HistoryData
war1579

Invasions of Iga province by forces under Oda Nobunaga

January 1, 1579

The Tenshō Iga War marks Oda Nobunaga's eventual conquest of Iga Province, eliminating the independent Iga ikki during the Sengoku period.

Quick Facts

Year
1579
Category
war

Key Facts

First attempt (failed)
1579, led by Oda Nobukatsu
Successful conquest
1581, by Oda Nobunaga
Third insurrection
June 1582, after Honnoji Incident
Era name
Tenshō era (1573–1592)
Opponents
Iga ikki vs. Oda clan

By the Numbers

1,579
First attempt (failed)
1,581
Successful conquest
1,582
Third insurrection
1,573
Era name

Location

Map of JapanMap of JapanJapan

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

During the Sengoku period, Iga Province was governed by the autonomous Iga ikki, a league of local warriors and farmers resisting outside control. Oda Nobunaga's expansionist campaigns across central Japan brought his forces into conflict with this independent confederation, as Iga's self-governance challenged his authority over the region.

Event

In 1579, Oda Nobukatsu led an unsuccessful invasion of Iga Province. Nobunaga himself then launched a successful conquest in 1581, crushing the Iga ikki. A third insurrection arose in June 1582 following Nobunaga's death during the Honnoji Incident, collectively known as the Tenshō Iga War.

Consequence

The Oda clan's conquest dismantled the Iga ikki's independence, incorporating Iga Province into Nobunaga's domain. The province later became renowned as a home of ninja traditions. The third uprising in 1582 took advantage of the power vacuum left by Nobunaga's assassination, though it ultimately failed to restore the ikki's former autonomy.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Oda clan
Key Commanders

Oda Nobunaga, Oda Nobukatsu.

Side B

1 belligerent

Iga ikki
Outcome
Oda clan victory; Iga Province conquered in 1581, Iga ikki eliminated

Timeline Context

Timeline around 15791579157615771578158015811582Treaty signed in Utrecht, unifying the northern provinces of the Netherlands, until then under the control of Habsburg Spain1579 peace treaty between Spain and ParmaSiege and capture of Maastricht by Alexander Farnese during the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648)tensho-iga-war-1579