In response to the Oda clan's advance into the western part of Mikawa Province, in August 1542, the combined forces of Imagawa Yoshimoto and Matsudaira Hirotada (father of the future shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu) advanced into the Ikutahara area.
After receiving reports from his scouts, Oda Nobuhide (father of the future first unifier of Japan, Oda Nobunaga) left Anjo Castle, crossed the Yahagi River, and took up a position in the Kamibada area.
From Kamibada in October, Nobuhide advanced to Azukizaka, an area located southeast of the Matsudaira clan's stronghold, Okazaki Castle. It was here that the battle took place, which later became known as the First Battle of Azukizaka.
The allied forces of Imagawa and Matsudaira were commanded by the monk Taigen Sessai from Suruga Province, who was the chief advisor to Imagawa Yoshimoto.
Nobuhide was supported by his brothers: Nobuyasu, Nobumitsu, and Nobuzane.
The battle was short but fierce. Oda Nobuhide managed to defeat the allied forces, thereby maintaining his influence in the province of Mikawa.
The seven samurai who distinguished themselves in battle were awarded the honorary title of “Seven Spears of Azukizaka.” They were:
- Oda Nobumitsu,
- Oda Nobufusa,
- Okata Shigeyoshi,
- Sassa Masatsugu,
- Sassa Magosuke,
- Shimokata Sadakiyo,
- Nakano Itiyasu.
The victory gave Nobuhide the opportunity to temporarily weaken the position of his unfriendly neighbor, the Matsudaira clan, and switch his attention to other tasks and problems.
However, some historians believe that the first battle of Azukizaka may never have actually taken place. It is believed that the information about it was falsified by the chroniclers of the Oda clan.
See also
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Battle of Ankokuji
As a result of the summer campaign of 1542, the Suwa clan was completely defeated. Takeda Shingen stationed his military contingent at Uehara Castle. Takeda's army general, Itagaki Nobukata, subsequently became the commandant of this castle.
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The Siege of Matsuyama Castle
In 1537, the head of the Ogigayatsu branch of the Uesugi clan, Uesugi Tomooki, died. He was succeeded by his son, the thirteen-year-old Uesugi Tomosada (1525–1546). Hojo Ujitsuna (1487–1541), who had long been planning to expand his holdings in Musashi Province, decided to take advantage of the new daimyo's inexperience. He assembled an army of 7,000 soldiers and marched on Kawagoe Castle.
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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 Sakai
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.
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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.
