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The Ikkō-ikki (一向一揆, "Ikkō-shū Uprising"), also known as the Ikkō League, was a confederation of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist followers,[1] active in 15th-16th century Japan. Mainly consisting of priests, peasants, merchants, and local lords who followed the sect,[2] the groups that formed the Ikkō-ikki opposed the rule of local daimyō. Its headquarters was the Ishiyama Hongan-ji fortress, located in present day Osaka, but it had groups of adherents scattered throughout Japan's central provinces.[1]
History[]
In 1486, the Ikkō-ikki of Kaga Province overthrew the local daimyō and governed the province as an autonomous collective without any samurai rule for almost 100 years.[1] The Jōdo Shinshū sect's power and wealth worried Oda Nobunaga, who feared that they could issue a statement declaring him an enemy and raise armies from their followers.[3] This, coupled with their resistance of political and military control by local governors, incited Nobunaga into starting a war against them in 1570.[1] He launched a siege against their main compound, though it lasted much longer than expected because Chief Abbot Kōsa had allies who delivered supplies using waterways that connected the complex to the sea until Nobunaga eventually defeated these mariners.[3]
As the linchpin of various coalitions that opposed Nobunaga, the Ikkō-ikki found itself in constant war against his forces in various locations across the country. In 1580, they surrendered after Emperor Ōgimachi sent a court official to broker a settlement between the two parties.[1] When the Ikkō-ikki were forced out of their base, Kōsa's son set fire to it, not wishing for it to fall into Nobunaga's hands.[3]
Appearances[]
- Echoes of History – Shadows (first mentioned)
