Today, I write about “Fishermen with a matchlock gun.”
1543, matchlock gun was brought to Japan for the first time.
Then, Japan was time of wars.
Oda Nobunaga had many matchlock guns.
He extended His sphere of influence.
1576, Oda Nobunaga attacked Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple.
He was unprepared.
He shot in the leg.
The sniper was “Saika shu ” known as groups of gun mercenaries.
Thereby, Oda Nobunaga’s army was withdrawn.
The hometown of “Saika shu” was sea side in Kishu ( Wakayama ).
They were fishermen.
Unlike the samurai, they didn’t serve lord.
They were democratic and living peacefully.
Time of wars, Feudal lords tried to possess them.
They protected autonomy by having a matchlock gun.
They owned thousands of matchlocks.
They conducted daily training.
Their leader was called “Suzuki Magoichi” from generation to generation.
Then, they became a mercenary.
Oda Nobunaga determined to attack “Saika shu”.
Oda Nobunaga’s army (100,000 soldiers) went to Kishu.
“Saika shu” was only thousands.
They buried the jar and the bucket in the river.
Oda Nobunaga’s army rides on a horse and tried to cross a river.
However, the horse stopped by the obstacle in the river.
The army that does not move became a target of the matchlock.
Oda Nobunaga’s intent failed.
The battle continued for one month.
Oda Nobunaga’s army was withdrawn.
A half year later, Nobunaga Oda’s army (80,000 soldiers) attacked them again.
However, Oda Nobunaga was not able to defeat them.
1582, Oda Nobunaga was killed by his vassal Akechi Mitsuhide in Honno-ji Temple, Kyoto (the Honnoji Incident).
1585, Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s army attacked them.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s army enclosed them on the bank and water was poured.
“Saika shu” have been isolated by the flood water.
They surrendered to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Then,, Toyotomi Hideyoshi confiscated weapon from farmer or fishermen.
Then, the leader’s Suzuki Magoichi moved as a mercenary from place to place to fight.
His final years are not known.
Now, Suzuki Magoichi became famous as a hero in a game.
Every year “Magoichi festival” is held in his hometown and Wakayama.
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