Siege of Kanie

The 1584 siege of Kanie was one of many elements in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign to consolidate his power over the lands held by the Oda clan in Owari province, Japan. This event actually consisted of two sieges.

When Hideyoshi came to attack Kanie castle, it was held by Maeda Tanetoshi on behalf of the Oda. However, Hideyoshi had pardoned Maeda's cousin Takigawa Kazumasu for his support of Shibata Katsuie, and as a result Kazumasu was an ally of Hideyoshi. He convinced his cousin Maeda to switch sides, joining Hideyoshi and giving up the castle to him.

The new allies then attempted to attack nearby Ono castle, but were repulsed when the defenders threw torches into the attackers' boats.

Returning to Kanie castle, Hideyoshi and Maeda came under siege from forces loyal to the Oda and Sakakibara clans, on behalf of the alliance between the Oda and Tokugawa Ieyasu. They pushed through the castle's outer defenses, and negotiated a surrender contingent on the besiegers being given Maeda's head. When Maeda Tanetoshi attempted to escape, he was killed by his cousin, Takigawa Kazumasu, who provided the head to the Oda commanders.

References

• Turnbull, Stephen (1998). The Samurai Sourcebook. London: Cassell & Co.