Wakisaka Yasuharu
Encyclopedia
sometimes referred to as Wakizaka Yasuharu, was a daimyo
(feudal lord) of Awaji Island
who fought under a number of warlords over the course of Japan's Sengoku period
.
Wakisaka originally served under Akechi Mitsuhide
, a vassal of Oda Nobunaga
. In 1581, he was one of several who led Nobunaga's troops in the Siege of Hijiyama
. The following year, Akechi betrayed Oda Nobunaga and took his power and lands, but was defeated two weeks later at the Battle of Yamazaki
.
Wakisaka then joined the victor, Hashiba Hideyoshi
, who had become a conspicuous figure as a retainer of Oda Nobunaga
. Following the Battle of Shizugatake
in 1583, Wakisaka came to be known as one of the shichi-hon-yari (七本槍), or Seven Spears of Shizugatake
. These Seven would be among Hideyoshi's most trusted generals, especially in naval combat. Wakisaka was granted the fief of Awaji Island
, worth 30,000 koku
, in 1585. He was then made commander of part of Hideyoshi's fleet, taking part in Hideyoshi's 1587 campaigns in Kyūshū
, the 1590 Siege of Odawara
, and the invasions of Korea, which took place from 1592 to 1598.
Wakisaka led 1500 soldiers and landed on a Korean peninsula. He participated in the army and navy in various places in a Korean peninsula. His reward in this war is an increase of the territory of 3000 Koku
.
During the disastrous invasion of Korea, Yasuharu met continuous defeat at the hands of Admiral Yi Sun-Sin
and the Joseon Navy, most notably at the Battle of Hansando, where he lost his entire fleet and almost 10,000 soldiers. He met Admiral Yi again at many other battles including the Battle of Myeongnyang
, where his force of 133 warships and 200 smaller ships was routed by Yi's fleet of 13 ships, and the Battle of Noryang. He lost all of his future encounters with Admiral Yi.
In 1600, Wakisaka was going to side with Tokugawa Ieyasu
, but was compelled to oppose him, siding with Ishida Mitsunari
, because Mitsunari raised Wakisaka's army when he stayed in Osaka. On October 21, during the decisive battle of Sekigahara
, Wakisaka switched sides along with Kobayakawa Hideaki
. He defeated Otani Yoshitsugu
's force, and contributed to the Tokugawa victory.
After the battle, Tokugawa allowed Wakisaka to continue governing his domain of Awaji.
In succeeding years, he was given another fief, at Ozu, Iyo Province
, worth 53,000 koku.
His son, Wakisaka Yasumoto, succeeded to the house after his death.
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...
(feudal lord) of Awaji Island
Awaji Island
is an island in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, in the eastern part of the Seto Inland Sea between the islands of Honshū and Shikoku. The island has an area of 592.17 km²...
who fought under a number of warlords over the course of Japan's 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...
.
Wakisaka originally served under Akechi Mitsuhide
Akechi Mitsuhide
, nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...
, a vassal of Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
. In 1581, he was one of several who led Nobunaga's troops in the Siege of Hijiyama
Siege of Hijiyama
The 1581 was one of the crucial battles in Oda Nobunaga's campaigns to seize Iga province during Japan's Sengoku period. After a lengthy siege, and several successful sallies by the defenders, the castle eventually fell and was destroyed....
. The following year, Akechi betrayed Oda Nobunaga and took his power and lands, but was defeated two weeks later at the Battle of Yamazaki
Battle of Yamazaki
The was fought in 1582 in Yamazaki, Japan, located in current day Kyoto Prefecture. This battle is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Mt. Tennō ....
.
Wakisaka then joined the victor, Hashiba Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
, who had become a conspicuous figure as a retainer of Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
. Following the Battle of Shizugatake
Battle of Shizugatake
The was a battle in Sengoku period Japan between supporters of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Oda Nobutaka.In May, 1583, a former general of Nobunaga's named Shibata Katsuie coordinated a number of simultaneous attacks on Shizugatake, a series of forts held by Hideyoshi's generals among whom was Nakagawa...
in 1583, Wakisaka came to be known as one of the shichi-hon-yari (七本槍), or Seven Spears of Shizugatake
Seven Spears of Shizugatake
The ' were mounted bodyguards for Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the battle of Shizugatake in 1583. At the decisive moment in the battle, Hideyoshi ordered them to leave the position and charge at the opposing army of Katsuie Shibata...
. These Seven would be among Hideyoshi's most trusted generals, especially in naval combat. Wakisaka was granted the fief of Awaji Island
Awaji Island
is an island in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, in the eastern part of the Seto Inland Sea between the islands of Honshū and Shikoku. The island has an area of 592.17 km²...
, worth 30,000 koku
Koku
The is a Japanese unit of volume, equal to ten cubic shaku. In this definition, 3.5937 koku equal one cubic metre, i.e. 1 koku is approximately 278.3 litres. The koku was originally defined as a quantity of rice, historically defined as enough rice to feed one person for one year...
, in 1585. He was then made commander of part of Hideyoshi's fleet, taking part in Hideyoshi's 1587 campaigns in Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
, the 1590 Siege of Odawara
Siege of Odawara (1590)
The third ' occurred in 1590, and was the primary action in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign to eliminate the Hōjō clan as a threat to his power. The months leading up to it saw hasty but major improvements in the defense of the castle, as Hideyoshi's intentions became clear...
, and the invasions of Korea, which took place from 1592 to 1598.
Wakisaka led 1500 soldiers and landed on a Korean peninsula. He participated in the army and navy in various places in a Korean peninsula. His reward in this war is an increase of the territory of 3000 Koku
Koku
The is a Japanese unit of volume, equal to ten cubic shaku. In this definition, 3.5937 koku equal one cubic metre, i.e. 1 koku is approximately 278.3 litres. The koku was originally defined as a quantity of rice, historically defined as enough rice to feed one person for one year...
.
During the disastrous invasion of Korea, Yasuharu met continuous defeat at the hands of Admiral Yi Sun-Sin
Yi Sun-sin
Yi Sun-shin was a Korean naval commander, famed for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war in the Joseon Dynasty, and is well-respected for his exemplary conduct on and off the battlefield not only by Koreans, but by Japanese Admirals as well...
and the Joseon Navy, most notably at the Battle of Hansando, where he lost his entire fleet and almost 10,000 soldiers. He met Admiral Yi again at many other battles including the Battle of Myeongnyang
Battle of Myeongnyang
In the Battle of Myeongnyang, on October 26, 1597, the Joseon admiral Yi Sun-sin fought the Japanese navy in the Myeongnyang Strait, near Jindo Island. With only the 13 ships remaining from Won Gyun's disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chilchonryang, Admiral Yi Sunsin held the strait against a...
, where his force of 133 warships and 200 smaller ships was routed by Yi's fleet of 13 ships, and the Battle of Noryang. He lost all of his future encounters with Admiral Yi.
In 1600, Wakisaka was going to side with 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...
, but was compelled to oppose him, siding with Ishida Mitsunari
Ishida Mitsunari
Ishida Mitsunari was a samurai who led the Western army in the Battle of Sekigahara following the Azuchi-Momoyama period of the 17th century. Also known by his court title, Jibunoshō...
, because Mitsunari raised Wakisaka's army when he stayed in Osaka. On October 21, during the decisive battle of Sekigahara
Battle of Sekigahara
The , popularly known as the , was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600 which cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu...
, Wakisaka switched sides along with Kobayakawa Hideaki
Kobayakawa Hideaki
Kobayakawa Hideaki was fifth son of Kinoshita Iesada and the nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.He was adopted by Hideyoshi and called himself Hashiba Hidetoshi and Shusen . He was then again adopted by Kobayakawa Takakage and renamed himself Hideaki...
. He defeated Otani Yoshitsugu
Otani Yoshitsugu
was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period though Azuchi-Momoyama Period. He was also known by his court title, . He was born in 1559 to a father who was said to be a retainer of either Ōtomo Sōrin or of Rokkaku Yoshikata. He become one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's followers...
's force, and contributed to the Tokugawa victory.
After the battle, Tokugawa allowed Wakisaka to continue governing his domain of Awaji.
In succeeding years, he was given another fief, at Ozu, Iyo Province
Iyo Province
was an old province of Japan in the area that is today Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku. Iyo bordered on Awa, Sanuki, and Tosa Provinces. It was sometimes called ....
, worth 53,000 koku.
His son, Wakisaka Yasumoto, succeeded to the house after his death.