6. The Battle of Shikawa

The Conclusion of War

Unable to disregard his father's wishes, powerless to resist the demands of his vassals, and fearing the loss of his position as head of the family, Asai Nagamasa finally resolved to secretly mobilize troops, preparing to launch a pincer attack on Oda Nobunaga's forces alongside the Asakura clan. His wife, Ichi-hime, upon learning of this news, hurriedly sent a messenger to inform her brother Nobunaga, urging him to prepare in advance. Naturally, her actions were tantamount to betraying her husband, so she could not speak plainly and had to convey her message in riddles. The meaning of that peculiar gift was, in fact, very clear: the Oda army was facing a perilous situation akin to being trapped in a bag of beans, with both ends bound, soon to be left with no escape.

Another interpretation is that Oda Nobunaga first dispatched Niwa Nagahide and Ikeda Tsuneoki's troops to suppress the Asakura army, and then immediately ordered the "Three from Nishi Mino," who had not yet engaged in battle, to cross the river and advance north, creating the appearance of cutting off the retreat route of the Azai army. As a result, Azai Nagamasa was forced to retreat his entire army back to the northern bank of the Asagawa. Observing the retreat of their allies, the Asakura army began to waver, and when they were further attacked from the flank by Sakakibara Yasumasa's forces, they suffered a great defeat.

There is a saying in China: "Poor mountains and bad waters produce cunning people." From a certain perspective, this statement is indeed a profound truth. In the Sanhe Kingdom, aside from the coastal plains in the south, two-thirds of the country is comprised of mountainous and hilly terrain, resulting in a lack of abundant resources and widespread poverty among the populace. However, it is precisely because of this poverty that, in times of chaos, they often exhibit a tenacity and unity in battle that is unimaginable in peaceful times.

However, Shibata Katsuie, with a determination to fight to the death, led his troops to charge out and defeated the Rokaku army. Shortly thereafter, the Battle of Ouwaka broke out, where Shibata Katsuie and Sakuma Nobumori combined their forces to achieve a great victory over the Rokaku faction and the Ikki army, resulting in the deaths of over seven hundred men, including the Rokaku clan's high-ranking official, Mikumo Sadamochi. The situation in southern Omi was thus temporarily stabilized.

In order to secure allies and eliminate obstacles on the way to Kyoto, Nobunaga agreed to the request of Asakura Yoshikage. However, in the end, the Asakura army did not advance into Yamashiro Province; they only engaged in a few battles with Takeda Motoharu, the guardian of Wakasa Province, forcing him to submit to Ashikaga Yoshihide. This was partly due to Asakura Yoshikage's lack of determination, and partly because Nobunaga's campaign to Kyoto was so successful and swift that it astonished the world, leaving the Asakura army unable to keep pace with him.

At this critical moment, the tacit understanding and mutual trust between Nobunaga and Ieyasu are indeed astonishing to both contemporaries and future generations. Ieyasu placed a heavy bet at the Battle of Shizugatake, willing to risk the complete loss of his army to assist Nobunaga. Just before his own forces were on the verge of collapse, Nobunaga ordered the recently arrived forces of Niwa Nagahide, as well as Ikeda Tsuneoki's troops, who had just retreated from a fierce battle to rest, not to engage in the frontal battlefield but to head west to support the right flank of the Tokugawa army. Nobunaga, who was in a crisis, understood very well that as long as reinforcements continued to arrive, they could ultimately achieve victory by enduring the temporary disadvantage. However, if the Tokugawa army were to collapse, the Asakura forces could directly penetrate his flank, which would certainly lead to disaster.

In light of the latest developments, the two commanders of the attacking coalition—Asakura Kagekatsu and Asai Nagamasa—briefly exchanged opinions and reached nearly identical conclusions. Generally speaking, the cavalry of the main general is considered to be the elite troops, equipped with the best gear and possessing the strongest combat capability. A direct charge would inevitably face fierce resistance, likely resulting in prolonged delays, allowing Oda's rear forces to arrive one after another, thus shifting the situation to an unfavorable direction. The optimal strategy is to allocate a portion of the forces to distract Nobunaga's cavalry, while the main force launches a surprise attack on its flank. As long as one wing is defeated, it would also allow for a direct assault on Nobunaga's main formation.

The allied forces advanced with unstoppable momentum, vowing to reach the gates of Ichijō Valley in one fell swoop, to annihilate the Asakura clan and annex the province of Echizen. However, on the evening of April 27, a secret envoy suddenly arrived at Nobunaga's main camp, presenting a peculiar gift. The gift was sent by Nobunaga's sister, Lady Oichi, from the Asai clan's main castle at Odani, and it was not a rare treasure, but a small pouch of beans, tightly bound at both ends with silk thread, making it difficult to untie.

The famous Battle of Jichuan has thus commenced

In contrast, the province of Owari is almost entirely flat, with fertile land and abundant resources. As long as there is farming, there is no fear of starvation; who would still be willing to go to battle? Therefore, the general disposition of the people in Owari is relatively gentle. This is also a significant reason why Oda Nobuhide was so wealthy, and why Oda Nobunaga's guard unit was well-equipped, which even astonished the spying Saito Dosan, yet they could not easily crush the surrounding forces.

The Battle of Chikugagawa was a major confrontation between the Oda clan and the Azai clan, yet it did not yield the decisive effects one would expect from such a battle. Both sides suffered losses; some accounts state that the Azai and Asakura forces lost around 5,000 men, while the Oda and Tokugawa forces lost about 3,000, with other accounts suggesting a similar ratio but a total not exceeding 3,000. In summary, although Oda Nobunaga had a numerical advantage and fought fiercely for half a day, the gains he achieved were not substantial. Furthermore, despite the defeat of the Asakura and Azai coalition, their subsequent performance indicates that they did not suffer a fatal blow to their strength—indeed, it can be said that both sides essentially fought to a standstill.

The battle had not begun long before the front line of Oda's forces was on the verge of collapse. Sakai Masanobu's son, the sixteen-year-old Kuzo, was killed in action, and the Azai army seized the opportunity to break through the crossing defense line and crossed the Azusa River.

In the mountainous region of Beimu, the quality of its soldiers is significantly superior to that of the soldiers from Owari

Regardless of whether the Asakura army or the Asai army retreated first, in the end, it was still Oda Nobunaga who endured this grueling battle until the very end

At this moment, the relentless Asai army had reached the end of its strength, blocked by the reinforcements led by Oda's Sakuma Nobumori and others. Having escaped from danger, Nobunaga immediately ordered a full counterattack, determined to annihilate the Asai army entirely on the riverbank

Nobunaga returned east, leaving Shibata Katsuie, Mori Yoshinari, Sakuuma Nobumori, Nakagawa Shigemasa, and others to defend the various castles in the southern region against the attacks of the Asai and Asakura allied forces. Among them, Katsuie was stationed at the strategic Chōkō-ji Castle. In June of that year, Rokkaku Yoshikatsu gathered his former retainers and incited a peasant uprising in the southern provinces, advancing towards the Yasu River, breaching the outer castle of Chōkō-ji, and surrounding the honmaru. [During the Sengoku period, castles were designed for defense and were divided into multiple layers, each typically named with the character "maru." The innermost or most important layer is called the honmaru, with outer layers referred to as ni-no-maru, san-no-maru, and so on. Additionally, names may be based on geographical features or the names of commanders who once defended the castle, such as Nishi-no-maru, Yama-no-maru, and Kyōgoku-maru.]

Endo Yoshiyemon Naokatsu was one of the formidable generals of the Asai clan. He led eight hundred cavalry straight into Nobunaga's main camp, believing that if he could take Nobunaga's head, the situation in the realm would change immediately. However, at this moment, the Oda forces surrounding Yokoyama Castle began to arrive at the front line one after another, starting with Kinoshita Hideyoshi's two thousand men and Shibata Katsuie's three thousand men. With these five thousand fresh troops, the Oda army's numbers on the front battlefield were now comparable to those of the Asai army.

The overall situation of the battle changed in an instant

The forward commander, Xiao Xiao, engaged in several skirmishes. Upon hearing that Nobunaga was personally leading the main force in pursuit, the Asai army dared not linger in battle and retreated to Koguchi Castle for a tight defense. Nobunaga himself arrived at Tora Gozen Mountain on the 21st and immediately ordered his soldiers to set fire to the villages and fields near Koguchi Castle, intending to lure the main force of the Asai army into a decisive battle. However, Asai Nagamasa, aware of his own limited troops and knowing he could not withstand the enemy, remained unmoved. At this time, Nagamasa had dispatched a swift horse to Ichijō Valley Castle in Echizen, requesting reinforcements from the Asakura clan, believing that once the Asakura army arrived, the combined forces could drive the enemy out of their territory in one fell swoop.

Nobunaga first issued the "Land Security Certificate" to Takeda Motohiro, the guardian of Wakasa, thereby acknowledging his rule over Wakasa Province. However, he did not even extend a greeting to Asakura Yoshikage, who had forced Motohiro to submit to General Yoshinobu through battle and intimidation. Yoshikage, who was already resentful for having lost the fruits of his great achievements to Nobunaga, was further infuriated by such disdain, leading to a deep-seated hatred for Nobunaga. In this context, when Nobunaga's request to travel to Kyoto to pay his respects to the shogun was delivered, how could Yoshikage possibly comply obediently?

"A lady is not guilty, but possessing a precious gem is her crime." The gem that Nobunaga cherished, which everyone coveted, was the prosperous Kinai region and the righteous claim supporting the Ashikaga shogunate. When the shogunate fell apart and the shogun was assassinated by his vassals, the neighboring lords mostly adopted a wait-and-see attitude, unwilling to send troops to subdue the rebels such as the Miyoshi and Matsunaga, or to support the exiled Ashikaga Yoshiaki. However, once Yoshiaki fell into the hands of others, they lamented and expressed their anger, plotting to seize this treasure from Oda Nobunaga.

On the morning of April 28, scouts reported that the Asai army had allied with their former enemy, the Hachiman clan, and had set up camp between Kanazaki and Kyoto, preparing to cut off the retreat of the Oda army. Having made preparations, Oda Nobunaga immediately ordered a retreat and dispatched Kinoshita Hideyoshi, Hachisuka Masakatsu, and Tokugawa Ieyasu to serve as the rear guard, blocking the advancing Asakura forces that were rushing from Ichijōdani Castle upon hearing the news. With the assistance of the Ōmi clan's Kuki Nobunaga, the Oda army moved along the western shore of Lake Biwa, detoured southwest through Kuki Valley Castle, and successfully returned to Kyoto on the 30th—this is the historically renowned "Retreat from Kanazaki."

The flanking assaults by the armies of Danba and Ikeda completely halted the offensive momentum of the Asakura forces. At this moment, the most powerful general of the Oda clan, Sakuma Nobumori, finally arrived at Longzhubi, where his 4,000 troops blocked the already exhausted and weakened Asai army

As if in a fit of childish defiance, Asakura Yoshikage played right into Nobunaga's hands. Thus, he used the excuse of disobeying the shogun's orders to personally lead his army, joining forces with Tokugawa Ieyasu of Mikawa Province, and advancing through the territory of their ally, the Asai clan, towards Echizen. In fact, Yoshikage had already made preparations for war upon receiving Nobunaga's letter; he ordered troops from various regions to gradually assemble along the Kime Pass, ready for a great battle.

Nobunaga, who had essentially received no reinforcements from the Asakura clan, felt greatly dissatisfied. In his view, he was the foremost contributor to supporting Ashikaga Yoshihide, followed by his allies Azai Nagamasa and Tokugawa Ieyasu. As for the Asakura clan, they were no different from the Sanada, Matsunaga, and Wada factions that had been forced to submit to him. Moreover, while the Sanada, Matsunaga, and Wada factions had clearly surrendered, Asakura Yoshikage, despite supporting General Yoshihide, still refused to bow to him. Based on this mindset, and given that both the Battle of Kamakura and the pacification of Ise had gone too smoothly, Nobunaga, feeling somewhat complacent, turned his attention towards the Asakura clan.

In order to counter the Rokkaku clan of the southern region (Southern Omi), Asai Nagamasa of the northern region (Northern Omi) formed an alliance with Asakura Yoshikage. The two families maintained a very close relationship, and in a certain sense, the Asai clan's eventual independence from the control of the Rokkaku clan was entirely due to the favor of the Asakura clan.

However, when Oda Nobunaga commenced the fierce and rapid campaign to ascend to Kyoto, Asakura Yoshikage was filled with regret. He reached an agreement with Azai Nagamasa, whereby Nobunaga would attack Yamashiro Province from Omi Province, while he would advance on Yamashiro Province from Wakasa Province (now the western part of Fukui Prefecture), with both sides meeting near Kyoto. Yoshikage's intention was clear: General Yoshihide was the one I initially supported, how could he be usurped by this young upstart? I also want a share of the spoils, to achieve a great feat, and at the very least, I cannot fall behind you.

Certainly, the bravery or cowardice of soldiers is more importantly reflected in the commanding ability of the general. Whether soldiers can fight or not is primarily determined by the general's ability to lead. A lion leading a hundred sheep is far superior to a sheep leading a hundred lions. In terms of commanding and leadership abilities, Nobunaga is second to none.

The year 1570 corresponds to the 13th year of the Eiroku era. In April, the Japanese court decided to change the era name to the first year of the Genki era. This was a year of turmoil, with significant changes occurring in the Kinai region. The main culprit was, of course, the newly appointed shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki, who, in his efforts to overthrow Oda Nobunaga, sent letters to powerful daimyos across various regions, gradually weaving a vast "Nobunaga encirclement net".

Asakura Kagekatsu and Asai Nagamasa set their sights on the Tokugawa army. At that time, there were only three thousand Tokugawa troops stationed on the southern bank of the Asakura River. The Tokugawa clan was not a vassal of Nobunaga, but rather an ally drawn into this war. It is conceivable that when faced with a sudden attack from the enemy, the morale of the Tokugawa army would be extremely low—why would they fight desperately for Nobunaga, who was not their own lord?

In fact, due to internal strife within the family, Asakura Yoshikage planned to take advantage of the situation to weaken the control of Asakura Kagehira and others over the Tsuruga district. Kagehira, originally a renowned general of the Asakura clan, was defeated due to being outnumbered and isolated, ultimately escaping alone back to the main castle at Ichijō Valley. However, instead of receiving consolation, he was blamed by his family for "losing the castle countless times, bringing shame to the name of Asakura." Thus, in despair, Kagehira sighed deeply and ran to Eihei-ji to renounce the world and become a monk—facing a formidable enemy while still embroiled in internal conflict, the future of the Asakura clan was all too predictable.

Upon seeing that the forces originally intended to restrain the enemy were easily captured, Asai Nagamasa immediately changed tactics, increasing pressure on the front lines, aiming to decisively defeat the troops of Ikeda Tsuneoki, Mori Kanetsugu, and others behind them, and to directly penetrate the main camp of the Takeda army. By this time, it was already 10 AM, and the Asakura army in the west had yet to defeat the Tokugawa forces, while the Asai army, under the command of General Endo Naoyoshi, was advancing rapidly, nearly cornering the Oda forces into a desperate situation.

Although the outcome of the Battle of Chizukawa is difficult to determine at the operational level, from a strategic perspective, Oda Nobunaga is undoubtedly the winner. This is because the main forces of the Asakura and Azai clans retreated and did not dare to return for the time being, allowing him to mobilize all his troops to attack Yokoyama Castle, ultimately forcing it to surrender.

In response to the situation of the Oda army, on the morning of June 27, the allied forces of Asai and Asakura deliberately retreated down the northern slope of Mount Oide, feigning a withdrawal. After confirming that the ruse had not been detected by the enemy, they suddenly changed course and moved south at midnight. Before dawn on the 28th, the Asai army broke through the Azekawa defense line from the direction of Nomura, while the Asakura army advanced from the direction of Mitamura, launching a surprise attack on the Oda army

As mentioned earlier, the Asai family adopted a "council of senior vassals" system, where the head of the family merely served as the chairman of the council and did not possess sufficient dictatorial power. Over the years, the senior vassals of the Asai family and the local nobles had fought alongside the Asakura clan, fostering an unbreakable bond. Moreover, they regarded Nobunaga as a man with wolfish ambitions, utterly untrustworthy. They feared that if the Asakura clan were to be eliminated smoothly, he might turn around and attack the northern territories. The senior vassals persuaded Nagamasa with the sentiment of "when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold," and when Nagamasa did not heed their advice, they simply brought out the reclusive elder Asai Kiyomasa.

On June 26, after the Asai and Asakura allied forces recaptured Mount Tora-no-Mikado, they advanced southeast to the large Daisan on the north side of the Kusano River. The straight-line distance from this location to Yokoyama Castle is merely four kilometers; however, Oda Nobunaga did not hasten to lift the siege on Yokoyama Castle. Instead, he deployed his entire army facing the enemy, and furthermore, his main camp, the Dragon's Nose, was positioned directly on the line of attack between Yokoyama Castle and the Asai and Asakura allied forces. This may have been due to Nobunaga's underestimation of the enemy, or perhaps he believed that capturing Yokoyama Castle as quickly as possible was the foremost priority. Alternatively, he might have intended to use himself as bait, hoping to lure the enemy across the Azai River for a decisive battle. Which of these speculations is correct may remain an eternal mystery.

The Retreat of Jinzi

Could it be that I will also face defeat? Could it be that I will be besieged by the enemy from both sides? At this thought, Nobunaga suddenly jumped up from the folding stool, his face pale with shock as he exclaimed: "It is Asai!"

The Azai and Asakura allied forces are precisely taking advantage of this time difference, aiming to strike first and decisively defeat Nobunaga's main camp. By that time, even if a million Oda troops were to arrive for reinforcement, it would be too late to make a difference, rendering them fearless.

At this moment, however, Oda Nobunaga had already sensed the movements of the enemy forces. Although the situation arose suddenly, it is said that "it is never too late to mend the fold after the sheep are lost." He immediately ordered the besieging troops to be dispatched one by one to the southern bank of the Azukigawa. Unfortunately, according to the usual practices of warfare, the soldiers would rise around 5 a.m. to begin preparations for battle. By the time they received the letter from the commander delivered by swift horse, they hurriedly gathered from Yokoyama Castle and ran 1.5 kilometers northward to provide assistance, resulting in a time lag in between.

On one hand, in order to completely conquer the Kinai region and use it as a foundation to radiate outward and expand his influence, and on the other hand, to tear apart the encirclement before it takes shape, in April of the first year of Genki, Oda Nobunaga personally led his army north to attack the guardian of Echizen Province, Asakura Yoshikage

Asai Nagamasa planned to use his own 6,000 troops to restrain Nobunaga's main force, while allowing Asakura Kagekatsu's 8,000-strong army to cross the river and directly assault the Tokugawa forces. With nearly three times the manpower launching a fierce attack, it was believed that the Tokugawa army would soon collapse completely

Regarding the assessment of the military quality of various countries, it is said that there was a saying at that time, "The troops of Owari are the weakest in the world." In contrast, the troops of Mikawa were universally recognized as capable of enduring hard battles

The Overture to War

The speed of the Oda and Tokugawa allied forces was rapid; before the various divisions of the Asakura army had arrived at their positions, the allied forces launched a fierce assault on the Handōzan Castle in Echizen (located in present-day Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture)

After repelling the Asakura army, Tokugawa Ieyasu moved eastward to support Nobunaga and encircle the Asai forces. If Asai Nagamasa continued to fight, the outcome would surely be quite tragic. However, at this moment, the troops led by Inaba Ittetsu, known as the "Three from Nishi Mino," arrived at the front lines and, in coordination with the Tokugawa army, advanced from west to east, launching a fierce attack. This change in circumstances prompted Asai Nagamasa to finally make up his mind, ordering his subordinates to disengage and slowly retreat back to the northern bank of the Azegawa River. Seeing the enemy retreating in an orderly manner with no openings to exploit, Nobunaga also ordered his troops to withdraw.

As the sky gradually brightened, the first encounter on the battlefield of Tienchuan was between the Tokugawa army and the advancing forces of the Asakura.

On May 19, Nobunaga, abandoning the perilous main road, returned to Gifu Castle with only ten followers, crossing mountains and ridges. He was ambushed by assassins at Muroki Pass in Chigasayama. The assassins were hired by Rokkaku Yoshikatsu, and the leading ninja was Sugiya Yoshitomo. Yoshitomo was the head of the Sugiya family, one of the fifty-three Kōga clans, and the son of Tōji. He was skilled in shooting with a matchlock gun, and people praised him for being able to easily shoot down flying birds. He had been lying in wait for a long time, holding a matchlock gun, and fired from a distance of about twelve or thirteen ken (over twenty meters) at Nobunaga—"bang"—but for some unknown reason, he missed his target, and the bullet merely grazed the hem of Nobunaga's clothing.

At the same time, the Tokugawa forces were also facing numerous crises. Although they temporarily halted the fierce assault of the Asakura army with their tenacious fighting spirit, the Asakura army, which outnumbered them two to one, quickly spread their forces to the left and right after crossing the Azukigawa, aiming to encircle the Tokugawa troops from the flanks. To avoid being attacked from the front, left, and right, Tokugawa Ieyasu was compelled to extend his formation, resulting in an even greater disadvantage in numbers on the battlefield. This was clearly a case of drinking poison to quench thirst, but at that moment, Ieyasu had no other choice.

Sister River Battle

This is the second year of the pacification of Ise, and a full ten years have passed since the Battle of Okehazama. Oda Nobunaga is gradually entering middle age. In the first month of that year, in order to demonstrate to the world that he was the true ruler of Japan, he sent a letter in the name of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki to twenty-one daimyōs in the Kinai region and nearby areas, requesting them to come to Kyoto to pay their respects to the court and the new shogun. When the envoy arrived in Echizen Province, the Echizen governor Asakura Yoshikage disregarded the letter.

Hongwanji is an important temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Japanese Buddhism and serves as the head temple of the Hongwanji school. Jodo Shinshu was founded by Shinran, a disciple of Hōnen, the founder of the Pure Land sect. It advocates for the simplification of monastic rules and emphasizes that anyone with a sincere heart towards the Buddha can attain enlightenment without the need to become a monk, simply by reciting "Namu Amida Butsu". This convenient practice has gained immense popularity among the lower and middle classes, especially during the Warring States period, and is also referred to as the "Disciples' Sect" or "Ikkō-shū".

Conquest of Echizen

Although Asai Nagamasa was filled with uncontainable anger and sorrowfully realized that he had been betrayed by the Asakura clan, at this moment, Yokoyama Castle was already in imminent danger, and the situation did not allow him to wait any longer without taking action

Kinoshita Hideyoshi and Shibata Katsuie arrived swiftly, catching Asai Nagamasa off guard. They inserted themselves into their own formation from the eastern side, severing the connection between Endo Naokiyo and Asai Nagamasa's main force, hoping to encircle and eliminate the enemy's deep-lying units. To support Endo Naokiyo, the fierce warrior and lord of Sawayama, Isono Takano no Kami Masanari, brandished his spear and charged into the enemy ranks with a loud shout. Due to the disarray of the distant Oda reinforcements, they suffered a heavy blow. It is said that Isono Masanari broke through eleven lines of Oda troops in succession. Although he ultimately failed to rescue Endo's unit, the pressure of his momentum brought the Oda forces to the brink of total collapse.

On the second day, the many generals of the Asakura clan, led by Kageyoshi, finally arrived at Koguchi Castle with a reinforcement of 8,000 men from Echizen. Asai Nagamasa had originally intended to take advantage of Nobunaga's full force and engage him in a decisive battle at the foot of Koguchi Castle, aiming to determine the outcome once and for all. However, he was surprised that the esteemed Asakura family could only muster less than half of their forces, and that Asakura Yoshikage himself did not personally take command on the battlefield. What he did not know was that the guardian of Echizen, Asakura Yoshikage, had only fought in battle once in his lifetime, which was in September of the seventh year of Eiroku (1564), when he was already thirty-two years old at his first battle...

Oda Nobunaga dispatched Kinoshita Hideyoshi to defend Yokoyama Castle, and then moved south to attack the stronghold on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa—Sawayama Castle. If Sawayama Castle were to be captured, the area south of Mount Tora Gozen would no longer belong to the Asai clan, allowing the Oda army to attack their main castle at Koguchi without any concerns. Defending Sawayama Castle was the fierce general Ikeno Kazumasa, who had dealt a significant blow to the Oda army during the Battle of Anegawa. Nobunaga understood that capturing this castle would not be an easy task, so he ordered Niwa Nagahide to fortify the eastern side, Ichihashi Nagatoshi to the north, Mizuno Nobumoto to the south, and Kawajiri Hidetaka to the west, constructing outposts and stockades to encircle the castle and prepare for a prolonged battle.

The Asakura clan originally served as vassals to the Shiba clan, the guardians of Echizen. During the era of Asakura Takakage, their power expanded, and taking advantage of the "Onin and Bunmei Wars," they shifted allegiances and ultimately expelled the Shiba clan, seizing the position of guardian. Takakage's great-grandson, Asakura Yoshikage, had a deep appreciation for Kyoto culture; he not only took in many impoverished nobles but also transformed Ichijō Valley into a rare prosperous haven in the Hokuriku region. At that time, the Asakura culture of Ichijō Valley, the Ōuchi culture of Yamaguchi, and the Imagawa culture of Suruga were collectively known as the three major branches of Kyoto culture, with Yoshikage being ranked alongside Ōuchi Yoshitaka and Imagawa Yoshimoto as one of the three prominent daimyōs. Unfortunately, in terms of military prowess during the Warring States period, Yoshikage was the weakest among the three. Previously, Ashikaga Yoshihide had fled to Ichijō Valley Castle; although he had the capability to ascend to the capital, he left his treasures unused, which disheartened Yoshihide and led him to seek refuge with Nobunaga, highlighting Yoshikage's shortsightedness in political insight.

"What does this mean?" Nobunaga pondered deeply, "Beans... Little beans... Little Bean Slope!" Suddenly, he recalled that the Second Battle of Little Bean Slope, which had brought great shame to the Oda clan, was a disastrous defeat due to being caught in the pincer strategy devised by Imagawa's strategist, Taihara Yuki. If Lady Shi had something to convey to her brother but found it inconvenient to speak directly, this matter would serve as the most effective warning.

His military campaign this time lasted less than a month, merely avoiding being ensnared in Nobunaga's encirclement, yet ultimately failing to break free from it. The combined forces of Asai and Asakura had already suffered setbacks and were temporarily hesitant to advance south. Therefore, what he needed to do at this moment was to ensure the safety of the western side of Kyoto. To the west of Kyoto, the most troublesome for Nobunaga, and the forces capable of launching an attack on Kyoto within a day, were the remnants of the Miyoshi and the Ishiyama Hongan-ji.

For this reason, Oda Nobunaga did not insist on Asai Nagamasa's military assistance in the recent campaign against Echizen. However, he believed that since he was deploying troops under the banner of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki, ostensibly to question Asakura Yoshikage about his refusal to travel to Kyoto, Nagamasa, who had previously entered the capital alongside him, would not obstruct him. Moreover, Asai Nagamasa was his brother-in-law and a person capable of discerning the trends of the world; how could he possibly hinder Nobunaga due to outdated alliances? Therefore, although Nobunaga advanced north through the territory of the Asai clan, he remained completely unguarded regarding his rear.

However, at this time, Asai Nagamasa was tragically unable to control the public opinion within his household and was forced to wield a sword against Nobunaga

During the tenure of the eighth head priest, Rennyo, the Hongan-ji Temple greatly expanded its influence, with followers spread across various regions of Japan, particularly flourishing in the Hokuriku and Kinai areas. The Hongan-ji not only frequently incited its adherents to rise up against local lords but also gradually developed its own formidable military force. The main temple, Ishiyama Hongan-ji, became a well-known and impregnable fortress. In a certain sense, the Hongan-ji was merely a warlord cloaked in the guise of religion.

At that time, Nobunaga's arrangement was as follows: in front of the main formation, the cavalry was led by the three generals Sakai Masanaga, Ikeda Tsuneoki, and Mori Kanemoto, forming a three-tiered deep line for a tight defense. To the east of the main formation was the troop of the "Three Men of Nishi Mino," while to the west was the Tokugawa army, protecting the flanks and guarding against enemy assaults from both sides

Target: Dragon's Nose

The defenses of Shōtsutsuyama Castle were weak, making it unable to withstand the forces of Oda, and Asakura Yoshikage failed to send reinforcements in time, leading to its swift downfall. The nearest stronghold to this castle was Kanazaki Castle, defended by the Asakura clan's general, Nakamu Daibu Kagehisa (present-day Kanazaki Town, Tsuruga City). The day after Shōtsutsuyama Castle was captured, Nobunaga launched a fierce attack on Kanazaki Castle, forcing Asakura Kagehisa to retreat, and Kanazaki opened its gates in surrender.

Unfortunately, Asai Nagamasa did not consider that the current head of the clan, Asakura Yoshikage, was timid and weak, coupled with the internal factional strife within the family, which has led to a decline in the combat effectiveness of the Asakura army. Moreover, Kaga is a neighboring country to Echizen, allowing for swift travel, while Omi, although not far, still means that the Asakura army has been on the march for several days. The psychological impact of engaging in close combat versus long-distance combat is fundamentally different for soldiers of the Warring States era, who are both warriors and farmers.

With 8,000 against 3,000, the Tokugawa forces were clearly at a disadvantage. Asai Nagamasa placed all his hopes on the Asakura army, for the Asakura clan had fought against the Ikko-Ikki in Hokuriku and Kaga for many years. Those Ikko-Ikki were fearless religious fanatics, and the Asakura army had not been defeated by them, demonstrating their formidable fighting strength. He anticipated that they would showcase their prowess on the battlefield of Sekigahara.

After the retreat from Kanazaki, the Asai clan, which was originally an ally and kin, turned into an enemy of Oda Nobunaga. The Oda army was not only unable to continue its northern campaign against Echizen, but the already unstable territories in the south were also at risk of attacks from the Asai forces at any moment. Public sentiment wavered, and uprisings erupted, plunging Kyoto into a perilous situation surrounded by enemies. In light of this, Nobunaga had no choice but to leave Kyoto as soon as possible and return to his stronghold in Gifu to reorganize his troops and plan for a resurgence.

There have traditionally been two different accounts regarding the final outcome of the Battle of Asakura. One account states that, as the Oda forces led by Niwa and Ikeda halted the advance of the Asakura army, Tokugawa Ieyasu immediately dispatched the general Sakakibara Yasumasa to break through from the left flank. After a prolonged battle, the Asakura army, weakened and exhausted, was simultaneously attacked from both sides and was forced to retreat completely. The fierce warriors, the father and son of Magari Naotaka, were killed in succession, and ultimately, the Tokugawa forces drove them back to the northern bank of the Asakura River.

Returning to the battlefield of Chikugogawa, the Azai army launched a frontal assault against the vanguard of the Oda army, which was led by the three generals Sakai Masanobu, Ikeda Tsuneoki, and Mori Kanemasa. The Azai army numbered six thousand, while the Oda army's vanguard, excluding the "Three from Nishi Mino," likely numbered less than five thousand.

As Nobunaga stated, Sugiya Yoshitomo was subsequently wanted and fled to Takashima to live in seclusion. However, three years later, he was discovered by Isano Kazumasa, a general under the Azai clan who had surrendered to Nobunaga. Nobunaga ordered that Yoshitomo be buried by the roadside, with only his head exposed, and that any passerby must saw through his neck. The unfortunate Yoshitomo cried out for several days before finally dying a tragic death.

At this time, Nobunaga was accompanied only by the cavalry and the "Three from Nishi Mino," estimating his forces to be less than 8,000. Fortunately, the main force of the Tokugawa army had not participated in the siege and was arrayed to the north of Ryū no Hana—perhaps this was due to Tokugawa Ieyasu being more cautious than Nobunaga. Thus, Nobunaga ordered his subordinates and the Mikawa troops of the Tokugawa clan to immediately block the Azai River crossing, in order to delay the advance of the Asakura and Azai allied forces—although it was likely already too late.

Miyoshi Hideyoshi, originally named Toyokichirō, came from very humble beginnings. His father was merely a foot soldier under Oda Nobuhide, considered half a samurai and half a farmer. Due to his financial acumen and strategic skills, Hideyoshi gained Nobunaga's favor and steadily rose in rank. The retreat at Kanazaki may have been the first major battle personally commanded by Hideyoshi; it was extremely perilous, and he nearly lost his life. The saying goes, "Surviving great calamities brings future blessings." It was through this retreat that Hideyoshi made his fortune, ultimately becoming the heir to Nobunaga's legacy, a development that was unforeseen at the time.

In fact, at this moment, if one missteps, the Dragon's Nose could very well become the second桶狭間, and the fate of Nobunaga, with his back turned to the enemy, would likely be even more tragic than that of Imagawa Yoshimoto

Conversely, the morale of the Mikawa soldiers was not as low as the forces of Takeda and Asai had imagined. Not only was it not low, but under the encouragement of Tokugawa Ieyasu, it appeared to be extremely high. This illustrates the significant impact that the capability of a family head has on his retainers, as well as the considerable influence a military commander has on the entire army. The people of Mikawa are known for their stubbornness and inflexible thinking; as long as they follow their lord onto the battlefield, they do not care for whom they are fighting. They must charge fearlessly to the front, or else it would be a disgrace to their status as samurai.

During the tenure of the 11th Abbot of Hongwanji, Shōnyo (Kōsa), in response to the call of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki, a coalition was formed with the remnants of the Rokaku and the Miyoshi clans to obstruct Oda Nobunaga's campaign for unification in the Kinai region. This led to the outbreak of the "Ishiyama Hongan-ji War," which lasted for eleven years and had a widespread impact throughout the Kinai region

The guards were taken aback, hastily turning their horses to pursue the sound of the gunfire. However, Nobunaga shouted, "Do not mind him, it is more important to keep moving! Hmph, this person has offended me, Nobunaga; does he still think he can escape with his life?"

Nobunaga himself returned to Kyoto on July 4 to report the victory to the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki—this was not merely a formality, but a warning to Yoshiaki and a signal to his supporters in the Kinai region that it would be best not to act rashly again. Four days later, Nobunaga returned to Gifu Castle in Mino.

When Nobunaga left Toraomi Mountain, he dispatched three generals: Taira Zawemon Taro Hiromasa, Nakajo Shigenari, and Sasa Narimasa, to lead two thousand troops in the rear. Asai Nagamasa indeed took the opportunity to pursue, but returned empty-handed under the concentrated fire of five hundred matchlocks from Oda's rear forces. On June 23, the Oda army successfully completed its strategic maneuver and surrounded Yokoyama Castle

The valiant efforts of the Sanhe soldiers completely turned the tide of the war

Although it is currently impossible to completely eliminate the Asai and Asakura allied forces, in order to ensure the safety of the vicinity of Kyoto and to suppress the peasant uprisings that have arisen in the Kinai region due to the retreat from Kanazaki, in the same month that Shibata Katsuie defeated the Rokkaku army, Nobunaga led his troops from Gifu Castle and once again entered the province of Omi

This time, Nobunaga mobilized an army of 15,000 and requested Tokugawa Ieyasu to personally lead 5,000 troops from Mikawa to join him. On June 19, Hori Hidemura, the lord of Nagahira Castle in Sakata District, Omi, surrendered to Nobunaga under the mediation of Kinoshita Tokichiro, voluntarily opening the castle gates for the Oda army. The situation then took a sharp turn, as the Oda army advanced northward through Nagahira Castle, reaching the vicinity of Mount Tora no Gozen, not far from the main castle of the Azai clan at Kōtani.

Seeing Asai Nagamasa's steadfast attitude of defense without battle, Nobunaga decided to change his strategy—because he did not possess the strength to capture Odani Castle in one fell swoop, and he feared that a prolonged siege might lead to unforeseen circumstances—he launched an attack southward on the strategic Yokoyama Castle. Yokoyama Castle is situated between Odani Castle and the Asai clan's stronghold, Sawayama Castle. Capturing Yokoyama Castle would be akin to inserting a sharp knife into the heart of the enemy; even if the Asai forces were not severely weakened, they would no longer be able to easily advance southward to disturb the areas near Kyoto. On the 22nd, Nobunaga abandoned Toramiko Mountain and moved his troops southeast, completely surrounding Yokoyama Castle. He also established his main camp at the Dragon's Nose area on the southern bank of the Asakura River, to monitor the movements of the northern army.