Mori Terumoto, born in 1553 in Yoshida, Aki Province (now Hiroshima Prefecture), belonged to the influential Mori Clan during the late Sengoku and early Edo periods. His grandfather, Mori Motonari, and father, Mori Takamoto, were notable figures within the clan.
In 1582, Terumoto participated in the Siege of Takamatsu against Toyotomi Hideyoshi and later fought in the Battle of Shizugatake. Following these events, he pledged allegiance to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who granted him the land around Hiroshima as his fief. Terumoto played a significant role in the establishment of Hiroshima, overseeing the construction of his castle in the region.
Appointed by Hideyoshi, Terumoto became one of the five members of the Council of Regents tasked with governing in place of Hideyoshi's young son, Hideyori, after the Taiko's death. Despite his distinguished lineage, Terumoto was considered less skilled both as a warrior and a governor compared to his warlord grandfather and strategist father.
During the Battle of Sekigahara, although officially designated as the leader of the Western forces by Ishida Mitsunari, Terumoto found himself relegated to Osaka Castle with Toyotomi Hideyori. Following the battle, he surrendered to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Had Terumoto taken the field during the decisive battle and brought Hideyori with him, it is speculated that the course of events might have been different. Potential outcomes include the prevention of betrayals within the Western forces, the return of some Eastern supporters to their original loyalties, and the possibility of Ieyasu facing defeat. Terumoto passed away on April 27, 1625, at the age of 72.
See also
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Matsudaira Nagachika
Matsudaira Nagachika (1473–1544?) was a daimyō of Japan’s Sengoku period and the third son of Matsudaira Chikatada. He was also the great-grandfather of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
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Oishi Yoshio
Oishi Yoshio (April 24, 1659 – March 20, 1703) served as the chamberlain of the Ako Domain in Harima Province, now part of modern-day Hyogo Prefecture, from 1679 to 1701. He is best known as the leader of the Forty-seven Rōnin in their 1703 vendetta and is honored as the central figure in the legendary tale of Chūshingura.
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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.
