The Sengoku period daimyo Matsunaga Hisahide has been historically portrayed as a nefarious schemer, an aged and devious character, wreaking havoc on lives and property—an archetypal villain. Despite these depictions prevalent in modern plays, TV dramas, movies, and traditional woodblock prints, he was, in reality, a tall, handsome man of education and a patron of the arts when he died at the age of 68.
Born in 1508 in what is now Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto City, Hisahide served as a retainer to Miyoshi Nagayoshi, also known as Chokei, the Lord of Awa and Settsu, and one of the most influential figures of his era. Hisahide enjoyed the trust of the Miyoshi clan and held roles as a clan representative and later as governor at the Imperial Court in Kyoto. Between 1561 and 1564, three of Chokei’s brothers and his son and heir Yoshioki died under mysterious circumstances, paving the way for Hisahide to claim power and domains in 1564, though his involvement in these deaths remains speculative.
The Miyoshi clan wielded significant influence over the shogunate, manipulating the Ashikaga Shoguns, but tensions escalated, leading to the death of Shogun Yoshiteru. Matsunaga Hidehisa, under the Miyoshi’s influence, played a role in this event, resulting in the installation of the infant Yoshihide as the new shogun.
Hisahide later aligned with warlord Oda Nobunaga as he expanded his influence in Kyoto, offering him a renowned tea implement. Despite his initial loyalty, Hisahide conspired against Nobunaga in 1573 alongside the Miyoshi. However, the alliance with Miyoshi Yoshitsugu fell apart, leading Hisahide back to Nobunaga's side. He participated in the siege of Ishiyama Hongan-ji but eventually abandoned his post and returned to his lands in Yamato and Shigisan Castle.
Accused of treachery, Nobunaga demanded Hisahide's head and the prized tea container "Hiragumo." Facing Oda troops, Hisahide smashed the tea implement and committed seppuku in Shigisan Castle's tower keep. The castle was subsequently destroyed by Oda forces.
While Hisahide faced character assassination for alleged acts such as undermining his former masters and the rumored burning of Todai-ji, it's crucial to consider the biases of the victors and foreign missionaries at the time, who vilified him. His unassuming grave can be found in Daruma-ji Temple, Oji-cho, Nara.
See also
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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.
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Yamanami Keisuke
Yamanami Keisuke, the second in command of the Shinsengumi, a special police force during the late Edo period, shocked many when he performed seppuku on March 20, 1865, at the age of 32.
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Yamamoto Kansuke
Yamamoto Kansuke, renowned as a samurai strategist and one of Takeda Shingen's esteemed 24 Generals, hailed from the Mikawa region, known for breeding formidable warriors. Despite physical challenges—blindness in one eye, lameness in one leg, and a malformed hand—Kansuke embarked on a warrior's pilgrimage in his twenties. Traveling across the land, he honed his skills in strategy, tactics, castle construction, and warfare, engaging in various swordsmanship schools and forms.
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Yamaga Soko
Yamaga Soko was a multifaceted figure in Japanese history, renowned as a strategist, philosopher, and scholar. Later in life, he became a ronin, leaving a significant mark on the understanding of the Tokugawa period samurai.
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William Adams - Miura Anjin
William Adams, also known as Miura Anjin, holds the distinction of being one of the few non-Japanese individuals granted samurai status. Born in Gillingham, Kent, England in 1564, Adams embarked on a remarkable journey that led him to become an influential figure in Japanese history.
