and then it rained...
 

My brave followers marched onto the field of Totomi,
where Honour dictated I meet the Ronin Ikko-Ikko general to do battle.

We knew victory would be hard fought, 
and found a suitable hill overlooking the plains, 
where an honourable withdrawal would be short.
For their may be no honour in defeat, but retreat before a superior foe where  battle would be wasteful is not dishonourable.

At the Crest of the hill either side of my own bodyguard of muskets 
stood my other 2 formations of muskets, all most honourable(5).
Before us in 2 rows waited my brave Arquebusiers - 6 formations in all.

Before them stood 2 formations of most honourabel(4) Warrior Monks in single lines and at the very front, waiting impetuously to test their courage stood 2 formations of freshly trained Warrior Monks also in single file.

Mu    Mu    Mu   = Honour 5
Arq   Arq   Arq  = Honour 2
Arq   Arq   Arq  = Honour 2
Mo-------------    = Honour 4
Mo-------------    = Honour 4
Mo-------------    = Honour 2
Mo-------------    = Honour 2

We waited, as the Pipes began to skirl, 
announcing the entry of the enemy to the field.

As the pipes rose to boil the blood of my men the Ikko-Ikko marched into sight below us and to a crackle of thunder the heavy clouds hanging overhead unleashed the gods vengence against me for daring to challenge the Ikko-Ikko.

The matches soaked and useless I prayed to buddha for our souls.

3 of the Ikko-Ikko formations marched out towards my left flank and came charging in along the slope where still I held my men.

As the main body of Ikko-Ikko hurled themselves against my freshly trained Monks I ordered One of my Most Honourable Muskets and a unit of Arquebus to engage the Iko-Ikko on my left hand to hand.
I knew they were doomed.

I held the my Most Honourable Monks and the rest of my warriors still
The Ikko-Ikko Taisho alone stood back, all his other formations he commited to mowing down my Monks, the first line was dispersed in an instant, 
the second line shattered quickly.

I ordered the Most Honourable 3rd row to attack to the left,
and the Most Honourable 4th row to attack to the right.
Still I held the rest of my warriors still.

The formations I commited on my left flank where wavering
when the Ikko-Ikko decided to converge on my Most Honourable Monks
and a gap opened directly In front of me, 
the Ikko-Ikko Taisho chose that moment to charge,
perhaps thinking he could force my bodyguard from the field and win the day.

I ordered the Muskets and Arquebusiers I had held on the hill to attack the Ikko-Ikko Taisho directly and with a great wail of bugles they surged forward
to certain doom.

The Ikko-Ikko Taisho found himself with his bodyguard facing 400 terrified warriors who were certain they would die and who fought like dervishes.

The Ikko-Ikko Taisho attempted to fall back and call for support, 
but in the confusion his bodyguard decided to run.
Seeing their Taisho being pushed back the Ikko-Ikko who had almost completely slaughterd my own buddhists decided to follow him.

We set off in pursuit, as I glanced behind I realised my left flank had fought well,
and fallen to a man, 
3 units of Ikko-Ikko were pursuing us as we pursued their Taisho.

I ordered my Bodyguard to turn and face them.
One of my formations of Arquebusiers was also close by,
I ordered them to assist.

As the pitiful remainder of my forces chased the Ikko-Ikko Taisho from the field my bodyguard, the arquebusiers and I fought for our very lives.

When the survivng few of my Most Honourable Monks reported the Ikko-Ikko Taisho had fled the field I begged them to come with all haste to my assistance.

For during the pursuit of the Ikko-Ikko Taisho,
some Ikko-Ikko formations had rallied and now came to aid in my death. 
We were hard pressed to hold them.

I barely had time to notice the deaths of my bodyguard around me, 
and watched in dismay as the unit of Arquebusiers fighting with us
lost their courage, tried to flee and were cut down to a man.

Just when I beleived I would be visiting my ancestors the remains of my forces arrived and together we slaughtered the last of the Ikko-Ikko where they stood.
They never broke, their courage was a thing of honour and beauty.

Scotland the Brave began to skirl around us,
as my pipers celebrated our victory. 
I watched truly in awe as the clouds parted 
and the sun shone on my exhausted men.

We pitiful few, we weary few,

We were alive,