Ikko Ikki

Admittedly I don't know much about feudal Japan in general, but I was reading about these guys - a populist/peasant rebellion based in religion that seemed to go pretty strong for a while.

So my question is about the Ikko-Ikki, and their particular sect of Buddhism in general.

What would it have taken for this revolution to gain more strength? What was the maximum extent it could have reached? What major changes could it have lead to?
 
The thing is that the Ikko Ikki would been confined by two factors having to play the political game like everyone else which they did. Two if they tried to encroach on another sects turf they would have to deal with that sect fighting them.

So expansion would be tricky as any Daimyo could wipe out any of their splintered groups, but taking their chief monastery of Ishiyama Honganji would have been no mean feat.
 

PhilippeO

Banned
Oda Nobunaga get killed at the start of his career might strengthen Ikko-Ikki, Ikko Ikki is one of early adapter of firearm, if civil war continue, group like Ikko Ikki who are capable in firearm might be more successful.

victory in Battle of Azukizaka might give Ikko Ikki another province. there might be other battle that might go other way and strengthen Ikko Ikki.

another possibility is alliance with 'merchant city-state' like Sakai.
 

trurle

Banned
The main problem was what Ikko-Ikki movement was less unite compared to their adversaries. Main reason was the antinomian nature of the underlying Ikko-shu religion. Also politically, Ikko-Ikki consisted of 2 independent states, namely "Kaga Ikki" and "Ecchu Ikko-Ikki", and some smaller territories. Both Ikko-Ikki states have largely ceased to expand by 1490, as opposition to their expansion grows. By the time of battle of Azukizaka in 1563, the lack of Ikko-Ikki internal cohesion and dependence on allies has become obvious, resulting in their defeat IOTL.
 
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