The Battle of Azukizaka, also known as the Battle of Bato-ga-hara, occurred in 1564, as Tokugawa Ieyasu aimed to quash the emerging threat of the Ikko-ikki, a coalition of monks, samurai, and peasants strongly opposed to samurai rule.
Tensions escalated in Mikawa province when the Ikko-ikki resisted samurai efforts to tax their temples. Conflict erupted in 1563 when Suganuma Sada, a vassal of Tokugawa, seized rice from Jogu-ji in Okazaki to feed his troops. In retaliation, the monks attacked Suganuma's castle and reclaimed the rice, barricading themselves at Jogu-ji. When Tokugawa sent envoys to investigate, they were executed. Another incident involved an Ikki attack on a merchant at a temple near Honsho-ji, leading to a failed raid by Tokugawa.
On January 15, 1564, the Battle of Azukizaka commenced. Tokugawa Ieyasu, intent on crushing the Ikko-ikki in Mikawa Province, sought aid from the warrior-monks of Daiju-ji Temple, with whom he had good relations. Among the Ikki ranks were Ieyasu's vassals, including Honda Masanobu, who sympathized with the Ikki cause. The battle was intense, with Tokugawa personally leading the charge, confronting enemy samurai on the front lines. Despite bullets piercing his armor, Tokugawa Ieyasu remained unwounded. His bravery swayed many samurai who had defected to the Ikki to switch sides, resulting in the Ikki's defeat.
However, the battle did not mark the end of Ikki resistance in Mikawa, prompting Tokugawa Ieyasu to continue his campaign to suppress Ikki rebellions in the province.
See also
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