The Ikkō-ikki bands of the 16th century, due largely to their origins as countryside mobs, used quite varied armor and armament. Many wore the more traditional priest robes, with varying degrees and types of armor. Some wore various sorts of helmets, while others opted for the straw hat and cloak of a peasant. Naginata remained very common, along with a variety of swords and daggers, and a limited number of arquebuses. Finally, while not truly armor nor armament, a very common item wielded by the mobs of Ikkō-ikki priest warriors was a banner with a Buddhist slogan written upon it. Some of the more common slogans included the nenbutsu chant “Hail to Buddha Amida!” (Namu Amida Butsu; 南無阿弥陀仏) and “He who advances is sure of salvation, but he who retreats will go to hell”.[3]
Iirc at some point in Sengoku era they controlled entire Kaga province for years, but fell later as daimyos consolidated the power.
There was also armed buddhists temples, like Mount Hiei or temple at Osaka had few thousands armed monks at some points, and they were better armed than all feudal armies since some temples in Japan were for some reason arm producing centers and that included firearms. Unfortunately the usual organised and armed religion thing ticked off for them and unlike most ikko-ikki they were scourge of nearby territories, once even almost completely torched Kyoto in probably biggest and most violent monachomachia in history of mankind. Wiping them out was really best thing Nobunaga did.
There definitely needs to be more media featuring the Ikko-Ikki. So many fascinating stories to tell.
Iirc at some point in Sengoku era they controlled entire Kaga province for years, but fell later as daimyos consolidated the power.
There was also armed buddhists temples, like Mount Hiei or temple at Osaka had few thousands armed monks at some points, and they were better armed than all feudal armies since some temples in Japan were for some reason arm producing centers and that included firearms. Unfortunately the usual organised and armed religion thing ticked off for them and unlike most ikko-ikki they were scourge of nearby territories, once even almost completely torched Kyoto in probably biggest and most violent monachomachia in history of mankind. Wiping them out was really best thing Nobunaga did.
This is an entire section of history I know next to nothing about. I think I’ll enjoy finding more.
Always fun to play as in total war