First Battle of Azukizaka 1542

The Oda and Imagawa were great rivals, but fighting between these two families was rare, for the two were separated by the domains of the Matsudaira family. In 1542, however, Oda Nobuhide and Imagawa Yashimoto, seeking to extend their influence …

1542-08-01

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The Oda and Imagawa were great rivals, but fighting between these two families was rare, for the two were separated by the domains of the Matsudaira family. In 1542, however, Oda Nobuhide and Imagawa Yashimoto, seeking to extend their influence and reacting to moves by the other, both advanced into Mikawa. The armies met at Azukizaka, near the Matsudaira capital of Okazzaki. The Imagawa army's vanguard was led by a brave warrior, Yuhra, but was quickly overpowered by Oda Nobuhide and his three brothers.

Azukizaka, Mikawa Province, Japan

In the First Battle of Azukizaka, (Azukizaka no tatakai) Oda Nobuhide defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto, setting the stage for his son, Oda Nobunaga, to become one of Japan's greatest warlords. Despite the defeat, later in 1548, Imagawa defeated Nobuhide in the Second Battle of Azukizaka and continued to expand his territory until 1560, when he faced Nobunaga and was killed in the Battle of Okehazama. In response to Oda moves into Western Mikawa, Imagawa Yoshimoto moved forces into Ikutahara in the 8th month of 1542. Oda Nobuhide responded to this by leaving his position at Anjô castle and crossing the Yahagi river taking up a position at Kamiwada, and in the 10th month, engaged in battle at Azukizaka, southeast of Okazaki castle. The Imagawa vanguard was led by a warrior by the name of Yuhara of Suruga, and Nobuhide was joined by his brothers Nobuyasu, Nobumitsu, and Nobuzane. The battle was quickly won by the Oda side, with credit given to seven Samurai, known as the "Seven Spears of Azukizaka".

Wikipedia: Battle of Azukizaka (1542)

Imagawa

Oda