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SAIKA-Negor o Ikki en Kisyu

(Wakayama)by Tetsuj i Yamada

Shugo Jitou System

Originally the first bushi was a developer of the local land. In 10th century troubles regarding

their territories happened quite often and the land developers started to arm by themselves to

settle these troubles.

As the time went they became Gokenin, subordinate of

Shogun in Kamakura and in return they received a

Kudashi bumi (a letter of guaranty of their land) andbecame Jitou. This formed the Jitou system. The

government later placed a local Shugo on top of each

Jitou. (Shugo Jitou system) and Shugo was called

Daimyo.

Jizamurai Gained Power

Later in Muromachi era (around 16 century), troubles

occurred often at Shogun and Shugo families which

weakened Shugo Jitou system and at the same time

new Jizamurai (local bushi) started to gain power.

Rise of Oda Nobunaga

Among those was Oda Nobunaga. His father was an officer for Shugo dai (sub Shugo) of Owari.

But his father became rich from trading. Backed by those wealth, he succeeded in extending

his power to most of Owari area.

In May 1560, Imagawa Yoshimoto, Shugo daimyo of Suruga and Totoumi countries, invaded

Owari with 20 thousand soldiers however Oda Nobunaga attacked Imagawa Yoshimoto with

only 4000 soldiers, whichi brought him a victory, at the famous Okehazama No Tatakai (The

battle of Okehazama). After that Nobunaga proceeded to conquer the whole Japan by

smashing hostile Lords and Daimyos in front of him.

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The Most Hard War for Oda Nobunaga

Nobunaga fought so many battles but one of the most difficult one for him and the least

mentioned is so called Ishiyama War, a series of battles with Ishiyama Honganji Temple. It was

from 1570 until 1580 for about 10 years.

New Religious RepublicsIn the 16th century, people believed Buddhism strongly and several temples formed religious

republic countries. The daimyo and bushi were controlled by Shogun but these temples

whether they have their own forces or not were only controlled by the Emperor.

Those temples and union of local bushi called Sokoku Ikki with high economic power and

armed powers governed their country by themselves and in southern Kii area (present

Wakayama pref.) even Hatakeyama, the Shugo, could not control the area

In other areas Kokujin-shu, new local land lord gained more power than Shugo daimyo. But in

Kii area, several strong temples did not permit Kokujin-shu to arise.

Temple Cities

Even the government could not enter temple territories. Local government could not enter

into the investigation of rebellions nor military invasion. Temples were exempted from the

taxation by the govenment. Various people, good or bad, entered their territory and asked its

protection. This then formed a new temple city which was governed by themselves.

Two types of Priest

In the middle age, buddhism priests were classified into two categories. One is called Gakuryo,

the study priest who stick to learn buddhism and another is Gyonin who administers various

works for a temple.

The armed forces belong to Gyonin and management of a temple was gradually controlled by

Gyonin. Jizamura, local bushi, contributed and constructed sub-temples and sent their 2nd and

3rd sons to become the top of those sub-temples.

Gyonin at Negoro temple was from Dobashi, Tsuda, Naka and many other Jizamurai clans even

from Izumi, Kawachi and Yamato areas. Those Gyonin formed a general assembly called Sobun

to make all decisions at Negoro temple.

In Saika area, Jizamurai formed a general assembly and with this union, Ikki governed the area

which was called Sokoku. Saika Shu was called Kisyu Sokoku or Saiga Sokoku. Saika Shu

gathered from 5 areas (Saigano Sho, Jukka Go, Nakagawa Go, Mikami Go, and Moriya Go) of

North West part of Wakayama was also called 5 units. Saika Shu is a united body (Ikki Shudan)

of those areas whose

family circles are closely connected. They were armed with several thousand guns and hired

often by other feudal lords on monetary terms. They also engaged in maritime transportation

and trade businesses.

Negoro brought back a gun

Negoro shu based on the Negoro temple governed the ports of Kino Kawa river and also

operated maritime transportation and trade. Negoro Temple financially supported the capital

for Negoro shu.

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In October 12th year of Tenmon

first. Tsuda Kazunaga, samurai a

Tokitaka Tanegashima,and aske

the gun.

Tanegashima gun also brought i

of crfatmanship and succeeded i

of manufacturing such as Saika

(1543) when a gun brought into Tanegashima islan

nd priest of Suginobo at Negoro Temple. He bought

Sihibatsuji Seiemon, a craftman in Negoro to mak

to Saika via Negoro. In both areas, they had a high

n mass manufacturing of guns. We can seen their

abuto (helmet) as shown in the picture

d of Japan

a gun from

a copy of

standard

igh levels

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Kenyo of Ishiyama Honganji in batt le

Saika Negoroshu vs Saika Sh

Evening of September 12 both si

nights like a thunder. Nobunaga

commanded all his army to retr

After the war, Saika Negoro allie

formed a strong wall against No

rmour

The First Ishiyama War

Historically Saika Shu first appeare

century. Employed by Lord Hatake

Shugo of Kii (Wakayama) and Kaw

of Osaka) and fought at various pla

Kinki area (Kyoto, Osaka and Nara)

grew into a professional army on bterms.

The word Saika Shu first appeared

1536 article of Shishinki written by

Sanemichi, the son of Rennyo of H

saying "the total of 300 Saika Shu a

central temple of Honganji." and F

1537 Nyojo of Honganji issued a th

for their sucessful activities.

In Ganki ganen (1570) war betwee

Nobunaga and Miyoshi Sanninshu

10,000 Saika Shu headed by Suzuki

(also called Saika Magoichi) hired pAtaka Nobuyasu, a subordinate of

Sanninshu and joined Miyoshi San

army.

At the same time Hatakeyama Akit

the request of Shogun Ashikaga Yo

20,000 Saika andNegoro Shu to 30,

Oda Nobunaga army

des gunnery troops opened fire and roared throug

army was heavily damaged and September 23 Nob

at and returned to Kyoto.

d army joined Honganji army lead by Suzuki Magoi

unaga.

in 15

ama,

chi (south

ces of

Saiga Shu

usiness

in June 17,

nganji,

rrived at

bruary

anks letter

Oda

broke out,

Magoichi

rivately byMiyoshi

innshu

aka upon

shiaki sent

000 of

t days and

unaga

hi, which

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In Tensyo 8 (1580) Kenyo of Ishi

Saika Magoichi became Nobuna

and killed by Akechi Mitsuhide a

clan.

Suzuki Magoichi of Saika

Attack to Kisyu

In Ganki Gannen (1570) Nobunaga m

force but Honganji force was dominan

Nobunaga to turn the tide of the war

attack Sailka area because Saika Shu

main force of Honganji and the area

point for the logistics and military moStarting May Tensho 4 (1576) by May

(1577) Nobunaga succeeded in 3 grou

and Negoro to go over to his side.

Nobunaga put 30,000 soldiers and div

groups one going to mountain area a

to the beach side. February 24 Hori Hi

the top attacker of the Nobunaga arm

go across the Saika river but in advan

buried reverse stakes and steel spears

potteries on the bottom of the river.

forces and hussar could not advancethe obstacles at their foot. Even some

who succeeded in going across the riv

slow at the river bank and Saiga gunn

25 guns by 2 rows, fired continuously

long bow troops also shooted. Nobun

got hard damages and finally retreate

ama Honganji signed a cease-fire agreement with

a side. In June Tensyo 10 (1582) Oda Nobunga was

t Honoji Temple. Suzuki Magoichi was attacked by

The battle was stacked. Nobunaga persu

Suzuki Magoichi, Dobashi Wakadayu, Kur

Saburodayu and 4 other commanders of

signed a cease-fire agreement. March 21

remitted their punishment.

Actually Nobunaga was defeated. On his

Kyoto, Nobunaga constructed Fort Sano (

Izumi Sano City) and stationed Oda Nobu

another uprising of Saika Shu.

August 16 Saika Shu lead by Suzuki Mago

attacked Nobunaga army and Nobunaga

80,000 soldiers commanded by SakumaBut Sakuma Nobumori failed to surrende

Shu.

Sakuma Nobumori was banished.

ved his big

t. Then

decided to

as the

as the

ilization. Tensho 5

ps of Saiga

ided into 2

d the other

demasa,

y, tried to

e Saika Shu

and put

edestrian

ecause ofsoldiers

er became

ry troops,

and then

aga forces

d.

obunaga.

attacked

obashi

ded

imura

Saika and

Nobunaga

return to

present

haru for

ichi

sent

obumori.r Saika

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In Edo Era

Saika Negoro Shu became Toku

Wakayama Castle and positione

Families). Negoro Shu were ord

k y m c stle

awa Iyeyasu side and Tokugawa Iyeyasu construte

one of his son called Gosanke (Important 3 Tokug

red to guard Edo Castle alongwith Iga and Koka Sh

awa

.