Chapter 26 Part 1 - Since I was reborn as Saito Yoshitatsu, I'm aiming to hand over the territory to Oda Nobunaga and live longer!
1537 (Tenbun era, year 6)
TL: YuinaAuthor's Note:
Please refer to this page for the name of the different locations.
Chapter 26: Providing good benefits is a great step toward improving the workplace
Inabayama Castle, Mino Province
Concerning the Jodo Shinshu sect [1], my father, Sakon no Daibu, moved quickly. With the permission of the Governor-General, Toki Sakyo no daibu Yorinari-sama, he subdued the Jodo Shinshu sect and at the same time spread rumors about the response from Ishiyama. At the same time, he had Oshin of Muryojuin [2] dispatch a monk to start the construction of a temple in Tagi County. [3]
After the death of Oshin-dono in May, the faction of his adopted son, Gyoe, entered Mino and proceeded to take down the Hongan-ji sect. [4]
In fact, Gyoe's influence expanded in Mino, which lies between Ise [5] and Echizen Province, due to a warning issued against Shinchi [6], who was his rival in the struggle for the succession in Echizen Province. It seems that Gyoe was recognized as the successor because the Toki and Rokkaku clans appealed to the shogunate.
On the Hongan-ji's side, the second head priest of Nagashima Gansho-ji Temple [7], Jitsue, passed away last year, and the third head priest, Shoe, was just appointed as the head of Ise, Mino, and Owari Provinces at a young age. As a result, he has not been able to get around to supporting Mino, which contributed to the fact that this policy was working quite well.
In the summer, Gyoe, who came to greet the Governor General in person, was still 11 years old, that is, he was still a child. After the meeting, we had a short private conversation.
"I heard that Gyoe-sama was born under the Asukai family."
"Indeed. I am the fifth son of Asukai Masatsuna, the second-ranked Gon Chunagon [8]. I was adopted by the lord when I came here."
It may seem that a nephew is not so different from an adopted son, but the relationship is in fact slightly more relaxed than that of an adopted son. The fact that he is a "nephew" makes him related to the shogun's family, thus it became easier to carry out activities in Ise Province, as well as making it difficult for him to disagree about succeeding to the shogun family.
In particular, his rival, Shinchi, was from the Tokiwai family and a member of the Imperial family, as well as a "nephew" of Emperor Go-Kashiwabara. He would have to be a son of the Shogun to be able to compete with Shinchi. Moreover, Shinchi is supported by the Asakura clan. Following Ono District and the Medicine, the third round of Toki vs Asakura began.
"Has Ise's support been solidified?"
"Yes. Since the number of believers in Mino has increased because of this incident, all the religious people in Ise are supporting me."
"That's great news."
"Indeed. Moreover, if missionary work is well-promoted with versatility, the Honganji temple in Nagashima will be sandwiched between the north and south. Then, we can put more pressure on Honganji. We have to make up for what they did to us in Kaga Province [9]."
He seemed to dislike Hongan-ji quite a bit and had a very evil smile on his face. It is said that the people who bear the strongest grudge in the world are those who are closest to you, and since they were both members of the Jodo Shinshu sect, their grudge may be even deeper.
Finally, we promised to keep in touch with him. I politely declined to convert. Should I also invite him to the Go-kai [10] that the Governor General-sama told me to organise? He is a valuable connection for us to reach Shogun Ashikaga, so I must cherish this relationship.
A little reminder: The Ikkō-ikki, literally "single-minded leagues", were mobs of peasant farmers, monks, Shinto priests and local nobles, who rose up against samurai rule in 15th to 16th century Japan. They followed the beliefs of the Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) sect of Buddhism which taught that all believers are equally saved by Amida Buddha's grace.
[4] Hongan-ji (本願寺, Temple of the Primal Vow), also archaically romanized as Hongwanji, is the collective name of the largest school of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism (which further sub-divides into the Nishi and Higashi branches). 'Hongan-ji' may also refer to any one of several actual temple buildings associated with the sect. (thanks Wiki :v)
[5] Ise is a former province located in the major part of present-day Mie Prefecture and parts of Aichi and Gifu prefectures)
[6] In the early Sengoku period, Shin'e who was a myoboka (a scholar of law) during the period of the Northern and Southern Courts, appeared in the Takada school (a branch of Jōdo Shinshū). It coincided with the time when Rennyo of Hongan-ji Temple appeared and played an active role, and eventually both schools entered into a fierce conflict. The Takada force in Kaga (former province located in the south of present-day Ishikawa Prefecture) was destroyed by the Ikko Ikki revolt in 1488, while in Echizen, the opposite happened, and tthe Honganji-affiliated temple forces were destroyed by the defeat of the Eisho era revolt (Eisho Ikki). However, before the Takada school was about to rise in popularity in Echizen, a serious conflict began that split the Takada school into two. Since Oshin, the son of Shin'e, initially declined the position of heir, Shinchi, a son of Tokiwai no miya Imperial family, was supposed to be the successor of Shin'e.
[7] The Gansho-ji Temple in Nagashima, Ise Province (Nagashima, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture) was established by Renjun after he entered Kensho-ji Temple in Otsu Chikamatsu at his older brother Jitsunyo's command.
Nagashima is an alluvial island between the Nagara River and the Kiso River at the head of Ise Bay. A fortification was first built here by the Regent Kujō Michiie in 1245 to protect the extensive estates he had in this region. In 1482, the castle was rebuilt by Ito Shigeharu, head of one of the 48 samurai clans of northern Ise. However, the Ito clan was expelled by Shōi the chief priest of Gansho-ji and became a stronghold of the Ikkō-ikki movement.
[8] Junii Gon Chunagon - Junior Second Rank, Provisional vice-councilor of state.
[9] Kaga is a former province located in the south of present-day Ishikawa Prefecture.
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