Mimura Iechika
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese daimyo
of the Sengoku period
. The son of Mimura Munechika, he was the lord of Matsuyama Castle
, in Bitchū Province
. As the influence of the Hosokawa was decreasing in the province, he joined with the Shō family in expanding his local power and influence within Bitchū.
However, issues began to arise with the Shō family, and so Iechika turned to Mōri Motonari
for support. The Mōri clan came to Iechika's aid, and assisted in largely subduing the province under the Mimura. At the same time, Iechika moved his headquarters from Tsurukubi Castle to Matsuyama Castle
, entrusting the former fortification to his senior vassal Mimura Chikanari.
In 1566, while holding a council with his senior retainers at Kōzenji Temple, Iechika was shot to death by Endō Matajirō and Yoshijirō, two brothers who had received orders from Ukita Naoie
. It was an uncommon killing, as gun assassinations were still rare at the time.
Daimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
of 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...
. The son of Mimura Munechika, he was the lord of Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle is the name of several castles in Japan:* Matsuyama Castle is a castle in Takahashi, Okayama .* Matsuyama Castle is a castle in Matsuyama, Ehime ....
, in Bitchū Province
Bitchu Province
was a province of Japan on the Inland Sea side of western Honshū, in what is today western Okayama Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Bizen and Bingo Provinces. Bitchu bordered Hōki, Mimasaka, Bizen, and Bingo Provinces....
. As the influence of the Hosokawa was decreasing in the province, he joined with the Shō family in expanding his local power and influence within Bitchū.
However, issues began to arise with the Shō family, and so Iechika turned to Mōri Motonari
Mori Motonari
was a prominent daimyō in the west Chūgoku region of Japan during the Sengoku period of the 16th century.-Early years:Mōri Motonari was born under the name Shojumaru in a small domain of Aki province in 1497. He is said to have been born at Suzuo Castle, his mother's homeland...
for support. The Mōri clan came to Iechika's aid, and assisted in largely subduing the province under the Mimura. At the same time, Iechika moved his headquarters from Tsurukubi Castle to Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle is the name of several castles in Japan:* Matsuyama Castle is a castle in Takahashi, Okayama .* Matsuyama Castle is a castle in Matsuyama, Ehime ....
, entrusting the former fortification to his senior vassal Mimura Chikanari.
In 1566, while holding a council with his senior retainers at Kōzenji Temple, Iechika was shot to death by Endō Matajirō and Yoshijirō, two brothers who had received orders from Ukita Naoie
Ukita Naoie
was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period. He was born in Bizen Province, to Ukita Okiie, a local samurai leader. After the assassination of Naoie's grandfather Yoshiie in 1534, he was left homeless along with his father, but both were soon taken in by Murakami Munekage, the lord of Tenjinzan...
. It was an uncommon killing, as gun assassinations were still rare at the time.