Head of the Asai clan of northern Ōmi
Azai Nagamasa
浅井長政
1545 – 1573
Born in 1545 (Tenbun 14). He defeated the Rokkaku clan at the 1560 Battle of Norada (Eiroku 3), establishing his lordly power in northern Ōmi. He married Oichi, sister of Oda Nobunaga, and formed an alliance with the Oda clan (though the exact year of marriage is disputed). In April 1570 (Genki 1), he allied with Asakura Yoshikage and opposed Nobunaga, taking advantage of the latter's campaign in Echizen. While defeated in successive battles including Anegawa and Shiga, he maintained his alliance with the Asakura and continued to resist. In August 1573 (Tenshō 1), he committed suicide together with his father Hisamasa at Odani Castle, and the Asai clan perished after three generations. He was 29 at his death.
Sources 滋賀県教育委員会「近江戦国探訪ガイドブック2 信長の城と戦国近江」
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Related events
8
1560
Month 9
Battle of Norada
Azai commander in chief; victoriousAzai Nagamasa beat Rokkaku Yoshikata's army across the Uso River, and thereafter ruled northern Ōmi as an independent domain.
1570
Month 4
Retreat at Kanegasaki
Defected from the Oda sideDuring 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
Azai armyIn Ōmi, Oda–Tokugawa allied forces defeat the Azai–Asakura alliance, expanding their influence by securing northern Ōmi castles.
Month 10
Siege of Shiga
Azai 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 northern Omi 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
Azai 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 9
Fall of Odani Castle and the Suicide of Azai Nagamasa
Lord of Odani Castle; took his own lifeOdani Castle in northern Ōmi fell to Oda forces, and Azai Nagamasa committed suicide. The Azai clan was destroyed, and northern Ōmi came under Oda control.
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