Rain of Gunfire: Repelling Nobunaga at Ishiyama
In 1570, answering Honganji Kennyo's call, Magoichi led his Saika gunners into Ishiyama Honganji. Over the ensuing ten-year Ishiyama War, the Saika-shu poured concentrated gunfire on Oda forces. At the 1576 Battle of Tennoji, they devastated the Oda vanguard, and Nobunaga himself is said to have been wounded. Nobunaga, who aimed to unify all Japan, reportedly declared the Saika "the most troublesome enemy in the land."
Saika Volley Tactics That Predated the Three-Line Formation
The "three-line volley" attributed to Nobunaga at Nagashino (1575) is famous, but the Saika-shu are believed to have established their own organized volley fire even earlier. By dividing troops into loading and firing teams that alternated between shooting and reloading, they created a continuous barrage. The matchlock guns of the era required nearly 30 seconds to reload after each shot, but this division of labor enabled virtually uninterrupted fire. The tactic was refined through the Saika's extensive battlefield experience as mercenaries across Japan, making them pioneers of organized firearms deployment in the country.
Magoichi Reborn in Games: Modern Popularity
In recent years, Saika Magoichi has become widely known to younger generations through games and anime. In Capcom's Sengoku BASARA series, he appears as a cool dual-pistol gunslinger. In Koei's Nobunaga's Ambition series, he is set as one of the top-rated commanders for firearms. He also appears in action games like Nioh, gaining new fans each time. Despite being a historically obscure figure, the character traits of "firearms master" and "defiant mercenary who stood against Nobunaga" resonate with modern entertainment, giving him a unique popularity among Sengoku warriors.