Yamanaka Shikanosuke
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Yamanaka Shikanosuke (山中鹿介? 1545-1578) was a man regarded as 'the samurai of the crescent moon', serving under the Amago clan throughout the latter half of the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan. Being exceedingly skilled in the art of the sword, even at a very young age, Shikanosuke seized his first head by the age of 13, initially calling himself "child of the moon," as if possessing a dinstinction of prowess compared to the moon within darkness. By the year 1563, Lord of Mori, Mori Motonari--longing to destroy his old comrades, the Amago, for the sake of expansion--penetrated within Izumo Province-Shikanosuke's homeland--aiming to essentially seize Shirabe Castle, which stood as a strategic point among all else. In retortion, Shikanosuke was allowed a force of 200 horsemen, but unfortunately failed in the attempt to prevent Shirabe's capture, fighting with intense bravery, regardless. As the Mori followed with an immediate attack upon Gassan-Toda--headquarter of the Amago--in 1565, Shikanosuke showed incredible valiance, even catching the eye of many respective retainers under the Mori, prompting a certain Shinagawa Daisen to presently propose a personal duel before the former, mocking him for the distinctive deer antlers upon his helm. Both daimyo accepting such a request, the duel was arranged within a certain island that laid within the Todo River's center, at which both respective sides removed their arms and observed the two warriors as they began their duel. Unfortunately for Daisen however, he was bested very quickly in the course of such a bout, and Shikanosuke grappled with the former, delivering a fatal blow with his knife before cleaving off the head of the fallen retainer of Mori and displaying it before all present. As both sides thus commenced their feuding, the invaders managed to attain victory, at which Amago Yoshihisa--current head of Amago--was sent into exile, and the lands presently held under the Amago's jurisdiction were thus absorbed as a new fragment of Motonari's power. Shikanosuke, however, was determined not to follow the Mori in service, and, as opposed to surrendering with formality, he fled the scene, vowing upon a moonlighten night that he would "accept the Seven Troubles and Eight Pains" if it meant the Amago's rebirth to power.
[edit] References
- Yamanaka Shikanosuke - SamuraiWiki. (Samurai Archives) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005
