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Siege of Odawara (1561)
Encyclopedia
The 1561 siege of Odawara, a battle of Japan's Sengoku period
, was the first of several sieges which would befall the home castle of the Hōjō clan
.
Uesugi Kenshin
was at the height of his campaign against the Hōjō clan, as he captured several of their castles. In 1561 he besieged the Hōjō's Odawara Castle
. The Uesugi breached the defenses, and burned the castle town. The castle itself however, remained unconquered; Kenshin would withdraw after two months. This came as the result of a lack of adequate supplies, and the reappearance of Takeda Shingen
, Kenshin's long-time rival, who was threatening his territories.
This ended the first of three sieges of the Odawara castle.
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
, was the first of several sieges which would befall the home castle of the Hōjō clan
Late Hojo clan
The ' was one of the most powerful warrior clans in Japan in the Sengoku period and held domains primarily in the Kantō region.The clan is traditionally reckoned to be started by Ise Shinkurō, who came from a branch of the prestigious Ise clan, a family in the direct employment of the Ashikaga...
.
Uesugi Kenshin
Uesugi Kenshin
was a daimyo who ruled Echigo province in the Sengoku period of Japan.He was one of the most powerful lords of the Sengoku period. While chiefly remembered for his prowess on the battlefield, Kenshin is also regarded as an extremely skillful administrator who fostered the growth of local industries...
was at the height of his campaign against the Hōjō clan, as he captured several of their castles. In 1561 he besieged the Hōjō's Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle
is a landmark in the city of Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.-History:Odawara was a stronghold of the Doi clan during the Kamakura period, and a fortified residence was built by their collateral branch, the Kobayakawa clan stood on the approximate site of the present castle...
. The Uesugi breached the defenses, and burned the castle town. The castle itself however, remained unconquered; Kenshin would withdraw after two months. This came as the result of a lack of adequate supplies, and the reappearance of Takeda Shingen
Takeda Shingen
, of Kai Province, was a preeminent daimyo in feudal Japan with exceptional military prestige in the late stage of the Sengoku period.-Name:Shingen was called "Tarō" or "Katsuchiyo" during his childhood...
, Kenshin's long-time rival, who was threatening his territories.
This ended the first of three sieges of the Odawara castle.