Mōri Hiromoto (毛利 弘元, 1466 – February 13, 1506) was a local warlord (jizamurai) of Aki Province in the west Chūgoku region of Japan during the Muromachi period and Sengoku period of the 16th century. The Mōri clan claimed descent from Ōe no Hiromoto, an adviser to Minamoto no Yoritomo. He is most known as the father of the famous Mōri Motonari.[1]

Mōri Hiromoto
毛利 弘元
Head of Mōri clan
In office
1476–1506
Preceded byMōri Toyomoto
Succeeded byMōri Okimoto
Personal details
Born1466
Aki
DiedFebruary 13, 1506 (aged 39 or 40)
Tajihi-Sarugake Castle, Aki
RelationsMōri Toyomoto (father)
Mōri Okimoto (son)
Mōri Motonari (son)
NicknameChiyojumaru (千代寿丸)
Military service
Allegiance Ōuchi clan
RankJizamurai
Unit Mōri clan
CommandsYoshida-Kōriyama Castle

Biography

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Not much is known about the early life of Hiromoto but in 1476 he became head of the Mōri clan when his father Mōri Toyomoto died. He was one of the many subordinate lords who were vassals of Ōuchi Masahiro. After the death of Masahiro he continued to serve his son and successor, Ōuchi Yoshioki. His son Mōri Okimoto also followed the Ōuchi clan.

In 1500, Hiromoto was involved in a power dispute with the Ashikaga shogunate and the Ōuchi clan and decided to retire. He handed over the head position of the clan to his eldest son, Mōri Okimoto and moved to Tajihi-Sarugake Castle (多治比猿掛城) with his son Shōjumaru (the later Mōri Motonari).[2] Okimoto then took over Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle, the main stronghold of the clan.

In 1501 his wife died and he died in 1506 from alcohol poisoning.

 
Grave of Mōri Hiromoto

His grave is at Esō Temple (Esō-in 悦叟院) in Akitakata City, Hiroshima Prefecture.[2]

Family

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  • Father: Mōri Toyomoto (毛利興元, 1444–1476)
  • Mother: unknown
    • Brother: Kaneshige Motoshige (兼重元鎮, d. 1541)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)「毛利元就」の解説". kotobank. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b "多治比猿掛城跡". Akitakata city official. Retrieved 15 October 2021.