Siege of Hikida Castle

Siege of Hikida
Part of the Sengoku period
Date Summer 1573 Location Hikida fortress, Ōmi province Result Oda Nobunaga victory
Belligerents
forces of Oda Nobunaga	forces of Asakura Yoshikage
Commanders and leaders
Oda Nobunaga	Asakura Yoshikage
Strength
30,000	20,000

The 1573 Siege of Hikida Castle (疋壇城の戦い, Hikida-jō no Tatakai) was one of many battles the warlord Oda Nobunaga fought against the Azai and Asakura clans during Japan's Sengoku period. These two families were among the staunchest opponents of Nobunaga's attempts to seize land and power for himself.

In summer 1573, Nobunaga led 30,000 forces marched from Gifu Castle to Omi province to besieged Odani castle, which was held by Azai Nagamasa. In respond, Asakura Yoshikage, led a 20,000 forces to relieve and reinforce the Azai garrison. However, Nobunaga's forces turned around to attack Yoshikage's. Later, when Yoshikage came under attack by Nobunaga's army, he sought refuge in Hikida Castle, and came under siege himself.

Hikida castle fell on August 10, and Yoshikage fled back to his home castle at Echizen province.

Aftermath

Later, Oda Nobunaga's forces advance to Echizen and attacked Ichijodani castle in September 1573, devastating the Asakura clan.