Sengoku Period Wiki
Siege of Shigisan
Battle Information
Date 1577
Location Shigisan Castle
Result Oda Victory
Forces
Oda Matsunaga
Commanders
Oda Nobutada
Tsutsui Junkei
Matsunaga Hisahide
Matsunaga Kojiro
Notable Officers
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Akechi Mitsuhide
N/A

The Siege of Shigisan was the conflict between Matsunaga Hisahide and the Oda clan after Hisahide's rebellion.

Background[]

In 1577, Matsunaga Hisahide rebelled against Oda Nobunaga. In response, Nobunaga dispatched his son Oda Nobutada, along with Tsutsui Junkei, to lay siege to Shikisan Castle.[1] This siege would be the first time Oda Nobutada commanded Oda veterans such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide.[2]

Battle[]

Surrounded and outmatched, the castle was ultimately set ablaze and Matsunaga Hisahide committed seppuku.[3] Following the seppuku of Matsunage Hisahide after the fall of the castle of Shikizan, his son Matsunaga Kojiro leapt to his death from the castle walls with his sword through his throat and Hisahide’s head in his hands.[4]

Aftermath[]

According to legend, during the fall of Shigisan Castle, Matsunaga Hisahide deliberately smashed a priceless tea bowl, rather than allow it to be captured by his enemies.[5]

Sources[]

  1. Samurai Sourcebook, Stephen Turnbull pg. 58
  2. Jeroen Pieter Lamers, Japonius Tyrannus: The Japanese Warlord, Oda Nobunaga Reconsidered, pg. 152
  3. Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg. 58
  4. Samurai Sourcebook, Stephen Turnbull pg. 304
  5. Samurai Sourcebook, Stephen Turnbull pg. 58