Battle of Sekigahara - Fall of The Western Army

Fall of The Western Army

Even though the western forces had tremendous tactical advantages, Ieyasu had already contacted many daimyo on the western side, promising them land and leniency after the battle should they switch sides. Notably several western commanders holding key positions were lured over to the Tokugawa cause.

Kikkawa Hiroie and Kobayakawa Hideaki were two such commanders. They were in such positions that if they decided to close in on the eastern forces, they would in fact have Ieyasu surrounded on three sides. However, Kikkawa Hiroie, who was a retainer of the Mori clan, believed that Ieyasu would ultimately be victorious, and made a secret pact to keep his clan out of the combat. Hiroie's troops formed the front lines of the Mori army, which was commanded by his cousin Mori Hidemoto. When Hidemoto decided to attack the Tokugawa forces, Hiroie refused to comply, claiming fogs prevented movement. This in turn prevented the Chosokabe army, which deployed behind the Mori clan, from attacking.

Even though Kobayakawa had responded to Ieyasu's call, in the actual battle he was hesitant and remained neutral. As the battle grew more intense, Ieyasu finally ordered arquebusiers to fire at Kobayakawa's position on Mount Matsuo in order to force Kobayakawa to make his choice. At that point Kobayakawa joined the battle on the eastern side. His forces assaulted Yoshitsugu's position, which quickly fell apart as he was already engaging Tōdō Takatora's forces. Seeing this as an act of treachery, western generals such as Wakisaka Yasuharu, Ogawa Suketada, Akaza Naoyasu, and Kutsuki Mototsuna immediately switched sides, turning the tide of battle.

The western forces disintegrated afterwards, and the commanders scattered and fled. Some, like Ukita Hideie managed to escape. Many others did not. Shima Sakon was shot and wounded by a round from an arquebus and Ōtani Yoshitsugu committed suicide. Mitsunari, Yukinaga and Ekei were some of those who were captured and a few, like Mōri Terumoto and Shimazu Yoshihiro were able to return to their home provinces. Mitsunari himself would be executed.