구스노키 마사시게(楠正成)의 병법(兵法)에 대한 고찰

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the characteristics of the ‘villain; tactics of the Japanese Middle Ages through a close analysis of the characteristics of Masashige’s tactics described in Taiheiki. The tactic used by Masashige in Taiheiki was an expedient practice of mountain tactics used by the ‘villain’ by utilizing the fortresses located in the rugged mountain areas such as Akasaka Castle and Chihaya Castle. The tactic of dropping trees and stones to the approaching enemy or using straw puppets to cajole the enemy was a conventional means of combat, practiced by ‘villains’ or ‘bandits’ in the vicinity of the Kinai area. Masashige emphasized the importance of uniting the hearts of the soldiers, not necessarily in large numbers, in order to deal with the large army of the Shogunate with a small number of troops. Although the warriors of the Tougoku area are courageous, they are not familiar with siege warfare, so Masashige expected that they would rush in ignoring the seemingly poor castles and a small number of troops, and effectively operated a small number of troops relying on diverse tactics such as information war or blocking supply lines of the enemy. In addition, the reason for the establishment of Masashige’s strong defense and enduring of the onslaught of the Shogunate forces for victory lied in more than anything else the close relationship between Masashige and Nobushi in the surrounding area. It was impregnable because it was connected with the Yamabushi, who are thoroughly familiar with the neighboring mountains and fields in Chihaya Castle, located in the Kongo Range, the sacred place of Shugen. In this way, Masashige’s tactics were based on the tactics of the ‘villain’ based on the locality, showing a different pattern from the general tactics, which was distinguished from the other Kamakura Gokenin(御家人).