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Tadanao-kyō Gyōjōki

On the Conduct
of Lord Tadanao

by Kikuchi Kan

I

Lord Tadanao’s councillors were summoned before Ieyasu at his headquarters and treated by his excellency to an eloquent burst of abuse.

“When Ii Tōdō’s forces were in trouble today were the Echizen retainers taking a midday nap? Did no one tell them what was happening? If they had moved forward, covering the rear of the main attack, Osaka castle would have fallen this very day. But, no. Thanks to your general’s youth, and thanks to his councillors being the biggest cowards in Japan, we have thrown away a battle! A precious battle!”

Ieyasu did not wait for an answer. Livid with rage, he rose at once and left the room.

The senior councillor, Honda Tomimasa, had come prepared with several excellent excuses for the Echizen forces’ failure to take part in the day’s fighting, but this perfunctory dismissal took him by surprise. He had not had a chance to utter a word.

There was obviously nothing more they could do, but the mood of the councillors, as they withdrew from headquarters and

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