Head of the Asakura clan of Echizen
Asakura Yoshikage
朝倉義景
1533 – 1573
Born in 1533 (Tenbun 2). As the eldest son of Asakura Takakage (Toshikage), he inherited the headship of the Echizen Asakura clan at age 16 and advanced domain control from his base at Ichijodani. In 1567 (Eiroku 10), he welcomed Ashikaga Yoshiaki, who had been exiled from Kyoto, to Ichijodani and presided over his coming-of-age ceremony, demonstrating his relationship with the shogunal house, but he refused calls to proceed to the capital and eventually came into conflict with Oda Nobunaga. He allied with Asai Nagamasa and resisted Nobunaga's forces in the Shiga siege (1570) and other battles. In August 1573 (Tenshō 1), he suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Tonezaka, and Ichijodani was burned to the ground. He committed suicide at Ōno following Kagehiro's betrayal. He was 41 at his death.
Sources 福井県立一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡博物館「朝倉氏の歴史」
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Related events
8
1570
Month 4
Retreat at Kanegasaki
Asakura side that met the Oda armyDuring the Echizen campaign, Azai Nagamasa suddenly defects. Oda Nobunaga faces encirclement by Asakura Yoshikage but retreats successfully thanks to rearguard actions.
7/30
Battle of Anegawa
Asakura sideIn Ōmi, Oda–Tokugawa allied forces defeat the Azai–Asakura alliance, expanding their influence by securing northern Ōmi castles.
Month 10
Siege of Shiga
Asakura sideIn Ōmi, Oda clashes with Azai, Asakura, and Hongan-ji forces near Sakamoto–Ōtsu. Mediated by Enryaku-ji, the stalemate continues into the following year.
1571
Spring
Azai and Asakura Armies Reorganize
Reorganized the Echizen forcesIn northern Ōmi and Echizen, Azai Nagamasa and Asakura Yoshikage marshaled their forces and continued to pressure Oda territories. The Oda side consolidated their control of southern Ōmi and the defense of Kyoto.
1572
Month 1
Anti-Nobunaga cooperation continues
Related figureAshikaga Yoshiaki, Azai Nagamasa, Asakura Yoshikage, and the Hongan-ji forces all maintained their opposition to Nobunaga, and political as well as military tension around the Kinai remained high.
Month 7
Azai and Asakura hold in Echizen and northern Omi
Asakura sideDespite pressure from Oda, the Azai and Asakura clans still maintained their position in northern Omi and Echizen, forcing Nobunaga to respond on both the Kinai and Tokai fronts.
1573
Month 8
Fall of Asakura Yoshikage
Abandoned Ichijodani and took his own lifeAs Oda forces invaded Echizen, Asakura Yoshikage abandoned Ichijōdani and fled. Combined with defections by his retainers, this led to his suicide and the destruction of the Sengoku daimyō house of Asakura.
8/9
Battle of Tonegasa
Asakura armyOda forces pursued the retreating Asakura army into Echizen and won a major victory. This decisively shattered the military foundation of the Asakura clan.
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