Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan Season 1 Episode 4 Complete Control

In episode four of Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan, titled "Complete Control," we see the battle for power in Japan intensify as Oda Nobunaga becomes more ruthless in his pursuit of unifying the country under his rule.

The episode begins with the fallout of the Honnō-ji incident, in which Nobunaga was betrayed and killed by one of his own generals, Akechi Mitsuhide. However, we quickly learn that this event is not the end of Nobunaga's story, as his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, steps in to continue his mission of unification.

As Hideyoshi gains more power, he seeks to eradicate any remaining resistance to his rule. One of his targets is the Ishiyama Hongan-ji, a fortress belonging to the Ikko-ikki. The Ikko-ikki are a religious sect that has amassed a powerful army and has been a thorn in the side of many warlords, including Nobunaga.

Hideyoshi sends his army to attack the Ishiyama Hongan-ji, but finds that the Ikko-ikki are not easily defeated. They put up a fierce defense and prove to be a formidable opponent. However, the tide of the battle turns when Hideyoshi orders the construction of siege towers, which allow his forces to breach the walls of the fortress.

In the midst of the chaos, we see the story of one of the Ikko-ikki leaders, Kennyo Honganji. He is portrayed as a complex character who struggles with his faith and his duty to his people. We see flashbacks of his past, including his time in exile and his eventual return to lead the Ikko-ikki.

Meanwhile, we also witness the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who becomes a major player in the power struggles of the era. He begins to build alliances and consolidates his own power base in order to position himself as a contender for the top spot.

As the episode comes to a close, we see Hideyoshi emerge victorious over the Ikko-ikki, but at a great cost. The battle has taken a toll on his forces, and we see glimpses of his ruthless side as he orders the slaughter of any remaining resistance. However, his victory is short-lived, as he dies soon after from illness, leaving an open power vacuum for others to exploit.

Overall, "Complete Control" is an action-packed episode that highlights the ruthless nature of the power struggles in feudal Japan. It also provides a deeper look into some of the major players of the era, including Hideyoshi, Tokugawa, and Kennyo Honganji. As the season continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how these characters and their alliances evolve.