Sawayama Castle, a branch castle of the Asai clan, was an extremely important strategic point in Omi Province due to its location.
Historically, after Isono Kazumasa surrendered to the Oda army, prominent warlords such as Niwa Nagahide, a senior retainer of the Oda family, served as castle lords, and it is well known that under the Toyotomi regime, Ishida Mitsunari, a leading figure among the Five Commissioners, reigned over the castle.
That shows just how important this fortress was, even during the Sengoku period and the subsequent eras.
Incidentally, Sawayama Castle originally belonged to the Rokkaku family, the shugo daimyo of Omi Province, and its history shows that it was built by the ancestors of the Rokkaku family.
Therefore, the head of the Rokkaku family had a great deal of interest in recapturing Sawayama Castle.六角義賢Rokkaku Yoshikata
From the outset, the Rokkaku family has historically held a superior position to the Asai family.
Even Sukemasa, a hero of Omi Province and Nagamasa’s grandfather, was often defeated in battles against the Rokkaku clan, and at one point he even abandoned Odani Castle and fled to Mino Province.
And needless to say, his father, Hisamasa, had submitted to the Rokkaku clan in the face of their military power.
The view that Asai was inferior to Rokkaku had become common knowledge.
The balance of power began to change drastically with the arrival of Nagamasa.
Yoshikata gave the daughter of his vassal Hirai Sadatake to Nagamasa, giving him the name “Kenmasa.” This is the same pattern as when Imagawa Yoshimoto gave the name “Motoyasu” to the later Tokugawa Ieyasu.
In Japan, a name served to prove one’s belonging to a particular family.
That is why the heads of the Asai main family, such as Ryomasa, Hisamasa, and Nagamasa, all used the character “Masa” (政).
By inserting his own character, “Ken,” into the name, Yoshikata declared to not only the Ōmi Province but also to the daimyo of Japan, “This belongs to me.”
Nagamasa could not tolerate this any longer, so he forced his father into retirement and launched a war of independence against the Rokkaku family.
However, the situation in which Asai Nagamasa challenged the Rokkaku clan was desperate.
There was a significant difference in the number of troops that the Asai and Rokkaku clans could mobilize, with Asai Nagamasa only being able to move less than half the number of troops that the Rokkaku army had.
Then, in August 1560, the two armies clashed at Norada in Omi Province.
The Asai army numbered 10,000 against the Rokkaku army’s 25,000, putting the Asai at a significant disadvantage.
However, Nagamasa took the lead and launched a daring charge against the Rokkaku army.
He succeeded in rebuilding the morale and formation of the Asai army, which had been at a disadvantage initially, completely overturning the predictions of the surrounding countries that “the Asai are finished now,” and drove the Rokkaku army into defeat.
The Battle of Norada, as it is commonly known, had a tremendous impact.
It not only allowed Nagamasa to instantly gain the trust of the Asai clan’s retainers, but it also caused the Rokkaku clan to lose prestige, leading to internal conflict and ultimately resulting in the Rokkaku clan’s retainers expelling the clan heads who later returned.
And it was after this victory that Nagamasa would first use the name “Nagamasa.” Coincidentally, just two months before the Battle of Norada, one of the greatest miracles in Japanese history occurred: Oda Nobunaga, who would become his future brother-in-law, defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto at the Battle of Okehazama.
There is a theory that when Nagamasa created his own name, he used the character “長” (naga) to draw on Nobunaga’s bravery and good fortune.
In short, 1560 was a memorable year in which the future brothers-in-law defeated each other’s formidable enemies.
However, it was perfectly natural for the Rokkaku family, who desired to unite Omi Province as its governor, to think that the Asai family, who were seen as allying with the Oda and “trying to expand their power,” “must be completely crushed now.”
Early in the morning of January 18, 1567, a massive army of 32,000 men, led by Rokkaku Yoshikata and his son, began their advance toward Sawayama Castle, which was defended by Isono Kazumasa.義治Yoshiharu
The number of soldiers defending Sawayama Castle was 1200 .余not much
“This time, Asai will finally put an end to it…”
A messenger on horseback rushed to Odani Castle to deliver the news of Yoshikata and his son’s impending attack, fueled by their determination, just as Nagamasa had slipped out of Ichihime’s room and was, as usual, making crepes in the kitchen.
◇
The inside of Odani Castle is filled with the hurried sounds of people’s footsteps and voices, as if everything is being turned upside down.
The castle gates opened, and several mounted warriors, ready to scout, rushed out one after another.
This scene can be clearly seen from Odani Castle, which is located on top of a mountain.
In my room, with Princess Ichi and a pageboy assisting me, I was wearing armor for the first time in my life.
(strange…)
As I gazed at Ichihime’s black hair as she diligently tied the laces of my armor, I was tormented by a stinging sense of unease.
(I’ve never seen any research suggesting that the Rokkaku clan launched a large-scale offensive into the Asai territory during this period…)
But even after thinking that far, I had to rack my brain even more.
History is something that later historians have written based on historical sources.
And without historical sources, nothing can be written.
In other words, the fact that history can only be recounted through historical documents means that future generations will have absolutely no way of knowing what has been “missed from the records.”
History is not a panacea.
It was only at this point that I finally realized such a simple fact.
“Lord Nagamasa!”
“Ah, Kiyotsuna.”
Akao Kiyotsuna, who had his residence within Odani Castle, had already armed himself and taken over the castle’s defense from an early stage.
In an emergency, it’s always best to act quickly from the start.
It’s best to leave things that can be handled by experts to experts.
As the head of the Asai family and the supreme commander of the military, I can simply take over command of the defenses being constructed by the military specialists.
In fact, it’s definitely better if I, a complete amateur, don’t intervene.
I’m sure I’ll make a fool of myself.
“The 32,000 Rokkaku forces assembled at Kannonji Castle are advancing towards Sawayama Castle without slowing down!
The defending commander, Kazumasa, is determined to focus on defense and will hold out in the castle!”
“ah…”
The image of Kazumasa weeping uncontrollably right before my eyes, alongside Naotsune Endo, comes back to me.
Even for one of the Asai clan’s most formidable generals, facing an army of over 30,000 with only around 1,200 soldiers was clearly a disadvantage.
If the Rokkaku army had launched a full-scale attack, Sawayama Castle could have fallen very quickly.
If that happens, knowing Yuan Chang, he might commit suicide by disembowelment.
The armor has been cleaned.
I stood up from the stool, feeling its weight.
As I was about to leave the room with Kiyotsuna, I felt Ichihime’s intense gaze on my back.
When I instinctively turned around, there was no trace of my wife, who had been in such disarray the night before—she exuded a dignified aura befitting a princess of a samurai family.
No, this is the true essence of Ichihime.
This is the image of a woman from the Sengoku period, who shares the same blood as Oda Nobunaga—I clenched my fist tightly.
“I’m going to the city…”
“Yes…
Please stay safe.
I pray for your success in battle…
Lord Nagamasa.”
After being seen off by Ichihime, I headed towards the main keep of Odani Castle with Kiyotsuna.
There, generals such as Kaihoku Tsunachika, Amamori Kiyosada, and Endo Naotsune were giving orders to the soldiers inside the castle, rapidly preparing for battle.
“Lord Nagamasa!”
My arrival instantly brought a burst of energy to the main building.
They all had seen Asai Nagamasa, a fierce general who had once defeated the Rokkaku army, which was more than twice their size.
And they know me, the one who rode Taishakutsukimo, a memento of the “hero.”
The soldiers at Odani Castle are hoping that I will be the one to resolve this critical situation.
I’ve never known war in my entire life, let alone experienced it…
A war council will be held immediately, surrounding me.
It seems the Rokkaku family gathered local lords and samurai from southern Omi along the way before advancing along the highway and reaching Sawayama Castle.
Alternatively, it’s possible that Sawayama Castle was already under siege.
Even worse, the messenger might be deliberately underestimating the enemy’s numbers, as conveying an overly large force could negatively impact our own morale.
“Those corrupt monks must be desperate too.”
Naotsune said dismissively.
“If we don’t manage to capture one or two castles in this battle, I won’t be able to maintain my dignity as the head of the family…
Considering the internal situation of the Rokkaku family, I risk being abandoned by my retainers.”
“So that’s why he raised an army…
That man is not just morally corrupt, he’s a murderer.”
Kiyosada muttered with annoyance.
Incidentally, I surmised that the person referred to as the “worldly monk” was probably Yoshikata Rokkaku.
This is because Yoshikata became a monk in 1559 and adopted that name.承禎Shōtei
Incidentally, the Rokkaku family had been in utter chaos since Yoshikata’s son, Yoshiharu, killed one of his senior retainers in 1563, and it was only through the mediation of the Gamo family that signs of stability were finally beginning to appear.
“How many guns were collected?”
“There are over 350 of them.”
Tsunachika said in a steady voice:
“Lord Nagamasa, we have information that the enemy has about 150 horses.
We don’t know where the Rokkaku army managed to gather so many horses, but it will be quite difficult to shoot down a mounted general with 350 muskets.”
I see, that makes sense.
On the battlefield, the greatest threat is the horse, a “monster” that cannot be killed by human hands.
However, the warrior riding that horse is a human being, so if we can just shoot him down, the threat will be reduced.
That’s probably why firearms are so highly valued.
However, since mounted warriors charge while concealing their bodies with their horses, it is necessary to fire gunfire from multiple directions to intercept them.
Otherwise, one would have to face the mounted warriors knowing they would die, and thrust their spears into their bodies.
That is, of course, assuming the craftsmanship to accurately pierce only the human body without goring the horse, while targeting a mounted warrior approaching at the speed of a car.
The same applies to firearms; how many soldiers could possibly “shoot down” only mounted warriors charging across the battlefield at tremendous speed…?
That’s probably what Tsunachika meant when he said it was “quite difficult.”
“How many soldiers have gathered?”
“We have a little over 4,500 so far, but we expect to gather 9,000 later.”
“I see…”
I crossed my arms and groaned.
We cannot mobilize all of our current forces, which number 4,500.
This is because about half of them must be left in the castle to keep other forces in check.
The ability to deploy all your forces to the front lines is something that only happens in games.
“How many horses?”
“We can mobilize 80 animals.
If we add Lord Nagamasa’s Taishakutsukimo, that will bring the total to 81.”
“I see, not bad.”
I stood up and climbed to the main keep’s tower.
From there, you can see as far as the eye can see of Omi Province.
Unlike the world I came from, there are no towering skyscrapers; the air is clean, and nature is abundant.
But there, many people are suffering and struggling in the turmoil of war.
We live in an era where, even though we secretly wish we didn’t want to fight, we have no choice but to fight in order to survive.
Whenever war broke out, men were conscripted, women and children were plundered, and the elderly were killed…
This was an era when a deep darkness shrouded Japan, hidden behind the glamorous lives of the feudal lords.
I’ve been planning this up until now, hoping to bring about a peaceful transformation.
But the world is full of malice, and it tries to crush my wish as if mocking it…
I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth.
“Direct Scripture”
“Hah!”
I called out to the fierce general of the Asai family, who had followed me up to the watchtower.
“What a beautiful view.
Green stretches out before me, and in the distance, the deep blue of Lake Biwa shines brightly…”
“That’s right…”
Naotsune let out a deep sigh and looked in the same direction as me.
Sawayama Castle is located at the tip of the beautiful Lake Biwa on the Mino side.
“I have always wished to do something to help develop this beautiful country.”
“Yes.
I believe I understand your feelings, Lord Naotsune.”
And the same applies to Yuan Chang.
Naotsune muttered, glaring in the direction of Sawayama Castle.
Even though war cries were about to echo, the sky was a brilliant blue, the air was clear, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the trees on Mount Kotani were swaying softly.
It was an ironic day, considering how many people were about to die.
“Yuan Chang is…”
“yes”
“Naotsune, he was a man who, like you, seriously considered the future of Omi Province and the Asai family.”
“…yes”
I placed my hands on the edge of the tower and leaned forward as I continued.
“Listen, Naotsune, I don’t want to lose a single person.
Not my people, not my retainers, not a single one…”
“…”
“For the sake of that future, Yuan Chang said he would cooperate…
Just like you, he said he would strive to create a world without war and dedicate his efforts to making that a reality…”
“My lord…”
“For the future I desire, he…
Yuan Chang must be there.
Yuan Chang must see the world we create and cry tears of joy—Naotsugu!”
“…Hah!”
Naotsune immediately knelt on one knee behind me in response.
“Let’s go.
We can’t lose Yuan Chang.
He’s not a man who should die here!”
“I understand!”
“Tell Kiyotsuna!
I’ll go, it’s meaningless if I don’t go!”
That’s right, whether or not someone had participated in a war was irrelevant.
This is a matter of belief.
Everyone has a first time.
Even the fierce generals Naotsune and Kazumasa survived to this day after their first battle.
So what is there to be ashamed of?
This is my first battle.
It is the first battle in which I will show the world my resolve to develop Omi Province.
I ran down the tower with Naotsune, gave instructions to Kiyotsuna and Tsunachika, and then headed to the stables where I was reunited with Taishaku Tsukimo, who had been fitted with horse tack by Hikobei.
She looked at me with a calm expression, as if she understood everything, and let out a clear cry, like the sky right now.
As I jumped onto Taishakutsukige, Hikobei offered me his sword.
“This is Ishiwari Kanemitsu.”
Hikobei said so.
“This is a famous sword made with fluorite, which was used by Lord Ryomasa and is now in the possession of Lord Hisamasa.
Please make use of it in this battle.”
“Why did you do this…”
I started to say that, but then I swallowed my words.
The look of determination was etched into Hikobei’s deeply tanned face.
“…Sorry, I’ll take it.”
I said that to Hikobei, then put on the famous sword that had been passed down through the Asai family.
A soldier standing nearby offered me a lance.
It was about 1.5 meters long.
I shoved it under my arm and pulled on the reins of Taishakutsukige.
Taishakutsukimo cried and raised its upper body.
“Open the castle gates!
Our lord is leaving!”
A conch horn was blown, and the castle gates opened.
At the same time, 40 cavalrymen, led by Taishakutsukimo, galloped down the mountain path of Odani Castle, raising a cloud of dust, and burst out onto the main road.
With the exception of Taishaku Tsukige, all of them are black stallions.
It seems that only stallions are being sent into battle.
Endo Naotsune was right behind me.
Naotsune tucked his spear under his arm and nimbly controlled his horse.
“My lord, please don’t overexert yourself.”
With eyes gleaming sharply from beneath his iron helmet shaped like a full moon, Naotsune said:
“Just as our lord said that Lord Kazumasa is irreplaceable…
for us too, our lord is an irreplaceable person.”
“I see!”
As I let the weight of the spear, which I was holding for the first time, sink into my body, I headed south from Odani Castle towards Sawayama Castle.
The distance is approximately 29 kilometers.
For this platoon, which had been stripped of its infantry and composed solely of cavalry, the distance was not particularly long.
As you proceed along Lake Biwa, you can quickly see Sawayama Castle and the Rokkaku army about to advance upon it.
It was easy to see that the enemy was in a state of panic.
They probably never imagined that Asai’s general would personally charge in with a small force.
Taishakutsukimo swung its golden horns, cried out, and quickened its pace.
“Naotsune, don’t die.”
“Hah!”
“Alright, let’s go, everyone!”
With one hand pulling on the reins of Taishakutsukimo and gripping my spear tightly, I charged into the unsuspecting enemy lines, roaring with my 40 cavalrymen.
I can feel my body trembling violently.
My stomach tightened, the campus shook violently, and my teeth chattered.
It would be much later that I realized it was a shiver of excitement.
Taishakutsukimo mows down enemy soldiers just by running, and literally carves a path with its golden horns.
However, while it may sound simple when said that way, the reality is that it’s quite a difficult situation.
The tips of the long spears thrust out by the foot soldiers were constantly closing in on my body, making me feel like I was barely alive.
Taishakutsukimo was certainly fast and quite effective at overwhelming the enemy, but because of its speed, if it came into contact with an enemy spear, it would pierce deep into my body and instantly take my life.
With my mind completely blank, I frantically swung the spear, thrusting and bringing it down indiscriminately.
Meanwhile, the Rokkaku army’s musketeers began firing at me and Asai’s cavalry.
With a tremendous roar, bullets were fired, and I saw a cavalryman fall from his horse out of the corner of my eye.
The sound of horse hooves, gunfire, and the clashes of swords and shouts of soldiers made my head sway back and forth.
“My lord!”
Naotsune brandished his blood spear, shouting as he pushed enemy cavalrymen to their feet.
Before I knew it, I could see the enemy cavalry forming a group and approaching us.
–It’s time to quit.
“Okay, pull back!”
There’s no need to linger any longer.
Just disrupting the enemy lines was enough.
Along with me, 34 cavalrymen, including Naotsune, began to retreat.
Our retreat destination is Sawayama Castle.
With my horse, Taishakutsukige, I could probably shake off the enemy cavalry’s pursuit and reach Odani Castle, but other horses wouldn’t be able to do that.
We need to retreat to a place where we can avoid the horse charge.
Suddenly, Taishakutsuki let out a cry.
Just as I was wondering if it was due to the excitement of the battle, I heard the sound of many hooves thumping behind me.
(The enemy cavalry are already closing in!)
Thinking this, I turned around, only to find that there wasn’t a single person there, but horses that had lost their masters were running towards me.
There were about a dozen of them.
And they were all black.
In other words, they were male horses.
“Oh, something like this happened…”
Naotsune’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I never imagined a horse would return to human hands…”
“What should it be like under normal circumstances?”
“They don’t come back.
They leave human hands, go into the mountains and fields, and begin to live in herds.”
“I see…”
Drums were beaten, and the gates of Sawayama Castle were swiftly opened.
We, the surviving cavalrymen and the stallions who have lost their masters, all leap into the midst of it.
The castle gates were immediately closed, and we headed towards the stables.
There, standing perfectly still, is Kazumasa, waiting along with the other commanders at Sawayama Castle.
“Lord Nagamasa…
I can’t believe it, I can’t believe something like this is happening…!”
“Yes, yes.”
I got off the Taishakutsukimo and approached Yuan Chang, whose voice was choked with emotion.
“For the sake of Sawayama Castle, with such a small force, a man of Asai rank and rank…
what are you doing, Lord Nagamasa…!”
“This is the Asai way of fighting.
I cannot abandon my retainers to their fate.
I will not accept any complaints.”
“What…!
What…!”
Yuan Chang knelt down and sobbed uncontrollably, weeping like a man.
As if it had spread, all the soldiers at Sawayama Castle began to sniffle.
“We disrupted the Rokkaku formation.
It will take them some time to regroup and prepare for the siege.
That’s all we could do, nothing more.
But…
Kiyotsuna and his men will soon arrive as reinforcements from Odani Castle.
That’s when the real battle will begin.”
I patted Yuan Chang’s shoulder as he sobbed and said:
“Yuan Chang, don’t cry.
The battle hasn’t even begun yet.
We’re still at a disadvantage.
You can cry after we win…
Stay alive, and then you can cry as much as you want.
It’s not time yet.”
“Lord Nagamasa…!”
“I have no intention of dying either.
We must win and enrich Omi.
This Sawayama is no exception.
You all must live and witness this—and then you will die!
On your tatami mats!
Do you understand?!”
Not only did Kazumasa and the other defenders of Sawayama Castle begin to sob, but for some reason, Naotsune and the surviving cavalrymen of Odani Castle also started to weep.
…Men of this era are truly simple.
They are quick to anger, cry easily, and are straightforward about everything—
However, that’s something that was lost in the era I lived in.
That’s why it’s so dazzling.
It’s unbearably dazzling.
I patted the backs of the soldiers around me who had broken down in tears to cheer them up, and then urged Kazumasa to go and assess the situation at Sawayama Castle.