Wada Yonemaru

Yonemaru is loud, aggressive and domineering. He relies heavily on intimidation when commanding soldiers and confronting civilians, using both his physical size and his voice to impose himself on those around him.

He is also ambitious and calculating enough to understand the political opportunity created by Kiyohara's appointment. Although he follows the provincial official's orders, Yonemaru privately considers him incompetent and hopes to use his authority as a path toward greater influence.

Unlike Kiyohara, however, Yonemaru is genuinely effective at leading soldiers. His harsh manner can motivate the provincial troops, and his presence gives structure to forces that would otherwise suffer from their superior's poor military judgment.

Yonemaru is a powerful warrior with substantial experience in mounted combat. His size and strength make him dangerous at close range, while his position as commander demonstrates that he can coordinate soldiers as well as fight personally.

His greatest organizational strength is forceful leadership. Yonemaru uses shouted commands and intimidation to keep the provincial troops moving, giving the army cohesion even under difficult circumstances.

He commands Kiyohara's guards and serves as one of the principal military threats during the pursuit of Hoshina's retreating force.

Yonemaru enters the northern Shinano conflict as one of the commanders enforcing Kiyohara's authority. When Hoshina's warriors rebel and then attempt to withdraw with civilians, Yonemaru participates in the pursuit.

Fubuki recognizes that the provincial army's cohesion depends heavily on its commanders. Kazama Genba's disguise abilities are used to manipulate enemy troops, while Kojiro is pushed into one of his first significant mounted engagements against an experienced adult warrior.

Kojiro eventually defeats Yonemaru after Hoshina's retainers help bring the larger warrior within reach. Yonemaru's fall deprives Kiyohara's army of one of its most competent battlefield leaders and gives Kojiro valuable experience in commanding and fighting from horseback.

Kiyohara Shinanokami is Yonemaru's superior. Yonemaru privately looks down on Kiyohara as incompetent while intending to exploit his political authority for his own advancement.

Kojiro becomes Yonemaru's principal opponent during the retreat from Kawanakajima. Kojiro defeats him with assistance from Hoshina's warriors.

Fubuki helps devise the strategy used to weaken and confuse Yonemaru's forces.

Kazama Genba uses disguise as part of the effort to disrupt the provincial army's command structure.

Yasaburo Hoshina leads the rebels and civilians Yonemaru's forces pursue.