Ōuchi Yoshihiro was an influential shugo of the provinces of Suō and Nagato and played an important role as a supporter of the Ashikaga clan during the war with the Southern Court. His greatest achievement was forcing the Southern Court emperor to surrender in 1392, which brought an end to the Nanboku-chō period. This victory strengthened the Ashikaga clan's position and marked the end of the long-standing rivalry between the two imperial lines.
Despite his achievements, it was Yoshihiro who raised a rebellion against the shogunate. It was believed that the reason for this was the unfair treatment of his resources by the Ashikaga bakufu. An example of this was the shogun's demand to build a luxurious villa for himself on Mount Kiyotama, an order that placed a heavy burden on Yoshihiro's forces and resources.
As a result, Yoshihiro enlisted the support of other shugo, withdrew his troops from Kyoto, and fortified himself in the city of Sakai. He prepared for a decisive confrontation, intending to defend his position and challenge the authority of the shogunate.
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, seeking to avoid bloodshed, first attempted to resolve the crisis peacefully. However, Yoshihiro's determination to fight was unshakeable, and the negotiations were unsuccessful.
Yoshimitsu then decided to make the first move. He assembled an army, which included forces from the Hatakeyama, Hosokawa, and Shiba clans, and advanced on Sakai. At the same time, negotiations began with the pirates of the Inland Sea, whose support the rebellious Yoshihiro was counting on. The aim of the negotiations was to organize a naval blockade of the city and deprive the enemy of supplies.
Yoshihiro's rebellion gradually began to fade. This was partly due to the swift and decisive response of the shogunate, and partly because the promised assistance from Kanrei Ashikaga Mitsukane and others never arrived. Moreover, the troops recruited in the provinces of Iwami and Izumi showed insufficient devotion and did not demonstrate complete loyalty to the rebel.
Despite the unfavorable circumstances, Yoshihiro's resistance was fierce. He stubbornly held out against the shogunate forces, and it was not until the end of 1399 that Ashikaga's troops managed to set fire to the city of Sakai.
Attacked from all sides by the combined forces of his enemies, Ouchi Yoshihiro chose the path of a samurai — he committed harakiri, remaining true to his principles until the end.
See also
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The Siege of Unokuchi Castle
One of the important steps in the career of every Japanese commander was the uijin, the first military campaign in which he took part. For the legendary Takeda Shingen, according to some sources, this campaign was the siege of Unokuchi Castle.
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Battle of Arita-Nakai
By 1517, Takeda Motoshige, lord of Kanyama Castle, was probably the most influential daimyo in Aki Province. Ten years earlier, he had served as a vassal of the Ōuchi clan and participated in Ōuchi Yoshiyuki's campaign in Kyoto. This campaign was part of an effort to support the deposed shogun Ashikaga Yoshitane.
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The Siege of Arai Castle
Hojo Nagauji (Soun) (1432–1519) went down in Japanese history as one of the most notable figures of his time. He is considered a prime example of a gokoku-jo daimyo. The process of gokoku-jo literally means “the lower classes defeat the upper classes” and in Japanese history was expressed, among other things, in the elevation of minor samurai to the status of owners of entire provinces.
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Battle of Shijonawate
After Kusunoki Masashige's death in the Battle of Minatogawa, his son, Kusunoki Masatsura, continued his work supporting the Southern Imperial Court in the Nanboku-chō period war. He took on his father's legacy not only as a duty, but also as a way to remain faithful to the ideals for which Masashige had given his life.
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Battle of Minatogawa
After his defeat by Nitta Yoshisada in 1336, Ashikaga Takauji completely restored his forces and secured the support of three powerful clans in Kyushu: the Sōni, Shimazu, and Otomo. In addition, he received significant reinforcements from Shikoku Island under the command of Hosokawa. Having thus strengthened his army, Ashikaga Takauji marched on Kyoto.
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The Siege of Tihaya Castle
Tihaya Castle was built by Kusunoki Masashige on top of Mount Kongo, separated from the neighboring hills by a deep ravine. The terrain itself provided natural protection, making the position extremely convenient for defense.
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The Siege of Akasaka Fort
Kusunoki Masashige, hero of the Genko Rebellion (1331–1333), was a talented commander and inventive strategist. The two sieges of castles where he acted as defender are inscribed in gold letters in the history of Japanese military art.
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The Battle of Itinotani
After the death of Minamoto no Yoshinaka, the Genpei War entered its final phase, which is closely associated with the name of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. On March 13, 1184, he and his brother Noriyori set out to accomplish what their cousin had failed to do: deliver a final defeat to the Taira.
