Page "Azai Nagamasa" Paragraph 4

In 1570, Oda Nobunaga declared war on the Asakura family of Echizen.

The Asakura and Azai had been allies since the time of Nagamasa's grandfather.

This sudden war between two Azai clan allies is reported to have divided the clan.

Many retainers wished to honor the alliance with the Asakura, while Nagamasa himself is reported to have favored staying neutral, essentially siding with Nobunaga.

In the end, the Azai clan chose to honor the generations-old alliance with the Asakura and came to their aid.

Initially, this decision caused Nobunaga's army, which was marching upon the Asakura's lands to retreat back to Kyoto.

However, within a few months the forces of Nobunaga were again on the march, but this time they marched on Azai lands.