Chapter 11: Mikawa Ichimonji School

  "The lord's reminder is very timely, and I also noticed that there are many followers of the Ikko sect among our people, and the influence of Kagari's one-sidedness is really bad. Therefore, I invited a high-ranking monk from Shokoku-ji Temple to preach to the foot soldiers, and the response has been good so far." Yamamoto Kanbee shifted the topic to the issue of samurai faith, which was also Kira Yoshinaka's greatest concern.

  The Ikko sect of Mikawa has been replacing the original Rinzai and Shingon sects in terms of religious status within the country, gradually becoming the largest sect in the country. What's worse is that the Mikawa Ikko sect has the support of Ise-Shima Ikko sect, so it doesn't fear the local people at all. Even the Kira family only maintains a superficial courtesy and has never stopped secretly pulling in believers within the Totomi district.

  In Mikawa, there are three branch temples of the Ikko sect: Honsho-ji Temple, Kamigoryo Shrine, and Shomyo-ji Temple, collectively known as the "Three Temples of Mikawa". Among them, the Honsho-ji Temple in Nishi-Mikawa is less than two ri (1 ri = 3.927 km) away from the Kira family's residence, located between the Seijo Castle and the Anjo Castle, at the intersection of Hazu County, Bihoku County, and Hekida County. This area has a huge influence, and among the vassals of the Kira family, many are followers of the Ikko sect, with some families having three generations simultaneously believing in the Ikko sect, which is an extremely frightening thing.

  To eliminate the unfavorable influence of the Ikko sect on the Kira family, Kira Yoshichika has been working hard to suppress the penetration of Honko-ji Temple into Hazu County. He invited Nishiyama Soren, a Buddhist priest from the Western Mountain Sect, to give lectures in the castle town, encouraging the monks of Jikoshoan Kokoku Zen Temple to actively engage in frequent activities in the western part of Mikawa Province, basically following the same approach as Yamamoto Kanbei, each reciting their own sutras to see who is superior.

  These actions have caused a certain degree of vigilance in the temple, but due to the special status of Ankokusan Temple and its reputation as the family temple of the Kira clan, the temple has been relatively restrained in its reaction, with no extreme measures taken so far.

  "Loyalty to the Honkei family must ensure the elimination of the influence of Ichimonji, I'll go take a look when I have time. As for the unusual movements of the Imagawa family, please mention it at the evaluation meeting with the Shisho." Kiryu Manzaburou's expression turned serious as he instructed, and Yamamoto Kanetsugu nodded lightly in response.

  After discussing the main issue, Yamamoto Kansei also talked about the changes in the situation within Kinai. Since entering summer this year, a decisive battle for dominance in Kinai, the Koguchi Battle, has just ended near Kinai. The steward of Hosokawa Harumoto, Miyoshi Nagayoshi, led his brothers to defeat his uncle Miyoshi Fusaie and drove the lord Hosokawa Harumoto and the shogun Ashikaga Yoshitaka to Sakamoto Onsen for a summer retreat.

  In early July, Miyoshi Nagayoshi led a large army to Kyoto and first dispatched his vassals to collect 600 kan of land tax from the capital, proclaiming the dominance of the Miyoshi family over Kyoto. He then installed a puppet, Hosokawa Fujitaka, as the new Kanrei, with Miyoshi Nagayoshi himself serving as deputy Kanrei, successfully casting off his subordinate relationship with Hosokawa Harumoto and establishing the Miyoshi family's hegemony over Kinai. The Kinki region, which had been peaceful for two years since the Battle of Shōryūji, was plunged into a new turmoil.

  Yamamoto Kan no Suketsune had something to attend to and quickly excused himself, leaving Kira Kosuke no Suke sitting there, still worrying about the future of the Kira family: "The Imagawa clan has made its move after all. I thought we'd have a few more years of breathing room... looks like I was too naive! Dammit! My life is just beginning! Am I supposed to end it in tragedy? Heaven gave me a useful body, bearing the hope of reviving my ancestral business - I really don't want to sit around waiting for death!"

  Irritated, Kiryuu Mutsurou walked down the corridor and saw that his classmates had already finished today's lessons. The anxiety in his heart weighed heavily on him, making him extremely vexed. He tried to encourage himself: "Everyone is working hard, I should do something too. I can't give up on life just because of the threat from the Imagawa clan. Heaven gave me this opportunity, it's not meant to be wasted!"

  Before long, a voice came from afar, it was Yamagata no Jirozaemon's voice: "Master! Your horse is ready, are you going for a ride today?"

  "Hmm? Go! Of course, go! Go now!" Kira Yoshinaka threw down Yamagata Banzaburou and walked quickly to the front of Nidanme's stable. A young samurai had already led out his horse and was waiting on the spot. Twenty mounted samurai were also sitting by the mounting stone, waiting for orders. The mounted samurai took turns being on call every day, waiting for deployment - this was a rule of the Kira household.

  Kirishima Manzaburou, with the help of Kozuke, mounted his horse and whistled loudly as he galloped forward, chasing after Sanzaburou. He rode through the Ootemon gate and disappeared into the distance. The samurai on horseback followed closely behind him. This sudden turn of events shocked Yamagata Zenzaburou, who hastily mounted his own horse and shouted while riding: "Master! Wait for me!"

  Kirishitan Matsuomaru left Seijō and headed north along the Yahagi River, stopping his horse on a hill near Honshō-ji Temple. The current chief priest of Honshō-ji, Kūin Shōnin, is the grandson of Ren'nyo Shōnin, the eighth abbot of Hongan-ji. For several years, he has been recklessly roaming around in the province of Owari, and what's worse, he seems to be targeting the Kirishitan family as his main objective. Kuin Shonin himself had been going in and out of Seijō Castle without any reserve, but if Matsuomaru hadn't said that he would observe a three-year mourning period and not discuss the matter, Kuin would still be lingering around Seijō Castle.

  Although he failed to win over the head of the Kiryū family, this empty vow did not give up and still ran to the nearby town of Nishijō Castle every now and then to spread the Buddhist teachings of Ichien-shū, like a stray dog that can't be beaten or provoked, which made people very unhappy.

  Standing on the mountain ridge, gazing out at the town in front of Honko-ji Temple, Kiryū Motsunamaru caught sight of a group of samurai gathered together, intently watching the bustling scene before them. In the distance, the faint sound of Buddhist chanting could be heard. With a cold snort, he said: "The Ikko sect was rejected as heretical by the Five Mountains and Five Temples of Kyoto, yet these fools are still so devoutly devoted to it - truly absurd! Not everyone who shaves their head is a monk; Honko-ji Temple has more than its fair share of fake monks."

  Ignoring the excited expressions of his companions, Kiryū Mantsumaru rode down the mountain along the long slope heading northwest. Yamagata Zentarō finally caught up with him, complaining that the master was walking too fast and his inferior horse was not easy to ride, while reminding Kiryū Mantsumaru to be careful, although the wild beasts on both sides of the road had been cleared, occasionally there would still be animals rushing out from the mountains.

  "Zenjiro, you have the time to speak, you should think about how to hone your sword skills! Compared to your archery skills, your sword skills are really not up to par!" Kirishima Mantsumaru was annoyed by his words and immediately exposed his shortcomings, causing him to turn red with embarrassment and retreat to the side. He also knew that Kirishima Mantsumaru had no ill intentions and disliked it when his vassals brought up seppuku at every turn, so he just smiled wryly and shut his mouth tightly.

  Kirishima Manzaburou walked forward with his head hung low, and before long, Zenjirō, who couldn't remember what he ate for dinner but could recall every detail of a fight, came over and started talking to himself about the strange stories of Mikawa Province. Then, somehow or other, he brought up Matsudaira Tokichirō, who had been sold for 40 kan by Hotta Katsushige, a senior retainer of the Kirishima family, because he had hijacked and sold Matsudaira Tokichirō, who was originally supposed to be sent to Suruga Province. As a result, Imagawa Ujizane became enraged and dispatched troops to attack Tahara Castle.

  Toda Yasumitsu was the father-in-law of Matsudaira Hirotada, but he had a falling out with his son-in-law after selling off one of Hirotada's sons. He also failed to get along with the Kira clan and took action without consulting them, leading to their refusal to provide assistance. As a result, two years prior, he was defeated by the Imagawa clan and Toda Ujikane, who had received the favor of Kira Yoshichika, also died in battle. The main line of the Toda clan at Odawara was thus destroyed, leading to the clan splitting into three branches that served the Imagawa, Kira, and Matsudaira clans respectively.

  "What's there to say, as a high-ranking vassal of the Honke, he took it upon himself to defect to the Oda clan and was subsequently annihilated, can't blame others for that." Kiryū Manzaburou was very dissatisfied, how could Shōjirō be so blind as to bring up this shameful matter, didn't he know that the Kiryū family's treatment of their vassals was quite embarrassing?

  Yamagata Zentaro seemed to have sensed something was amiss and hastily closed his mouth, but the tranquility didn't last long. He suddenly shouted: "Look, an eagle!"

  "What eagle?" Kira Mimasaka looked up and saw a black eagle soaring in the high blue sky, its wings spread wide. The eagle seemed to have spotted a line of people below and occasionally let out two cries as it circled around in mid-air.

  Yamagata Zenzaburou drew his bow and arrow, aiming at the black eagle and shooting. The black eagle seemed to sense something, spreading its wings and skillfully avoiding the sharp arrow. As it circled around, it let out an angry cry, as if condemning the archer below for attacking it. Yamagata Zenzaburou's face turned pale with anger, ready to draw his bow again. Just then, a shrill eagle whistle came from the forest, and the black eagle changed direction, flying away without looking back into the distant woods.

  "Go! Take a look!" Kirishima Manzaburou charged into the forest on his horse, and Yamagata no Sannojirou, who was left behind, shouted loudly: "Master of the mansion, wait! Be careful of the danger in the forest!"