Hosokawa Fujitaka, also known as Yusai, stood as a revered daimyo, poet, and scholar, initially serving the 13th Ashikaga Shogun, Yoshiteru, and later the 15th Shogun, Yoshiaki, before aligning with Oda Nobunaga.
Born as the second son of Mitsubichi Harukazu in the tranquil village of Higashiyama, Kyoto, he was adopted by his uncle, Hosokawa Mototsune, at the age of seven. His remarkable intelligence became evident early in life.
Having been a close advisor to the Ashikaga Shogunate, Yusai crossed paths with Oda Nobunaga during the fall of the Ashikaga. He actively participated in Nobunaga's battles across central Japan and Kyoto, contributing significantly to the nation's unification. To strengthen bonds between trusted advisors, Nobunaga orchestrated marriages, such as that of Akechi Mitsuhide's daughter to Yusai's son, Tadaoki.
In 1582, following Akechi Mitsuhide's attack on Honno-ji resulting in Nobunaga's death, Yusai and Tadaoki, appalled by Mitsuhide's actions, refused assistance. With Nobunaga's demise, Yusai became a priest.
Approached by Ishida Mitsunari before the Battle of Sekigahara, Yusai and his son wisely withheld their intentions. Mitsunari's plan to capture daimyo families in Osaka, including Yusai's, led to tragedy. Yusai's daughter-in-law, Gracia, resisted, resulting in her death and influencing many daimyo to join the Eastern forces led by Tokugawa.
In anticipation of the Battle of Sekigahara, Yusai, informed of his daughter-in-law's death and Mitsunari's moves, fortified Tanabe Castle. Defying the odds, the 67-year-old scholar and poet defended the castle with 500 men against 15,000 troops. Former students among the attackers, respecting their teacher, half-heartedly engaged in the siege. Yusai's possession of rare poetry books prompted him to seek their safeguarding, emphasizing his commitment to art and knowledge even in the face of war.
Despite Imperial Court advice to surrender, Yusai, a dignified samurai, refused. The two-month siege diverted 15,000 Western troops from Sekigahara. Meanwhile, his son Tadaoki represented the Hosokawa clan on the battlefield.
Post-Sekigahara, Yusai retired, passing away at 78 and finding his resting place in Kyoto. A master of martial arts, literature, the tea ceremony, and poetry, Yusai left a legacy of profound knowledge in strategic games, cuisine, performing arts, and martial and cultural arts.
See also
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Oda Nobutada
Oda Nobutada (1557 – June 21, 1582) was a samurai and the eldest son of Oda Nobunaga, known for his active role in several battles during Japan's Sengoku period. He led armies under his father's command in campaigns against Matsunaga Hisahide and the Takeda clan.
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Imagawa Ujizane
Imagawa Ujizane (1538 – January 27, 1615) was a Japanese daimyō who lived through the Sengoku and early Edo periods. He became the tenth head of the Imagawa clan, following in the footsteps of his father, Imagawa Yoshimoto. Ujizane was the father of Imagawa Norimochi and Shinagawa Takahisa.
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Hojo Ujiyasu
Hojo Ujiyasu (1515 – October 21, 1571), the third head of the Odawara Hojo clan, was a formidable daimyo known as the "Lion of Sagami." Revered as a fearsome samurai and brilliant strategist, he became famous for successfully breaking sieges by renowned warlords Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. Ujiyasu was the son of Hojo Ujitsuna, and his only known wife was Zuikei-in, sister of Imagawa Yoshimoto. Among his children were Hojo Ujimasa and Uesugi Kagetora.
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Hojo Ujimasa
Hojo Ujimasa (1538 – August 10, 1590) was the fourth leader of the later Hojo clan and the daimyo of Odawara. He continued his father Hojo Ujiyasu's policy of territorial expansion, achieving the largest territorial holdings in the clan's history.
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Uesugi Kagetora
Uesugi Kagetora (1552 – April 19, 1579) was the seventh son of Hojo Ujiyasu and was originally known as Hojo Saburo. He was adopted by Uesugi Kenshin and intended to be Kenshin's heir. However, in 1578, he was attacked in his Otate Castle by Uesugi Kagekatsu, his brother-in-law, and was ultimately defeated. Kagetora committed suicide the following year at Samegao Castle.
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Hojo Ujinao
Hojo Ujinao (1562 – December 19, 1591) was a Japanese daimyo of the late Sengoku period and the last leader of the Later Hojo clan. An important figure in Azuchi-Momoyama politics, he lost his entire domain following the Siege of Odawara (1590). Despite this, he survived, and his family continued as minor daimyo during the Edo period.
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Takeda Katsuyori
Takeda Katsuyori (1546 – April 3, 1582) was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period, renowned as the head of the Takeda clan and successor to the legendary warlord Takeda Shingen. He was also the son-in-law of Hojo Ujiyasu. Katsuyori was born to Shingen and the daughter of Suwa Yorishige, known posthumously as Suwa-goryonin and by her real name, Koihime. His children included Takeda Nobukatsu and Takeda Katsuchika.
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Yasuke
Yasuke, an African page, arrived in Japan in 1579 as the attendant of the Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano. Before the arrival of the Englishman William Adams, it is thought that Yasuke was possibly the inaugural non-Japanese samurai, arriving about twenty years earlier.
