About the Battle of Nejirozaka
The Battle of Nejirozaka was fought in 1587 (17th day of the 4th month, Tenshō 15) at Nejirozaka, Koyu District, Hyūga Province. In the final stage of the Kyushu campaign, Toyotomi Hidenaga's great army repels a night attack by Shimazu Yoshihiro and others at Nejirozaka. The battle that sealed the Shimazu surrender and completed Hideyoshi's pacification of Kyushu.
- Year
- 158717th day of the 4th month, Tenshō 15
- Place
- Nejirozaka, Koyu District, Hyūga Province
- Era
- Azuchi–Momoyama period
The two armies
Toyotomi forces Commander-in-chiefToyotomi Hidenaga 23,0004 units 
Shimazu forces Commander-in-chiefShimazu Yoshihiro 13,5004 units Troop strengthTotal of the units shown in 3D
Fought 23,000
Fought 12,000Did not fight 1,500
Toyotomi forcesBy troop strength
- Toyotomi Hidenaga 豊臣秀長 Commander-in-chief 12,000
-
Tōdō Takatora 藤堂高虎 4,000 -
Kobayakawa Takakage 小早川隆景 4,000 - Miyabe Keijun 宮部継潤 3,000
Shimazu forcesBy troop strength
- Shimazu Yoshihiro 島津義弘 Commander-in-chief 6,000
- Shimazu Iehisa 島津家久 4,000
- Shimazu Tadachika 島津忠隣 2,000
- Yamada Arinobu 山田有信 Did not fight 1,500
Portraits are public-domain images from Wikimedia Commons (some are later imagined depictions).
How the battle unfoldedTimes follow the 3D clock
- 6:00 PMCh. 1
FortBlocking Nejirozaka
Tenshō 15, the final stage of Hideyoshi's Kyushu campaign. The Hyūga army under his brother Toyotomi Hidenaga besieges the Shimazu castle of Takajō and builds a fort at Nejirozaka, on the relief route, to block it. Its commander is Miyabe Keijun.
- 9:00 PMCh. 2
ReliefThe Shimazu March North
Learning of Takajō's peril, Shimazu Yoshihiro and Iehisa march north under cover of night to relieve it. The Shimazu, who had slaughtered the Ōtomo and the Ryūzōji with the feigned-retreat ambush, aim here too for a single breakthrough by night attack.
- 12:00 AMCh. 3
NightA Charge Through the Dark
In the dead of night the Shimazu swarm the fort at Nejirozaka. Their trademark assault nearly breaks the Toyotomi palisade, and a ferocious hand-to-hand fight begins in the dark. Shimazu Tadachika leads the charge and is killed at the palisade.
- 2:00 AMCh. 4
HoldMiyabe Holds the Fort
Miyabe Keijun, in command of the fort, does not yield a step. He pours in volley after volley and plugs the broken palisade with his own body. Through a night of relentless assault the Toyotomi side grits its teeth and holds.
- 4:00 AMCh. 5
CounterCounterattack at Dawn
When the night attack stalls and the Shimazu momentum fades, Hidenaga sees his chance and sends the main force forward. Tōdō Takatora and the other commanders sally from the fort at daybreak and push the exhausted Shimazu back.
- 6:00 AMCh. 6
RetreatThe Shimazu Withdraw
The plan for a single breakthrough has failed, and the Shimazu withdraw south having lost many men. Its lifeline cut, Takajō soon opens its gates. The offensive of the Shimazu, masters of Kyushu, is stopped here for good.
- 7:00 AMCh. 7
YieldKyushu Pacified
News of the defeat at Nejirozaka shakes the Shimazu homeland. The clan head Yoshihisa shaves his head and submits to Hideyoshi, and the pacification of Kyushu is complete. The military reputation of Hidenaga, who won this battle as commander-in-chief, rose higher still.
In Ultra detailBattle Pass
The same scene in the standard quality and in Ultra detail. Drag the line to compare, and switch between "Wide" and "Close-up". Ultra detail adds rugged mountains, forests and rocks in 3D, rippling seas and rivers, rows in the fields and soldiers as figures. Chapter 1 of every battle can be watched in Ultra detail without the Battle Pass.
FAQ
What was the Battle of Nejirozaka?
In the final stage of the Kyushu campaign, Toyotomi Hidenaga's great army repels a night attack by Shimazu Yoshihiro and others at Nejirozaka. The battle that sealed the Shimazu surrender and completed Hideyoshi's pacification of Kyushu.
When and where did the Battle of Nejirozaka take place?
It took place in 1587 at Nejirozaka, Koyu District, Hyūga Province (17th day of the 4th month, Tenshō 15).
Who fought in the Battle of Nejirozaka?
Toyotomi Hidenaga of the Toyotomi forces, Shimazu Yoshihiro of the Shimazu forces were among the commanders.
Can I watch the Battle of Nejirozaka in 3D?
Yes. This page plays a free three-minute 3D animated overview showing the deployments, the movements of each army and how the battle was decided.