Stories of the Japanese 00864 [Kenmu Period] The Battle of Funasaka

It was in April of the first year of Engen/third year of Kenmu (1336) that Nitta Yoshisada gave up on Shirahata Castle and headed toward Funasaka Pass (the border between Kamigori Town, Hyogo Prefecture and Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) in order to enter Bizen Province. However, Funasaka Pass was a steep and rugged road, and the people living in this area were all supporters of the Ashikaga forces. Yoshisada, troubled by the difficulty of crossing the pass, received a letter from Kojima Takanori, a resident of Bizen Province.
"I have heard that you are attempting to cross Funasaka, but I believe this Funasaka is a natural fortress that cannot be easily breached. I plan to raise an army at Kumayama (Akaiwa City, Okayama Prefecture) on the coming April 18th. If I do so, the enemy soldiers guarding Funasaka will surely attack Kumayama. At that time, Funasaka will be thinly defended, so I believe that if you divide your army into two, have one unit secretly detour along another road, and catch the enemy at Funasaka in a pincer attack, you will surely be victorious."
Yoshisada was delighted and decided to go along with this strategy of Kojima Takanori.
When April 18th arrived and Kojima Takanori rose up at Kumayama, the Funasaka forces fell for this diversionary tactic and attacked Kumayama. Takanori, with a force of only 200 horsemen, fought by approaching the enemy and then pulling back, trying to buy time.
In this battle, Takanori was slashed on the face by an enemy sword and nearly lost consciousness, but his father, Wada Norinaga (?-1336), scolded him, saying,
"Are you going to weaken over such a small wound? Is this the level of resolve with which you undertook this great cause?"
Takanori regained his strength, said, "I will fight one more round," and continued to fight while drawing the enemy even closer.
Around that time, Nitta Yoshisada and Wakiya Yoshisuke were advancing toward Funasaka. The Funasaka army, having reduced its numbers due to the diversionary tactic, was no longer a match for the Nitta army, and they began to abandon their horses and armor and flee one after another. The Nitta army pursued them and struck them down one by one.
At this time, among the Funasaka army pursued by the Nitta army was a man named Mino Sukeshige. Mino Sukeshige lost his way to escape and once thought of committing seppuku, but he changed his mind, put his armor back on, and advanced steadily toward the approaching enemy.
When challenged by the Nitta army, Mino Sukeshige answered brazenly, "I am a man who was guiding you all, and I am on my way to report the details of the battle to Lord Nitta."
He then went straight to Nitta Yoshisada and declared, "I, Mino Sukeshige, surrender," and thus saved his life. It seems there have been such cunning men since long ago.
Thus, thanks to the efforts of Kojima Takanori, the Nitta army was able to cross Funasaka Pass.