The presence of the Ikki zealots was already straining Ōta's supplies of food and other resources even before the siege began. With the construction of a palisade and series of dikes roughly 300 meters from the castle, Hideyoshi began the process of isolating the castle from supplies, and flooding it, a process bolstered by heavy rains.
The presence of the Ikki zealots was already putting pressure on Ōta's supplies of food and other necessities even before the siege started. With the construction of a palisade and series of dikes about 300 meters from the castle, Hideyoshi began the process of cutting off the castle's access to supplies, and flooding it, a process aided by heavy rains.