History of Asia

Magoichi Saika, the builder who led Saika Ikki and afflicted Nobunaga Oda

1543 A gun was introduced to Tanegashima, and Japanese blacksmiths succeeded in mass production and put it into practical use in a short period of time, overturning the way Japan had been fighting. Speaking of the battle in which the gun was a big success, Nobunaga Oda is Katsuyori Takeda Defeated [ Battle of Nagashino 】there is.

Nobunaga Oda Was the first to see the future of guns and actively introduced them, and gained power until they destroyed the famous family Takeda, but it is not so much history that Nobunaga himself suffered from the guns.

1570 Oda Nobunaga Is Ishiyama Battle I started invading the Kishu area, but it took me 10 years to finish the battle, contrary to the good progress so far. It was the enemy, Hongan-ji, who fought on the side of the enemy, [ Saika Ikki ," who suddenly put a brake on Nobunaga's advance. ] There was the existence and the technique of the gun that they were good at.

At that time, Saika Ikki was [ an elite group of gun technology . ], And it was expensive and difficult to obtain domestic production of guns We succeeded in making it ourselves.

This time, despite being the builder of Saika Ikki, he himself went to the battlefield and suffered the Demon King Nobunaga Saika (Suzuki) Magoichi . I would like to write about.

A group of mercenaries from shipbuilding to gun manufacturing

During the Warring States period, in addition to the vassals and subordinates of their own country, they hired mercenaries to fight.

Dispatched labor in modern times Probably.

Mercenaries make a living from different jobs such as peasants and monks when there is no war, and Saika Ikki in the northwestern part of Kii is also a mercenary group with high gun skills, but in normal times.> Shipbuilding, shipping and trade as a family business I made a living as.

It is not so different from the present day that the shipping industry at this time also makes a profit by trading with land far away. Saika Ikki was the base of Nanban trade Tanegashima Matchlock that hasn't been in Japan yet I was able to get quickly.

Of course, it was a very expensive matchlock gun, so I couldn't buy it in large quantities, but Saika Ikki, who possessed excellent swordsmithing techniques, took the matchlock gun home and researched it, made a elaborate copy, and succeeded in mass production Did. Using this latest weapon as a foothold, Saika Ikki strengthened itself as Japan's number one mercenary corps.

Saika Ikki's gun and builder, Magoichi Saika

The guns of those days had low accuracy and quick-firing ability, and even Saika Ikki, who had high skill, formed a group with several people [shooting role] and [shooting role] . It was divided into two to make up for its weaknesses. It is believed that this made it possible to hit quickly.

Also, while continuing to train guns, a shooting master will be born in Saika Ikki.

That is the main character of this time, Magoichi Saiga is. * It seems that it is also written as Son City.

Magoichi is the son of Saika Ikki, the head of the Kii Saika Ikki, and is a child of [ Shigehide Suzuki . ] It is also said.

Even if we say the head of Saika Ikki, not all the members move by the command of the head. Saika Ikki is a group of mercenaries who do not have a cause, and it was a daily occurrence that there was a conflict even within the group due to differences in personal interests, ideas, and denominations.

Many of these Kii Saika Ikki are enthusiastic Jodo Shinshu / Hongan-ji sect . There were many.

The teaching of Jodo Shinshu, who says that no matter what kind of status you are, even if you do bad things during your lifetime, you can be saved by chanting Nembutsu and devoting yourself, was appreciated by those who live in the work of mercenaries.

Ishiyama Battle where Saika Ikki protected Honganji Temple for 10 years

The person who was not happy with the connection between this Honganji and Saika Ikki was Oda Nobunaga . was.

If the world is ruined and the land and villages are burned, it is not only this time that the people gather in temples for salvation. History proves that it is not uncommon for the people to cause disturbances and incidents that surpass those in power at the time.

At this time, half of Japan's population was the Jodo Shinshu sect and its headquarter, Ishiyama Hongan-ji . It was an unavoidable road for Nobunaga Oda to unify the world.

1570 When Nobunaga Oda marched on, Saika Ikki, Saika Ikki, and his grandson Magoichi also headed for Honganji Temple from Kii by Hayabune. It is said that the mercenary corps, which normally operates on money and conditions, aimed at Ishiyama Hongan-ji one after another at this time.

From the results, 1580 It is a historical fact that the imperial court's mediation was established and the settlement could not be settled, but Honganji, Saika Ikki, Oda clan The description of historical materials varies depending on the position of the war, but at the beginning of the war, the Oda army was forced to withdraw before the combat power of Saika Ikki's gun, but in the end it is said that the Oda army pushed it out by number. It seems to be the general view of the people.

Although it is an anecdote level, it is said that Saika Ikki suffered the Oda army for 10 years and was very active, as there is a story that the gun released by Magoichi hit the enemy general's leg and shot Nobunaga on horseback and injured him. I have. That struggle banished the shukuro Sakuma Nobumori from the Oda clan.

* Addition:I was told that the battle in which Nobunaga was injured was the Battle of Tennoji in 1576! Thank you ^^

Saika Ikki struggled with the onslaught of the Oda army, but the war situation changes when ammunition and troops become scarce.

Hongan-ji, whose flag color became worse against Nobunaga who was controlling neighboring countries one after another at the same time as attacking Ishiyama, dispatched a messenger, and Nobunaga responded to the lecture, and the curtain fell on the battle that lasted 10 years. ..

Magoichi Saiga full of mysteries

The Ishiyama battle ended with the peace between Hongan-ji and Nobunaga, but since the mercenaries are in the war and are in the business of something, there is no prospect of income if the war disappears. Magoichi, who was overwhelmed by the peace between the two, approaches Nobunaga Oda as soon as he sees Honganji.

Some people are not happy with Magoichi's actions, and this causes Saika Ikki to divide ...

When Nobunaga died due to the Honnoji Incident, Sonichi served Hideyoshi, and when Hideyoshi embarked on the destruction of the remnants of Saika Ikki, he led a gun corps and fought against Saika Ikki. However, this is the only record that seems to be a record of Sonichi, and it is not really clear what happened to Sonichi after that.

In addition, [ Magoichi Saiga ] The name itself seems to have some historical materials such as Suzuki Shigehide =Sonichi. In addition, it is said that [Sonichi] participated in the battle of Fushimi Castle in 1600, but it is said that this was Suzuki Shigetomo, a child who inherited only his name.

It is believed that the name Magoichi is the name that Suzuki's military commanders, including Sadayu, have inherited from generation to generation.