1572: Takeda Shingen's Western Campaign and the Shock of Mikatagahara - Sengoku Shogun Map
Even after the burning of Mount Hiei, conflict with the anti-Nobunaga forces did not subside. In 1572, Takeda Shingen's westward campaign placed heavy pressure on the Oda-Tokugawa side. Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the Azai and Asakura clans, and the Hongan-ji continued their anti-Nobunaga moves, keeping the coalition highly tense. At the end of the year Tokugawa Ieyasu suffered a crushing defeat at Mikatagahara, shaking the Tokai front and demonstrating that the anti-Nobunaga coalition still had real force.
Major events
- 1572-01: Anti-Nobunaga cooperation continues — Ashikaga Yoshiaki, Azai Nagamasa, Asakura Yoshikage, and the Hongan-ji forces all maintained their opposition to Nobunaga, and political as well as military tension around the Kinai remained high.
- 1572-05: Takeda Shingen begins his western campaign — Takeda Shingen launched a full-scale advance toward Totomi and Mikawa, putting strong pressure on Tokugawa Ieyasu's territory and drawing attention as the coalition's most formidable military action.
- 1572-06: Oda and Tokugawa strengthen defenses — Responding to the worsening Tokai front, Nobunaga and Ieyasu tightened cooperation and worked to defend Totomi, Mikawa, and Owari while preserving their supply lines.
- 1572-07: Azai and Asakura hold in Echizen and northern Omi — Despite pressure from Oda, the Azai and Asakura clans still maintained their position in northern Omi and Echizen, forcing Nobunaga to respond on both the Kinai and Tokai fronts.
- 1572-08: Tension with the Hongan-ji continues — The Ikkō forces centered on Ishiyama Hongan-ji did not abandon their anti-Oda stance and remained a major destabilizing factor around Settsu, Kawachi, and Omi.
- 1572-10: Takeda invasion of Totomi — Takeda Shingen advanced into Totomi and placed strong pressure on Tokugawa castles. Anxiety spread within the Tokugawa camp, and the balance in Tokai became sharply more tense.
- 1572-12: Battle for Futamata Castle — Takeda forces captured Futamata Castle in Totomi, breaking through part of the Tokugawa defensive line. Ieyasu was driven into a situation where he had to endure from Hamamatsu and wait for a chance to counterattack.
- 1572-12-22: Battle of Mikatagahara — Takeda forces clashed with the Tokugawa-Oda allied army at Mikatagahara in Totomi, and Ieyasu suffered a devastating defeat. Takeda Shingen's military prestige was displayed to the whole country and gave the anti-Nobunaga side a major psychological boost.
- 1572-冬: Tension in the anti-Nobunaga coalition peaks — Takeda's advance and victory at Mikatagahara spread a strong sense of crisis through the Nobunaga-Ieyasu camp. The coalition entered the next year still believing Nobunaga could be overthrown.
- 1572-春: Conflict continues in Omi and the Kinai — The Oda side strengthened the defense of Kyoto and southern Omi, while the Azai and Asakura side kept pressure on northern Omi, leading to continued local standoffs and military reinforcement.
- 1572-春: Ashikaga Yoshiaki's diplomacy — Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki continued reaching out to Takeda, Asakura, Azai, Hongan-ji, and other powers in an effort to preserve anti-Nobunaga cooperation.