Shitara

Shitara lies in eastern Mikawa, where river valleys open between the mountains of central Japan. In 1575 Takeda Katsuyori besieged Nagashino Castle as he sought to advance west. Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu brought an army to its relief, and the Takeda moved to meet them at Shitaragahara. Firearms played a prominent part in the battle; Katsuyori's army suffered heavy losses and withdrew, leaving the castle in Tokugawa hands.