Naito Masatoyo
Encyclopedia
also known as was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period
. As one of Takeda Shingen
's most reliable generals, he fought in many of the Takeda clan's battles. Masatoyo was the second son of Takeda Nobutora
's senior retainer, Kudō Toratoyo. He was first called Kudō Sukenaga. The family's fortunes fell when Toratoyo lost favor with Nobutora and was killed by him.
Sukenaga and his brother escaped the Takeda clan and, according to the predominant theory, they wandered around the Kantō region
. After Nobutora was exiled by his son Takeda Shingen
, Shingen recalled the Kudō brothers, reinstating their lands and permitting the family's restoration. Shingen also formally excused Toratoyo of any wrongdoing and sent a letter of apology and money to the family. Furthermore, the Kudō were given command of 50 cavalry and granted the rank of samurai-taishō (侍大将).
In 1566 he was given Minowa Castle
in Kōzuke Province
after it fell to the Takeda. At Mikatagahara
he led a charge into the Tokugawa
ranks and was at the forefront of the fighting at Nagashino
(1575). He had opposed the attack at Nagashino and, in the course of the battle, was shot many times by arrows before being beheaded by Asahina Yasukatsu. He had been noted for his warm disposition and his equally impressive talents in warfare and administration. He had even been a mentor to the young Katsuyori, Takeda Shingen's fourth son. At Nagashino, after disagreeing with Katsuyori, he rushed into battle, dying an honorable death.
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...
. As one of Takeda Shingen
Takeda Shingen
, of Kai Province, was a preeminent daimyo in feudal Japan with exceptional military prestige in the late stage of the Sengoku period.-Name:Shingen was called "Tarō" or "Katsuchiyo" during his childhood...
's most reliable generals, he fought in many of the Takeda clan's battles. Masatoyo was the second son of 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...
's senior retainer, Kudō Toratoyo. He was first called Kudō Sukenaga. The family's fortunes fell when Toratoyo lost favor with Nobutora and was killed by him.
Sukenaga and his brother escaped the Takeda clan and, according to the predominant theory, they wandered around the Kantō region
Kanto region
The is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Within its boundaries, slightly more than 40 percent of the land area is the Kantō Plain....
. After Nobutora was exiled by his son Takeda Shingen
Takeda Shingen
, of Kai Province, was a preeminent daimyo in feudal Japan with exceptional military prestige in the late stage of the Sengoku period.-Name:Shingen was called "Tarō" or "Katsuchiyo" during his childhood...
, Shingen recalled the Kudō brothers, reinstating their lands and permitting the family's restoration. Shingen also formally excused Toratoyo of any wrongdoing and sent a letter of apology and money to the family. Furthermore, the Kudō were given command of 50 cavalry and granted the rank of samurai-taishō (侍大将).
In 1566 he was given Minowa Castle
Minowa Castle
is a castle located in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.-History:Minowa Castle was built in 1526 by Nagano Narimasa from the Nagano clan based out of Nagano in Kozuke Province...
in Kōzuke Province
Kozuke Province
was an old province located in the Tōsandō of Japan, which today comprises Gunma Prefecture. It is nicknamed as or .The ancient provincial capital was near modern Maebashi. During the Sengoku period, Kōzuke was controlled variously by Takeda Shingen, Uesugi Kenshin, the late Hōjō clan, and...
after it fell to the Takeda. At Mikatagahara
Battle of Mikatagahara
The ' was one of the most famous battles of Takeda Shingen's campaigns, and one of the best demonstrations of his cavalry-based tactics.-Background:...
he led a charge into the Tokugawa
Tokugawa clan
The was a powerful daimyo family of Japan. They nominally descended from Emperor Seiwa and were a branch of the Minamoto clan by the Nitta clan. However, the early history of this clan remains a mystery.-History:...
ranks and was at the forefront of the fighting at Nagashino
Battle of Nagashino
The ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force...
(1575). He had opposed the attack at Nagashino and, in the course of the battle, was shot many times by arrows before being beheaded by Asahina Yasukatsu. He had been noted for his warm disposition and his equally impressive talents in warfare and administration. He had even been a mentor to the young Katsuyori, Takeda Shingen's fourth son. At Nagashino, after disagreeing with Katsuyori, he rushed into battle, dying an honorable death.
Sources
- Much of this article was compiled from corresponding content from the Japanese Wikipedia.