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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The Siege of Tihaya Castle
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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.
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The Battle of Uji 1180
Minamoto no Yorimasa did not need a special pretext for his growing hostility toward the Taira clan to turn into open rebellion. The court also included the discontented Prince Motohito, the second son of the former Emperor Go-Shirakawa. He had already been passed over twice in the selection of the heir to the throne. The second time this happened was in 1180, when the young Antoku was enthroned. Thus, Kiyomori, the head of the Taira clan, became the emperor's grandfather.
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The Battle of Shigisan
The conflict between the Soga and Mononobe clans, who were related to the imperial dynasty, arose on religious grounds. The Soga supported Buddhism, which had come from Korea, while the Mononobe remained faithful to Shintoism and fiercely opposed the spread of “foreign teachings.” Tensions reached a peak after the death of Emperor Yomei in 587.
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The Mongol invasion of Japan
At the end of the 13th century, Japan faced a danger far more serious than any internal strife. In 1271, the Yuan dynasty, founded by Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, established itself in China. His army was truly enormous: tens of thousands of soldiers — Chinese, Koreans, Jurchen, and especially Mongols, who had conquered the territory from Korea to Poland and from the northern taiga to Egypt. Only one country remained unconquered — Japan.
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The Genpei War
As early as the 8th century AD, Japanese emperors gradually lost their real power and became symbolic figures, under the complete control of the powerful Fujiwara clan. This clan, by marrying their daughters to emperors, effectively monopolized the government of the country: all key military and administrative positions were held by representatives of the Fujiwara.
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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.
