Numata Castle

Numata Castle is a battle between the Western Army and the Sanada. Masayuki Sanada and Yukimura Sanada both attacked Nobuyuki Sanada at Numata Castle, guarded by Ina.

Role in Games
In Samurai Warriors 3, the battle is set in 1600 during the time of the Battle of Sekigahara.

In Yukimura Sanada's story mode, Masayuki claims that he is simply here to pay Ina a visit and see how his son it. However, Nobuyuki gave explicit orders not to let him in. Yukimura first defeated Tadashige Suzuki, then went forwards as he and his father agreed. Meanwhile, Masayuki took his time on his way up to the castle. After the attention of the troops had been drawn, Kunoichi opened the Northern Garrison east gate. Ina found out the hard way that Yukimura was just a decoy and that all of these movements were part of a plan. Masanobu Honda arrived with Tokugawa reinforcements, intent on aiding lord Noboyuki and showing the pride of men of Mikawa. Yasumasa Sakakibara, Tadachika Okubo, and Hanzo Hattori also arrived with reinforcements to aid Ina. When the first two are repelled, the entire Sanada army continued on to Numata castle. Hanzo Hattori must be defeated to open Numata Castle's gates. Tadakatsu Honda will appear at the battlefield to support his biological daughter. Nobuyuki ordered no quarter to be given to him by Yukimura, and Ina refused to shirk from her duty. When she is defeated, while victory is in the Sanada's grasp, Yukimura is informed that Lord Mitsunari Ishida had suffered defeat. Yukimurea pledged that his vision would not be lost.

In Ina's story, Masayuki uses force to see his son. Though Ina apologizes to Nobuyuki for not treating his father with respect, he remarked that he was an enemy now and did not deserve to be near the castle. Kunoichi had to be defeated, and all of the garrisons had to be reclaimed. After she is defeated, she reveals that Yukimura is somewhere to the east. Kai appears later on with the Hojo army and Kunoichi. They have to be defeated before they reach the castle. Also, Masayuki orders Yukimura to teach the enemy the horrors of war. When Yukimura had not made it, Masayuki took up the burden of winning the battle. When he charges out, he is defeated and the battle is won.

Historical Information
It was this castle that the Sanada defended twice from the Tokugawa, first in 1583 and again in 1600, putting up a very impressive defense both of those times.

When Sanada Masayuki refused to hand over the Numata Castle to Tokugawa Ieyasu, it led to The Battle at Kami River. During the battle, Ieyasu charged into the Ueda Castle with a very large army. But Masayuki was ready, having an ambush party ready to attack. This effectively threw the Tokugawa army into great confusion, causing them great losses in numbers.

Masayuki and his son Sanada Yukimura both faced off against the Tokugawa once again at the Battle of Sekigahara. The Sanada announced their surrender, but this surrender was all part of Masayuki's plan. He wanted to make them think he was truly surrendering, but instead Masayuki was really in preparation for the defense of the Ueda Castle.

When Tokugawa Hidetada was alerted of the Sanada clan's plot, Hidetada began to mobilize his troops. But Masayuki was already prepared for an attack, so he had another ambush party ready, but this time he sent them into the enemy's main camp. In the end the battle had devastating effects. Hidetada failed to seize the Ueda Castle, and he was also kept from joining the field at Sekigahara.