The series of conflicts in 1584 known as the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute unfolded between the armies of Hashiba Hideyoshi (who later assumed the name Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1586) and those of Oda Nobukatsu and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Prior to this, both Hideyoshi and Ieyasu had served under Oda Nobunaga without encountering any clashes, making this their sole period of hostility. While the history predominantly recalls the two major battles, the event is sometimes referred to as the Komaki Campaign.
Context:
In 1583, during the Battle of Shizugatake, Hideyoshi lent his support to Nobukatsu, Oda Nobunaga's second son, and defeated Shibata Katsuie, a supporter of Nobunaga's third son, Nobutaka. Following this victory, Hideyoshi invited Nobukatsu and other generals to his newly completed Osaka Castle to assert his dominance and reverse the power dynamic. Nobukatsu, however, refused to attend, severing ties with Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi attempted to reconcile with three of Nobukatsu's main retainers, which fueled suspicions and ultimately led to their execution. This gave Hideyoshi a pretext to attack Nobukatsu, prompting Nobukatsu to seek help from Tokugawa Ieyasu. As Ieyasu dispatched his forces, the conflict shifted into a confrontation between Hideyoshi and Ieyasu.
Battle Events:
The initial battle took place near Mount Komaki, leading to its designation as the "Battle of Komaki." Subsequent engagements unfolded in the vicinity of Nagakute, resulting in the name "Battle of Nagakute" for the overall conflict.
Battle of Haguro:
In Tensho 12, on the 13th day of the third month (April 23, 1584), Ieyasu reached Kiyosu Castle. On the same day, warriors aligned with the Oda clan, led by Ikeda Tsuneoki, defected to Hideyoshi's side, capturing Inuyama Castle originally built by Oda Nobunaga. Learning of this, Ieyasu hurried to Inuyama Castle, arriving two days later. Concurrently, Mori Nagayoshi sought Kiyosu Castle, launching an assault but suffering significant losses. Ieyasu then took control of Inuyama Castle on the 18th day of the third month (April 28).
Mission to Mikawa:
Hideyoshi departed Osaka Castle on the 21st day (May 1), arriving at Inuyama Castle on the 27th day (May 7), and Gakuden (now Inuyama) on the 5th day of the fourth month (May 14, 1584). During this time, Ieyasu mostly avoided direct confrontation, leading Hideyoshi to lower his guard, especially due to Tsuneoki's assertion that Ieyasu was vulnerable in Komakiyama. Hideyoshi, driven by ambition, decided to march towards Mikawa, with support from Mori Nagayoshi, Ikeda Tsuneoki, Hori Hidemasa, and young Hidetsugu. However, their forces suffered a significant defeat in various battles.
Battle of Iwasaki Castle:
Part of the larger Battle of Komaki and Nagakute, the Battle of Iwasaki involved Ikeda Tsuneoki's forces attacking the garrison at Iwasaki Castle, led by Niwa Ujitsugu. Tsuneoki's aggressive assault led to the capture of the castle.
Battle of Hakusanmori:
As Hideyoshi's commanders sought refuge at Hakusanmori, Tokugawa forces closed in. Ōsuga Yasutaka and Sakakibara Yasumasa launched a surprise attack on Hideyoshi's forces, leading to their significant defeat.
Battle of Hinokigane:
Following the Battle of Hakusanmori, Tokugawa forces fortified Mount Komaki, resulting in a standoff. Toyotomi Hideyoshi's commander, Ikeda Tsuneoki, attempted raids in Mikawa Province, leading to clashes with Tokugawa troops. Despite initial resistance, Hori Hidemasa was forced to withdraw.
Battle of Nagakute:
Mori Nagayoshi planned to flank Tokugawa forces during a support operation for Ii Naomasa, but Tokugawa charged directly, avoiding the intended flanking. This demoralized Hideyoshi's forces, and Tokugawa gained the upper hand.
Aftermath:
Hideyoshi's forces pursued Ieyasu but couldn't catch him. Eventually, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu reached a peace agreement in early 1585. Despite the advantages Ieyasu gained in these engagements, both leaders recognized the folly of continuing their quarrel and opted for reconciliation.
See also
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The Battle of Azukizaka
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.
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Battle of Osaka
Upon Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death in 1598, Japan entered a period of governance by the Council of Five Elders, with Tokugawa Ieyasu wielding the most influence. Following his victory over Ishida Mitsunari in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Ieyasu effectively seized control of Japan and disbanded the Council. In 1603, the Tokugawa shogunate was established in Edo, with Hideyoshi's son, Toyotomi Hideyori, and his mother, Yodo-dono, permitted to reside at Osaka Castle. Hideyori was granted a significant fief valued at 657,400 koku but remained confined to the castle for several years. As a means of control, it was arranged for Hideyori to marry Senhime, the daughter of Hidetada, in 1603, who had ties to both clans. Ieyasu aimed to establish a strong and stable regime under his clan's rule, with only the Toyotomi, led by Hideyori and influenced by Yodo-dono, posing a challenge to his ambitions.
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Battle of Shizugatake
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.
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Battles of Kizugawaguchi
The pair of Kizugawaguchi Battles took place during Oda Nobunaga's endeavors to besiege the Ishiyama Hongan-ji in Osaka. Serving as the stronghold of the Ikko-ikki, a coalition of warrior monks, priests, and farmers in opposition to Oda's rule, the Hongan-ji posed a formidable challenge. To counter the Ikko-ikki's attempts to supply the fortress and break the siege, Oda commanded Admiral Kuki Yoshitaka to organize a blockade against their allies' fleets. Among the opposition were influential families, notably the Mori Terumoto from the Mori clan in neighboring provinces.
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The Battle of Okehazama
In the year 1560, Imagawa Yoshimoto, a formidable warlord who held dominion over the provinces of Suruga, Totomi, and Mikawa, gathered a mighty army of 25,000 men. His objective was to march upon Kyoto, challenging the increasingly feeble and ineffectual Ashikaga shogunate for control of Japan. The army traced its path along the Tokaido highway, crossing from Mikawa into Owari province, recently unified by the local warlord, Oda Nobunaga.
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The Battle of Mikatagahara
The Battle of Mikatagahara occurred during Japan's Sengoku period and pitted Takeda Shingen against Tokugawa Ieyasu. This clash took place on January 25, 1573, in Mikatagahara, Tōtōmi Province. Shingen launched an assault on Ieyasu's forces in the Mikatagahara plains, north of Hamamatsu. This engagement happened within the context of Shingen's campaign against Oda Nobunaga, as he sought a passage from Kōfu to Kyoto.
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The Battle of Sekigahara: Decisive Shift in Japanese History
Taking place on October 21, 1600, in what is now Gifu prefecture, Japan, the Battle of Sekigahara marked a turning point at the culmination of the Sengoku period. Tokugawa Ieyasu's forces clashed with a coalition led by Ishida Mitsunari, loyal to Toyotomi, with many clans defecting before or during the battle, ultimately leading to Tokugawa's triumph. This battle, the largest in Japanese feudal history, holds paramount significance and paved the way for the Tokugawa shogunate's establishment.
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The Battle of Imayama
On August 20, 1570, the Battle of Imayama unfolded in Kyushu. Similar to the renowned Battles of Okehazama (1560) and Kawagoe (1545), the Imayama clash stands as a remarkable instance of surprise attacks during the Sengoku Period.
