Miki Castle: Difference between revisions
imported>Darman36 |
imported>Gener4l Cl4ank4 mNo edit summary |
||
| (3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
In 1576, the {{Wiki|Mōri clan}} | In 1576, the {{Wiki|Mōri clan}} openly opposed the [[Oda clan]],<ref name="Database"/> which sought to expand their authority towards Harima. Nagaharu was counted as an ally to [[Oda Nobunaga]] and visited him in [[Kyoto]] many times to assure their alliances. However, in 1578, Nobunaga's commander [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] attacked the Mōri clan in the Chūgoku provinces, which prompted Nagaharu to resist and help the Mōri by shutting himself in Miki Castle. As a result, Hideyoshi enacted a two-year {{Wiki|Siege of Miki|siege}} of the castle, taking over surrounding fortresses and cutting off Nagaharu's provisions. Ultimately, Nagaharu surrendered and he, his wife, and his younger brother {{Wiki|ja:別所友之|Tomoyuki}} committed ''[[seppuku]]'' in exchange for the lives of the castle's [[soldier]]s.<ref name="Database2">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Database: Bessho Nagaharu]]</ref><ref name="Database"/> | ||
In 1582, a retainer of the Bessho clan, [[Bessho Harumasa]], also known as The Ox, sought to build a resistance against the Oda clan and to | In 1582, a retainer of the Bessho clan, [[Bessho Harumasa]], also known as "The Ox", sought to build a resistance against the Oda clan and to reclaim his clan's power through bloodshed.<ref name="A Voice in Anger">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[A Voice in Anger]]</ref> After Nobunaga's [[Honnō-ji incident|death]] at [[Honnō-ji]],<ref name="Temple of the Horseman">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Temple of the Horseman]]</ref><ref name="Database"/> Harumasa and his forces easily took back Miki Castle from the remnants of the Oda clan and kept Hideyoshi's men at bay.<ref name="A Voice in Anger"/> | ||
Harumasa's actions, however, drew the attention of the [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Kakushiba ''ikki'']] members [[Fujibayashi Naoe]] and [[Yasuke]],<ref name="A Voice in Anger"/> who, along with former Bessho clan [[samurai]] [[Koshiro]] and fellow conscripts, launched an [[Assault on Miki Castle|assault]] on the castle to [[Assassination|assassinate]] Harumasa,<ref name="Broken Horn">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Broken Horn]]</ref> who was secretly a [[Shinbakufu]] member and partly responsible for killing Naoe's father [[Fujibayashi Nagato|Nagato]].<ref name="The Onyro Samurai">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[The Onryo Samurai]]</ref> | Harumasa's actions, however, drew the attention of the [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Kakushiba ''ikki'']] members [[Fujibayashi Naoe]] and [[Yasuke]],<ref name="A Voice in Anger"/> who, along with former Bessho clan [[samurai]] [[Koshiro]] and fellow conscripts, launched an [[Assault on Miki Castle|assault]] on the castle to [[Assassination|assassinate]] Harumasa,<ref name="Broken Horn">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Broken Horn]]</ref> who was secretly a [[Shinbakufu]] member and partly responsible for killing Naoe's father [[Fujibayashi Nagato|Nagato]].<ref name="The Onyro Samurai">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[The Onryo Samurai]]</ref> | ||
Naoe managed to free Koshiro's remaining fellow conscripts and killed some gunmen, which allowed Yasuke to confront the Ox and his men. When Yasuke challenged to the Ox to a | Naoe managed to free Koshiro's remaining fellow conscripts and killed some gunmen, which allowed Yasuke to confront the Ox and his men. When Yasuke challenged to the Ox to a duel, his right hand, known only as "[[The Tsuno]]", offered to fight in Harumasa's stead. Yasuke managed to best and kill the Tsuno in combat while Naoe and Koshiro reconvened with him afterwards. Koshiro and his conscripts subsequently left to meet with [[Nakamura Tadashige]] at [[Kyokaiji Temple]], leaving Naoe and Yasuke to confront Harumasa further into the castle. Defeating Harumasa, they [[Interrogation|interrogated]] the Ox about the {{Wiki|Magatama|box}} the Shinbakufu had stolen from [[Iga]], but Harumasa stated that he knew nothing.<ref name="Broken Horn"/> | ||
When Naoe asked why he was there that night, Harumasa revealed that it was his first time outside Harima and | When Naoe asked why he was there that night, Harumasa revealed that it was his first time outside Harima and that he owed his loyalty to a figure known as "[[Ashikaga Yoshiaki|The Tatsu]]" in exchange for his support in retaking the castle. When Harumasa asked what would happen with his men, he was told that they would be given freedom of choice, causing him to dismiss the notion as ridiculous. Naoe then signaled Yasuke to execute Harumasa, who thanked him for granting him a warrior's death. Yasuke ultimately beheaded Harumasa, ending the Ox's influence in Harima.<ref name="Broken Horn"/> | ||
Sometime later, Naoe and Yasuke returned to the castle, eliminated its four ''{{Wiki|ja:侍大将|samurai daisho}}'', looted the [[Defense Master Headwrap]] from the castle's [[treasure chest]], and climbed atop the ''tenshu'' to [[Viewpoint|survey]] Himeji.<ref name="ACSH">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''</ref> | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
[[Category:Residences]] | [[Category:Residences]] | ||
[[Category:Castles]] | [[Category:Castles]] | ||
[[Category:Shinbakufu locations]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:28, 8 November 2025
Miki Castle (三木城) was a Japanese castle in Miki during the Sengoku period.[1] The castle served as the seat of power for its builder, the daimyō Bessho Nagaharu of the Bessho clan, until his downfall and subsequent death in 1580.[2] Today, its ruins have been protected as a National Historic Site since 2013.[1]
History[edit | edit source]
In 1576, the Mōri clan openly opposed the Oda clan,[2] which sought to expand their authority towards Harima. Nagaharu was counted as an ally to Oda Nobunaga and visited him in Kyoto many times to assure their alliances. However, in 1578, Nobunaga's commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi attacked the Mōri clan in the Chūgoku provinces, which prompted Nagaharu to resist and help the Mōri by shutting himself in Miki Castle. As a result, Hideyoshi enacted a two-year siege of the castle, taking over surrounding fortresses and cutting off Nagaharu's provisions. Ultimately, Nagaharu surrendered and he, his wife, and his younger brother Tomoyuki committed seppuku in exchange for the lives of the castle's soldiers.[3][2]
In 1582, a retainer of the Bessho clan, Bessho Harumasa, also known as "The Ox", sought to build a resistance against the Oda clan and to reclaim his clan's power through bloodshed.[4] After Nobunaga's death at Honnō-ji,[5][2] Harumasa and his forces easily took back Miki Castle from the remnants of the Oda clan and kept Hideyoshi's men at bay.[4]
Harumasa's actions, however, drew the attention of the Kakushiba ikki members Fujibayashi Naoe and Yasuke,[4] who, along with former Bessho clan samurai Koshiro and fellow conscripts, launched an assault on the castle to assassinate Harumasa,[6] who was secretly a Shinbakufu member and partly responsible for killing Naoe's father Nagato.[7]
Naoe managed to free Koshiro's remaining fellow conscripts and killed some gunmen, which allowed Yasuke to confront the Ox and his men. When Yasuke challenged to the Ox to a duel, his right hand, known only as "The Tsuno", offered to fight in Harumasa's stead. Yasuke managed to best and kill the Tsuno in combat while Naoe and Koshiro reconvened with him afterwards. Koshiro and his conscripts subsequently left to meet with Nakamura Tadashige at Kyokaiji Temple, leaving Naoe and Yasuke to confront Harumasa further into the castle. Defeating Harumasa, they interrogated the Ox about the box the Shinbakufu had stolen from Iga, but Harumasa stated that he knew nothing.[6]
When Naoe asked why he was there that night, Harumasa revealed that it was his first time outside Harima and that he owed his loyalty to a figure known as "The Tatsu" in exchange for his support in retaking the castle. When Harumasa asked what would happen with his men, he was told that they would be given freedom of choice, causing him to dismiss the notion as ridiculous. Naoe then signaled Yasuke to execute Harumasa, who thanked him for granting him a warrior's death. Yasuke ultimately beheaded Harumasa, ending the Ox's influence in Harima.[6]
Sometime later, Naoe and Yasuke returned to the castle, eliminated its four samurai daisho, looted the Defense Master Headwrap from the castle's treasure chest, and climbed atop the tenshu to survey Himeji.[8]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Concept art of a map of Miki Castle -
Concept art of Naoe at Miki Castle -
Concept art of Naoe at Miki Castle -
Concept art of the Siege of Miki -
Concept art of Miki Castle's fall after the siege -
Concept art of Hideyoshi's camp during the siege -
Concept art of a samurai's last stand during the siege -
Concept art of the siege's aftermath
Appearances[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1
Miki Castle on Wikipedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Database: The Siege of Miki Castle
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Database: Bessho Nagaharu
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Assassin's Creed: Shadows – A Voice in Anger
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Temple of the Horseman
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Broken Horn
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Shadows – The Onryo Samurai
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Shadows