The Third Siege of Odawara in 1590 was a pivotal moment in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's efforts to neutralize the Hojo clan as a challenge to his authority. In the months leading up to the siege, the Hojo made significant, hurried improvements to the castle's defenses as Hideyoshi’s intentions became clear. However, despite Hideyoshi's overwhelming force, there was little actual combat during the siege.
By 1588, Toyotomi Hideyoshi had largely unified Japan, following several military campaigns after the death of Oda Nobunaga in 1582. He requested that Hojo Ujimasa and his son Ujinao visit him in Kyoto at his residence, Jurakudai, but Ujimasa refused, suggesting a later visit in 1590. Hideyoshi rejected this delay, worsening relations between the two. In May 1590, Hideyoshi launched the Odawara Campaign against the Hojo.
Ujimasa hoped for support from Date Masamune or even a defection by Tokugawa Ieyasu if the conflict dragged on. Hideyoshi's massive army encircled Odawara Castle in what is often described as "the most unconventional siege in samurai history." The besieging forces were entertained by performers—concubines, musicians, acrobats, and more—while the defenders, though outnumbered, maintained their positions on the ramparts, armed with arquebuses. As a result, Hideyoshi refrained from launching a full attack, relying instead on traditional starvation tactics. Only a few small skirmishes occurred, such as when miners from Kai Province tunneled under the walls, allowing forces led by Ii Naomasa to breach the castle.
After three months, the sudden construction of Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle near Odawara crushed the Hojo’s morale, leading to their surrender. In addition to taking Odawara Castle, Hideyoshi's forces, led by Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu, captured several Hojo strongholds, including Matsuida, Minowa, Maebashi, Matsuyama, Hachigata, and Hachioji Castles. His navy, under Chosokabe Motochika, also defeated the Izu suigun at Shimoda Fortress in Ise Province.
During the campaign, the Chiba clan, allies of the Hojo in Shimosa, saw their Sakura Castle fall to Honda Tadakatsu and Sakai Ietsugu of Tokugawa’s forces. Chiba Shigetane, the clan’s daimyo, surrendered on the condition that his family would not be abolished. While the Chiba lost all their holdings, many of their senior members were later taken into service by Tokugawa’s retainer, Ii Naomasa, as a gesture of gratitude for earlier aid.
At Oshi Castle, led by Ishida Mitsunari, the defenders surrendered upon hearing of the Hojo’s defeat at Odawara. Hojo Ujimasa was unable to defend Odawara against Hideyoshi's forces, and the castle fell. Ujimasa and his brother Ujiteru were both forced to commit seppuku.
Following the campaign, Hideyoshi rewarded Tokugawa Ieyasu with the Hojo lands, not knowing that this would eventually position Ieyasu to become shogun. The siege also saw the tragic end of the tea master Yamanoue Soji, who was in the service of the Hojo lords and was sentenced to death by torture after the fall of Odawara.
See also
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
