Kuki Yoshitaka entered the world in Shima, along the southern coast of Mie Prefecture, in 1542. Hailing from a family that once held mastery over two castles, Yoshitaka faced adversity early on. At the tender age of nine, his father's demise plunged the family into hardship, resulting in the loss of their territories and a life on the run.
When Oda Nobunaga launched an invasion into the neighboring Ise province, targeting Kitabatake Tomonori and the Kitabatake clan in 1569, Kuki pledged loyalty to Nobunaga. He played a pivotal role by providing naval support for the annexation of Mie. Kuki showcased his maritime prowess during the naval blockade of the Nagashima Ikko-Ikki uprising, aiding Nobunaga in overcoming the militant followers of the Hongan-ji Temple.
In the Battle of Kizugawaguchi in 1576, where Kuki faced superior naval forces from the Mori clan, his ships were set ablaze at sea. Enraged by the defeat, Nobunaga tasked Kuki Yoshitaka with devising a strategy to conquer the Mori fleet. In response, Yoshitaka created what is believed to be the world's first ironclad warships in 1578. Deploying six of these formidable vessels, accompanied by a fleet of smaller ships, Kuki confronted a Mori armada comprising 600 vessels.
The ensuing Second Battle of Kizugawaguchi resulted in victory for Yoshitaka, earning him additional territories and a promotion to daimyo status.
In 1582, Kuki Yoshitaka served Nobunaga's son, Nobukatsu, during the tumultuous Honno-ji Incident orchestrated by Akechi Mitsuhide. Two years later, he aligned with former Oda clan statesman Takigawa Kazumasu in the service of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, participating in the Battle of Komaki Nagakute against the Tokugawa. Remaining a loyal vassal of the Toyotomi clan, he received the Toshi-gun in the Toba region, where he constructed Toba Castle in 1585.
As the Battle of Sekigahara unfolded in 1600, Yoshitaka sided with the Toyotomi loyalists of the Western forces led by Ishida Mitsunari. However, strategically, his son Moritaka fought for the Eastern side with the Tokugawa clan. This tactical move aimed to secure the family name's preservation, ensuring a family member's presence among the victors. Following the defeat of the Western forces, Yoshitaka abandoned Toba Castle and retreated to Toshijima, the largest island off Toba's coast.
Simultaneously, his son Moritaka sought clemency for his father from Tokugawa Ieyasu, securing an amnesty. Unfortunately, news of the pardon reached Yoshitaka on Toshijima after he had already performed seppuku.
He passed away at the age of 58, in close proximity to the foundation of his cherished naval fleet. Per his wishes, his head rests atop a hill overlooking Toba Castle, while his body finds its final resting place at the hill's base.
See also
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Asano Nagaakira
Asano Nagaakira (March 18, 1586 – October 16, 1632) was a Japanese samurai and daimyō of the early Edo period. He initially ruled Wakayama Domain before being transferred to the Hiroshima Domain, where his family would remain until the Meiji Restoration.
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Takigawa Kazumasu
Takigawa Kazumasu (1525 – October 21, 1586), also known as Takikawa Sakon or Sakonshogen, was a prominent samurai and daimyō of the Sengoku period. He served as a loyal retainer and military commander under Oda Nobunaga and later Toyotomi Hideyoshi. His biological son, Toshimasu, was adopted by Maeda Toshihisa, the elder brother of Maeda Toshiie, and Kazumasu served alongside Toshiie in Nobunaga’s campaigns.
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Sanada Yukitaka
Sanada Yukitaka (c. 1512 – June 8, 1574) was a renowned samurai warrior of the Sengoku period, best known as one of the "Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen." He was the father of Sanada Nobutsuna and Sanada Masayuki, as well as the grandfather of the legendary Sanada Yukimura, who later served the Toyotomi clan.
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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.
