The Day Before the Battle

September 14, 1600 (Keicho 5)

After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a conflict emerged between Lord Ieyasu, the head of the Council of Elders, and Ishida Mitsunari, the overseer of the government. This rift would ultimately lead both to a decisive showdown at Sekigahara, with both armies totaling a formidable 150,000 troops.

The Western Army, led by Mitsunari, positioned itself strategically on the surrounding mountains to encircle Ieyasu’s Eastern Army.

Major Meckel, who was later invited to join the Japanese army, took one look at the battlefield arrangement and declared a clear Western Army advantage, predicting their victory due to the Eastern Army’s unfavorable formation.

However, Ieyasu held a secret weapon: covert alliances with Kobayakawa and Kikkawa who were within the Western Army yet in league with the Tokugawa.

Lord Ieyasu was 59 years old. He began his battle for supremacy.