Siege of Ichijōdani Castle
Oda Nobunaga's campaign destroyed the Asakura clan's stronghold.
In 1573, Oda Nobunaga, a major Sengoku warlord, besieged Ichijōdani Castle, the home of Asakura Yoshikage. This attack was part of his campaigns against the Asakura and Azai clans, who challenged his authority. Like Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Fushimi Castle, Ichijōdani was a luxurious residence of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, featuring a library, garden, and ornate rooms.
Quick Facts
- Part of
- the Sengoku period
- Date
- September, 1573
- Location
- Ichijōdani Castle, Echizen Province, Japan
- Result
- Oda clan victory; Asakura clan destroyed
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Asakura Kageakira brought Yoshikage's head, along with Yoshikage's mother, wife and children as hostages, and surrendered to Nobunaga.
- Kageakira tried to negotiate for his life and status but was executed by the Oda army.
- Oda forces later attacked Odani Castle in October 1573, devastating Azai Nagamasa and the Azai clan.
Prelude
Nobunaga led an army of 30,000 from Gifu Castle to invade Ōmi Province, surrounding Odani Castle held by Azai Nagamasa. Asakura Yoshikage led 20,000 forces to relieve the Azai garrison, but Oda forces turned and attacked him. Yoshikage sought refuge in Hikida Castle, which fell on August 10, and he fled back to Echizen.
Battle
In September 1573, Nobunaga marched to Echizen Province and defeated Yoshikage at the Battle of Tonezaka; Saito Tatsuoki, a guest commander of the Asakura, was killed at age 26. Nobunaga pursued Yoshikage, attacked and burned the town of Ichijōdani, seizing control from the Asakura clan. Yoshikage fled with his own troops but was betrayed by Asakura Kageakira, surrounded, and killed himself.
More in Attacks on Castles in Japan
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