Battle of Norada explained

Conflict:Battle of Norada
Partof:the Sengoku period
Date:1560
Place:Kohoku in Ōmi Province
Result:Azai victory
Combatant1:Azai clan
Combatant2:Rokkaku clan
Commander1:Azai Nagamasa
Akao Kiyotsuna
Endō Naotsune
Kaihō Tsunachika
Dodo Kuranosuke
Kyōgoku Takayoshi
Commander2:Rokkaku Yoshikata
Strength1:11,000
Strength2:25,000

The Battle of Norada took place during Japan's Sengoku period between forces under Azai Nagamasa and Rokkaku Yoshikata in the year 1560.[1]

Azai Nagamasa had previously been a retainer under the Rokkaku clan, and sought independence from the Rokkaku; Rokkaku Yoshikata meanwhile sought to consolidate his power through subjugation of the Azai.

Battle

Rokkaku Yoshikata's force numbered 25,000 and outnumbered Azai Nagamasa's force by over two to one as it counted only 11,000. Both sides arrived on the battlefield unimpeded and even before engaging, Rokkaku troops defeated the army of Dodo Kuranosuke. After that easy skirmish, they believed they had already won the battle. Highly motivated under Nagamasa, his troops charged unintimidated and in the chaos of the battle, the Rokkaku force collapsed and retreated under heavy losses.

Aftermath

The Azai clan ousted their defunct leader Azai Hisamasa, replacing him with Nagamasa. The Rokkaku clan fell into disarray with retainers questioning Yoshikata's rule; his strength weakened never to recover to its height.

References


Notes and References

  1. Book: Glenn, Chris . The Samurai Castle Master: Warlord Todo Takatora . 2023-01-05 . Frontline Books . 978-1-3990-9661-4 . 8 . en.