Toyotomi Hidenaga

(Redirected from Hashiba Hidenaga)

Toyotomi Hidenaga (豊臣 秀長, April 8, 1540 – February 15, 1591), formerly known as Hashiba Koichirō (羽柴 小一郎) or Hashiba Hidenaga (羽柴 秀長). He was a half-brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi,[1] one of the most powerful and significant warlords of Japan's Sengoku period and regarded as 'Hideyoshi's brain and right-arm'.

Toyotomi Hidenaga
豊臣 秀長
Toyotomi Hidenaga
Governor of Izumi, Kii and Yamato Province
In office
1585–1591
Personal details
Born
Koichirō (小一郎)

April 8, 1540
DiedFebruary 15, 1591(1591-02-15) (aged 50)
Kōriyama, Yamato Province
SpouseChiun'in
RelationsChikuami (father)
Ōmandokoro (mother)
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (half-brother)
Asahi no kata (sister)
Toyotomi Hidetsugu (nephew)
Toyotomi Hideyori (nephew)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance Toyotomi clan
RankDainagon
Unit Toyotomi clan
Battles/warsChugoku campaign (1577-1582)
Battle of Yamazaki (1582)
Battle of Shizugatake (1583)
Battle of Komaki and Nagakute (1584)
Invasion of Shikoku (1585)
Kyūshū Campaign (1587)

Life

edit

Hidenaga was also known by his court title, Dainagon (大納言). He promoted Tōdō Takatora to chief engineer. He led Hideyoshi's vanguard force a few years later into Satsuma Province, contributing heavily to his half-brother's victories in gaining control of Kyūshū. Hidenaga was awarded the provinces of Kii, Izumi and Yamato, reaching a governance of one million koku.

He took part in the 1582 Battle of Yamazaki, the 1583 Battle of Shizugatake, also lead Toyotomi's troops at the Invasion of Shikoku (1585), and the 1587 Battle of Takajo, Battle of Sendaigawa and Siege of Kagoshima.[2]

He died in 1591, at Kōriyama, Yamato Province (now Nara Prefecture), and his tomb is called Dainagon-zuka (大納言塚).

During the Warring States period, it was not uncommon for even parents and siblings to engage in lethal conflicts, yet he unwaveringly supported his brother. Many historians believe that "Had Hidenaga lived longer, the Toyotomi regime would have been secure". Indeed, Hideyoshi's Korean campaign and the purge of Hidetsugu occurred after the deaths of Hidenaga and Sen no Rikyū.[3]

Family

edit

Honours

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Sansom, George (1961). A History of Japan, 1334-1615. Satford University: Stanford University Press. p. 321. ISBN 0804705259.
  2. ^ Turnbull, Stephen (1998). The Samurai Sourcebook. London: Cassell & Co. pp. 236, 238, 240, 276. ISBN 9781854095237.
  3. ^ "もし秀長がもう少し生きていたら、うまく秀吉にブレーキをかけて、秀次の悲劇も朝鮮出兵も起こらなかったのではないか、とはよく言われるところです。". Rekishi Kaido. Retrieved 16 March 2024.

See also

edit