Battle of Shizugatake
Near Lake Yogo, Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
What happened
Hashiba Hideyoshi fought Shibata Katsuie and his nephew Sakuma Morimasa. After the death of the great warlord Oda Nobunaga, his generals fought over who would succeed him. Sakuma Morimasa attacked Hideyoshi's forts near Shizugatake and refused orders to withdraw. Hideyoshi made a rapid overnight march to the battlefield and routed Sakuma's forces.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It made Hideyoshi the clear successor to Nobunaga. A historian called it 'one of the decisive battles in Japanese history'.
What came next
Hideyoshi besieged Shibata Katsuie's castle at Kitanosho, which fell three days later. Hideyoshi's last major rivals faced him at Komaki and Nagakute in 1584.
Did you know?
Seven of Hideyoshi's young warriors became famous as the 'Seven Spears of Shizugatake', though historians think the name was added later.
Timeline
- 10-11 June 1583Hideyoshi wins at Shizugatake.
- June 1583Kitanosho Castle falls.
- 1584Hideyoshi faces his rivals at Komaki and Nagakute.