Sengoku Clan Introduction: Shimazu news

For nearly 700 years, the Shimazu clan ruled the southern part of Kyushu. As the overlord of the Satsuma province, the Shimazu family was the most powerful rival of the Otomo clan during the Sengoku period. Like their enemy, the Shimazu clan was still active in the Edo period. Yet unlike the Otomo who was deprived of it rank, Shimazu remained a powerful house to the end of Edo, controlling the powerful Satsuma domain and even launching their own invasion of the Ryukyu Kingdom (now Okinawa). The Satsuma domain played a main role in the overthrow of the Shogunate, and return of the Emperor's powers during the Meiji period.

In 1526, Shimazu Takahisa became the leader of Shimazu clan. Takahisa’s right to rule was challenged by Shimazu Sanehisa, who started a rebellion against him. Takahisa eventually crushed the rebellion, expanding his authority throughout the region. And his son, Shimazu Yoshihisa, would later secure his family’s control over Satsuma Province. Satsuma’s ambition to unify Kyushu had eventually brought them to face the Otomo clan. In 1578, Yoshihisa defeated the Otomo army in the Battle of Mimigawa. With the decline of Otomo’s influence, the unification of Kyushu was just in Yoshihisa’s grasp. However, the goal to unify Kyushu was eventually lost due to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who led an army of 200,000 against the Shimazu clan. While the Satsuma warriors fought well against the invading enemies, they were inevitably overwhelmed by the number of Hideyoshi’s army. In 1587, a truce was agreed, and although Hideyoshi appeared to be the winner, he offered generous terms to the Shimazu clan for a lasting peace.

In 1592, Shimazu Yoshihiro, son of Yoshihisa followed Hideyoshi’s army in the campaign against Korea, and faced the combined forces of Ming and Joseon in the Battle of Sacheon. An army of totally 50,000 men, led by Min general Dong Yiyuan, attacked the fortress of Sacheon defended by Yoshihiro and around 7,000 Japanese warriors. Against the attack of superior number from the allied forces, the Shimazu army countered with Teppo and other firearms. Shimazu’s marksmen focused the fire on the enemy’s wagon carrying the gunpowder and caused a large explosion. The shockwave led to a massive rout of the Chinese and Korean army, and it is said that 40 percent of the allied forces was killed in the battle, and Shimazu only suffered a slight casualty. The fear to Shimazu samurai struck deep into the hearts of Chinese generals, and Yoshihiro gained a new title as “Guishimanzu”, the ghost Shimazu.

After Hideyoshi died in Japan, the armies sent to Korea were forced to return. With the power of Toyotomi weakened, Tokugawa’s power grew stronger. Eventually, the clash of the two leading forces, the Battle of Sekigahara took place. While the Shimazu clan followed the Western Army (against Tokugawa), they kept a distance and watched as the battle proceeded. As the Shimazu concluded that the Western Army is lost, they began their famous “Shimazu Retreat”. Instead of withdrawing away from their enemy, Yoshihiro and his guards headed right forward to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s main forces, and turned away right after their enemy fell into chaos. Those generals Tokugawa sent to pursue Yoshihiro were sniped by the loyal Satsuma marksmen who were left to cover their lord’s retreat. In the end, Shimazu Yoshihiro was able to return to Kyushu, and the Shimazu clan lived to fight another day.

The people in the Satsuma territory were known to be fierce warriors, named 'Hayato', the falcon people. The Shimazu samurai practice a unique art of swordsmanship known as the Jigen-ryu. It is said that the opponent of a Jigen-ryu swordsman has to evade his first strike instead of attempting to block it, as the powerful striking force would push the blocking sword backward to hurt its owner.

Armed with an enormous sized No-Dachi, the No-Dachi Samurai is arguably one of the strongest melee units in the game, which can cut down multiple opponents at once. Their heavy armour slows them down significantly, therefore the Shimazu player must avoid fighting fast ranged units with them. Luckily, the clan also has access to decent Teppo units. Like its neighbor clan Otomo, the Shimazu clan is one of the first Japanese clans to use the European firearms. A Shimazu army of Elite Teppo Ashigaru protected by the fierce No-Dachi Samurai can be a formidable force for anyone who faces it.

Shimazu clan is one of the first clans to adopt firearms, were friendly to the Portugese and even welcomed Jesuit, St. Franis Xavier. This plays a role in their clan bonuses as originally the Jesuits were free to spread Christianity across their domain and they often used Portugese bought Teppo in their battles. However, they are even more famous for having the strongest Samurai in the Sengoku period.

Enables smart projectiles for Teppo Units (Teppo units more accurate against moving targets)

All information here is subject to change. This is an alpha preview and may not represent the final game version, due to game re-balancing, new ideas, new graphics or otherwise.