During the Onin War, ashigaru groups were used in surprise attacks but their lack of loyalty and their disorder meant that they frequently formed unruly mobs, and there was an incident in which they ran riot and looted Kyoto with its numerous shrines, temples and shops.
応仁の乱では足軽集団が奇襲戦力として利用されたが、足軽は忠誠心に乏しく無秩序でしばしば暴徒化し、多くの社寺、商店等が軒を連ねる京都に跋扈し暴行・略奪をほしいままにすることもあった。