Chosokabe Motochika (1539 – July 11, 1599) was a prominent daimyo during Japan's Sengoku period. He held the position of the 21st chief of the Chosokabe clan in Tosa Province (present-day Kochi Prefecture), establishing his rule over the Shikoku region.
Early Life and Ascension
Motochika was born to Chosokabe Kunichika and a daughter of the Saito clan of Mino Province. His childhood name was Yasaburo. Although he started as a quiet and gentle youth, he later revealed himself as a skilled and courageous warrior. His first significant battle was at the Battle of Tonomoto in 1560, where he fought valiantly, earning admiration from his father and retainers.
In 1562, he launched an attack on Asakura castle, defeating Motoyama Shigetoki and consolidating his power base on the Kochi plain through alliances with local families.
Unification of Shikoku
By 1573, Motochika's power had grown significantly. Seizing an opportunity, he marched on the Ichijo's headquarters at Nakamura, forcing Ichijo Kanesada to flee.
In 1575, at the Battle of Shimantogawa, Motochika emerged victorious, solidifying his control over Tosa Province. He then set his sights on Iyo province, facing resistance from Kono Michinao.
In 1579, Motochika's army, led by Kumu Yorinobu, clashed with Doi Kiyonaga's forces at the Battle of Mimaomote, resulting in Kumu's death. The following year, Motochika led a substantial force into Iyo Province, compelling Kono to flee.
Over the next decade, Motochika extended his power to all of Shikoku island, achieving his goal of ruling the entire region.
Conflict with Hideyoshi
In 1585, Toyotomi Hideyoshi launched an invasion of Shikoku, leading to Motochika's surrender and the loss of Awa, Sanuki, and Iyo Provinces.
Under Hideyoshi's rule, Motochika participated in various military campaigns, including the invasions of Kyushu and Korea. In 1596, a Spanish ship incident escalated into a conflict leading to the persecution of Christians in Japan.
Motochika passed away in 1599 at the age of 60. His successor was Chosokabe Morichika. In addition to his military leadership, Motochika is remembered for creating the '100-Article Code of the Chosokabe' and for his efforts in establishing economically prosperous castle towns. He transitioned from Oko to Otazaka and ultimately to Urado during his career.
See also
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Torii Mototada
Torii Mototada (1539 – September 8, 1600) was a Japanese samurai and daimyo who lived through the Sengoku and late Azuchi–Momoyama periods. A loyal retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu, he is best remembered for his heroic last stand at the Siege of Fushimi, an event that played a crucial role in shaping Japanese history.
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Toyotomi Hideyori
Toyotomi Hideyori (August 28, 1593 – June 4, 1615) was the son and designated successor of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the general who first unified Japan. His mother, Yodo-dono, was Oda Nobunaga's niece.
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Okubo Tadanori
Okubo Tadanori (January 13, 1842 – August 10, 1897) was the 9th daimyo of Odawara Domain in Sagami Province (modern-day Kanagawa Prefecture) during the late Edo period. Before the Meiji Restoration, he held the courtesy title of Kaga no Kami.
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Okubo Tadayo
Okubo Tadayo (1532 – October 28, 1594) was a samurai general who served Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Azuchi–Momoyama period and later became the daimyo of Odawara Domain in the early Edo period.
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Araki Murashige
Araki Murashige (1535 – June 20, 1586) was a samurai and retainer of Ikeda Katsumasa, the head of the powerful Settsu-Ikeda clan in Settsu Province. Initially serving under Katsumasa, he aligned himself with Oda Nobunaga after Nobunaga’s successful campaign to establish control over Kyoto.
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Yuki Hideyasu
Yuki Hideyasu (March 1, 1574 – June 2, 1607) was a Japanese samurai who lived during the Azuchi–Momoyama and early Edo periods, serving as the daimyō of Fukui Domain in Echizen Province. Born Tokugawa Ogimaru, he was the second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Lady Oman (also known as Lady Kogō), a handmaiden to Ieyasu’s wife, Lady Tsukiyama. Due to Ieyasu’s fears of his wife’s reaction to Oman’s pregnancy, Ogimaru and his twin brother were born in secrecy at the home of Honda Shigetsugu, one of Ieyasu’s retainers. Oman’s other son eventually became a priest, while Ogimaru was raised apart from Ieyasu, whom he only met at the age of three, in a meeting arranged by his older half-brother, Matsudaira Nobuyasu.
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Tsutsui Sadatsugu
Tsutsui Sadatsugu (June 6, 1562 – April 2, 1615) was a prominent figure in the Sengoku and early Edo periods, known as the cousin and adopted heir of Tsutsui Junkei, the feudal lord of Yamato Province. Following Junkei's death in 1584, Toyotomi Hideyoshi relocated Sadatsugu to Iga Province, where he oversaw the construction of Iga Ueno Castle, marking the height of his prominence.
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Matsudaira Kiyoyasu
Matsudaira Kiyoyasu (September 28, 1511 – November 29, 1535) served as the 7th lord of the Matsudaira clan during Japan's tumultuous Sengoku period. Renowned as the paternal grandfather of Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan's "great unifiers," Kiyoyasu expanded his clan’s influence, bringing all of northern Mikawa Province under his control after subduing the Saigo clan. His power was further symbolized by the construction of Okazaki Castle, a testament to the Matsudaira’s growing dominance.
