The Ikko Ikki's starting position is superb but precarious. Later in the game, the Ikko Ikki gain access to superior warrior monks. More importantly, the Ikko Ikki have access to Loan Sword Ashigaru, very strong early anti-infantry troops. The Ikko Ikki have a strong military in both the early and late game: they have larger than average ashigaru regiments, which mostly overcome their inferior stats with their superiority in numbers. Wherever they turn, the Ikko Ikki are likely to be opposed by the clans, and welcomed by the people, assuming the word is spread carefully first… A religious republic offers many attractions to the downtrodden, but not to the already mighty.
This makes them a threat to the established order of the great clans and their lords. The Ikko Ikki also rely on their appeal with the common people to spread the word and dissent in other lands. The monks spread the faith the people believe. This explains why the Ikko Ikki can recruit superior warrior monks, and large, relatively cheap ashigaru units. Rennyo professed a belief in non-violent action, but not in being defenceless. Shimozuma Rensu was, for example, a staunch supporter of the movement, and a military advisor to Rennyo. Members of the Shimozuma clan have acted as advisors and commanders for the Ikko Ikki. While largely a movement of peasants, inspired by a vision of paradise to create that paradise on earth, the Ikko Ikki are not without military skills.
Despite this setback, Rennyo has made Echizen and Kaga provinces into strongholds of his faith. Rennyo, the most influential and persuasive of the high abbots, led his sect to Echizen after the Jodo Shinshu temple in Omi province was destroyed as a nest of heretics by Tendai monks. Unlike other Buddhist monks, Shinran married and many of his descendants have been the high abbots, or monshu, of the sect since. The Ikko Ikki, the “single-minded league”, are inspired by their faith, Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, the “true pure land”, a sect founded by the monk and philosopher Shinran.
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