Baba Nobuharu (1514-15 – June 29, 1575), also known as Baba Nobufusa, was a renowned Japanese samurai during the Sengoku period. He gained fame as one of the "Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen." When Takeda Shingen captured Fukashi castle (now Matsumoto Castle) in 1550, he entrusted its guardianship to Baba.
Historical records indicate that from around 1553, Baba was tasked with overseeing the Suwa region in Shinano. This area served as a borderland with the northern Daimyo and played a crucial defensive role in monitoring potential invasions from the north. Additionally, he acted as an intermediary for the Shiina family of Etchu.
In 1557, Baba took part in the Kawanakajima campaigns, leading the Takeda forces in the siege and eventual destruction of Katsurayama, a significant stronghold of the Uesugi clan.
In 1562, he received the honor of assuming the title "Mino no Kami," a position previously held by Hara Toratane, who had retired the year before and changed his name to Baba Mino no Kami Nobuharu. The Kōyō Gunkan records that Shingen frequently sought Nobuharu's counsel on matters of importance. In 1572, he played a crucial role in the Siege of Iwamura Castle against the Oda clan garrison.
During the Battle of Mikatagahara in 1573, the troops under Nobuharu's command pursued Tokugawa Ieyasu's army back to Hamamatsu fortress. However, upon seeing the gates open and braziers lit, Baba mistakenly suspected a trap and chose not to further engage the fleeing army.
Following Takeda Shingen's passing, Baba continued to serve his successor, Takeda Katsuyori. In 1575, aware of Nobunaga's involvement in the Battle of Nagashino, he advised Katsuyori to withdraw. Unfortunately, Katsuyori disregarded this counsel.
Leading the right-wing of the Takeda army in the battle, Baba met his end in combat. It is believed that he sacrificed himself to cover the retreat, allowing Katsuyori to escape the battlefield. The deaths of Baba Nobuharu, along with other valiant warriors such as Sanada Nobutsuna, Naito Masayo, and Yamagata Masakage, during the Battle of Nagashino contributed to the weakening and eventual downfall of the Takeda family in 1582.
Prior to Nagashino, Nobuharu had earned a reputation for fighting in 70 battles without sustaining a single injury. This remarkable feat has immortalized him as "Baba Mino the Immortal" or "Oni Mino the Immortal" in modern memory.
See also
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Oda Nobutaka
Oda Nobutaka (1558–1583) was a samurai of the Oda clan, also known as Kanbe Nobutaka after being adopted as the head of the Kanbe clan, which governed the central region of Ise Province. He was the third son of Oda Nobunaga, born to a concubine named Sakashi. Nobutaka was referred to as "San Shichi," possibly because he was born on the seventh day of the third month in the Japanese lunar calendar. However, there is a theory suggesting he was born twenty days earlier than his elder brother, Oda Nobukatsu, but due to delays in reporting and the low status of his mother’s family, he was acknowledged as Nobunaga’s third son.
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Yamauchi Kazutoyo
Yamauchi Kazutoyo (also spelled Yamanouchi; 1545/1546? – November 1, 1605) was a prominent samurai and retainer who served Oda Nobunaga and later Toyotomi Hideyoshi during Japan's Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods. His father, Yamauchi Moritoyo, was a descendant of Fujiwara no Hidesato and a senior retainer of the Iwakura Oda clan, which opposed Oda Nobunaga. Moritoyo was also the lord of Kuroda Castle in Owari Province. Kazutoyo is especially renowned for his marriage to Yamauchi Chiyo, whose wisdom and resourcefulness played a key role in his rise to prominence.
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Saito Tatsuoki
Saito Tatsuoki (6 September 1548 - 1573) was a daimyo of Mino Province during Japan's Sengoku period and the third-generation lord of the Saito clan. He was the son of Saito Yoshitatsu and grandson of Saito Dosan. His mother was a daughter of Azai Hisamasa, making him a nephew of Azai Nagamasa and a relative of Oda Nobunaga's first wife, Nohime, who was also a daughter of Saito Dosan.
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Kyogoku Tadataka
Kyogoku Tadataka (1593–1637) was a Japanese nobleman and the head of the Kyogoku clan during the early 17th century, a pivotal time marked by the Tokugawa consolidation of power. His childhood name was Kumamaro, and he hailed from a lineage claiming descent from Emperor Uda (868–897). Tadataka was the son of Kyogoku Takatsugu and one of his concubines, with his paternal grandfather being Kyogoku Takayoshi.
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Matsudaira Naomasa
The late Muromachi period, also known as the Sengoku period, was an era of continuous conflict and upheaval, often likened to periods of chaos in Chinese history. This turbulent era was brought to an end by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who, with the support of loyal retainers, established the Edo Shogunate and became the ruler of Japan. Among Ieyasu’s descendants, Naomasa Matsudaira, his grandson, played a significant role during the Osaka Siege. He earned praise from his adversary, Nobushige Sanada (Yukimura Sanada), for his valor as a young warrior and maintained strong relations with successive Tokugawa shoguns.
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Ishikawa Kazumasa
Ishikawa Kazumasa (1534–1609) was a prominent Japanese retainer who began serving Tokugawa Ieyasu during his youth. Their relationship began in 1551 when both were hostages under the Imagawa clan. Kazumasa remained a loyal companion to Ieyasu, participating in key events such as the Siege of Terabe in 1558 and the Siege of Marune in 1560. After Ieyasu broke away from the Imagawa following the latter event, Kazumasa became a trusted retainer and administrator in his service.
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Shimazu Toyohisa
Shimazu Toyohisa (July 1570 – October 21, 1600), also known as Shimazu Tadatoyo, was a samurai of the Shimazu clan and the son of Shimazu Iehisa. He was the nephew of Shimazu Yoshihiro and held command over Sadowara Castle. Known for his valor, Toyohisa participated in numerous key battles of the late Sengoku period, earning recognition for his bravery and tactical acumen.
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Ikeda Terumasa
Ikeda Terumasa (January 31, 1565 – March 16, 1613) was a Japanese daimyo of the early Edo period, recognized by his court title, "Musashi no Kami," and known as the "Shogun of Western Japan." Terumasa, a distinguished military leader, participated in numerous significant battles during the late Azuchi-Momoyama period. His service at the Battle of Sekigahara earned him control over the Himeji domain. Originally named Araokojimaru, he was the son of Ikeda Tsuneoki and the brother of Ikeda Sen. He later became the heir to Ikeda Nobuteru and held Ikejiri Castle in Mino Province.
