The Battle of Norada

The Battle of Norada is a striking example of a clash during the Sengoku Jidai period, when numerical superiority did not always guarantee victory, even in open battle.

The Rokkaku clan was one of the most influential families in the province of Omi, dating back to the 13th century. Its representatives held the posts of military governors (shugo) in various provinces at different times. The Azai (or Asai) clan emerged in the early 16th century. During the gokoku-jo (the lower classes overthrowing the upper classes) process typical of the era, the Asai freed themselves from vassalage to the Kyogoku clan and established control over the northeastern part of Omi. However, their lands were soon captured by the Rokkaku, and the Asai clan had to submit. Despite this, the Azai leaders continued to fight for independence, which led to a series of armed clashes with the Rokkaku.

In 1559, the head of the Rokkaku clan, Rokkaku Yoshitaka (1521–1598), formally became a monk and handed over leadership of the clan to his son, Rokkaku Yoshisuke. However, real power remained in the hands of Yoshitaka, who continued to command the army.

In the summer of 1560, Yoshitaka launched a military campaign against the Azai, gathering an army of about 25,000 men (according to the Azai Sandai chronicle). The main target was Hida Castle, which had not been captured the previous year.

The Rokkaku army consisted of troops from various subordinate clans. The vanguard was made up of warriors from the Gamo, Nagahara, Shindo, and Ikeda clans. The second line was formed by the forces of Narazaki, Tanaka, Kido, Wada, Yoshida, and others, while the rear was occupied by troops from the Goto, Miura, Yamada, Tazaki, and other clans.

The formal head of the Azai clan at that time was Azai Hisamasa (1526–1573), but his weakness as a leader caused discontent among his vassals. The real leadership of the army was taken over by his fifteen-year-old son, Azai Nagamasa (1545–1573), who enjoyed the support of most of the soldiers.

The Azai clan, with the support of its allies and vassals—the Dodo, Isono, Yono, Imamura, Yuge, Hongo, and other clans—was able to field about 11,000 soldiers. The allied Asakura clan sent reinforcements, but its troops arrived after the battle had already ended.

The battle took place near the Usogawa River, which is why it is sometimes called the “Battle of Usogawa.”

The first strike was delivered by Dodo Kuranosuke, a former vassal of Rokkaku who had defected to Azai. His troops crossed the river and engaged in battle with the forces of the Gamo clan. However, the forces of the Narazaki and Tanaka clans attacked them from the flanks. Kuranosuke was killed, and Dodo's troops retreated across the river.

Inspired by their success, the Rokkaku troops crossed the Usogawa River and marched towards the village of Norada, hoping for a quick victory.

But Nagamasa did not give in to panic. He gave a fiery speech to his soldiers, raising their morale, and led the attack. The elite forces of Azai stood in the center, with allied troops covering the flanks. The strike was swift and powerful—despite their numerical superiority, the Rokkaku army could not withstand the pressure, and panic broke out in their ranks, turning into a mass retreat. The chronicles note that “the Usogawa River was littered with the bodies of fallen warriors.”

According to various sources, the Rokkaku suffered between 840 and 920 casualties, while the Azai lost between 400 and 700 fighters.

After this brilliant victory, Azai Nagamasa was officially recognized as the clan's daimyo. The defeat was a heavy blow to the Rokkaku clan, which never recovered and ceased to exist by 1570.