Fujinaga Isshiki

Fujinaga Isshiki is one of the Ashikaga Shogunate's retainers. Remembered primarily for his role in helping Yoshiaki escape the Miyoshi and flee to Nobunaga’s protection.

Role in Games
Fujinaga Isshiki typically appears in the Samurai Warriors Empires series primarily as a minor officer under the command of either Yoshiteru or Yoshiaki Ashikaga.

Kessen III presents Fujinaga as Yoshiaki’s right hand man. Utterly devoted to his lord, Fujinaga has followed him loyally since Yoshiaki saved his life in their youth. Unlike his lord, Fujinaga is actually quite good at scheming and twisting words to achieve his end, making him an invaluable vassal of the blundering Shogun. He is close enough to Yoshiaki to interrupt and correct his master without complaint. He also seems to greatly distrust Mitsuhide, not believing his claims to support the Shogunate.

Fujinaga is often seen doing the dirty work for Yoshiaki, setting up deals, traps, and troops for the Shogun’s use. During the Battle for the Captial, Fujinaga is the only Shogunate officer who is actually prepared to fight and remains until defeated.

After this setback, Fujinaga is seen working more in the shadows, attempting to coerce the regional daimyos to unite against Nobunaga. He is actually quite successful at this job, managing to convince Murashige Araki, Terumoto Mōri, the Miyoshi trio, Sandayū Momochi, Kennyo Honganji, and Yoshikage Asakura to fight against Nobunaga.

After Nobunaga defeated these coalitions and survived his assassination attempt by Mitsuhide, Fujinaga joins his lord in arresting Mitsuhide to regain authority. Faced with the Oda forces once again, Fujinaga prepares a desperate plan. He lured Nobunaga into Kyoto and sets the city ablaze. Unfortunately for him and his master, the plan fails and is cast out alongside Yoshiaki. Cast out and defeated, Fujinaga reluctantly agrees with Yoshiaki in recruiting Mitsuhide back into their forces. Mitsuhide will not tolerate anyone with more sway over Yoshiaki then himself and cuts down Fujinaga in front of Yoshiaki and his other allies.

Voice Actors

 * Yasunori Masutani - Kessen III (Japanese)

Quotes

 * "It is so painful, trying to oppose your own fate..."
 * "Your lordship..."
 * "Those you bear Shogun blood… are fated to see blood. My brother, my father, my grandfather, every one of the Shoguns, all met untimely deaths. I have fought my entire life just to escape this horrid fate. I shall not give easily! But..."
 * "Your lordship... I am ever at your side. There is a place... a bright and shining world… that is waiting for us."
 * Yoshiaki and Fujinaga; Kessen III

Historical Information
Isshiki Fujinaga was born to Isshiki Harutomo. Following in his father’s steps, he served the Ashikaga Shogunate, holding his father’s position as the fifth highest political office under the Ashikaga. Fujinaga loyally served both Ashikaga Yoshiteru and Ashikaga Yoshiaki in his career, even reportedly helping Yoshiaki escape the capital to seek help restoring the Ashikaga Shogunate.

Fujinaga's fate was tied directly to the Ashikaga and when Yoshiaki was removed by Nobunaga, Fujinaga had to seek refuge under the Hosokawa. He remained under their care until his death in 1596, with no further records of him serving in battle or holding another post of importance. Unverified claims state he fought at Sekigahara under the Ishida banner, but it cannot be verified.