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The Seiges of Nagashima took place in
1571,
1573 and
1574 in Japan.
1571
Nagashima was a fortress controlled by the
Ikko-ikki. Actually, it was a whole series of fortresses and defensive
works. Nobunaga attacked three times over the course of four years, before
finally destroying Nagashima itself.
Nobunaga's forces attacked across a river. Unfortunately, the
samurai's horses got stuck in the mud. The samurai that managed to drag
themselves to shore -- while being fired on -- were drowned when the
defenders opened a dike and flooded the area. It was a total disaster for
Nobunaga.
1573
Nobunaga's run of ill-luck with the Ikko-ikki continued when a
rainstorm hit just as he was about to open the battle with his arquebuses.
The rain rendered them useless and left his men in a weak defensive
position. The Ikko-ikki troops immediately counter-attacked. Their
arquebuses were covered during the storm and they started using them as
soon as the rain let up. The Ikko-ikki troops came close to killing
Nobunaga. He retreated.
1574
Fate was kinder to Oda Nobunaga on his third attempt to reduce the
fortress at Nagashima.
While a fleet of ships lead by Kuki Yoshitaka blockaded and bombarded
the area, Oda took the outer forts. Eventually, the defenders were forced
back, into the castles of Ganshoji and Nagashima. There were about 20,000
of them and they were now completely cut off. As their situation worsened,
it became more and more pointless for Oda's enemies to try to help them,
and the defenders found themselves without anyone willing to try to help
them.
Oda's men built a wooden wall from one outer fort to another, cutting
the Ikko-ikki off from the outside and preventing them from seeing what
was coming. Nobunaga had wood piled against the wall and lit of fire. The
fire spread to Ganshoji and Nagashima. All 20,000 of the defenders were
killed.
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