two written after this sharp little action.	A final look at Inoue's left flank. The fighting is still confused and intense.	Minamoto's left flank has broken. Note the enemy troops in red (bottom center) passing through the large breach.	The center shows Minamoto's infantry barely holding on in front of the unfinished monastery. Inoue has won the day.	The sweet fruits of battle coax a smile to every visage. Or was it the glory of lunch, girded with wine, beer and cider? All hail the Gourmet Wargaming Club!

Haiku: