Matsudaira Kiyoyasu
Encyclopedia
was the 7th lord over the Matsudaira clan
during the Sengoku period
(16th century) of Japan. Kiyoyasu was the grandfather of the exceedingly famous unifier of Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu
. Kiyoyasu soon gained control of the whole of the northern region of Mikawa province
after the Saigo clan had surrendered after four generations of conflict between the two clans. The Okazaki castle
was also built as a monument towards the Matsudaira's power. However, certain hatred began growing within a certain retainer of Kiyoyasu's, a retainer by the name of Abe Masatoyo. During the year of 1535, this certain retainer had somehow sneaked into Kiyoyasu's secret chambers and slew him with his Muramasa
blade. After the revolt had been subdued at the battle of Idano
, and peace returned to the Matsudaira, Matsudaira Hirotada
, father of Ieyasu, would succeed to the throne of power within the Matsudaira clan.
Another version of Matsudaira Kiyoyasu's death has been told by the author A. L. Sadler.
Kiyoyasu, the son of Nobutada, was a fine soldier, and his friendship was solicited both by Takeda Nobutora
, father of the great Shingen, and also by Oda Nobuo mitsu, uncle of the more famous Nobunaga. Oda later made secret overtures to the effect that if Kiyoyasu attacked his province he would be on his side, his intention being to oust his elder brother Nobuhide, the head of the clan. So Kiyoyasu set out against this province. But is wicked uncle Nobusada, seeing an opportunity, sent to Nobuhide to say that he was about to take the Castle of Anjo, the headquarters of Kiyoyasu, from which he had set out. When Kiyoyasu heard of this he was naturally very troubled at the possibility of his base being taken behind his back, and he was rendered more so by another rumour started by someone that his most faithful retainer Abe Sadayoshi was also in league with his uncle. Abe Sadayoshi was very indignant when he heard this slander, and called his son Yashichi
, telling him that it was false, and would be proved so if proper examination was made. But if this was not done, and he was put to death on suspicion, he impressed on him the need of his continuing to serve their lord faithfully as if nothing had happened. Just after this Sadayoshi's horse began to be restless and kick out, and there was some confusion, and Kiyoyasu came out and gave orders to catch it and tie it up. Hearing the noise, Yashichi at once concluded that his father was being arrested and was in danger, and without more Ado rushed out on the spur of the moment without any reflection and cut Kiyoyasu down. He was at once killed himself, but that did not save Kiyoyasu, who was only twenty-five. But he was not without an heir, his son Hirotada being ten years old. The army of Kiyoyasu had to retire immediately he was killed, and it was Sadayoshi who took charge of his son, for the charge of treason seems to have been quickly shown to be false, and he was trusted as before.
Matsudaira clan
The was a Japanese samurai clan that claimed descent from the Minamoto clan. It first originated in and took its name from Matsudaira village, in Mikawa Province . Over the course of its history, the clan produced many branches, most of which also centered around Mikawa Province...
during the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
(16th century) of Japan. Kiyoyasu was the grandfather of the exceedingly famous unifier of Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu
Tokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
. Kiyoyasu soon gained control of the whole of the northern region of Mikawa province
Mikawa Province
is an old province in the area that today forms the eastern half of Aichi Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Mikawa bordered on Owari, Mino, Shinano, and Tōtōmi Provinces....
after the Saigo clan had surrendered after four generations of conflict between the two clans. The Okazaki castle
Okazaki Castle
is a Japanese castle located in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. At the end of the Edo period, Okazaki Castle was home to the Honda clan, daimyō of Okazaki Domain, but the castle is better known for its association with Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Tokugawa clan...
was also built as a monument towards the Matsudaira's power. However, certain hatred began growing within a certain retainer of Kiyoyasu's, a retainer by the name of Abe Masatoyo. During the year of 1535, this certain retainer had somehow sneaked into Kiyoyasu's secret chambers and slew him with his Muramasa
Muramasa
Muramasa Sengo was a famous swordsmith who founded the Muramasa school and lived during the Muromachi period in Japan...
blade. After the revolt had been subdued at the battle of Idano
Battle of Idano
The Battle of Idano was a battle during the Sengoku period of Japan.Seven days after the murder of Matsudaira leader Kiyoyasu at the hands of the rebel commander Abe Masatoyo, the forces of Matsudaira set out to take revenge against the rebel Masatoyo and his army, and were victorious....
, and peace returned to the Matsudaira, Matsudaira Hirotada
Matsudaira Hirotada
was the lord of Okazaki Castle in Mikawa province, Japan during the Sengoku Period of the 16th century. He is best known for being the father of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate....
, father of Ieyasu, would succeed to the throne of power within the Matsudaira clan.
Another version of Matsudaira Kiyoyasu's death has been told by the author A. L. Sadler.
Kiyoyasu, the son of Nobutada, was a fine soldier, and his friendship was solicited both by Takeda Nobutora
Takeda Nobutora
was a Japanese daimyo who controlled the Province of Kai, and fought in a number of battles of the Sengoku period. He was the father of the famous Takeda Shingen, who was originally named Harunobu, along with two other sons, Nobushige and Nobukado.Nobutora fought Hiraga Genshin at the Battle of...
, father of the great Shingen, and also by Oda Nobuo mitsu, uncle of the more famous Nobunaga. Oda later made secret overtures to the effect that if Kiyoyasu attacked his province he would be on his side, his intention being to oust his elder brother Nobuhide, the head of the clan. So Kiyoyasu set out against this province. But is wicked uncle Nobusada, seeing an opportunity, sent to Nobuhide to say that he was about to take the Castle of Anjo, the headquarters of Kiyoyasu, from which he had set out. When Kiyoyasu heard of this he was naturally very troubled at the possibility of his base being taken behind his back, and he was rendered more so by another rumour started by someone that his most faithful retainer Abe Sadayoshi was also in league with his uncle. Abe Sadayoshi was very indignant when he heard this slander, and called his son Yashichi
Yashichi
Yashichi may refer to:*Kazaguruma no Yashichi, a character in Mito Kōmon.* Yashichi, a minor character in manga and anime Afro Samurai* Yashichi, a ninja type fairy character in manga and anime Mirmo!...
, telling him that it was false, and would be proved so if proper examination was made. But if this was not done, and he was put to death on suspicion, he impressed on him the need of his continuing to serve their lord faithfully as if nothing had happened. Just after this Sadayoshi's horse began to be restless and kick out, and there was some confusion, and Kiyoyasu came out and gave orders to catch it and tie it up. Hearing the noise, Yashichi at once concluded that his father was being arrested and was in danger, and without more Ado rushed out on the spur of the moment without any reflection and cut Kiyoyasu down. He was at once killed himself, but that did not save Kiyoyasu, who was only twenty-five. But he was not without an heir, his son Hirotada being ten years old. The army of Kiyoyasu had to retire immediately he was killed, and it was Sadayoshi who took charge of his son, for the charge of treason seems to have been quickly shown to be false, and he was trusted as before.