The Kuge clan heads and all their family members gathered at Kofukuji in Nara, which could be considered the ancestral temple of the Go-Sekke.
They gathered at Kofukuji because it was the clan temple of the Fujiwara clan, which could be considered the root of the Go-Sekke.
At Kofukuji, the Kuge clan heads emphasized the significance of this uprising to those gathered:
‘We shall punish the Bakufu rogues who blind the Emperor’s eyes and manipulate state affairs, and return to direct imperial rule!’
‘Our cause is absolutely righteous, and our will is strong as steel! Amaterasu Omikami[1] and the kami-buddhas[2] shall bestow their protection and ensure our victory!’
The Kuge had risen with such grand slogans.
When Mochiyo heard these slogans, he sneered.
“Hah! Calling upon Omikami in a Buddhist temple! What fools!”
According to the religious views of the Japanese at this time, under the syncretism of kami and buddhas[3], Amaterasu was considered a manifestation of Mahavairocana Buddha.
But when examined properly, it was quite laughable.
Mochiyo couldn’t hold back his mockery upon receiving reports of the Kuge’s preparations.
“They don’t even know what battle is!”
All his retainers nodded at Mochiyo’s words.
During the Northern and Southern Courts period, when two emperors fought for power, the Kuge had “somewhat” participated in combat.
However, in the various civil wars that followed, the Kuge had merely stood by with their hands behind their backs, watching.
As a result, the Kuge had failed to adapt to how warfare had changed.
This uprising was a clear example.
The combined forces of the Kuge rebels, including the Go-Sekke, numbered about 60,000, while Ouchi’s forces opposing them numbered about 35,000.
Though the Kuge outnumbered Ouchi in scale, their army lacked both musketeers and artillery.
The Kuge weren’t ignorant of the existence of musketeers and artillery. Thus, while preparing for the uprising, they had sought out daimyo who opposed the Bakufu—especially those who possessed their own musketeers and artillery—urging them to join the rebellion.
However, none of the powerful daimyo the Kuge desperately wanted had joined. Only a few daimyo with extremely modest forces had allied with the Kuge.
The powerful daimyo refused to participate for three main reasons:
-Musketeers and artillery are now the core of warfare. If we join, they’ll immediately put us in the vanguard and treat us as expendable.
-The current Bakufu intends to reform the system. We lack both justification and ability to prevent this. We must maintain our forces to minimize losses in future political negotiations.
-Military reform is part of the Bakufu’s reforms. They plan to establish a national army like the Empire’s Imperial Army or Ming’s Imperial Army. According to information received, they will incorporate daimyo’s private soldiers and samurai into the national army system. If we use this well, we can establish a foundation within the military.
With such calculations in mind, the daimyo who possessed musketeers and artillery refused the Kuge’s requests to join.
This background led to the Kuge clan heads calling for “the protection of Amaterasu and the kami-buddhas” at Kofukuji.
The Ouchi retainers couldn’t hold back their mockery upon hearing such speeches from the Kuge.
“Protection of Omikami and kami-buddhas? Hah! Did they even properly present offerings?”
“They should count themselves lucky if they haven’t molested shrine maidens or nuns!”
They were taking jabs at the Kuge, who were famous for exploiting the common people through inherited privileges and their scandalous private lives.
Though those speaking weren’t exactly virtuous in their private lives either.
The Kuge rebel army and Bakufu forces clashed at Ikuta.
This Ikuta was where the former Muromachi Bakufu and Ouchi had previously fought a decisive battle for survival.
And before that, Ikuta Shrine, which provided the impetus for establishing the Kamakura Bakufu, was the site of the Battle of Ichinotani that decisively determined the outcome of the historic Genpei War[4].
Thanks to this, the Bakufu retainers were confident of victory.
“This is where we’ve already achieved victory! Victory will be ours this time too!”
“Those stupid Kuge! Of all places to choose!”
“This place has always been where those who dreamed of reform achieved victory!”
Some were confident of victory from examining past history, while others had different reasons for their confidence.
“We know this area’s geography well from the recent war! They chose the wrong location!”
However, the Kuge also had reasons for choosing this location.
The rebel army chose this place for the decisive battle because it was very close to Kyoto and Osaka.
After the Ouchi Bakufu secretly took the Emperor to Yamaguchi, the people of Kyoto, regardless of status, had become hostile to the Bakufu.
It had reached the point where one could shout “Ouchi are traitors!” in broad daylight on Kyoto’s streets without consequence.
No, it went further—such people would even receive free food and drink.
This was due to the hatred toward Ouchi for brutally crushing Kyoto’s pride as the imperial capital of nearly a thousand years.
And the Kuge had lived alongside Kyoto’s people for as long as the Emperor had resided there. As a result, many Kyoto residents joined the rebel army when news of the Kuge uprising spread.
“Justice is on our side!”
“Let’s bring the Emperor back!”
About 20,000 Kyoto citizens joined the rebel army with such slogans. This quickly swelled the rebel forces to 80,000.
“With these numbers, we can manage even without guns and artillery!”
As their numbers suddenly increased by 20,000, the Go-Sekke clan heads began to view the situation optimistically.
Moreover, they had abundant military funds and supplies extracted by pressuring Osaka merchants. Thanks to this, the rebel soldiers could eat their fill while building up strength and confidence.
In this state of heightened confidence, the words of the Bakufu retainers reached the Kuge clan heads’ ears.
The Kuge clan heads sneered upon hearing these rumors.
“Hah! We know the terrain too! This land allows only head-on confrontation—no tricks will work! In a frontal battle, victory is absolutely ours!”
“This is where the Bakufu falls! The Bakufu will fall again this time!”
“Look at Kyoto’s example! The people’s hearts are with us!”
With absolute confidence in victory, the Kuge clan heads began planning for after their triumph.
-After destroying the Bakufu forces, they would bring the Emperor back to Kyoto! -Then they would eliminate the very existence of the Bakufu and return to the former system of cooperation between Emperor and Kuge!
Dreaming such rosy dreams of the future, the Kuge rebel army entered into decisive battle with the Bakufu forces.
In autumn of Imperial Year 3,
The battle that would later be called “The Second Mid-Autumn Festival Battle” or “The Second Battle of Ikuta” began.
“The weather is truly excellent!”
“Victory will be ours!”
Looking up at the clear autumn sky, commanders on both sides were confident of victory.
Clear, cool autumn weather and properly packed ground.
“In these conditions, the soldiers won’t tire easily, and cavalry charges will be simple! Victory is ours!”
The rebel commanders were confident of victory with such calculations.
The Bakufu commanders felt the same way.
“In this clear, cool weather, the gunpowder won’t get wet, and this properly packed ground is perfect for digging trenches and moving artillery! Perfect weather!”
As commanders on both sides were confident in their respective victories, Mochiyo, who had taken the field personally, and the Go-Sekke clan heads waved their command batons.
“Attack!”
Amid the thunderous drumbeats signaling the battle’s start, the rebel vanguard began advancing.
Bang! Boom! Bang!
The Bakufu artillery spat fire at the rebel vanguard, creating holes throughout their front lines.
“The artillery’s force is weaker than expected! Advance! Advance!”
The vanguard commanders encouraged their troops, seeing less damage than anticipated.
Under their commanders’ encouragement, the rebel vanguard soldiers continued advancing.
As the vanguard kept pushing forward, the Bakufu musketeers arranged in three horizontal rows began pulling their triggers in unison.
Ratatata!
Amid the thunderous gunfire and black powder smoke obscuring vision, the vanguard’s front ranks crumbled.
“Forward! Forward! Their vision is blocked!”
“Advance! Their matchlocks take time to reload!”
The vanguard soldiers continued advancing under their commanders’ encouragement.
As the smoke cleared, the Bakufu commanders faced the closely approaching rebel forces.
However, the Bakufu commanders calmly issued orders without panic.
“Fire!”
Ratata!
Amid the thunderous gunfire and black powder smoke blocking eyes and ears, the Bakufu commanders ordered:
“Retreat!”
“Fall back!”
“Retreat with lots of noise!”
Following their commanders’ orders, the soldiers gathered their matchlocks and retreated while shouting various battle cries.
“Run away!”
“Fall back!”
As the smoke cleared and they saw the Bakufu musketeers retreating, the rebel commanders shouted excitedly:
“Chase them!”
“Charge! Charge!”
“Kill the fleeing enemy!”
“Uwaaa!”
The rebel soldiers eagerly began pursuing the retreating Bakufu forces.
Meanwhile, the Go-Sekke clan heads watching from behind immediately mounted their horses.
“Deploy the main force!”
“Mobilize all forces and press the attack!”
“Yes, my lord!”
Thus, not only the Go-Sekke clan heads but all Kuge nobles mounted their horses and joined the main force in the great pursuit.
And here a problem arose.
With all the nobles simultaneously spurring forward with the main force, the battle formation became tangled.
Not all Kuge nobles were ignorant of military tactics. However, seeing the Bakufu forces retreat from the start had numbed their reason.
These were nobles who had been confident of victory and dreaming of the aftermath even before battle began. Moreover, they needed military achievements to gain advantage in future political struggles or command higher ransoms if captured.
Their reason numbed by greed, the nobles pursued the Bakufu forces while tangled together.
Meanwhile, Mochiyo, observing this scene through a telescope from a hillside, smiled with satisfaction.
“They’ve taken the bait.”
The Bakufu forces’ retreat had been planned. They controlled their retreat speed to keep the rebel army pursuing, while troops waiting at intervals intercepted to prevent the rebels from getting too close.
Gently dangling the bait and striking check shots while retreating, they had covered about three li (약 1.2km).
As the retreating Bakufu forces saw the palisades and trenches their comrades had prepared, the Bakufu commanders issued orders:
“Pass through the gates in orderly fashion!”
“Take defensive positions immediately after passing through!”
The Bakufu soldiers passed through the palisade gates in order and headed to their assigned defensive positions under their commanders’ guidance. Reaching their positions, the Bakufu forces caught their breath while preparing for the coming battle.
When the last of the retreating Bakufu forces passed through the palisade, the rebel army’s vanguard appeared.
Though the emerging rebel forces’ morale was high, their faces were filled with exhaustion.
And this had been the Bakufu’s aim.