x Ishida’s men were managing to resist the assault, but as he looked
along the line, he noticed that one important contingent under
Lord Shimazu was not participating. When messengers brought
no explanation, Ishida went personally to see Shimazu and was
brusquely informed that Shimazu would enter the battle when the
time was right.
x By late morning, most of Tokugawa’s forces, except for his reserve,
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was the moment that Ishida had been waiting for, and he gave the
signal for Kobayakawa to descend from the hillside and engage
Tokugawa’s army from the side. Kobayakawa did not respond.
Even worse from Ishida’s perspective, several minor lords on the
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their troops, as well.
x Across the valley, Tokugawa was keeping an eye on Kobayakawa’s
formation, well aware of the danger that Kobayakawa posed to
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on what the young lord would choose to do. Finally, Tokugawa
determined to force Kobayakawa’s decision; thus, he ordered a few
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x The shots had an immediate effect. Kobayakawa sprang to his
feet and exclaimed, “Our target is Otani!”—one of Ishida’s
commanders. Kobayakawa’s men poured down the mountain and
smashed into Otani’s regiment. Kobayakawa had chosen to switch
sides and join Tokugawa.
x This treachery did not come as a total surprise to Ishida and his
men. They had been aware of Kobayakawa’s long vacillation, and
Otani in particular had been so suspicious of his supposed ally that
he had ordered a section of his men to be ready to turn and face
Kobayakawa if he switched sides. Thus, Kobayakawa’s attack did
not have the destructive impact it might have had against a wholly
unprepared foe.