SAIKA-Negoro Ikki en Kisyu

(Wakayama)
by Tetsuji 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) and
became 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.

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 Republics

In 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.

In October 12th year of Tenmon (1543) when a gun brought into Tanegashima island of Japan
first. Tsuda Kazunaga, samurai and priest of Suginobo at Negoro Temple.
Temple He bought a gun from
Tokitaka Tanegashima,and asked
sked Sihibatsuji Seiemon, a craftman in Negoro to make a copy of
the gun.

Tanegashima gun also brought

ought into Saika via Negoro. In both areas, they had a high standard
of crfatmanship and succeeded in mass manufacturing of guns. We can seen their high levels
of manufacturing such as Saika Kabuto (helmet) as shown in the picture

The First Ishiyama War

Historically Saika Shu first appeared in 15

century. Employed by Lord Hatakeyama,
Shugo of Kii (Wakayama) and Kawachi (south
of Osaka) and fought at various places of
Kinki area (Kyoto, Osaka
ka and Nara) Saiga Shu
grew into a professional army on business
terms.
The word Saika Shu first appeared in June 17,
1536 article of Shishinki written by
Sanemichi, the son of Rennyo of Honganji,
saying "the total of 300 Saika Shu arrived at
central temple of Honganji." and February
1537 Nyojo of Honganji issued a thanks letter
for their sucessful activities.
In Ganki ganen (1570) war between Oda
Nobunaga and Miyoshi Sanninshu broke out,
10,000 Saika Shu headed by Suzuki Magoichi
(also called Saika Magoichi) hired privately by
Ataka Nobuyasu, a subordinate of Miyoshi
Sanninshu and joined Miyoshi Sanninnshu
army.
At the same time Hatakeyama Akitaka upon
the request of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki sent
20,000 Saika andNegoro Shu to 30,000 of
Oda Nobunaga army
Kenyo of Ishiyama Honganji in battle armour

Saika Negoroshu vs Saika Shu

Evening of September 12 both sides gunn
gunnery troops opened fire and roared throught days
day and
nights like a thunder. Nobunaga army was heavily damaged and September 23 Nobunaga
commanded all his army to retreat and returned to Kyoto.
After the war, Saika Negoro allied army joined Honganji army lead by Suzuki Magoichi, which
formed a strong wall against Nobunaga.

Attack to Kisyu

In Ganki Gannen (1570) Nobunaga moved his big

force but Honganji force was dominant. Then
Nobunaga to turn the tide of the war decided to
attack Sailka area because Saika Shu
hu was the
main force of Honganji and the area was the
point for the logistics and military mobilization.
Starting May Tensho 4 (1576) by May Tensho 5
(1577) Nobunaga succeeded
cceeded in 3 groups of Saiga
and Negoro to go over to his side.
Nobunaga put 30,000 soldiers and divided into 2
groups one going to mountain area and the other
to the beach side. February 24 Hori Hidemasa,
the top attacker of the Nobunaga army
army, tried to
go across the Saika river but in advance Sai
Saika Shu
buried reverse stakes and steel spears and put
potteries on the bottom of the river. Pedestrian
forces and hussar could not advance because of
the obstacles at their foot. Even some soldiers
who succeeded in
n going across the river became
slow at the river bank and Saiga gunneery troops,
25 guns by 2 rows, fired continuously and then
long bow troops also shooted. Nobunaga forces
got hard damages and finally retreated.

In Tensyo 8 (1580) Kenyo of Ishiyama Honganji signed a cease-fire

fire agreement with Nobunaga.
Saika Magoichi became Nobunaga side. In June Tensyo 10 (1582) Oda Nobunga was attacked
and killed by Akechi Mitsuhide at Honoji Temple. Suzuki Magoichi was attacked by Dobashi
clan.
The battle was stacked. Nobunaga persuaded
Suzuki Magoichi, Dobashi Wakadayu, Kurimura
Saburodayu and 4 other commanders of Saika and
signed a cease-fire
fire agreement. March 21 Nobunaga
remitted their punishment.
Actually Nobunaga was defeated. On his return to
Kyoto, Nobunaga constructed Fort Sano (present
Izumi Sano City) and stationed Oda Nobuharu for
another uprising of Saika Shu.
August 16 Saika Shu lead by Suzuki Magoichi
attacked Nobunaga army and Nobunaga sent
80,000 soldiers commanded by Sakuma Nobumori.
But Sakuma Nobumori failed to surrender Saika
Shu.
Sakuma Nobumori was banished.
Suzuki Magoichi of Saika

In Edo Era
Saika Negoro Shu became Tokugawa Iyeyasu side and Tokugawa Iyeyasu construted
Wakayama Castle and positioned one of his son called Gosanke (Important 3 Tokugawa
Families). Negoro Shu were ordered to guard Edo Castle alongwith Iga and Koka Shu.

Wakayama castle