Ito have no cavalry, 1 ranged unit.
The variety of Command cards are most important here, if the Shimazu are mobile they can dominate, but a dud Command draw could completely immobilse them.
“I dreamt of worldly success once.”
― Miyamoto Musashi
I was Ito with more troops but of less quality. It was a brutal and short game. Judd was able to combine and get out fast. I didn't even get a banner. It just shows how powerful the samurai are against the lesser troops.