The Saishōji-chō Incident (Japanese: 西正寺長事件, Hepburn: Saishōji-chō jiken) was a clash between samurai across the Nijo-dori and Niomon-dori bridges in Okazaki Seishojicho, Kyoto. Ashikaga loyalists commanded by a number of famous sword-students of Kitabatake Harumoto were defeated by a larger group of Kage nagu-gumi (影殴組, "Shadow Strike Brigade") troops commanded by Usami Chūhei. After this defeat, Ashikaga Yoshiteru who was then operating out of the area chose to retreat from Kyoto, but was captured not long after in Omi Province.
Background[]
The Ashikaga Shogunate had been in decline for nearly a century, due to a succession of inadequate shōguns and growing provincial autonomy at the hands of the new daimyō class. The Ōnin War had displayed the Ashikaga's failure to exert their authority upon even regions close to Kyoto and as a result, many outlying provinces had decided to rule independently of the Shogunate. One of the many clans to rise up during this time was the Horiuchi clan of Kumano, Kii Province. Horiuchi Ujitora, the clan head, had spent many years steadily growing his power and influence across Kii Province, eventually eliminating or subjugating the nearby Kumano-Arima and Tamaki clans. Brokering a deal with the Negoro-shū warrior monks to ensure the safety of his territory, Ujitora travelled to Kyoto and installed himself within the Imperial court as a low-level bureaucrat sometime in the late 1520s,
Having risen steadily through the ranks, Ujitora found himself in prime position as a key advisor to Emperor Ōgimachi. Although the Imperial family had themselves lost a great deal of authority, an unpopular shogunate could still be ousted by the request of the Emperor, who was still technically the descendant of the Goddess Amaterasu. Ujitora managed to convince Ōgimachi to do just that in 1562, citing the growing autonomy of independent clans as proof that the Ashikaga had lost control of the country. Ujitora and his allies nominated themselves as a new, "temporary" shogunate to protect the Emperor whilst the Ashikaga were banished. The immediate response to this overthrowing was mixed. The Ashikaga had lost most of their authority within the capital, whilst Ujitora had spent years garnering support and gaining allies within Kyoto and so within the capital, Ujitora was unthreatened.
However, the other clans of Kansai were divided in their support. Some, such as the Kyōgoku and Kitabatake remained loyal to the Ashikaga, seeing the overthrow as a perversion of Imperial will. Others, such as the Yusa, Ikeda and Sakai supported the coup. Crucially, Sakai Hirochika began acting in favour of the Horiuchi. He positioned a large number of troops on the northern border of Ise Province, preventing Kitabatake Harumoto from acting directly against the Horiuchi. Meanwhile, he sent his vassal, Usami Chūhei to establish a foothold within Kyoto and to maintain Horiuchi dominance. Chūhei created an elite group of samurai which he entitled the Kyō kei gumi (京警組) or "Capital Police Group" to enforce order within Kyoto. More importantly, they clashed with Ashikaga loyalists, who still supported Ashikaga Yoshiteru, the shōgun before Ujitora. The most prominent of these loyalists were a group also named Kyō kei gumi, led by a number of sword-students from Ise Province. These sword-students had been sent as a gift from Kitabatake Harumoto after he was named Kanrei in 1549.
Yoshiteru continued to operate out of north-eastern Kyoto, with his headquarters within a section of the city built over the remains of Sanjō Palace which had been burned down over four-hundred years prior during the Heiji Rebellion. Skirmishes occurred across this area of the capital for many weeks in late 1562, with neither side able to gain a significant advantage.
Incident[]
In early January, 1563, a building within Yoshiteru's sector of influence caught fire. Whilst it is unknown as to the exact cause of the fire, it was likely an act of arson. As forces were distracted with the extinguishing of the fire, a large group of Kage nagu-gumi agents were sighted massing to the south of the Niomon-dori bridge. Hijikata Kaneyasu and his brother Kazumoto, two of Harumoto's sword-students, were sent with a group of samurai to hold the bridge against potential incursions. Almost as soon as they arrived, the Kage nagu-gumi began firing arrows across the river, threatening to advance if the Ashikaga did not retreat. Holding their ground, the two brothers ordered their men to don heavy armour and advance across the bridge to force the enemy back. Although they had fairly similar numbers to their foes, the brothers were confident due to their martial expertise and knowledge that reinforcements were not far away.
The two groups engaged in close-quarters combat, with only a few casualties on each side. However, it soon came to Kaneyasu's attention that another group of Kage nagu-gumi was approaching from the west, across the Nijo-dori bridge. If they managed to cross, the Ashikaga would be surrounded so he quickly gathered what troops he could and began maneouvring to defend the western bridge. Upon seeing this, the Kage nagu-gumi launched an all-out assault upon the Niomon-dori bridge. Having deliberately allowed many members to rest whilst others fought, they swiftly managed to overwhelm the exhausted Ashikaga loyalists, forcing them back to the Heian Shrine. Kazumoto was one of nearly thirty that perished in the fighting.
Meanwhile, Kaneyasu had only just arrived at the Nijo-dori bridge and was immediately engaged by Usami Chūhei, who quickly got the better of his opponent. Kaneyasu apparently perished shouting his death poem: "The red sun hangs low. Colored with bright crimson blood. I dedicate my life to death."[1] Very quickly the Kage nagu-gumi overwhelmed the outnumbered Ashikaga and slaughtered them.
Aftermath[]
Having eliminated a large number of Ashikaga loyalists in one skirmish, the Kage nagu-gumi quickly capitalised upon their victory, setting up numerous outposts and strongpoints within the district. Yoshiteru attempted to hold on, but soon realised that he was within striking distance of the Kage nagu-gumi forces and so decided to flee the capital. He managed to get as far as Omi Province but was recognised by samurai there and was apprehended.
References[]
- ↑ Akai taiyō ga hikuku taresagaru makkana chi de irodora reta watashi wa shini jinsei o sasagemasu