The Battle of Shizugatake, occurring during Japan's Sengoku period, unfolded between Toyotomi Hideyoshi (then known as Hashiba Hideyoshi) and Shibata Katsuie in Shizugatake, Omi Province, spanning two days from the 20th day of the fourth month of Tensho 11 (equivalent to June 10-11, 1583, on the Gregorian calendar). Katsuie, supporting Oda Nobutaka's claim as successor of Oda Nobunaga, engaged in a succession dispute within the Oda clan, ultimately favoring Hideyoshi.
At the outset, Katsuie and Sakuma Morimasa initiated attacks on Hideyoshi's fortified positions at Shizugatake, effectively overcoming Nakagawa Kiyohide's defenses. However, other sieges led by Toshiie and Kazumasu encountered obstacles. Despite Katsuie ordering Sakuma to retreat, the command was disregarded. Subsequently, Hideyoshi orchestrated a surprise counterattack, driving Sakuma's forces into retreat. Hideyoshi's pursuit led to the successful siege of Kitanosho Castle, prompting Katsuie and Oichi to commit suicide.
The Battle of Shizugatake marked a crucial moment for Hideyoshi in securing his role as the successor to Oda Nobunaga, effectively quelling one of the last significant challenges to his leadership, along with the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute in 1584. Renowned historian George Sansom regards the Battle of Shizugatake as a pivotal moment in Japanese history.
In the aftermath of the Honno-ji Incident in June 1582, which resulted in the demise of Oda Nobunaga and his heir Nobutada, a power vacuum and succession crisis unfolded within the Oda clan. Nobukatsu and Nobutaka, Nobunaga's second and third eldest sons, engaged in disputes over succession. Hashiba Hideyoshi emerged as a prominent figure, having vanquished Akechi Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki and with Nobunaga's heir being an infant. Shibata Katsuie, one of Nobunaga's trusted generals, initially supported Nobutaka's claim, challenging Hideyoshi's dominance.
In May 1583, Katsuie orchestrated multiple coordinated assaults on the forts of Shizugatake located in the northern region of Omi Province. Despite initial successes, Sakuma Morimasa's failure to comply with Katsuie's orders and Hideyoshi's swift response led to Katsuie's eventual defeat. Hideyoshi's triumph allowed him to assume control over much of the Oda clan, culminating in Nobutaka's suicide in June 1583.
Hideyoshi's consolidation of power persisted, though he faced opposition from Nobukatsu, who aligned with Tokugawa Ieyasu, until the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute in 1584.
See also
-
The Rebellion of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu
Fujiwara no Hirotsugu was the son of Fujiwara no Umakai, one of the most important court officials of the Nara period. By 740, the Fujiwara clan had held the reins of government for several decades. However, in 735–737, Japan suffered a severe trial: the country was hit by a devastating smallpox epidemic. It coincided with a series of crop failures, and together, disease and famine claimed the lives of about 40% of the population of the Japanese islands. The consequences were particularly tragic for the aristocracy. The mortality rate among the court nobility exceeded that among the common people. All four Fujiwara brothers, who held the most important positions at court — Umakai, Maro, Mutimaro, and Fusasaki — died.
-
The Battle of Inogahara
By the summer of 1556, Oda Nobunaga no longer appeared to be the eccentric “great fool of Owari.” Four years earlier, in 1552, having just assumed the position of clan leader, he managed to defend his position: first in the Battle of Akatsuka, and then at Kayazu Fort. In 1553, together with his western neighbor and ally Saito Dosan, his father-in-law, Nobunaga successfully repelled an attack by the Imagawa clan on the border fort of Muraki. In 1554, he united his own branch of the family with the Kiyosu line. Step by step, the young military leader strengthened his position.
-
The Second Siege of Gassan-Toda Castle (1564–1565)
Mori Motonari (1497–1571), head of the powerful Mori clan, was one of the most influential daimyo in the Chugoku region, located in western Honshu. During the turbulent and violent Sengoku Jidai period, he waged continuous wars in an effort to expand his domain and strengthen his clan's power.
-
The Siege of Inabayama Castle
The two-week-long siege of Inabayama Castle marked the dramatic climax of Oda Nobunaga’s campaign to assert control over Mino Province and decisively crush the Saitō clan. It was during this operation that Toyotomi Hideyoshi, then known as Kinoshita Tōkichirō, first shone brightly in competition with Nobunaga—emerging as the future heir to Japan’s unification.
-
The Siege of Wado Castle
In 1335, the Shiina clan built Uozu Castle as an auxiliary stronghold supporting Matsukura Castle. By 1570, it had fallen under the control of the Uesugi clan, rapidly emerging as a strategic fortress in Etchū Province. For many years, Kawada Nagataka served as its commander.
-
The siege of the Ishimama Honganji monastery
In Japanese history, the siege of Ishiyama Hongan-ji — the main stronghold of the Ikkō-ikki movement during Oda Nobunaga’s campaign — is considered the longest, lasting from August 1570 to August 1580.
-
The Battle of Norada
The Battle of Norada is a striking example of a clash during the Sengoku Jidai period, when numerical superiority did not always guarantee victory, even in open battle.
-
Battles of Kawanakajima
The Battles of Kawanakajima were a series of fierce conflicts during Japan's Sengoku period, waged between Takeda Shingen of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province from 1553 to 1564. These battles centered around the strategic Kawanakajima plain, lying between the Sai and Chikuma rivers in northern Shinano Province, now within Nagano City. The rivalry began when Shingen took control of Shinano, forcing Ogasawara Nagatoki and Murakami Yoshikiyo to seek refuge with Kenshin, prompting repeated clashes.
