The Battle Of Gifu

In 1591 a revolution was mounted by the lower classes of a remote island off southern 
Japan known as Gifu.  The people were tired of living under the rule of the oppressive 
warlord UROSHIMA TARO who's military faction detected from the central 
authorities in place at the time.  He was a tyrant who wanted nothing more 
than to see his people suffer under the blade of his cruel armies under
general Hirota Eisaku, a supporter of the Shimazu family who gained
valuable combat experience during the Shimazu family's invasion of
Kyushu.  

When the revolution began, 
Hirota sent to Gifu a modern army of 300 samurai warriors, armed with the
finest weapons, a bold move to intimidate the locals into submission.  The people
rallied and made their bold push, an attempt to drive Hirota back to the sea.
They were led by Shiba Dayu, who fought in the clan wars before being wounded
by a shot from an Arquebus three years prior.  He returned home only to see his 
homeland in chaos.

The people of Gifu rallied in the southren most part of Gifu,
 and built well stocked fortifications all throughout the Hojo 
Mountains.  Shiba declared Bekua the revolutionary capital, and 
a provisional govrenment was set up.  The Hojo River gave Shiba 
a natural defensive line, however it also gave Hirota a 
defencive advantage.  Hirota sent troops from the Gifu Garrison, 
armed with the Arquebus flintlock weapons, denying Shiba access 
to the north via the Hojo Bridge.    



Shiba assaulted the bridge...