By the 16th century, Japan's Buddhist warrior monks had amassed great wealth, influence and power. Chief among them were the Ikko-ikki, or ‘single minded’ sect.
Self-governing, the Ikko rejected any outside interference, even driving a constable out of the province of Kaga, taking it for themselves.
When the shogun called for an alliance to destroy Nobunaga in 1570, the Ikko-ikki rose up against him – dealing the warlord some shocking defeats. Presented with the gravest of threats, in October 1571, Nobunaga attacked the monastic towns and temples of Mount Hiei, burning everything to the ground and butchering and gunning down every soul in sight – monks, laymen, women and children alike.
At the troublesome Ikko temple of Nagashima, he first starved the 20,000 defenders into submission, and then barricaded and…
