Maeda Toshiie stood as a pivotal and accomplished figure during the Warring States Period, leaving an indelible mark on history. Born in Arako on January 15, 1538, to Maeda Toshimasa, the lord of Arako Castle in Owari (now part of Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture), Toshiie, also known as Inuchiyo or Matazaemon, emerged from a distinguished lineage.
In his youth, Toshiie served as a page to Oda Nobunaga, forging a close friendship with the spirited and unconventional Nobunaga. Notably, he earned the moniker "Yari-no-Mataza" for his exceptional spear skills. Despite having four older brothers, Toshiie was appointed as the head of the Maeda clan at the behest of Nobunaga in 1560 after his father's passing.
Toshiie played key roles in Nobunaga's forces, serving in the Akahoro-shu and later as the Ashigaru-Taisho. His valor shone in battles, particularly under Shibata Katsuie against the Asakura clan. For his achievements, he was granted the lucrative domain of Kaga (Kanazawa), making it the wealthiest domain of the Edo period.
Following Nobunaga's demise, Toshiie found himself pitted against his friend Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the Battle of Shizugatake, fighting under Shibata's banner. Subsequently, he became a general in Hideyoshi's army and faced another friend, Sassa Narimasa, at the Siege of Suemori Castle in 1584.
Appointed to the Council of Five Elders by Hideyoshi, Toshiie played a crucial role in governing on behalf of Hideyoshi's son, Hideyori. At Hideyoshi's deathbed in 1598, Toshiie received the solemn duty of directly caring for the infant Hideyori.
In opposition to Ieyasu's actions after Hideyoshi's death, Toshiie passed away at the age of 61 on April 27, 1599, a year before the Battle of Sekigahara. His wife, Matsu, a woman of both literary and martial prowess, played a significant role in Toshiie's ascent to power. Together, they had ten children, and Matsu's intelligence and strong will ensured the survival and prosperity of the Maeda clan. After Toshiie's demise and the Battle of Sekigahara, Matsu voluntarily became a hostage at Edo Castle, safeguarding the Maeda clan's legacy throughout the Edo period and beyond.
See also
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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.
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Mori Tadamasa
Mori Tadamasa (1570 - July 31, 1634) was a notable military commander during Japan’s Warring States period and an early Edo-period daimyo. Initially, he governed Kawanakajima Domain in Shinano Province (modern-day Nagano Prefecture) and later became the first lord of Tsuyama Domain in Mimasaka Province (now northern Okayama Prefecture). He founded the Mori family line of the Ako Domain. Tadamasa’s family origins trace back to the Genji (Minamoto) clan, specifically the Kawachi-Genji branch from Kawachi Province (in present-day southeastern Osaka Prefecture), a lineage tied to Emperor Seiwa through his ancestor Yorisada Mori, a great-grandson of the famed Minamoto no Yoshiie.
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Sanada Masayuki
Sanada Masayuki (1547 – July 13, 1611) was a daimyo and prominent lord of Japan's Sengoku period. Head of the Sanada clan from Shinano Province, he served the powerful Takeda clan of Kai Province alongside his father and brothers during Takeda Shingen’s leadership. Following the Takeda clan's decline, Masayuki took charge of the Sanada, and despite limited resources, he established his clan as an independent power under the Toyotomi regime by navigating alliances with dominant clans such as the Tokugawa, Hojo, and Uesugi. Renowned as one of his era's greatest strategists, Masayuki achieved notable victories against the Tokugawa forces in the Battle of Kami River and the Siege of Ueda.
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Sanada Nobuyuki
Sanada Nobuyuki was a renowned samurai of the Sengoku period and the eldest son of daimyō Sanada Masayuki. He was the elder brother of the famous warrior Sanada Yukimura. Nobuyuki’s mother was Kansho-in, Masayuki's wife, and he was married to Komatsuhime (Inahime), the daughter of Honda Tadakatsu and the adopted daughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nobuyuki also had two other wives: Seiin-in, his cousin, and Ukyo, the daughter of Tamagawa Hidemasa.
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Date Hidemune
Date Hidemune was a Japanese daimyō during the early Edo period, born in 1591 as the eldest son of Date Masamune, one of Japan’s most prominent feudal lords. His mother was Shinzo no Kata, a concubine, which affected his future prospects. As a young man, Hidemune lived under the care of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was given the adult name "Hidemune," adopting one character from Hideyoshi's own name. Hideyoshi granted Hidemune the court rank of junior 5th, lower grade, along with the title of ji-jū, and appointed him as a page to his son, Toyotomi Hideyori.
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Tsutsui Junkei
Tsutsui Junkei (March 31, 1549 – September 15, 1584), the son of Tsutsui Junsho, was a daimyo who ruled over Yamato Province. In 1571, through the mediation of Akechi Mitsuhide, Junkei pledged his service to Oda Nobunaga.
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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.
