#110
  110. THE SHO-GUN'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE, 1362

                                  (Okamoto docs.; also KK, VII.)
THE following kan-zho shows that Okamoto Shigeoki had again veered to the Northern side. Since
we saw him last (No.106), Shimadzu Sadahisa, as might be expected, deserted the Prince and
joined the Shoni, and fought unsuccessfully against his recent allies the Kikuchi, in Chikugo, in
August 1359. When his son Morohisa stared late in 1361 for Chikuzen to aid the new tan-dai, Shiba
Ujitsune, his path was blocked by the Idzumi rebels in north Satsuma, with whom he was com-
pelled to wage a desultory war for many months, while few warriors in the kuni responded to his
calls for service out of the province. Previously, late in 1359, the Sagara lord of south Higo invaded
Hiuga, and carried war into the very cradle of the original Shimadzu sho, defeating Shimadzu
P268
Ujihisa. These reverses of the Shimazu were offset by their opportune victory toward the end of
1361 over their inveterate foe, Hatakeyama Nao-aki, who was completely broken, and fled to
Bungo, never to return, leaving the shu-go in firm control of south Osumi. Shigeoki's services that
the sho-gun personally commended in the following letter are stated to have been rendered in
Satsuma; it is, therefore, presumed that he was one of the few who followed Morohisa in his pro-
tracted campaign against the men of Idzumi.

    "IT has recently been reported that since the 2nd month of last year you have
rendered loyal services in battles in Sastuma. That was excellent. It is hereby com-
manded that you shall continue evermore to achieve distinguished service in arms.
  "Ko-an 2 y. 9 m. 6 d. [24 September 1362].
                                 (Ahikaga Yoshiakira's1 monogram.)
       "Shibuya Kuro Saemom nyu-do dono."


1The second Ashikaga sho-gun.