Japan’s 24 Most Famous Samurai

Introduction

For nearly 1,000 years, from their emergence in the mid-Heian period to the end of the Edo period, the “samurai” (feudal Japanese military aristocracy), as they were called, played a leading role in Japanese history. Each of these eras had numerous samurai warriors who seemed to teach us lessons and attitudes in the modern age. Let’s look at a selection of some of the most prominent samurai and what they did. Let us explain in simple terms.

Oda Nobunaga

Oda Nobunaga became the champion of the Warring States period and went one step closer to unifying the country. Born as the son of a feudal lord in Owari (present-day western Aichi Prefecture), he achieved his most remarkable breakthrough when he conquered the opposing forces.

Consequently, he unified the entire Owari region, ultimately overcoming Imagawa Yoshimoto, who held Suruga, Omi, and Mikawa provinces.

He then evicted the Saito clan from neighboring Mino, obtained Gifu Castle, and displayed his strength by using the seal of “Tenka Fubu” (“conquering the world with military power”). By coincidence, he ended up protecting the younger brother of the slain 13th Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru and finally launched a campaign to march on Kyoto. At that time, the Miyoshi Sanininshu (Miyoshi Triumvirate), the remnants of the Miyoshi clan, dominated the Kinai region.

Still, Nobunaga repelled them with tremendous military might and finally succeeded Yoshiaki as the 15th Shogun. However, a breach developed between Yoshiaki and Nobunaga, seeking to promote the Shogun’s rule, and Yoshiaki finally resolved to strike Nobunaga down. He spread a proclamation to the feudal lords of various regions to oust Nobunaga.

A ferocious offensive and defensive battle ensued between Asai, Asakura, and Takeda Shingen and the Ikko ikki (revolts by Ikko Sect believers). Nobunaga repelled them by destroying them individually and eventually took possession of the entire Kinai region by banishing Yoshiaki. Before long, the Oda family’s influence expanded to other regions.

With Shibata Katsuie in Hokuriku, Hashiba Hideyoshi in China, and his heir, Oda Nobutada, as commander-in-chief in Kai, they struck down hostile forces and established a gigantic Oda government from the Kanto region in the east and as far west as Bicchu in the west. Nevertheless, fate is an ironic factor. In 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide, his most reliable and trusted subordinate, rebelled against him, and he eventually departed this life.

• Living period: Warring States Period

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was the most successful person to rise to power in history. From his young days, he served at the side of Oda Nobunaga and achieved great military success in many battles. His name did not first appear in history until he was over 30 years old. However, his anecdotes, known from numerous military biographies and tales, are a crucial explanation for Hideyoshi’s high popularity, even though later eras have embellished many of them.

It was not until 1568, when Nobunaga arrived in Kyoto, that Hideyoshi achieved evident prominence as a samurai. Shortly after this, he was commissioned as a Kyoto magistrate with Akechi Mitsuhide and Murai Sadakatsu and others and primarily engaged in administrative affairs. Moreover, he became the first castle governor in a single country for his military exploits in eliminating the Asakura of Echizen and the Asai of Kitaomi.

After that, he continued to climb the ranks. And in 1576, he was plucked as the commander of the Mouri invasion. However, when Nobunaga perished in the Honnoji Incident, he killed Mitsuhide in what he called a battle of condolence, which triggered the Oda family’s seizure of actual power. He annihilated Shibata Katsuie and subdued Oda Nobuo and Tokugawa Ieyasu, effectively becoming the country’s sovereign.

After that, he conducted a series of successful attacks on Kyushu and Odawara to achieve the unification of Japan. Unfortunately, the campaign to invade Korea in the latter years of his life caused a split in the Toyotomi administration, and the country suffered from the resulting exhaustion. He finally died at 62, as if to tarnish the last days of his life. Despite this, he was a figure whose evaluation completely polarized between the first half of his life and the second half of his life.

• Living period: Warring States Period

Tokugawa Ieyasu

The warring states continued for a prolonged period, however Tokugawa Ieyasu was the last triumphant. Tokugawa Ieyasu is generally regarded as the most struggling of the three heroes, having been taken hostage by the Oda and Imagawa clans from an early age. After reaching adulthood, Tokugawa Ieyasu remained under the Imagawa clan’s ruling power.

However, a significant reversal of fortune came in the 3rd year of Eiroku (1560). The defeat of Imagawa Yoshimoto in the Battle of Okehazama provided an excellent opportunity for independence. Ieyasu, who had rallied his troops in his hometown of Mikawa, separated from the Imagawa and forged an alliance with his former adversary, Oda Nobunaga. In this way, he initiated the carving of Imagawa’s territory without concern for his backside.

In 1567, the Tokugawa forces invaded the east and gained possession of the Totomi region, where they achieved a dramatic leap forward. A renewed opponent, however, was the Takeda clan. Seven years later, he conquered his old nemesis, the Takeda clan. Although Shingen and Katsuyori afflicted the Takeda for two generations, they won a definitive triumph at the Battle of Nagashino in the third year of Tensho (1575).

Shortly afterward, however, Nobunaga lost his life at Honnoji, and a conflict erupted between Uesugi and Hojo over Oda’s remaining domain. By prevailing in this battle, Ieyasu became the five provinces chief governor, proving his strength to the whole country.

After the Battle of Komaki, Ieyasu served as a loyal follower of Hideyoshi and eventually gained prominence in the Toyotomi administration, ascending to the top rank of the Gotairo (Council of Five Elders) in Hideyoshi’s declining years. Immediately after Hideyoshi died in 1600, he won the Battle of Sekigahara, establishing himself as Japan’s effective ruler. Three years later, he inaugurated the Edo shogunate, thus establishing the 260-year foundation of the peaceful era.

In 1615, the Tokugawa shoguns devastated the Toyotomi clan in the Summer Battle of Osaka, and the Tokugawa dynasty gained a firm foundation. As if to see it through, he died at 75 with remarkable longevity.

• Living period: Warring States Period

Takeda Shingen

Takeda Shingen, known as the “Tiger of Kai” is perhaps best known for his role as a megastar of the Warring States period. At a relatively early age, he expelled his father and succeeded in the family governorship, from where he began to expand his influence into the Shinano region. In the beginning, in 1542, he defeated his sister-in-law, Yorishige Suwa, to seize Suwa and then advanced into the Ina region. He also conquered the Saku region, which was perfectly smooth sailing.

Nevertheless, as soon as he embarked on their assault on northern Shinano, one formidable adversary after another began to appear. He was severely beaten twice by Murakami Yoshikiyo, and Ogasawara no Nagatoki pressed on to invade Suwa. Against this situation, Shingen demonstrated an electric lightning move, ruined Nagatoki, and then used more scheming to beat Yoshikiyo out of the northern Shinano region. In this manner, Shingen gained control of the north of the Shinano region, including Kawanakajima, but Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo was standing in his way.

At the end of five fierce battles or confrontations, Shingen succeeded in defending Shinano despite losing many of his vassals. However, he still thought Uesugi was a formidable foe, so he shifted his policy here and set his sights on Nishikouzuke and Suruga.

With possession of parts of Kanto and Suruga facing the sea, he eventually directed his focus to the west. Beyond that were the territorial controls of Tokugawa and Oda. The Oda and Tokugawa would be considered vulnerable.

In 1573, after conquering the Tokugawa forces at the Battle of Mikatagahara, he directly headed west to Mikawa. Owari lies beyond that region, so he was likely trying to determine who would win the battle with Nobunaga.

Shortly thereafter, however, Shingen developed a sudden illness and succumbed to it on his way back to Kai, where he died unexpectedly.

• Living period: Warring States Period

Ishida Mitsunari

Ishida Mitsunari was a wise and skilled confidant of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, yet he was not Hideyoshi’s vassal from the outset. It is believed that he initially served the Asai clan of northern Omi, and the place’s name, Ishida, still remains today.

After the Asai clan collapsed, Hideyoshi, who became the first feudal lord to govern a province, started recruiting new vassals. During this time, Mitsunari’s father, Masatsugu, and elder brother Masazumi became vassals, and Mitsunari was summoned to serve as a petty retainer.

There is an interesting anecdote about the “sankan-no-cha,” or “three cups of tea,” in which he served hot tea first, followed by increasingly lukewarm tea, which is probably another excellent illustration of Mitsunari’s character. So he was a brilliant and quick-witted young man.

Mitsunari thus became Hideyoshi’s close associate and earned glory on the battlefields of numerous regions. However, it is not for his military prowess but his skills in arithmetic and administration, and he seems to have been assigned mainly to a logistical support role.

Nevertheless, a military battle cannot take place without the existence of those who are willing to help out on the fringes. Hideyoshi must have understood the crucial importance of logistical support and transportation and recognized that Mitsunari was capable of excelling in this area.

Mitsunari’s position has not altered even after Hideyoshi became the ruler of Japan. He was sometimes appointed as a regent of the Toyotomi clan and constantly exercised control over affairs on Hideyoshi’s side.

Nevertheless, the various generals were seriously disorganized when the Korean invasion started in 1592. It is reported that the many generals often resisted Hideyoshi, who ordered them to perform challenging and complicated tasks in the interior of Japan. Mitsunari and other magistrates, however, compelled the local commanders to carry out their orders without considering their position, and at times they even slandered the local commanders. This way, the resentment against Mitsunari increased and erupted after Hideyoshi’s death.

In 1600, Mitsunari rose to action with anti-Ieyasu faction elders such as Mori Terumoto and Ukita Hideie. Ultimately, the Battle of Sekigahara occurred. Nevertheless, the Western forces did not perform well in the crucial battle and suffered a severe defeat.

Mitsunari attempted to escape to the Ibuki Mountains to make a renewed comeback, but he was captured and sent to Kyoto. He ended his life at 41, failing to preserve the Toyotomi regime Hideyoshi had bequeathed to him.

• Living period: Warring States Period

Akechi Mitsuhide

The first half of Akechi Mitsuhide’s life, a man who left a distinctive mark on history, is unknown in great detail. There are various theories that he is a derivative of the Toki clan, the Mino governor, or that he served in Kyoto as a shogunate vassal in his younger days. The most recent research also shows that he played an active role as a physician, confined at Tanaka Castle in Omi, Japan.

Due to the assassination of the 13th Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiteru, however, Mitsuhide relocated to Echizen, where he began to accompany the wandering Yoshiaki Ashikaga. Shortly after, Oda Nobunaga and Yoshiaki made their way to Kyoto, and Mitsuhide regained his position as shogunate vassal.

Nevertheless, the ties between Yoshiaki and Nobunaga dissolved. When Yoshiaki finally decided to raise an anti-Nobunaga army, Mitsuhide and his colleague Hosokawa Fujitaka did not follow suit but instead agreed to support Nobunaga. Mitsuhide parted ways with Yoshiaki from this time on, leading his life as a vassal of Oda both in name and reality.

Nobunaga seemed to have highly valued Mitsuhide’s abilities, and he granted him Omi Sakamoto, a strategically important location in the Kinai region. This place was an economic city that Mt. Hieizan (in Kyoto) ruled over and was considered to have as much as half of the country’s income. After the invasion of Tamba, he was granted a fiefdom, establishing himself as Nobunaga’s most trusted vassal. He became the first of the Oda vassals to own a castle.

However, Nobunaga and Mitsuhide gradually formed to develop signs of a crack in the relationship. This split was a further cause of the Honnoji Incident, but there are various theories about the conspiracy theory, and the issue remains controversial to this day.

On June 2, 1582, forces led by Mitsuhide headed east from Tamba and assaulted Honnoji at daybreak. They killed Nobunaga and his heir, Nobutada, and seized control of Kyoto and its environs.

Upon hearing the incident, however, Hashiba Hideyoshi hurriedly turned back, and this adverse situation greatly drove Mitsuhide to suffer a defeat in the Battle of Yamazaki.

Ultimately, he lost his life in an assault by the indigenous people. It was an occurrence that was later called “Mitsuhide’s Three-Day Reign” (a relatively short-lived rule).

• Living period: Warring States Period

Sanada Yukimura

Sanada Yukimura is also known by the name “Nobushige.” For the record, he has never used the term “Yukimura,” which probably depends mainly on the descriptions in later war chronicles.

Yukimura was born as the second son of Sanada Masayuki, a provincial governor of Shinano. At the time, the Sanada family acted as hereditary members of the Takeda family, a feudal lord in Kai, and resided in the area around present-day Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. When Takeda Katsuyori was exterminated in 1582, however, he switched sides to the Oda clan and became a supporting figure to Takigawa. With Nobunaga’s death and Kazumasu’s defeat at the hands of the Hojo family, however, he fought a skillful battle for survival. He successively switched masters, first the Tokugawa and then the Uesugi, and finally was recognized as a feudal lord by pledging his loyalty to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Yukimura, the second son, was sent as a hostage to Uesugi and Toyotomi, which triggered his rise to power. Hideyoshi greatly favored Yukimura and appointed him as a horseman; therefore, Yukimua served as a direct vassal of Toyotomi. He rose to the rank of a

100,000-koku class feudal lord (koku; a traditional unit of volume, approx. 180.4 liters).

However, the battle of Sekigahara completely changed the course of destiny. The father, Masayuki, and Yukimura sided with the Western Army, and the eldest son, Nobuyuki, with the Eastern Army, thus dividing the father and son. Eventually, the western army was defeated, and Masayuki and Yukimura shut themselves up in their house at Kudoyama in Kishu.

Before long, Masayuki would pass away, but Yukimura had one last chance waiting for him. He was again summoned to Osaka Castle by Toyotomi Hideyori and entered the castle as a general.

In the winter battle of Osaka, he built the Sanada-maru (Sanada Barbican) to annoy the shogunate forces. In the summer battle, he displayed a daring fighting style that plunged

Tokugawa Ieyasu into a predicament. However, he was unfortunately defeated and died due to poor military fortune. Nonetheless, his fame is still handed down today, and his reputation as one of the most famous military commanders is well-known.

• Living period: Warring States Period

Uesugi Kenshin

Uesugi Kenshin is popularly known as the “Dragon of Echigo,” although his original family name was “Nagao”. In short, the Echigo governor was the Uesugi family, and the number two guardian was the Nagao family. The Nagao family eventually acquired considerable power.

During the reign of Kenshin’s father, Nagao Tamekage, they came to dominate the Echigo region, effectively establishing themselves as feudal lords in the Warring States period.

However, his elder brother Harukage, who succeeded him, seemed to be a very mediocre figure, and it was Kenshin, a.k.a. Kagetora, who earned support from the discontented local masses. Eventually, the brothers fought amongst themselves, but the guardian Uesugi family mediated this dispute. Kenshin finally settled on succeeding to the governorship, and Echigo finally regained its peace.

Unfortunately, a powerful new enemy emerged in the form of Takeda Harunobu (later to become Shingen). The reason is that they expelled Murakami Yoshikiyo from northern Shinano and gained that territory for themselves. Yoshikiyo relied on Kenshin to reclaim his territory, and Kenshin deployed his army in response. Such a situation led to what is generally known as the Battle of Kawanakajima. However, five successive battles failed to settle the issue, and Kenshin finally resigned from his quest to regain the northern Shinano region.

The next powerful enemy was Hojo in the Kanto region. Hojo Ujiyasu was exerting so much pressure on the Uesugi family, the Kanto governor, that Uesugi Norimasa, finally unable to bear the tension, had to flee to Echigo. The Uesugi family, the Echigo provincial governor, and Kanto Kanrei (A shogunal deputy for the Kanto region) are of the same family, so he relied on this kinship. At this time, he also inherited the Uesugi family name.

Kenshin launched an invasion of the Kanto region with a massive army. Yet, despite his overwhelming momentum, including the encirclement of Odawara Castle, he was still unable to defeat the Hojo clan successfully. After that, he continued to send out more expeditions, but only to waste even more time.

Subsequently, Kenshin directed his focus to the west. As Oda’s sphere of influence extended from Etchū (a former province located in present-day Toyama Prefecture) to beyond, he decided to fight a decisive battle against Nobunaga. Once Kenshin had gained victory at the Battle of Nanao Castle, he returned to prepare for a second invasion, but that was as far as his fate would take him. He suddenly had a collapse and departed this life without ever regaining consciousness. What if he had lived to engage Nobunaga in a decisive battle? What would have happened?

• Living period: Warring States Period

Date Masamune

Date Masamune, the “Dokuganryu (one-eyed dragon) of Oshu”, was born considerably later than Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu. Since he succeeded in the family governorship in 1584 (Tensho 12), it was already a time when Hideyoshi had already begun to take control of dispensations in the center.

Despite this situation, Masamune continued to push forward with the conquest of Oshu at a young age. At that time, the rivalry between the two major forces in Oshu, Date, and Ashina, was so fierce that the surrounding feudal lords followed one or the other. The circumstances were never stable, as the lord repeatedly changed his position depending on the situation.

Masamune then had no choice but to take severe measures. In 1585, he invaded Kotemori Castle and killed all the castle garrisons and other soldiers at lower ranks to warn others. He also assaulted Nihonmatsu Castle in response to the murder of his father, Terumune, by the Nihonmatsu family. However, many groups opposed Masamune’s forceful approach, and finally, the various forces in the southern Oshu region rose to the occasion and challenged him to battle. Namely, this was the “Battle of Hitotoribashi,” fought against the allied forces of Satake and Minami-Oshu. Although they did not win, they made peace with each other, and thus, they could narrowly escape the pinch.

At last, there came the decisive battle with the sworn enemy, the Ashina family. In 1589, the two crashed at Suriagehara, and Masamune achieved a spectacular triumph. And now that he had acquired Aizu, he became the ally of Oshu, both in name and in reality.

Shortly after that, Hideyoshi launched an invasion of Odawara, and Masamune was called upon to march into battle. But will Toyotomi win? Would Hojo win? In trying to side with the more advantageous one, Masamune failed to take the right moment. Masamune was determined to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) to seek an audience with Hideyoshi, but somehow he succeeded in receiving his forgiveness and joining the Toyotomi administration.

After Hideyoshi perished, Masamune drew closer to Tokugawa Ieyasu and entrusted the future of the Date family to him. His intentions turned out to be successful, and when the Edo shogunate was established and peace prevailed, Masamune emerged as a significant figure in the government. After laying the foundation for the prosperity of the Date family, he ended his life in 1636.

•  Living period: Warring States Period

Honda Tadakatsu

Among the four Tokugawa kings, Honda Tadakatsu is recognized as the bravest of them all. It is believed that he did not suffer a single scratch in the 57 battles he fought during his lifetime, which illustrates his incredible strength. Since the Honda family initially employed the “standing hollyhock” family crest, it must have been associated with the Matsudaira family (the ancestors of the Tokugawa), which also possessed the hollyhock crest. There is a theory that he may have been a clan member of the Kamo Shrine.

Tadakatsu’s debut battle was at 14, yet he had difficulty taking the heads of his enemies. He declined his uncle’s offer to assist him, declaring, “I can’t take credit for something I did with the help of others”. He thereby brilliantly succeeded in taking the cut head of the enemy.

In the Mikatagahara battle against the more formidable Takeda forces, he served as a lord in a situation of inevitable defeat to rescue his lord, Ieyasu. And it was in the Battle of Komaki against Hashiba Hideyoshi that Tadakatsu indeed demonstrated his exemplary character.

Having rushed from Mikawa to assist his outnumbered allies, Tadakatsu appeared before the eyes of the vast army led by Hideyoshi. He then mounted a single horse and rode into the river to give his horse a drink of water, displaying his immense fearlessness.

Only Hideyoshi recognized Tadakatsu’s courage, even though Hideyoshi’s vassals were outraged. He reportedly said, “That is the bravest man in the East”.

In this way, Tadakatsu had successfully overcome many deaths on the side of Ieyasu. Yet, at the Battle of Sekigahara, he was over 50 years old and was undoubtedly feeling a decline in his physical strength. Then, he trimmed his beloved spear, the Dragonfly Cutter, down to a short length and regained the spear-wielding skills of yesteryear.

In Sekigahara, he demonstrated tremendous strength, and with only a small force, he successfully defeated nearly 100 of the enemy. Masanori Fukushima saw this and praised Tadakatsu, saying, “Your spearmanship is as impressive as the rumors say. However, Tadakatsu replied, “It is not that I am strong, but that the enemy was too weak.”

He also possessed outstanding political skills and not only repaired Kuwana Castle but also worked to improve the town layout. He built a magnificent castle town under the castle and transformed it into one of the greatest cities in Japan.

• Living period: Warring States Period

Kato Kiyomasa

Kato Kiyomasa, known as the “Seven Spears of Shizugatake,” was a remote family relative of Hideyoshi. He was born in Nakamura, Owari, so he must have had some kind of relationship with the family from his early childhood.

Around the first year of Tensho (1573), he served Hideyoshi. Kiyomasa had a robust physical build and wits from childhood and excelled in martial arts. Hideyoshi and his wife adored him as if he were their child. As a result, he eventually absorbed military strategies and how to handle people from Hideyoshi to become an outstanding military commander.

He was first engaged in battle at Nagashino in Tensho 3 (1575). Hideyoshi did not allow Kiyomasa to accompany the army as he was still too youthful, but Kiyomasa secretly slipped into the march and went out to the battlefield.

Kiyomasa bravely launched an attack on the Takeda forces and succeeded in defeating three of his opponents. He also fought a one-on-one battle with a courageous general, Zakoji Yoichi, and performed an exceptional feat by inflicting a severe wound on his opponent.

Suffice it to say that Hideyoshi greatly admired him.

He subsequently played a crucial leading part in the war and distinguished himself as one of the “Seven Spears” in the Battle of Shizugatake. His heroic victory over Yamaji Masakuni, a ferocious general in Shibata’s army, earned him 3,000 koku (about $3,000).

After the invasion of Kyushu, Sassa Narimasa assumed the position of lord of Higo, but due to his mismanagement, a series of revolts erupted. It was Kiyomasa who was entrusted with the responsibility of suppressing the outbreak. His superb achievement led to his selection as a feudal lord in the latter half of the Higo Province. Kiyomasa’s political efforts focused solely on enriching the country. Consequently, the people of his domain are said to have been extremely grateful to him, affectionately referring to him as “Lord Kiyomasa.”

Kiyomasa never forgot his loyalty to the Toyotomi family even after Hideyoshi’s passing.

Although he joined the eastern army at Sekigahara, he remained devoted to Hideyoshi’s son, Hideyori, until the very end of his life.

• Living period: Warring States Period

Kuroda Kanbei

Kambei was born into the Kuroda family, who served the Kodera clan, a feudal lord in Harima, and gained instant fame for his successful defeat of a vast Akamatsu army that marched on the area in 1568. He eventually rallied to Nobunaga, who suppressed the Kinai region and served as a vassal along with his lord, Kodera Masamoto. From this stage, he played an instrumental role as a military strategist under Hashiba Hideyoshi. Nevertheless, when Araki Murashige of Arioka Castle started a treasonous rebellion, Masamoto became increasingly suspicious of him and resolved to part company with Oda. Kambei, wishing to change his mind at any cost, tried to persuade Murashige to reconsider his decision, but instead, he was captured and held captive for more than a year.

Eventually, Kanbei was rescued with the fall of Arioka Castle and resumed his position as Hideyoshi’s vassal, where he demonstrated his ingenuity in the conquest of Tottori Castle and Bicchu Takamatsu Castle. When the Honnoji Incident erupted, Hideyoshi led his army back to the Kinai region; however, it is reported that Kanbei’s efforts to arrange food and supplies made it possible for the military to shift smoothly.

He continued to assist Hideyoshi in his pursuit of the rule of Japan, and at the completion of his attack on Kyushu, he was given Buzen and elevated to the rank of daimyo (feudal lord) with 120,000 koku.

After the death of Hideyoshi, the Battle of Sekigahara broke out. His heir, Nagamasa, commanded the army and allied himself with the eastern forces. Kanbei, on the other hand, rallied his troops in Kyushu and went into battle, gaining control of almost all of Kyushu. As a result of the efforts of Kanbei and Nagamasa, the Kuroda family ascended to the great feudal lord position of 520,000 koku.

• Living period: Warring States Period

Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi has a high reputation as one of the greatest swordsmen of all time, but there are various theories about his birthplace; some say in Harima, and some say in Mimasaka. According to a more recent prevailing view, he was most likely a descendant of the Tahara clan, a prominent native of Harima.

Musashi was the second son of Iesada Tahara, but a relative, Hirata Munisai, adopted him as a child. At age 13, he challenged Arima Kihei, a military strategist, to a match and thoroughly defeated him. However, the Ukita family suffered a loss at Sekigahara, resulting in the loss of their land, and Musashi left for Kyoto in search of new land.

Musashi changed his family name to “Miyamoto” and proceeded to fight and achieve victory against the famous military strategists. His reputation eventually increased, and many disciples began to follow Musashi.

At such a time, the Yoshioka clan presented itself as an enemy. His adoptive father, Munisai, had once competed with the Yoshioka clan, and their fateful connection led them to confront each other. Musashi, however, displayed unparalleled power and succeeded in defeating Seijuro Yoshioka, the head of the family, and also gained an additional victory over his younger brother, Denshichiro.

However, the Yoshioka clan was not discouraged and attempted to force an ambush with more than a hundred men. Still, again they failed to prevail over Musashi because Musashi’s strategy resulted in the slaying of the young head of the clan. In a duel at Ganryujima, he overcame Sasaki Kojiro, the most skilled fighter of his time. However, there is also a theory that he employed unscrupulous tactics, so he likely had such a mindset that “the only way to win a game is to win it”.

Musashi, nevertheless, quit being a martial artist at the age of 30. Perhaps satisfied with his fame, he later demonstrated his multiple talents by studying the art of war, becoming an instructor to the feudal lords, or devoting himself to architecture.

In his later years, he wrote “The Book of Five Rings”, in which he described the mindset of a samurai and the theory of warfare, and this may have been his last will and testament to succeeding generations who were increasingly forgetting how to fight.

• Living period: Heian period

Minamoto no Yoshitsune

In the mid-Heian period, the Samurai were on the ascendant, and the Minamoto and Taira clans eventually competed against each other. Yoshitsune was born as the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, the leader of the Kawachi Genji clan. Yoritomo, who later founded the Kamakura shogunate, was his half-brother, and he was still a baby when the Heiji Rebellion erupted in 1160.

After his defeat in this rebellion, Yoshitomo was murdered by the betrayal of his family members. This incident led to the deaths of many of his sons. However, those who were young, including Yoritomo, and those who had entered the priesthood were forgiven. While Yoritomo was imprisoned in Izu, Yoshitsune resided in Kuramadera Temple. Still, he rejected the idea of becoming a monk and escaped from Kyoto, turning to the Oshu Fujiwara clan with whom he had a connection.

In 1180, when Yoritomo of Izu raised an army in response to “Prince Mochihito’s order”, Yoshitsune rushed from Oshu to be part of it and finally came face to face with his elder brother. On receiving an order to strike down Minamoto no Yoshinaka, who had entered the capital earlier, he led his army toward the west.

With his brother, Noriyori Minamoto, he defeated Yoshinaka, and the capital finally regained its peaceful state.

From here, they began to conquer the Heike clans that had fallen on the capital. Yoshitsune continued his victorious march to Ichinotani and Yashima and finally destroyed the Heike clan at Dannoura. Yoshitsune’s reputation increased as a result of this achievement, but Emperor Go-Shirakawa seized this opportunity. He intended to keep Yoshitsune as Kebiishi (police and judicial chief) and leave him in charge of the security of the capital. However, his elder brother Yoritomo was indignant at the fact that he had received his official position without permission. He did not even agree to meet with Yoshitsune.

At this critical juncture, Yoshitsune was also determined to part ways with his brother and tried to assemble an army, but he could not do so as he wished. Fearing defeat from Kamakura, Yoshitsune fled the capital and finally found himself in exile. In the end, he turned to the Oshu Fujiwara clan for support.

Soon after, however, Fujiwara no Hidehira died, and the young Yasuhira succeeded him, but under immense oppression from Yoritomo, he finally resolved to slay Yoshitsune. In 1189, Yoshitsune was assaulted at his mansion in Koromogawa and ended his life of 31 years.

• Living period: Heian period

Minamoto no Yoritomo

Minamoto no Yoritomo was born as the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, the leader of the Minamoto clan. Still, he was guaranteed to be the heir to the Minamoto clan from the very beginning. The reason is that the two older brothers, including Yoshihira and Tomonaga, were both children of side wives. Eventually, his father Yoshitomo died in the Heiji Disturbance and lost many brothers, whereas Yoritomo narrowly escaped death and was banished to Izu. He then married Masako, the daughter of Hojo Tokimasa, a local samurai.

In 1180, after 20 years of life as an exile, he finally received “Prince Mochihito’s order”. This order proclaimed to the Minamoto clan, trapped in various regions, to rise to overthrow the Heike clan.

Yoritomo immediately offered support, finding only a few allies who agreed with his decision. Defeated at Ishibashiyama in the face of the onrushing Heike forces, they retreated toward the Boso Peninsula. However, as it turned out, this was a blessing in disguise. He rallied the powerful clans of the Kanto region and unleashed a massive army that finally subdued the warriors of the Heike clan. He also designated Kamakura as his headquarters, declaring it the capital of the samurai.

While entrusting his younger brothers with the task of overthrowing Minamoto no Yoshinaka and the Heike clan, he also established the foundations of the samurai government as the Kamakura-dono (‘the Lord of Kamakura’). The Kamakura shogunate had not started yet at this stage, but the Kamakura period had already begun.

The emphasis sought to stabilize the regime was to eliminate those who gained too much influence. He assassinated Kazusa Hirotsune, with whom he had fought together, and banished Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who had achieved great success, and even his younger brother, Minamoto no Noriyori, whom he had suspected of having done something evil.

Yoritomo established the Kamakura shogunate in 1192 (Kenkyu 3) with the appointment as a barbarian general, but he reportedly had a considerable yearning for the capital. He must have wanted to have his daughter enter the family to become a relative of the emperor and thereby exercise a more powerful influence on the imperial court. However, these ideas seemed irreconcilable with those of the Gokenin (shogunal retainer), who envisioned a samurai-only government. According to the conventional theory, he supposedly died after falling from a horse, but there is a persistent theory that he may have been assassinated.

• Living period: Kamakura period

Tomoe Gozen

Tomoe Gozen is a renowned female heroine of the Heian and Kamakura periods, but her actual existence has turned into a legend and remains shrouded in a veil of mystery. If anything, she only appears in later military history books, and her achievements have been far beyond reality.

Born the second son of Minamoto no Yoshikata, a member of the Minamoto clan, Minamoto no Yoshinaka relied on Kanetou Nakahara, a prominent family in Kiso, after his father was exterminated in battle.

According to the sources, Tomoe Gozen served Yoshinaka at this time. Yoshinaka developed into a vigorous young man and embarked on a campaign accompanied by Tomoe and his followers. The purpose, of course, was to defeat the Heike clan following Mochihito’s princely command.

Yoshinaka’s army, having achieved a tremendous victory in Hokuriku, advanced directly to Kyoto and chased off the Heike clan. However, the relationship between Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Yoshinaka gradually became discordant, and finally, Minamoto no Noriyori and Yoshitsune arrived from Kamakura with a large army.

Yoshinaka bravely battled against the enemy, only to lose, and ultimately became cornered in Omi. Surrounded by enemies, Tomoe struggled to fight and even brilliantly managed to twist off the head of an enemy general. This achievement proves that she truly has a monstrous power beyond the reach of any ordinary individual.

However, Yoshinaka, in a desperate attempt to regain his footing, commanded Tomoe to flee the battlefield, and thus, Tomoe left the scene, even as she cried out. Although Yoshinaka eventually was defeated, Tomoe still seems to have continued to live. According to the “Genpei seisuiki” (The Rising and Falling Fortunes of the Genji (Minamoto) and the Heike (Taira)), she became the wife of Wada Yoshimori, a feudal lord of Kamakura (1185-1333), and had a son. She also reportedly became an ordained priest and died in Etchu.

• Living period: Heian period

Saitō Musashibō Benkei

Saitō Musashibō Benkei was the origin of such phrases as “Benkei’s vulnerable point” and “uchibenkei,” meaning a man who is a lion at home and a mouse abroad. Still, his true identity is shrouded in mystery. He was born around present-day Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, and may have been the son of Kumano Betto. He spent 18 months in his mother’s womb, and by the time he was born, he had the physique of a three-year-old, so he must have been far beyond the average person.

However, he has been a violent child since childhood, and his parents, unable to control him, decided to send him to Mt. Hieizan. However, he was finally kicked out of Mt. Hieizan due to his constant disorderly behavior, and from that time on, he began to call himself Musashibo Benkei. Benkei has been traveling around the country to complete his training, and from here, he resolves to make a wish to take the 1,000 swords.

Just when he reached the end of the line with one more sword away, he encountered Ushiwakamaru, later known as Minamoto no Yoshitsune. Benkei finally succumbed to the situation, and Benkei entered into a master-servant bond with Yoshitsune, vowing to protect him throughout his life.

After that, he followed Yoshitsune across the battlefields of various regions and contributed to multiple victories with his outstanding heroic performance. Additionally, when Yoshitsune was pursued by his elder brother Yoritomo, he dared to rebuke Yoshitsune to get him out of a pinch. This is a famous scene from the renowned Kabuki play “Kanjincho”.

The time has come for Benkei to succumb to exhaustion. To defend Yoshitsune from the forces sent by Fujiwara no Yasuhira, he stood before the eyes of the enemy. With arrows shot all over his body, he died while still standing.

• Living period: Heian period

Minamoto no Tametomo

Bow and arrow skill was critical to the samurai of the Heian period (794-1185). Naturally, the sword was an effective weapon, but the bow and arrow was the predominant weapon on the battlefield. And one of the most renowned and formidable archers was Minamoto no Tametomo, known for his skill with the bow.

Tametomo was born the eighth son of Minamoto no Tameyoshi, but he was over 207 cm tall, and his natural left hand was longer than his right hand. In other words, his physique was ideally suited for drawing a bow. The bow drawn by Tametomo was a five-person bow. They say its strength was so great that it took five adults to pull it off. However, Tametomo pulled it off so lightly that he startled those around him.

In 1156, when the Hogen Rebellion broke out between Emperor Sutoku and Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Tametomo participated with his father on the emperor’s side. He then defended the gates of the Shirakawa North Palace and attacked the forces of his brother Yoshitomo and Taira no Kiyomori.

One after another, he shot his mighty bow and long arrows with terrifying force. The arrows pierced through the opposing warriors and even penetrated the armor sleeves of the warriors walking behind. Moreover, his arrow hit Yoshitomo’s helmet and was so powerful that it popped off a tack called a “star”.

However, his efforts were in vain and ended in defeat, and Tametomo also withdrew from the battle and declined. Later captured, Tametomo saved his life for his bravery and was exiled to Izu Oshima.

Tametomo, however, became the son-in-law of a deputy governor and launched a rebellion, and finally took control of the seven islands of Izu. The court was surprised by such a move and sent an army to defeat him, but Tametomo pulled out his bow and shot it into the sea.

Then, it made a fatal hit on a ship carrying 300 people, which sank in no time. Tametomo committed suicide and ended his life, but this is only one of the numerous legends of Tametomo.

• Living period: Heian period

Kondo Isami

Kondo Isami became well known as the director general of the Shinsengumi, a group prominently active in the final days of the Tokugawa shogunate. Although born into a farming family, he became fascinated with the sword from childhood. By age 16, he had already entered the dojo of the Tennenrishin-ryu school, the Shieikan (a training hall of swordplay). Eventually, Kondo, who had rapidly improved his skills, became the successor to the Tennenrishin-ryu school at the age of 28, attracting the likes of Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Souji, and Nagakura Shinpachi, with whom he would later work together.

The time was now approaching the end of the Edo period, and irreverent supporters of the Sonjo doctrine (restoring the Emperor to power and expelling the barbarians) were active behind the scenes. Before the arrival of the 14th shogun, Tokugawa Iemochi, in Kyoto, the shogunate decided to recruit “roshigumi,” a group of samurai who would be responsible for escorting the shogun to the capital. Kondo and his men agreed to this and made their way to Kyoto with the members of the Shieikan.

The roshigumi eventually formed the “Mibu Roshigumi,” and they undertook to suppress the revolutionary radical Sonjo party (royalists) and maintain public order. However, Chief Serizawa Kamo’s conduct was highly deplorable, and the reputation of the roshigumi continued to decline. Therefore, partly upon the secret orders of his superior, the Aizu Clan, Serizawa finally became a dead man.

Thus, the organization underwent a reorganization, with Kondo as Director General and Hijikata as Deputy Director. They also changed the name to “Shinsengumi” around this time.

The Shinsengumi later gained name recognition for the Ikedaya Incident and successively exposed the pro-Emperor faction. He also tightened up the organization by assassinating Ito Kashitaro, who had intended to split the Shinsengumi.

However, as the Edo shogunate came to an end, the former shogunate forces suffered a defeat in the ensuing battle of Toba-Fushimi. The Shinsengumi also entered the war, but the age of the sword was no longer. Kondo subsequently returned to Edo and received orders to defend Kofu Castle, but he succumbed to the new government forces at Katsunuma. He finally became captured in Nagareyama and had his head severed.

• Living period: Edo period

Hijikata Toshizo

Hijikata Toshizo, known as “the pitiless vice commander” of the Shinsengumi, had been acquainted with Kondo Isami, the bureau chief, since his teens. At this time, Kondo had just been adopted by Shusuke Kondo, the master of the dojo. And he had been training with him as his pupil. He had knocked on the door of the Shuseikan.

When the tide of the times was suddenly and threateningly shifting, Kondo, Hijikata, and the other members of the Shieikan went to Kyoto together. The reason is that they joined the “roshigumi,” a group of ronin who guarded the shogun of the time, Tokugawa Iemochi.

However, the name Hachiro Kiyokawa was the one who called for the formation of the roshigumi, but he had a different purpose than protecting the Shogun. Namely, to be the vanguard of the Sonno Joi ha (supporters of the doctrine of restoring the emperor and expelling the barbarians). Kondo and Hijikata, realizing this fact, decided to part company with Kiyokawa. Eventually, Kiyokawa had to be assassinated by assassins released by the Shogunate. Hijikata and his group played an integral role in Kyoto as the “Mibu Roshigumi” and then as the “Shinsengumi.”

The Shinsengumi, which had distinguished itself in the Ikedaya Incident, became the object of terrifying fear for the Shishi (supporters of a noble cause) of the Sonno Joi party. Hijikata also unified his troops with iron discipline, transforming them into a formidable fighting force.

But the times were not favorable to the Shinsengumi. The defeat at Toba-Fushimi left the troops in pieces, and even Kondo lost his life. Nevertheless, Hijikata and his remaining comrades continued to fight against the new government forces, crossing from Aizu to Ezo to pursue their resistance. In 1869, he lost his life to a bullet during a battle with the new government forces.

• Living period: Edo period

Okita Soji

Okita Soji, renowned as one of the greatest swordsmen of the Tokugawa shogunate’s closing days, was initially born as the son of a Shirakawa clan samurai. He lived in the Hino area, and Hino is where there was a dojo for Shieikan Training Hall. Okita had been familiar with the sword since childhood, and his skills were highly valued, so Okita entered the Shieikan Training Hall. He brilliantly improved his skills even as a child, and by the time he was 12 years old, he had even beaten the Shirakawa clan’s master swordsman.

In 1863, when the Shirakawa clan began to recruit Ronin to guard Kyoto, Kondo, Hijikata, Okita, and other members of the Toshiheikan joined the ranks. After many twists and turns, they were praised for their achievements during the political upheaval of August 18. They changed their name to “Shinsengumi.”

Incidentally, Okita’s sword skills reportedly were tremendous, and he defeated many enemies. According to one theory, his sword could unleash a blinding speed, and he would perform as many as three thrusts in a single step. Okita then wielded his sword to his full potential, beginning with the murder of Serizawa Kamo, followed by the assassination of Uchiyama Hikojiro, a magistrate who had a grudge against Okita, and then the Ikedaya Incident. However, amid battle, he vomited blood, and his spectacular success faded into the background.

The disease had already taken its toll on Soji’s body, and he did not participate in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi due to his deteriorating physical condition. He eventually arrived in Edo, where he was admitted to the shogunate’s School of Medicine. In 1868, after the establishment of the Edo Castle, he passed away peacefully in a barn of a private house in Sendagaya.

• Living period: Edo period

Sakamoto Ryoma

Sakamoto Ryoma lived during the closing period of the Tokugawa Shogunate and gained widespread recognition as one of Tosa’s great men. Born into a low-ranked samurai family, Ryoma excelled at swordsmanship and headed to Edo (now Tokyo) to train in the art of swordsmanship to achieve even higher skill levels. However, there he witnessed the Black Ships led by Perry. It was a moment when he exposed himself to a foreign culture that he had never seen before.

After that, Ryoma returned to Tosa, where he became acquainted with Takechi Hanpeita, a member of the Tosaginno Party (Tosa Loyalist Party), and became committed to the thought of Sonno Joi (the principle of advocating reverence for the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners). However, Ryoma thought he could not wholly agree with the idea, so he left the Tosa Domain and headed for Edo to seek his own answer.

Then he encountered Katsu Kaishu. Ryoma joined the Navy Training Center and became fascinated with trade and shipping, but the naval magistrate Katsu resigned, taking responsibility for the Kimmon no Hen (Conspiracy of Kinmon). The training center, too, was driven to closure.

There, Katsu arranged for him to make his way to Satsuma. With the support of his retainer, Komatsu Tatewaki, he formed the ” Kameyama shachu (company) ” in Nagasaki. This later became the Kaientai. He purchased numerous new guns from the Glover Trading Company in Nagasaki and transported them to the Choshu domain, which became a crucial trigger for the Satsuma-Choshu Alliance.

In addition, the Kaientai became directly under the Tosa Domain, and Ryoma took on the position of advising Goto Shojiro, the regent of the Tosa Domain. Ryoma bestowed upon Goto the proposal, namely the Eight Point Plan for Imperial Restoration and Governance. Although there are various theories, some say this was the foundation of the idea of Taisei Hokan (transfer of power back to the Emperor).

As the movement by Satsuma and Chōshū (clan alliance) to defeat the shogunate accelerated, the shogunate officials attempted to assassinate Ryoma. In 1867, while at Omiya, he was ambushed and left for dead.

• Living period: Edo period

Saigo Takamori

Saigo Takamori, an elder statesman of the Meiji era and the last samurai, was a distinguished leading figure who overturned the traditional and outdated ways of society and guided Japan toward modernization. For Saigo, his life-long mentor was Shimazu Nariakira, the lord of the Satsuma clan. Nariakira, renowned for his enlightened views at the time, recognized that Saigo was a brilliant individual and offered his ideas to Saigo as a form of education.

After Nariakira’s death, there was a conflict between the conservative and innovative factions within the Satsuma clan, and Saigo frequently suffered from this agitation and became exiled to the islands. However, despite the hardships he endured, he was able to make a comeback and eventually succeeded in being selected as a military commander.

Amid the critical situation from the Forbidden Gates Incident to the Choshu Conquest, Saigo decided to join hands with the Choshu clan and concluded that his only path forward was the overthrow of the shogunate. In 1865, Saigo formed the Satsuma-Choshu alliance and came on the verge of overthrowing the shogunate by military force.

However, Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu was one step ahead of him. He was one of the first to announce Taisei Hokan (transfer of power back to the Emperor) and to suppress further moves by Satsuma. There, Saigo embarked on a considerably more aggressive course of action. He created a commotion in Edo to raise the momentum of ” the hatred of the Satsuma clan” and induced the outburst of the former shogunate. As he had planned, he destroyed the former Shogunate forces that had come to the front at Toba-Fushimi, thereby turning Yoshinobu into an Emperor’s enemy.

Soon after, he accepted a peace agreement in the face of an attack on Edo Castle and, conversely, succeeded in confining the power of the Tokugawa. In this way, Japan stepped forward into modernization, both in name and in reality.

However, a conflict erupted within the new government over the Seikanron (debate on the subjugation of Korea). As a result, Saigo resigned from his duties and returned to Kagoshima. However, the samurai, or so-called “shizoku (family or person with samurai ancestors” experienced the most significant disadvantage due to the sudden social reforms. While samurai were deprived of their privileges, there was a series of successive rebellions by the warrior class. Saigo could no longer suppress his dissatisfaction and provoked the Seinan War (the last civil war in Japan) in Kagoshima.

Eventually, the warrior samurai were driven into a corner by the overwhelming attack of the new government forces, and Saigo also committed suicide on Mount Shiroyama in Kagoshima.

• Living period: Edo period

Ito Hirobumi

Ito Hirobumi, who later became Japan’s first prime minister, was born in Suo, which is now Yamaguchi Prefecture. His parent’s family ran a farm and lived a poverty-stricken life.

Eventually, his father entered the Ito family as an adopted son, and the family finally gained the status of foot soldiers. It was the lowest of the samurai class.

Incidentally, when he was young, he entered Shoka Sonjuku (a private school), presided over by Yoshida Shoin, where he studied with Shinsaku Takasugi and other students. At 18, he followed Katsura Kogoro into Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, where he actively participated in the Sonno Joi Movement (the movement advocating reverence for the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners). At that time, the Choshu Clan was the leading spearhead of the Sonno Joi (the principle of advocating reverence for the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners), and he was active on the front lines of this movement.

When Ito was 22 years old, he was selected as an overseas student by order of the Choshu clan and traveled to England with Kaoru Inoue and others. He worked hard to learn English

there and eventually could write letters, let alone engage in daily conversation. However, Ito, keenly aware of the technological and cultural gap between the two countries, began to think, “This is no time to advocate for ‘Revere the Emperor and expel the barbarians’”.

Ito eventually returned to Japan, and after the Meiji Restoration, he assumed a position as a foreign affairs officer because of his excellent proficiency in English. He also traveled extensively throughout Europe and the U.S. to broaden his world knowledge as a deputy of the Iwakura Mission.

Ito, determined that Japan should promulgate a modern constitution, investigated the constitutions of European countries, and attempted to draft a constitution modeled following the example of the Prussian Constitution. In 1885, at the age of 44, he became the first Prime Minister of Japan, and following a series of lengthy deliberations, he led the way to the promulgation of a new constitution.

In 1889, the Constitution of the Empire of Japan was promulgated under the Kuroda Cabinet, and the constitutional government finally emerged in Japan.

Although Ito was later tragically killed by a bullet, he should be highly praised for his outstanding achievement.

• Living period: Meiji era

Summary

Warriors, and samurai in general, are individuals who nobly lived their lives in their respective times. Even if they died a violent death, we cannot help but marvel at how they lived.

It was precisely the very samurai that made the history of Japan. By learning about their deeds, thoughts, and words, we can draw lessons for us for our future tomorrow.