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#84
 84. TAKAUJI'S CALL UPON THE SHIBUYA TO ARMED SERVICE,
                                              1337
     (A copy in Iriki-in docs.; also KK, II; SK, XIV; and Dai Ni-hon shi-ryo , VI, iv, 211. )
AFTER Ashikaga Takauji's departure for Kyoto, Kyu-shu, like many another part of Japan, was
given over to a prolonged and extremely complicated strifc between his supporters and their
enemies. Not the least distracted were the southern provinces of the island. Here, although Satsuma
appeared to be largely under the influence of Takauji's powerful ally, the lord of Shimadzu, the
latter was in reality but the greatest among the local warriors, many of whom were independent
of him and some were eager to grasp an opportunity to rise and dispute his power. Nor was it long
before they-especially lords of southern Satsuma-ranged themselves on the side of the Count of
Yoshino, and the war between the two factions spread, during the year 1337, from Izhu in, Ichiku,
and Hishi-zhima, in the center, to Ada in the south; at the close of the year, the struggle promised
to become only more extended and more intense and complex. For, it should be remembered, the
contention was not a simple conflict of two bodies of men espousing the rival imperial courts, but,
as will gradually be revealed through successive documents, simultaneous outbursts of political and
personal jealousies, rivalries, and ambitions, some long cherished and others newly born, which
would at this favorable juncture appeal to a decision by force.
  Meanwhile, in the neighboring province of Hiuga, the Southern (Yoshino) cause found its gal-
lant champion in Kimotsuki Kaneshige, a Tomo. Holding his headquarters at Taka-zho, near the
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center of the province, and being supported by his partisans at various points, Kaneshige was suc-
cessfully withstanding the attacks of the Shimadzu forces and of the army which Hatakeyama
Yoshiaki (later, Nao-aki), who had lately been sent hither by Takauji as commander-general of
southern Kyu-shu, was able to gather together under his command. War was soon carried into the
neighborhood of the provincial capital of Osumi, a most strategic point that commanaded the main
routes.
  With these facts in mind should the following breif document be read Takauji, at Kyoto, was
deeply concerned over events in southern Kyu-shu. Deeming himself the logical successor to the
late sho-gun at Kamakura, and as such, the legitimate suzerain over the go ke-nin the latter had
left behind, Takauji openly commanded them to service at arms, either under Shimadzu as shu-go
or under Hatakeyama as his own agent. To such an order many would be inclined to give little
heed, while others would obey it only so long as they pleased or left compelled to do so. Not until
his prestige should be firmly established might Takauji count upon the constant loyalty of men so
far away from his personal presence.
  As for the Shibuya, it would seem from this document that they had already cooperated with
Shimadzu, and were for that reason expected to give further aid to the Northern (Kyoto) side.
Among men of the Shibuya stock, it is not recorded what those of the Iriki-in branch had thus far
done after the battle on the branch of Tadara the year before.

    "REGARDING the uprising1 of the insurgents of Satsuma kuni. We hear that you
have rendered loyal service at arms in the kuni, which is excellent. In breif, we are
despatching forces; 2 you shall again start, and evermore distinguish yourselves by acts
of loyalty. [Ordered] thus.
     "Ken-mu 4 y. 4 m. 27 d. [27 May 1337].       [Tadayoshi's] monogram.
   "To the entire family of the Shibuya."




  1Ho-ki,literally, rising [like] wasps.
  2This may refer to the sending of Hatakeyama Yoshiaki to Hiuga or perhaps to an expedition
under the Shimadzu lord.