Azukizaka 1542

Japan will welcome the new era of Reiwa.  In 1542, Oda Nobuhide scored an important victory over the Suruga forces at the Battle of Azukizaka in Mikawa.  This was 18 years before Nobunaga's Okehazama victory.

Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (pp. 53-4)

"In the first decade of the Eighth Month, (Tenbun 11 1542), Suruga troops advanced on Shodawara in Mikawa Province, where they deployed in seven battle groups.  At the time, Oda Bingo no Kami held a fort called Anjo Castle in Mikawa.  With Yuhara leading the Suruga vanguard, the enemy advanced toward Azukizaka.  Accordingly, Bingo no Kami rushed from Anjo Castle to Yahagi.  His younger brothers Lord Yojiro. Lord Magosaburo, Lord Shirojiro, and other warriors had in the meanwhile engaged the enemy at Azukizaka.  the following distinguished themselves in this battle:

Oda Bingo no Kami; Lord Oda Yojiro, Lord Oda Magosaburo, Lord Oda Shirojiro, Oda Sake no Jo (Nobufusa), who suffered a spear wound; Naito Shosuke, who gained a high renown by killing a strong opponent; Nagoya Yagoro of the Kiyosu forces, who was killed in battle; Shimokata Sakon (Sadakiyo), Sassa Hayato no Kami, Sassa Magosuke, Nakano Matabyoe (Kazuyasu), Akagawa Hikoemon, Kanbe Ichizaemon, Nagata Jiroemon, and Yamaguchi Sama no Suke (Noritsugu).

All of them clashed with the enemy in three or four passages of arms.  In between, the adopted a defensive posture with one knee bent to the ground; then they rushed to the attack again.  There was no end to their exploits in this encounter, which was a tough fight from the first to last.  Here Yuhara took the head of Nagoya Yagoro.  After that, the Suruga forces withdrew."

18 years later Sassa Hayato No Kami was killed at the Battle of Okehazama.

Nobunaga no tame!