Hi there sounds interesting what your doing,
What type of figures are you using to portray the samurai,
www.Eastofindia are excellent but expensive. Anyway to attempt to
help you out, the first place you should look is of course
www.samurai-archives esp
http://www.samurai-archives.com/registry.html
This gives a list of hundreds of samurai, with good detail on their
lives. Also reading the article on Hojo Ujimasa would help you.
As far as I can help you I will try, here are some names to look into
First Hojo Ujinao was officially Daimyo of the Hojo although his
father Hojo Ujimasa still advised him and had control over aspects of
the clans actions. Initially the Hojou were allied to the Tokugawa
but later it was revoked and Ieyasu began the siege against Hojou.
There were attempted negotiations into 1590, only in May of 1590 did
the invasion of the Hojou lands of Kai, Sagami,Izu, Shimosa, Mushahsi
etc begin. The scale of the invasion was huge and from all sides,
including naval contingents. Apparently 200 000 besiegers faced
50 000 Hojou and allies. The chain of sattilite forts were quickly
reduced individually as support could not be guarranted. While the
siege lengthened and the troops on both sides dug in or partied as
the case of the Besiegers, negotioations contiuned. When in July
Hideyoshi demanded surrender Hojou Ujinori (Ujimasa brother and
retainer) went as messenger. Ujimasa wanted to continue fighting but
Ujinao eventually in Sept surrendered saving himself but Ujimasa and
Ujiteru (his brother) were forced to commit Seppuku.
As regards to the retainers allied to the Hojou well, first there are
the family clan members, Ujinao (Son of Ujimasa), Ujimasa (Father
Ujinao), Hojou Genan (Bro Ujitsuna),Hojo Tsunashige (adopted son of
Ujitsuna), Hojou Ujiteru (2nd son of Ujiyasu {Father of Ujimasa})
Ujikuni (3rd son of Ujiyasu, held Hachigata-jo a sattelite castle
until subdued) Hojou Ujinori (4th son of Ujiyasu)Complicated family
structure but all employed in defense.
Houjo retainers I can find, not sure about position of all-
Ashikaga Yoshiuji (think he is old Hojo not Sengoku)
Chiba Shigetane (Killed in Sakura castle think Izu province not
Odawara jo because the campaign would have been conquest of all Hojou
territory which means 4-5 provinces namely Sagami, Mushashi, Izu,
part of Kai, Shimosa ,Hitachi)
Daidoji Masahige (one of Hojo Ujimasa's chief advisors, told Ujinao
avoid pitched battle)
Fuma Kotara (reported leader of Hojo special forces 200 man nija
esque raid on Takeda forces in 1580, unsure as to if he was there)
Yuki Harumoto (Interesting Daimyo of Shimosa province severed ties
with Hojou after 1590, forced to break vassalship.
The thing about Odawara castle is that it is not as well known as
Osaka castle siege, Odawara was the finishing of the Hojou and it
seems I can find info about who finished them, but not much about who
attempted to save them, maybe its a case of History is dictated by
the conquerers. undoubtedly there are 1000s of forgotten names. The
Hojo were on there way out, their allies deserted them they were
surrounded having previously helped Nobunaga, then Hideyoshi defeat
the Takeda, they brought their own downfall. Like rats deserting a
sinking ship many samurai choose to throw in their lot with the
strong side, leaving the Hojou surrounded and weak, there were many
rats left clinging to the ship when it went down but many have been
forgoten.
I was thinking that in Turnbulls book on samurai heraldry there is a
picture of the siege of Odawara, but thats me mixing it up with
Osaka. I think in general it will be alot harder for you to portray
Odawara because of the scanty information. The best way in my opinion
would be to show depending on your scale, a surrounded castle town,
with drooping banners on the castle walls, the inhabitants running
out of ideas and hope, while an almost carnival atmosphere exists
around the besiegers, with samurai on a war-peace footing capable of
changing at different moments, long periods of boredom with the
occasional moment of action (like war in general, even the 2nd world
war)
I wish you luck with it, Ill continue to look for info, also I live
in the North of England and am interested about your idea, it would
be good to see when finished. The Royal armouries in Leeds is a great
place to be inspired by seeing real sengoku period artifacts. If I
can help anymore don't hesitate to ask
Before I finish I just read the article on the pre modern history of
Odawara in the samurai archives articles section, you should read
this, the siege is more complicated than I realised, I forget
Hideyoshi built a castle opposite Odawara. You should take this info
into account.
All best Mark C