Why do you admire the “weakest warrior warlord” today

During the Sengoku period (war) period in Japan, there is a name that immediately shocked the fear in the hearts of even the most powerful feudal lords: “Oda”, e.g. The Relentless Masters oda nobunaga (1534–1582). Interestingly, at the same time, there was a name that elicited a completely opposite reaction, and it was also “oda” – like the master of Oda Castle in modern Ibaraki County, Oda Ujiharu, whose constantly lost stripes made him known as the weakest Sengoku Samurai Samurai Warlord. So, why are so many people admiring him today? Let’s find out.

Taken from “Siege of Shimoasakusa Castle” | Wikimedia

Hitachi’s loser Phoenix City

Born sometime in the 1530s (perhaps in 1534, although this may have been an invention that caused similarities between Ujiharu and Nobunaga) Demon King. Their names are written in different characters and point to two distinct lineages. Nobunaga praises from a relatively small family in Owari (modern Aichi), and Ujiharu is linked to the Hatta family, which was once a major player in the Kamakura Shogunate. He is also a close relative of many important figures in Ashikaga Shogunate.

Ujiharu ruled from the huge Oda Castle that is strategically important, with its entire complex 4.6 times larger than the Tokyo dome. That’s not the main reason why four different warlords kept stealing it from him, but it could be a factor. During the Sengoku period, Shogunate and the Emperor effectively lost power, so Ujiharu’s lineage had nothing to Hojo, Yuki, Satake or Uesugi Clans, who conquered Oda Castle in total Nine times.

Houses that once lost their home are often enough to drive Sengoku Samurai to shame Seppuku, but if Ujiharu dismembers himself every time he loses Oda Castle, he is just a head floating in the jar.

However, A wise man once said: “[It] It’s not about how hard you work. It’s about your efforts and keep moving forward. How much action can you take and keep moving forward. “Ujiharu may have lost the Oda Castle nine times Win eight times, There are almost always smaller troops. He refused to accept failure, his iron will stand up and continue to fight, which many historians rejected the nickname “the weakest warrior warlord” and instead called him “Phoenix.”

Oda Ujiharu, artist unknown | Wikimedia

people

Ujiharu lost Oda Castle many times because he made a confusing military decision. In the war with the Satake clan, chief strategist of Ujiharu – In his clinical practice – Beg his Lord to block himself and his army in the fortifications, waiting for reinforcements without encountering enemies on the field.

The main defense of the castle is its walls, moats and nearby rivers. In addition, the surrounding area of ​​Oda Castle is flat. However, ignoring his strategist Dead wordsthe King of Hitachi refused to stay and challenged Sackk to open the battle. He was then cut off his base by the enemy’s hidden forces so that they could ride in the Oda Castle. This is The second time This exact same strategy lost his ancestors’ home. Some other smart people once said, “I’m ashamed of you when I cheated me once. I’m ashamed of you when I cheated me twice.”

However, Ujiharu’s blind allegations may actually have lofty purposes. The battles involving castles in Japan almost always turned into sieges, and these battles always ended in the same way: nearby fields and peasant settlements were destroyed, either destroyed, or attempted to draw Jehovah out of the castle, or robbed to feed the occupying forces. Some researchers believe that Ujiharu is trying to avoid siege to save his subject.

Even if this is not the case, he is just a very bad strategist, and his retainers and farmers choose to see the best of the Lord and be faithful to him. During the early campaign of Ujiharu, some of his soldiers did fall into the enemy’s defection, but some attacked later to protect or regain the Oda Castle, and you obviously cannot threaten or repay anyone in Ujiharu’s service to oppose him. Forget about the “Phoenix”: “It is actually a feudal lord that his fixed and peasant likes” may not be so sophisticated, but impressive.

Everyone makes mistakes

The main argument against Ujihalu’s incompetence is his obvious diplomatic skills. In his battle with the Hojo, Yuki, Satake or Uesugi family, he has been best at building alliances and turning, and he will not be able to do that unless he is skilled in integrating his own way into the good grace of his former enemies.

That being said, he did make mistakes, such as betraying Uesugi Kenshin, one of Japan’s most powerful and fearful warlords. An appointed monk His fiery faith cheers on the battle). This led him to the castle of Oda, but he took it back later. Then he lost several more times until he made the final mistake: refusing to swear allegiance to Toyotomi hideyoshi. After Nobunaga’s death, Hideyoshi continued to unify Japan by his master and eventually arrived at Ujiharu’s doorstep, demanding his loyalty.

However, the King of Oda Castle fears to lose his home (due to personal attachment or protection of his people), it took too long to give the answer. Therefore, Hideyoshi conquered his land and deprived Ujiharu of all titles because Japan was operating under the jail regulations at the time; you were unable to show weakness. After some begging, Hideyoshi Shogun). A little ignorant, but another ODA got it Betrayed by his general And having to commit Seppuku in a burning temple, so who is the real winner?

Related Articles