Saika Ikki

Who is Saika Ikki?

The Saika Ikki or Saiga Ikki, based in Ōta in Kii Province, were one of many Ikkō-ikki groups in feudal Japan led by Saika Magoichi. In particular, the members of the Saika Ikki, along with the monks of the Negoro-ji, were renowned for their expertise with the arquebus, and for their expert gunsmiths and foundries. Both of these groups came to the aid of the Ishiyama Hongan-ji, the central fortress cathedral of the Ikkō-ikki which was besieged by Oda Nobunaga from 1570 to 1580. The town motto is translated to English as: "Stand strong and do not forget". Their own fortress, Ōta castle, was besieged by Nobunaga in 1577. The monastery was attacked again several years later by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in chastisement for their opposition to his former lord, Oda.