The construction of the forward outpost Sunomata was key for Nobunaga's conquest of Mino. Constructed in 1566 with the help of the Men of the Fields and Tokichiro (Hideyoshi), Sunomata made sure that Nobunaga would be on the offensive when attacking Mino.
Passage from David D. Neilson's
Society at War:
Page 202.
"
The construction of the fort at Sunomata can be broken down into three basic components. The first component was the fort buildings and main enclosure that surrounded them. Second were the moats in front of the walls to make the approach more difficult and hazardous. Third, was the construction of a horse-stopping fence that enclosed the entire perimeter of the camp that was indented to keep the enemy, and particularly, mounted cavalry, at bay. The horse-stopping fence also had the benefit of keeping enemy musketeers and archers at a distance which even if it did not put them out of range of the fort itself, would have degraded their accuracy considerably. The horse-stopping fence was reinforced by a moat. Once their presence was discovered by the enemy, the group expected to be attacked. Their primary mission was to complete the fort so that it could be passed off to Oda Nobunaga's main force troops as a forward base of operations from which to launch the offensive into Mino. If the Men of the Fields were going to be successful in their task, it meant construction would have to continue nonstop, even if they were under attack."
Tenka no tame!
