Background
He was the eldest son of Date Masamune, born in 1596 by Lady Iisaka (a concubine).
伊達 秀宗
He was the eldest son of Date Masamune, born in 1596 by Lady Iisaka (a concubine).
Coming of age while living with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he received a character from Hideyoshi"s name and took the adult name of Hidemune. After Hideyoshi"s death in 1600, he was made a hostage at the residence of Ukita Hideie. Though he was Masamune"s eldest son, Hidemune was born by a concubine, and therefore could not be the successor to the Sendai Domain, which his father ruled.
Masamune therefore considered the possibility of having Hidemune start a branch family.
Hidemune immediately entered his new fief as daimyo, and ruled until his retirement in Meireki 3 (1657).
