Kawanakajima 1561

About this board game

Kawanakajima 1561 is a 1–2-player wargame about the fourth battle of Kawanakajima, with games designed to finish in an evening and a listed play time of 240 minutes.

Each player takes the role of a commander in chief, directing an army made up of multiple clans. Players choose an action for each clan, while a chit pull system determines the order in which activations occur, creating a dynamic contest of timing and preparation.

Every clan can be placed in one of four modes: Attack, Defense, Move, or Rally. A clan’s current mode affects how its units move and fight. Unit abilities are defined by four factors: élan, mass, fire, and the presence of a leader. Élan reflects mobility and boldness in attack, while mass represents staying power, including resistance to cavalry charges and routs.

Victory depends on careful maneuver and coordinated attacks. Seek numerical superiority, use terrain that complements a clan’s mode, and catch opposing troops before they are prepared. The system also reflects the historical limitations of Japanese commanders, whose prearranged plans relied on semaphore flags and sound signals to coordinate their armies.

• Two scenarios: a historical battle and a hypothetical “what if?” situation.
• Historical scenario: Takeda’s army is divided into two contingents, with one surprised by Uesugi’s army and forced to hold until assistance arrives.
• Game scale: each hex represents about 250 meters, and each strength point represents around 100 men.

The game includes an A1 map, 228 counters, a rule book with scenarios, game play aids, a cardboard jacket, and four dice. Kawanakajima 1561 is the first game in the Sengoku Jidai series, covering battles in 16th-century Japan.