T

Takenaka Shigeharu（Hanbei）

(September 27, 1544 - July 6, 1579)

Born in Mino (Gifu) Takenaka Shigeharu, better known as Hanbei, was a talented strategist and military advisor to the lord of Mino, Saito Yoshitatsu and his son Tatsuoki. Despite his brilliant military mind, Hanbei was said to have been a sickly and effeminate man. Toyotomi Hideyoshi offered Hanbei a position in his army, and so he served in the action against the Azai clan of Omi (Shiga Pref.) and in the fall of Gifu Castle. Takenaka Hanbei died of illness aged 34.

Tanaka Yoshimasa

(1548 - March 23, 1609)

Believed to have been born in Torahime, Omi (Shiga Pref.), Tanaka Yoshimasa was a high ranked samurai under Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He joined the Tokugawa upon the death of Hideyoshi. Tanaka was later made lord of Okazaki Castle, Aichi Prefecture, Ieyasu’s birthplace. After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Tanaka Yoshimasa concerned himself with increasing public commerce and improving town conditions within his fief.

Todo Takatora

(February 16, 1556 - November 9, 1630)

Famed for his expertise in castle design, Todo Takatora was born in Todo Village, Omi Province (Shiga Pref.). He commenced his military career as a lowly ashigaru foot soldier, working his way up to the rank of daimyo. He changed his allegiance seven times, working for ten warlords. Takatora fought under General Hashiba Hidenaga, the younger brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, later becoming commander of the fleet that sailed to Korea. His legacy is having left over 20 of the best designed castles across the nation.

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi

(February 23, 1646 - February 19, 1709)

The fifth Shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi’s reliance on his mother’s advice and fervent religious and Confucius beliefs led to many unpopular laws, particularly those protecting dogs, hence being called the “Dog Shogun”.

Torii Suneemon

(1540 - May 16, 1575)

Famed for his bravery and feats at the Siege of Nagashino Castle, the ashigaru foot-soldier Torii Suneemon volunteered to sneak out of the castle to call for reinforcements. Captured by the Takeda forces trying to sneak back in, he was crucified, but not before shouting out to the 500 samurai in the castle that help was on the way. Torii was posthumously promoted to the rank of full samurai, and his family continued to faithfully serve that of his master, Okudaira Sadamasa.

U

Uesugi Kagekatsu

(January 8, 1556 - April 19, 1623)

Kagekatsu was born to Nagao Masakage, head of Ueda’s Nagao clan. When his father died, Kagekatsu was adopted by his uncle, Uesugi Kenshin and on Kenshin’s death, fought with his step-brother for clan leadership. Allied with the Toyotomi and highly trusted by Hideyoshi, he was appointed to the Council of Five Elders. Upon Hideyoshi’s death, he watched fellow councilor, Tokugawa Ieyasu’s actions split the nation into East and West factions. Kagekatsu was first to offer resistance to Ieyasu. With Western defeat at Sekigahara in 1600, Kagekatsu submitted to Ieyasu. He fought for the Tokugawa at Osaka in 1614-15.

Uesugi Kenshin

(February 18, 1530 - April 19, 1578)

Known as the Dragon of Echigo (Niigata Pref.) Uesugi Kenshin was the chief rival of the warlord Takeda Shingen. Revered for his fierce fighting skills and for his gentlemanly conduct, Shingen is remembered as a man of culture. Like his rival, Shingen, Kenshin was a Buddhist priest as well as a warrior. Upon hearing of the death of Takeda Shingen, Kenshin is said to have wept openly at the loss of a worthy rival.

Ukita Hideie

(1573 - December 17, 1655)

Ukita Hideie was daimyo of Bizen (Okayama Pref.), and one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s five Regents. His wife was Gohime, Maeda Toshiie’s daughter, adopted by Hideyoshi. Hideie took part in Hideyoshi’s military campaigns in Shikoku, Kyushu, the Siege of Odawara, and the Korean invasion. Despite having the largest army and being deputy head of the Western Forces at Sekigahara, he was defeated as a number of former allies turned traitor. Following Sekigahara, He was captured and sent into exile on the prison island of Hachijojima. Hideie was the last of the lords who fought at Sekigahara to die.

Y

Yamamoto Kansuke

(1501 - October 18, 1561)

Despite being blind in one eye, lame in one leg and with a malformed hand, Yamamoto Kansuke of Mikawa (Aichi Pref.) was one of the toughest, most able samurai commanders of the Sengoku period. A master of strategy, tactics, castle construction and warfare, he became one of Takeda Shingen’s famed Twenty Four Generals. Badly wounded in the 1561 Battle of Kawanakajima, and fearing he had failed his master, he died on the battlefield.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo

(1545/46 - November 1, 1605)

Born in Owari Province (Aichi Pref.), Yamauchi Kazutoyo served under Oda Nobunaga from the age of 9 until Nobunaga’s death in 1582. During that time, he participated in the battles of Anegawa (1570) and Nagashino (1575). After Nobunaga, Kazutoyo served Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and then served Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle at Sekigahara, and was rewarded Tosa Domain (Kochi Pref.), where he built Kochi Castle.

Yuki Hideyasu

(March 1, 1574 - June 2, 1607)

Yuki Hideyasu was Tokugawa Ieyasu’s second son, born near Hamamatsu Castle to Lady Oman, servant to Ieyasu’s wife, Lady Tsukiyama. When Oman became pregnant, Ieyasu, afraid of his wife’s anger, hid Oman away at the home of a retainer. When the boy became a man, he distinguished himself in a number of battles. After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Ieyasu allowed his family name be changed from his adopted Yuki to Matsudaira. He became master of Fukui Castle.

Samurai Files

T