Azai forces · Azai
Azai Nagamasa
“Leader of Northern Ōmi”
Third head of the Azai, who ruled northern Ōmi. He married Nobunaga's sister Oichi and allied with him, but when Nobunaga attacked the Asakura he broke away to save his old allies and lost to the Oda–Tokugawa alliance at Anegawa. Cornered in Odani Castle, he took his own life. His three surviving daughters, the "three Azai sisters," left a deep mark on the age that followed.
- Epithet
- “Leader of Northern Ōmi”
- Rank / office
- Governor of Bizen
- Domain / base
- Northern Ōmi
- Banner / crest
- Three tortoise-shells with flower
- Side
- Azai forces
- Lived
- 1545–1573 (aged 29)
Life
- Eiroku 10 Marriage to Oichi Took Nobunaga's sister Oichi as his wife and allied with the Oda.
- Genki 1 Battle of Anegawa Broke with Nobunaga to side with the Asakura and was beaten by the Oda–Tokugawa alliance at Anegawa.
- Tenshō 1 The End at Odani Surrounded in Odani Castle, he sent his wife and children to safety and took his own life, aged 29.
Battles in this archive1 battles
Related sites
- Odani Castle ruins (Nagahama)
- Anegawa battlefield
FAQ
- Who was Azai Nagamasa?
- The third head of the Azai, who ruled northern Ōmi. He married Oda Nobunaga's sister Oichi and allied with him, but later broke away, lost at Anegawa and took his own life at Odani Castle aged 29.
- Why did Nagamasa betray Nobunaga?
- Because Nobunaga attacked the Azai's old allies, the Asakura under Yoshikage. Valuing that old bond, Nagamasa broke with Nobunaga and fought the Oda–Tokugawa alliance at Anegawa.
- What became of Nagamasa's daughters?
- His daughters by Oichi were Chacha, Hatsu and Gō, the "three Azai sisters." The eldest, Chacha, became Toyotomi Hideyoshi's consort, Lady Yodo; the youngest, Gō, became the wife of Tokugawa Hidetada.