Kazumasu Takikawa

1525 (age 61)

Omi, Nagano, Japan

Takikawa began his military career under Nobunaga Oda in Owari (Aichi Prefecture). He was appointed Kantō-kanrei (Shogun's Deputy in the East) by Nobunaga; in this post, with a portion of Kōzuke Province as his domain, he was assigned to keep an eye on the powerful Hōjō clan, based at Odawara. When Nobunaga conquered Ise and came to terms with governor Tomonori Kitabatake, Kazumasu was appointed lord of the five counties north of Ise (1569). He distinguished himself again by helping Nobunaga to destroy Katsuyori Takeda in Kai (Yamanashi Prefecture). At the outbreak of the Honnoji Affair (1582), in which Nobunaga was assassinated by Mitsuhide Akechi, Kazumasu returned to Nagashima in Ise. When war was declared between Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Katsuie Shibata, Kazumasu sided with the latter, but unfortunately his side lost and finally he had to submit to Hideyoshi. Recognizing Kazumasu's military genius, Hideyoshi pardoned him and made him custodian of the Qno Castle in Fukui Prefecture. In 1584, when Hideyoshi fought the combined strength of Ieyasu Tokugawa and Nobuo Oda, Kazumasu as a general under Hideyoshi captured the Kanie Castle in Ise, but was eventually defeated by Ieyasu. Ashamed of his defeat, Kazumasu retired in seclusion to the Myoshinji Temple, Kyoto, and subsequently died at Echizen (Fukui Prefecture).

Kazumasu Takikawa Edit Profile

一益滝川

also known as Sakonshōgen (左近将監)

warrior

Background

Takikawa Kazumasu was born in 1525 Omi, Nagano, Japan.

Career

Takikawa began his military career under Nobunaga Oda in Owari (Aichi Prefecture). He was appointed Kantō-kanrei (Shogun's Deputy in the East) by Nobunaga; in this post, with a portion of Kōzuke Province as his domain, he was assigned to keep an eye on the powerful Hōjō clan, based at Odawara. When Nobunaga conquered Ise and came to terms with governor Tomonori Kitabatake, Kazumasu was appointed lord of the five counties north of Ise (1569).

He distinguished himself again by helping Nobunaga to destroy Katsuyori Takeda in Kai (Yamanashi Prefecture). At the outbreak of the Honnoji Affair (1582), in which Nobunaga was assassinated by Mitsuhide Akechi, Kazumasu returned to Nagashima in Ise. When war was declared between Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Katsuie Shibata, Kazumasu sided with the latter, but unfortunately his side lost and finally he had to submit to Hideyoshi. Recognizing Kazumasu's military genius, Hideyoshi pardoned him and made him custodian of the Qno Castle in Fukui Prefecture.

In 1584, when Hideyoshi fought the combined strength of Ieyasu Tokugawa and Nobuo Oda, Kazumasu as a general under Hideyoshi captured the Kanie Castle in Ise, but was eventually defeated by Ieyasu. Ashamed of his defeat, Kazumasu retired in seclusion to the Myoshinji Temple, Kyoto, and subsequently died at Echizen (Fukui Prefecture).

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