Stories of the Japanese 00912 [The Very Beginning of the Northern and Southern Courts Period] A Letter to Mt. Hiei

July 21, 1337 (the 2nd year of Engen/4th year of Kemmu). Nitta Yoshisada gathered brushwood and shields to fill in the moats and ditches in order to attack Asuwa Castle. The fall of Asuwa Castle was now only a matter of time.
However, at this stage, an imperial messenger arrived from Emperor Go-Daigo in Yoshino with the following message:
"Nitta Yoshioki (1331–1358) and Kitabatake Akinobu (1320–1380) are holed up at Otokoyama (Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture) with the remnants of their troops, but they are being surrounded by a large army of rebels. If Yoshisada and his men are late in arriving in the capital, their destruction will be inevitable. Set aside your current battle for now and gather at Otokoyama as soon as possible."
Yoshioki was Yoshisada's second son, and Akinobu was the younger brother of Akiie. Upon hearing this, Yoshisada had no choice but to abandon the siege of Asuwa Castle and head for Otokoyama in haste.
Kojima Takanori said to Yoshisada as he headed for Otokoyama:
"During the battle in the capital some years ago, the imperial side holed up on Mt. Hiei was defeated simply because the enemy from the northern provinces blocked the roads and they ran out of provisions. If we leave Echizen behind while attacking Otokoyama this time, we will likely fall into the same situation as before. Therefore, why not leave a certain number of troops in Echizen and Kaga, and head to the capital with a smaller force?"
Kojima argued that Echizen and Kaga were important bases for supplying provisions. He suggested venturing to Otokoyama with a smaller force for that reason, but Kojima showed even more careful consideration.
"However, if we attack with a small force, the people on Mt. Hiei might look down on us, thinking, 'Is this all the strength Lord Nitta has?' and some might betray us to the enemy side. Therefore, it would be best to first send a document to Mt. Hiei to hear their thoughts."
Here, the name of Mt. Hiei suddenly appeared.
As was the case during the war to overthrow the Kamakura Shogunate, in battles involving the whole country, the side that gained the support of Mt. Hiei would have an overwhelming advantage. There was no reason not to utilize the overwhelming military power and religious authority of Mt. Hiei.
Kojima argued that in order to prevent traitors from emerging from Mt. Hiei, it would be better to obtain their understanding in advance regarding leaving troops in Echizen and Kaga.
Hearing this, Yoshisada said,
"That is a truly thoughtful idea. Then let us send a document to Mt. Hiei."
He then had Kojima write the letter.
The fact that the Taiheiki goes out of its way to include such an episode tells us that the presence of Mt. Hiei was extremely significant at the time.