Battle of Ichijodani Castle (2/2)The Asakura clan was destroyed in the Battle of Ichijodani Castle! What was the final moment when he was betrayed by his cousin?

Meanwhile, Yoshikage Asakura attempts to send reinforcements to Nagamasa's rescue and requests the cooperation of his cousin, Asakura Keikyo, and other senior vassals, but the senior vassals refuse to send troops, citing fatigue among the soldiers. Around this time, the unity of the Asakura family seems to have been severely disrupted due to the Oda side's tactics. Yoshikage had no choice but to go to war himself and set up his headquarters on Mt. Tagami, north of Odari Castle, with 20,000 soldiers. He also sent troops to surrounding forts such as Otake Fort. On the other hand, the Oda army continued to surround Odari Castle with approximately 30,000 soldiers.

Then, on August 12, Nobunaga led 1,000 men and attacked Fort Otake in the midst of a raging rainstorm. According to Nobunaga's biography, ``Nobunaga Koki,'' he plotted to lower morale by forcing the surrendered soldiers to flee to the main camp without killing them. Moreover, considering Yoshikage's personality, Nobunaga thought that ``the Asakura army would withdraw by the end of the night,'' and immediately prepared to pursue him, and strictly ordered his subordinate military commanders to watch for the timing of the retreat.

However, his subordinates missed the timing, and in the end, Nobunaga took the lead and pursued the Asakura army. Needless to say, Nobunaga was furious with his subordinates. At this time, Nobumori Sakuma responded to Nobunaga's anger by saying, ``We are late, but even if you say something like that, there are no other vassals as loyal as we are.'' And this is adding fuel to the flames of Nobunaga's anger...

On August 13th, the Oda army pursued the Asakura army as they fled towards Tsuruga, catching up with them at Tonezaka. The Asakura army tries to retreat, but struggles to free Yoshikage. Yamazaki Yoshitsugu and Asakura Kanbesuke, who served as lords, temporarily pushed back the Oda army, but they were unable to overcome the Oda army's strength and were defeated. Although Yoshikage managed to escape, he gave up on Tsuruga Castle, where he had originally intended to flee, and instead headed for his home base, Ichijodani Castle.

As a result of the Battle of Tonezaka, the Asakura army suffered many casualties, including members of the clan such as Asakura Keiyuki and Asakura Michikage, as well as senior vassals such as Yamazaki Yoshiie and Kawai Yoshimune. According to one theory, more than 3,000 Asakura troops were killed in the battle, and it can be said that the battle of Tonezaka almost ended in victory for the Oda army.

By the way, at this time, the last head of the Mino Saito clan, Tatsuoki Saito, who was defeated by Nobunaga in the ``Battle of Inabayama Castle'' in which Nobunaga subdued Mino in August 1567, passed away. After being defeated by Nobunaga, he was protected by Yoshikage and seems to have participated in the battle at this time.

The Asakura clan is finally destroyed! "Battle of Ichijodani Castle"

Nobunaga pursued the Asakura army until August 14th. On the 15th and 16th, they were stationed at Tsuruga, and after resting, on the 17th, they crossed Konome Pass and departed for Ichijodani, the stronghold of the Asakura clan, under the guidance of Yoshitsugu Maenami from the Asakura clan. Three years ago, during the Battle of Kanegasaki, a report of ``Nagamasa Asai's betrayal'' popped up as we approached Konome Pass. This time, they were able to cross the mountain pass and attack. Nobunaga must have thought, ``We've finally done it!'' Then, on August 18, Nobunaga attacked the castle town of Ichijodani and burned it down. Ichijodani Castle and the castle town, so gorgeous that it was nicknamed ``Kitanokyo,'' were burnt down in the war.

On the other hand, Yoshikage Asakura fled to Ichijodani Castle with the surviving military commanders and soldiers. According to one theory, only 500 soldiers remained at Ichijodani Castle. Although he was in despair over his lack of allies, Yoshikage accepted the opinion of his cousin Keikyo Asakura, abandoned Ichijodani Castle, and fled to Yamadasho, Ono District (Ono City, Fukui Prefecture), which was ruled by Keikage. The aim was to make a comeback through the cooperation of the monk soldiers of Heisenji Temple, who had an alliance with the Asakura clan. However, due to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's manipulation, Heisenji was in secret communication with the Oda army. And actually, Keikyo also had something in his stomach.

Yoshikage, betrayed by his cousin, ends up committing suicide.

On August 19th, Yoshikage enters Rokubo Kenshoji Temple, which was prepared by Keikyo as a temporary lodging. After taking a breather in the early morning of the 20th, Yoshikage saw 200 soldiers, including Keikage, surrounding the temple. Yes, Keikyou betrayed him at the very end. Yoshikage must have been betrayed by an ally he trusted, and must have been in great despair. In the end, Yoshikage committed suicide. Keikage surrendered to Nobunaga by presenting Yoshikage's head and his captured mother, wife and children. After that, most of Yoshikage's blood relatives, including his mother and wife and children, were killed by Nobunaga's orders. Yoshikage's head was exposed to the prison gates in Kyoto.

What happened to Keikyo, who switched sides at the very end, became Nobunaga's subordinate and received a character from Nobunaga and changed his name to ``Tsuchibashi Nobukyo.'' After being relieved of his own territory, he endeavored to manage the internal affairs of Ono County, but was targeted by the Echizen Ikko Ikki in 1574 and died in battle.

The Asai clan also perished in the Battle of Odari Castle.

After destroying the Asakura clan in the Battle of Odari Castle, Oda Nobunaga entrusted Echizen to Yoshitsugu Maenami, a former member of the Asakura side, and then headed to Odari Castle in an attempt to destroy the remaining Asai clan. This is the beginning of the "Battle of Odari Castle". Odari Castle was a mountain castle where the Asai family lived, and was one of Japan's five great mountain castles, but Toyotomi Hideyoshi separated Azai Nagamasa and his father, Asai Hisamasa, in a surprise attack and forced Hisamasa to commit suicide.

After that, Nagamasa was unable to withstand the onslaught of the Oda army and committed suicide, resulting in the end of the Asai clan. Furthermore, Oichi, Nobunaga's younger sister and Nagamasa's legal wife, her three daughters, and her eldest son were handed over to Hideyoshi before Nagamasa committed suicide. These three daughters are the ``Three Asai Sisters'' of Chacha, Hatsu, and E.

Nobunaga destroyed the Asakura clan at the Battle of Ichijodani Castle and the Azai clan at the Battle of Odani Castle. After gaining control of Echizen and Omi, he embarked on a campaign to capture the Takeda clan starting with the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, continuing his journey toward unification.