Battle of Asai


Battle of Asai was a battle during Sekigahara campaign in 1600 AD that took place in the Hokuriku region between Maeda Toshinaga, the daimyo of Kaga Domain,  against Niwa Nagashige, head of Niwa clan.

Background

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi 's death in 1598, Tokugawa Ieyasu rose to power, competing for the position of next ruler of Japan. In response to this, in 1600, Ishida Mitsunari , one of the Toyotomi's five magistrates, and Otani Yoshitsugu boldly raised an army against Tokugawa Ieyasu and his Eastern Army, who at the time on their way heading to Aizu.
As the conflict broke out between Ieyasu and Mitsunari, many daimyo lords take different sides, with Maeda Toshinaga supported Ieyasu, while Niwa Nagashige supported Mitsunari. The two opposing forces' met in The Asai field, in the city of Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Battle

On August 9, as the Maeda army marched through the constricted Asai Nawate, Eguchi Masayoshi's hidden Niwa troops struck. The narrow terrain prevented the Maeda forces from deploying effectively, inflicting heavy losses. Despite this, generals Naga Tsunetatsu and Yamazaki Naganori rallied the troops, repelled the Niwa force's attack, and managed a retreat to Kanazawa.
At this time, Toshinaga's younger brother, Maeda Toshimasa, who had participated in the previous battle, remained holed up in his castle, Nanao Castle, and did not helping his brother. It is said that Toshimasa had long been advocating joining the Western Army, in contrast with his brother, who fought on the side of the Eastern Army.
Nine of the subordinate officers of Chō Tsuratatsu, vassal of the Maeda clan who was the rear guard of the Maeda army, were killed in the Battle of Azai-nawate, and stone monuments for them have been erected at the battlefield.

Aftermath

At the end of August, Toshinaga was ordered by Tokugawa Ieyasu once again took action to advance into Mino Province. Meanwhile, Niwa Nagashige ultimately surrendered to Toshinaga.
After the Western Army of Ishida Mitsunari was defeated in the main battle on September 15, the daimyo of Echizen and southern Kaga that accused of supporting the Western Army such as Nagashige and Toshimasa, were stripped of their from their domains by Ieyasu. However, Nagashige was pardoned from execution due to the intercession of Toshinaga.