Shimazu Toyohisa (July 1570 – October 21, 1600), also known as Shimazu Tadatoyo, was a samurai of the Shimazu clan and the son of Shimazu Iehisa. He was the nephew of Shimazu Yoshihiro and held command over Sadowara Castle. Known for his valor, Toyohisa participated in numerous key battles of the late Sengoku period, earning recognition for his bravery and tactical acumen.
Early Life and Family
Born as Houjumaru, Toyohisa was later named Shimazu Tadatoyo before adopting the name Toyohisa. His mother was the daughter of Shimazu Tadanaga, making him part of an extensive and influential samurai lineage. Despite his youth, he was regarded as a capable military commander even before his coming-of-age ceremony (genpuku). By age 14, he was already actively involved in military affairs, including hosting Uwai Satokane, a key vassal of the Shimazu clan, in his father's absence.
Military Career
Battle of Okitanawate (1584)
Toyohisa distinguished himself during the Battle of Okitanawate, where the Shimazu forces, led by his father Iehisa, triumphed over the Ryūzōji clan despite being heavily outnumbered. Shimazu Iehisa entrusted Toyohisa with significant responsibilities, even expressing pride in his son’s emerging warrior spirit.
Battle of Hetsugigawa (1587)
At 17, Toyohisa participated in the Battle of Hetsugigawa against Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s advancing forces. Despite being outnumbered, the Shimazu army achieved a decisive victory, killing prominent enemy commanders such as Chōsokabe Nobuchika and Sogō Masayasu. This marked Toyohisa as a rising star within the Shimazu clan.
Service Under Hideyoshi
Following the Shimazu clan's submission to Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587, Toyohisa succeeded his father as lord of Sadowara Castle. He continued to serve in Hideyoshi's campaigns, including the 1590 Odawara Campaign and the Korean invasions (1592–1598), where his leadership and bravery in battle further enhanced his reputation. He was noted for his fearless combat, including a celebrated engagement during the Battle of Chilcheollyang, where he boarded and captured an enemy ship.
The Battle of Sekigahara (1600)
Toyohisa fought alongside his uncle Yoshihiro in the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara, aligning with the Western Army. During the battle’s chaos, the Shimazu forces found themselves isolated. As the situation deteriorated, Toyohisa urged Yoshihiro to retreat, declaring his intent to stay behind and cover their withdrawal. Toyohisa’s sacrificial stand ensured Yoshihiro's safe return to Satsuma but cost Toyohisa his life.
Accounts describe his final moments as heroic: leading a desperate charge against the pursuing Eastern Army, he inflicted significant losses before succumbing to injuries. Some records suggest that his remains were later buried at Ruriko-ji Temple, where his grave still stands.
Posthumous Legacy
After his death, Toyohisa's bravery and loyalty were celebrated in Shimazu clan lore. His absence left a leadership void, and his family line eventually became extinct in 1624. Artifacts, including his armor, are preserved in museums and temples as a testament to his legacy.
Historical accounts describe Toyohisa as a "beautiful and brave" warrior, embodying both physical grace and martial prowess. His decisiveness, courage, and loyalty made him a revered figure in Satsuma. His actions, particularly during Sekigahara, cemented his place as one of the most iconic samurai of his era.
Shimazu Toyohisa remains a symbol of unwavering loyalty and self-sacrifice, his life an enduring chapter in the storied history of the Shimazu clan.
See also
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Saito Tatsuoki
Saito Tatsuoki (6 September 1548 - 1573) was a daimyo of Mino Province during Japan's Sengoku period and the third-generation lord of the Saito clan. He was the son of Saito Yoshitatsu and grandson of Saito Dosan. His mother was a daughter of Azai Hisamasa, making him a nephew of Azai Nagamasa and a relative of Oda Nobunaga's first wife, Nohime, who was also a daughter of Saito Dosan.
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Kyogoku Tadataka
Kyogoku Tadataka (1593–1637) was a Japanese nobleman and the head of the Kyogoku clan during the early 17th century, a pivotal time marked by the Tokugawa consolidation of power. His childhood name was Kumamaro, and he hailed from a lineage claiming descent from Emperor Uda (868–897). Tadataka was the son of Kyogoku Takatsugu and one of his concubines, with his paternal grandfather being Kyogoku Takayoshi.
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Matsudaira Naomasa
The late Muromachi period, also known as the Sengoku period, was an era of continuous conflict and upheaval, often likened to periods of chaos in Chinese history. This turbulent era was brought to an end by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who, with the support of loyal retainers, established the Edo Shogunate and became the ruler of Japan. Among Ieyasu’s descendants, Naomasa Matsudaira, his grandson, played a significant role during the Osaka Siege. He earned praise from his adversary, Nobushige Sanada (Yukimura Sanada), for his valor as a young warrior and maintained strong relations with successive Tokugawa shoguns.
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Ishikawa Kazumasa
Ishikawa Kazumasa (1534–1609) was a prominent Japanese retainer who began serving Tokugawa Ieyasu during his youth. Their relationship began in 1551 when both were hostages under the Imagawa clan. Kazumasa remained a loyal companion to Ieyasu, participating in key events such as the Siege of Terabe in 1558 and the Siege of Marune in 1560. After Ieyasu broke away from the Imagawa following the latter event, Kazumasa became a trusted retainer and administrator in his service.
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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.
