History of the Azai Clan
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2024
- The Azai (also spelled Asai) are usually seen as a smaller player throughout the history the Japan's famous Sengoku period. Yet let's dive in an discover just how massively significant they actually are!
I want to thank Nobuyumi for helping make this video! Check out more great content from him!
linktr.ee/coffeecarbuncle
If you would like a say in which clan I cover next, consider supporting the channel on patreon! www.patreon.com/theshogunatey...
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Sources Used:
Finding information in English regarding the Azai can be a bit difficult, much of the information regarding the Azai and specifically Azai Nagamasa for this video was found in articles from the Japanese Wiki Corpus, Samurai Archives/wiki, and SengokuJidai.org
Some include:
www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/...
www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/...
sengokujidai.org/characters-a...
samurai-archives.com/wiki/Asa...
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Music:
"Kushiro Marshland" by Akira Ifukube
Artwork and Images:
The Samurai Portraits used are from the "Nobunaga's Ambition" Series and are the property of Koei Tecmo.
Classical art, which in most cases can be considered public domain.
Art from Osprey Publications.
Other modern artist renditions and photographs, if you see your work in this video please contact me so that I can give you proper credit!
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Social Media:
Facebook: / theshogunateyoutube
Twitter: / shogunatethe
#Samurai #History #Japan
The three daughters of Azai Nagamasa and Oichi all played very important roles in the Sengoku period. In addition to the eldest Yodo-dono who you mentioned, the youngest was Oeyo, who was married to Tokugawa Hidetada and became the mother of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd shogun. Their elder daughter Senhime would first be married to her cousin Toyotomi Hideyori and later into the Honda family, while their younger daughter Tokugawa Masako would marry the Emperor Go-Mizunoo, and give birth to Empress Meisho.
Azai is the coolest last name
Really seems like Oichi and Nagamasa had the last laugh in the end.
Underrated Clan from the Sengoku Era. The fact that they choose established friendship with the Asakura Clan over political marriage with the Oda Clan speaks to their virtue. Kinda explains why in Samurai Warriors, Nagamasa is portrayed by having a lance as the weapon, symbolizing his chivalry
Kinda sad that Azai is dead too early at 1575 but their legacy through 3 Daughters of Nagamasa lives on amd carrying their Father Legacy
@@joejunior5991 but the azai clan get annihilated and pretty much didn't carry on their name.
@@ismasamune674 still Tokugawa, Toyotomi and even the emperor carrying the Azai Lineage no matter how small and insignificant it is
@@joejunior5991 the cost of being noble in the time of war.
And why Dudaev if I may ask
I'm a japanese member of the "Rekishi-numa" (history buffs) community, and I'm extremely delighted to hear so many people are interested in learning about such a minor clan, especially when the clan is even barely known by most japanese people. Now, although most of the history here is well detailed, and used to be supported by the historian community, recent theories basing themselves off of actual records of the era (till then they were mostly based off of "gunki", which were historical records made more to entertain than to leave historically accurate records, and often established often more than 100 years after the events they write about ), deny the theories mentioned in the video. Here are the prominent theories that I would like to mention.
The reason Nobunaga invaded the asakura was because they refused to go to kyoto and participate in the banquet.
➣The diary of the head of a local temple has a copy of this invitation, and while it contatined many daimyos' names, it did not have the name of asakura yoshikage.
So the theory that nobunaga invaded because yoshikage refused the invitation is rendered moot. New theories suggest that the reason for the war between the asakura and the oda was because of terretorial issues in the nearby state of wakasa. Also worth noting here is that in the invitation, nagamasa was written as if they were a retainer under kyougoku, which we will come back to later.
The azai had made an alliance with the asakura, when sukemasa was rapidly accumilating power, and the alliance was why nagamasa betrayed nobunaga.
➣The evidence of this is usually from "Azai Sandai-ki", which is a gunki that caught on during the edo-period by the populace. It was read in the same light as a history novel. In actual records from the era, such as the "Asai Ke-denki", there were records suggesting of the asakura sending reenforcements to not the azai side, but the rokkaku side. And there has not been any other concrete evidence from same-era records that suggest that the azai and asakura were allied. The only records which we can sufficiently say that they were allied was after nagamasa's betrayal of nobunaga, which makes no sense if the still non-existing alliance was the reason they betrayed nobunaga. As for the actual reason nagamasa betrayed nobunaga, I cant say for certain. There is just not enough reliable records giving us a definitive reason. If I was to guess, it mightve been because as I have mentioned before, the asai were mentioned as being below the kyougokum, nagamasa himself felt he was being not treated highly enough, within the oda-ashikaga administration, and rebelled against the establishment becuase of his discontent. These type of things were quite commonly occuring, so it wouldnt come as a surprise if this was to be the case.
The bond between Nobunaga and Nagamasa was strong, and was a very important alliance.
➣Another thing which is not really supported by same-era records, although there are records of an alliance being made between the two clans, there isn't many records of the details of this alliance as there should be if it was so important to both clans, and actual records of the azai and oda fighting together in a battle are only seen once and even there we can only see writings that the azai dispatched a force, and there are no records of the force doing anything.
Since the azai was such a small clan without a long history, both before and after the sengoku jidai, there overall isnt enough records to be able to thoroughly explain everything about it, but just by looking at same-era records we can see a different picture of what truly happened.
Also, as seen within the video, asai and azai are both used to describe the clan, and looking at historical sources, even the azai themselves were known for using both ways, so as of right now, its unkown if there even was a correct way to say it.
If you can understand japanese to some extent, or can stomach youtube's auto translate subtitles, I'd reccomend a video called いったいどうして！？浅井長政の「裏切り」on 太田うしいち's channel to learn more. Honestly, a lot of my opinions here come from this video.
Its funny because when I installed the play as any clan mod in Shogun 2 I played as this clan. I don't know how I felt that they had a story behind somehow.
And now I discover that this history indeed exist and it is a great one.
Thanks you for this video!
One day the Shogunate Channel will have a wide and broad audience due to the niche effect. As long as this channel continues to educate such a fascinating and obscure history for us Western Culture Folks, it will be the go -to - channel for generations to come.😸
Nobuyumi and you have combined to create a masterful telling of this clans unique story.
My comic series follows an orphan who is adopted into a small samurai family under the Azai. His initial home village is burned down in an ambush when the man who would adopt him and his guards stop in the village for the night. The village is on the border of Mino and Saito Tastuoki happened to be passing through. This is in 1564. This event leads the protagonist to hate Tatsuoki and, when he is unfortunately having to fight alongside Tatsuoki as coalition members, he finds a moment to get his revenge. The protagonist also grew up idolizing Nagamasa and Nobunaga, which causes him to be conflicted when war breaks out between the two.
Give me the name please😤😭
What's the title? I'm interested
Gotta keep this comment alive, gimme the sauce bro
Source?
The comic is called Seven Legions. Not to be confused with the gaming crew, the only crew I'm in is a comic studio called Inkslayer Entertainment. Searching either of these things should lead you directly to it.
It's oddly fitting that the Sengoku BASARA franchise, as over-the-top and exaggerated as it is, chose to portray Nagamasa as a Power Ranger-type hero. Standing up to the Oda clan in order to protect the Asakura, despite his established relationship with both, is very much something a selfless "warrior of justice" would do, and it's funny how they captured the heart of the character despite obviously being a bombastic parody.
My principal and his daughter who was teaching music was an Oda descendant. Their ancestors fled from Osaka after Hideyoshi took over. The figure skater Nobunari Oda was also an Oda descendant.
I always liked the Azai too but yeah… please do the Hatakeyama clan and Tachibana clan! And so many more! Love your videos!
would definitely love to learn about the more obscure clans, rather than only the most famous ones!
Regarding the Azai clan I would also mention Oeyo, who was the sister of Yodo-donno, the wife of Tokugawa Hidetada and the mother of shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu.
Total War : Shogun 2 could've portrayed them better as another faction with the expertise on powerful faction unique Yari Samurai with powerful charge and melee attack cause idk maybe those units are quick and rapid and they fit well to the idea of launching surprise attack on Nobunaga. They also held back Nobunaga and even launched a powerful counter attack which broke Nobunaga's forces if I'm not mistaken (But Tokugawa was there so they won) and also cause the Yari Samurai are less seen in the Shogun 2 when in fact those Yari Samurai are the real warriors who dominated the Sengoku period.
Just last night, I finished reading Junichiro Tanizaki's "A Blind Man's Tale" {Moomoku monogatari, 1931}, a fictionalized account of someof this history. I love synchronicity. Keep up the great work.
History of the Azai clan AKA The Tragic Tale of Oichi
And Nagamasa
Combined with Nier
Finally the video of the azai family, which is also my favorite family of the period. congratulations on the video, as usual always with high quality content about this very interesting period!
Kuroda is underrated and they play a major role.
The Kuroda are really cool. And while they (along with the Shimazu) are my 2 favorites, they were not independent daimyos (in the sense that Kanbei was a direct retainer of Hideyoshi)
Can you please make a video on the designs of these clan emblems. I think they are so cool. How did they evolve over time. I think that would be really interesting.
You missed an important point. Not only was Hideyori (via Yodo dono) the grandson of Asai Nagamasa, but Tokugawa Hidetada married Oeyo (who was the middle daughter of Oichi and Nagamasa). And Oeyo was the mother of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun! So the Asai blood lived on in the Tokugawa.
Actually it's Azai and Oda's Blood 😅
Great collab video ❤🎉 the Azai always intrigued me from the early Samurai Warriors games and Sengoku Basara
Thank you!
Also I would like to add if anyone wants a fun and somewhat challenging/ interesting play through on Nobunaga's Ambition SOI, I would highly recommend playing the factions Azai or Asakura. Rich in history and location, location, location! Hint- Hint
Yes this is one of my favorite scenarios, played it on the NA Iron Triangle, Rise to Power, Sphere of Influence and Samurai Warriors Empires.
Yap... Went all over the map to find the most exciting play. Its ok to be a vassal... Only to set a trap for a rat!
Love this series. Glad you made one for my favorite clan the Shimadzu
He already made that one
Omg finally another clan history video I love these!!
So excited! I love your clan histories. The one on the Oda was really interesting.
Thank you so much for another clan review
The Azai have to be my favorite clan because of Nagamasa. Also, playing Nagamasa in Samurai Warriors 2 played a big part in that lol
He stay loyal on his century old alliance with asakura rather than sided on his wicked brother in law nobunaga
Loyalty at its finest
OAO) wow shocking in middle of nowhere a traveler from the source came to visit us, welcome to Earth warrior of the light :3
Actually there are some reports that Nagamasa favored joining Nobunaga but most of the Asai retainers were very much for the Asakura. Given that Nagamasa came to power because of the retainers so Nagamasa felt he had to honor their wishes.
As for Manpukumaru, he was the son of the first wife and not of Oichi. According to 『信長公記』 he was executed near Sekigahara.
The story of the golden skulls seems like it happened as it was mentioned in Ota Gyuichi`s "The Chronicles of Lord Nobunaga 『信長公記』and Gyuichi was in a postion to know (and perhaps was there)
Azai Clan: There's No way that the Oda Wil Betray us.
*Oda Invades the Asakura*
Azai: 😲😲
Thank to realease of like a dragon ishin, i can't wait for boshin war period in your video, i know it still maybe another year for it but yeah pretty excited for it
You should make a video about the PS2 strategy game Kessen from 2000.
The Azai are my favourite clan of the Sengoku period been waiting for this one for awhile. Its great to see them get some love.
The brilliant music of the great composer and my all-time favorite, Akira Ifukube.
Still, nice video and how you blend the music.
Another banger video!
Maybe one day you will cover the Amago Clan a powerful clan until they were essentially taken out by the Mori.
while the Azai Main Family is Dead (Hisamasa, Nagamasa and his son) the legacy of Azai lives on with his 3 Daughters
・Thanks a lot as usual. Just FYI, the drawing at 2:10 shows the battle in 1062. The right warrior is Minamoto no Yoriie and the left, Abe no Sadato'o. By winning this battle, the Minamoto clan grasped a strong influence in the Tohoku (northern part of Honshu island) region. Yoshi'ie' descendans are Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of Kamakura Bakufu, and Minamoto no Yoshitsune. I know you know this but just for confirmation I added this.
Sorry to make this unrelated comment to this video that focuses on the Azai Clan.
・Incidentally one of the remote descendants of the destroyed Azai Clan is the current Emperor.
・You seem to have up-to-date info regarding the spelling and pronunciation of Azai. Many years ago this clan was called and written "Asai" as you put it in the above.
Thanks again for this video, since I have only little knowledge about this clan. The only guy I know is the last lord of Azai, that is , Nagamasa. Actually I learn a lot from your videos about Japanese history. ^^
correction: Minamoto no Yoriie (in the 2nd line) ---> Yoshi'ie
Some Koei games have Nagamasa initially deciding to sit back and let the Oda take out the Asakura, but is influenced by his father to honor the Azai-Azakura alliance. How likely is it that the words of Hisamasa, who was usurped and exiled, still carry so much weight that it dictated a decision as heavy as this?
It's possible. I mean, once he was removed from power, his authority as the father of the current clan leader is still potent. Add to that Nagamasa is not the one who removed his father from power but rather was pushed to that position by the clan members who see his father as a weak ruler. Either way, Nagamasa would still have a lot of respect for his father, which might influence his decision.
I think either way the Azai knew oda was gonna take them out that's why they decided to rather honor an old friendship.
Oda, Azai and Tokugawa 3 lower class samurai clans that became the highest all connected from Omi, Oda's Owari/Mino and Mikawa and Hideyori intertwined with all 3, I wonder when that new Nobunaga's ambition game comes out, I remembered out of nowhere since you always use artwork from the games, I like that
Thanks to your channel I’m now so interested in Japan and am saving up to go there now. So thank you. 🥰
I'm already planning to go in end of October 🥳
@@outboundflight4455 that’s so cool! What part are you going to?
@@Emily-86mc Tokyo, Chiba, Kagoshima and Miyazaki. And you ?
@@outboundflight4455 that’s so cool. My trip is still a little ways away, need to become more financially stable in my apartment and job first. But most likely Kyoto or Osaka. But I would also love to see Kamakura.
I liked inclusion of clan emblem explanation very much. try to focus more on that in the future
I think the Azai and Asakura clans showed the best display of friendship and loyalty.
I think Iga and Koga can match that.
@@MrGksarathy hey...be a man do the right thing..✌️
My favorite clan to play in Nobunaga’s ambition ❤ , I love playing in the Okehazama start date when the Oda are strong, but not too strong to curb stomp me. While the Oda grows in power, my glorious Azai resisted the Rokkaku (the battle event is kind of overpowered in my opinion [the Rokkaku is obliterated without you loosing a single man], but it allows you to quickly seize the Rokkaku territories and be in a good expansion position in central Honshū). Either way, I’ve had a blast with that campaign so far.
The guest said we would be shocked at them showing up
But a FF fan being obsessed with Japanese History is about as unsurprising as I could possibly imagine
I got here from Tokusatsu hero shows
@Nobutaka Fairclough Welcome! The nerd hole only ever gets deeper
Wow, hello from fellow ffxiv player. Glad to see someone with the same passion.
Cool I really enjoy the clan stories never realized they played a significant role in Japanese history love this site
The Amago clan would be interesting I wager. Especially the era of my 2nd nost favorite daimyo, Amago Tsunehisa.
Fun fact the azai clan 's kamon is on the kimono of seshumaru of the anime inuyasha
Can we get a history of Toyotomi clan video
Omg Nobuyumi one of my awesomest friends ever 🩵
I’m 11 years old and you tought me so much!
The Azai Are My Favourite Clan Love Them So Much Im The Biggest Fan Of This Clan
It makes me deeply happy to see someone else who loves the Azai ; _ ; . Bless.
@@nobuyumi8029ur the best for letting me share ur title
Take your girl back. My life is mine to fate.
To me, Nagamasa is the noblest "clan head" in the Sengoku period.
They have the best family seal by far imho
@The Shogunate did know during 1600 samurai did have artillery they were furanki cannon and the Bo-hiya fire rocket
please do a video on Sakamoto Ryoma
Muito bom 👍🏻👍🏻
Why no mention of Tokugawa Iemitsu being the son of Oeyo, also daughter of Nagamasa?
The Azai deserved better. 😿
How much have you come across of the Ando clan? I can't find much online in English or Japanese...
Hello can you do video about miyoshi clan
If I'm not mistaken, Mitsunari Ishida's family came from Azai territory, so he later was given Nagamasa's former castle and lands, is that about right?
Mitsunari got Sawayama castle in Omi, Odani was destroyed and replaced with Nagahama which was given to Hideyoshi.
Lii clan Next?
Guys if you play mk1 , you can see that kenshi has the symbol of the Azai clan in his shoulder this may be a random thing but in the story Kenshi is said to be a descendent Taira Clan , so is it a mistake by the game ?
The Inaba say hello
Any reason why you’ve never mentioned that many of the Tokugawa shoguns were related to oda by way of azai? Clearly ieyasu married into that family to maintain the ties to nubunaga, but you’ve never covered any of the matriarchal bloodlines & how they link the clans.
Not gonna mention Ieyasu had his son and heir marry the youngest daughter and continue the Azai bloodline in the Tokugawa from there? 😛
I personally don't like crossover episodes on any channel. I'm your fan and not his for a reason. I think your video quality, audio quality and overall presentation is far superior.
nogo?
🙃
FFXIV is for poseurs, FFXI; that's where the true blue weebs hang.