Watanabe Moritsuna
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Script error: No such module "Nihongo". (1542–1620) or Watanabe Hanzō, nicknamed Script error: No such module "Nihongo"., was a Japanese samurai of the Watanabe clan, who served the Tokugawa clan under Tokugawa Ieyasu and later served as a hatamoto and then a daimyo to the Tokugawa shogunate. He is one of the Tokugawa 16 divine generals (Tokugawa jūrokushinshōjin).[1][2][3]
Biography
Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Watanabe Moritsuna was born in Urabe Village in Nukata District, Mikawa Province (present day Okazaki) in 1542. His father was Template:Ill, a retainer for the Matsudaira clan. His maternal grandfather is Template:Ill, who fought under Sakai Tadatsugu against the Oda clan.
He joined the Tokugawa in 1557, and fought in major military campaigns under Ieyasu Tokugawa.
In 1561, Moritsuna achieved military merit during the battle of Nagasawa castle, as he managed to personally slay the enemy general during the battle. After this battle, he participated with the Tokugawa clan pacification of the rest of Mikawa province.[4]
Watanabe Moritsuna joined the Ikkō-ikki rebels in Mikawa along with his father Takatsuna, and for a time became an enemy of Tokugawa Ieyasu. After the uprising was subdued in 1564 by Ieyasu at the Battle of Azukizaka, where Takatsuna was killed, Moritsuna was pardoned and returned to serve the Tokugawa clan.[5][6]
In 1569, During the Siege of Kakegawa Castle in Tōtōmi Province, Watanabe worked together with Honda Shigetsugu, and other Tokugawa samurai fought in close combat, until they manage to breach the castle gate on the night of the 22nd.[7]
In 1570, Moritsuna was fought in the Battle of Anegawa against Azai and Asakura clan. Later in 1573, during the Battle of Mikatagahara, Moritsuna and Hattori Hanzō performed with exceptional skill with their spears (in Japanese, Script error: No such module "Nihongo".). This prompting Moritsuna to gain a nickname of Yari no Hanzō (Spear Hanzo) while Hanzō being nicknamed as Oni no Hanzō, (Hanzō the demon).[8][9][10] It was said that during this battle, he divided the unit under his command into two groups, and then fought the retreating battle to cover Ieyasu as he personally blocked any enemies incoming attack with his spear.[11]
Moritsuna's exploits are praised in poetry, describing him as one of Tokugawa's three notable warriors: Moritsuna as Yari no Hanzō (Hanzō the spear), Hattori Hanzō as Oni no Hanzō (Hanzō the demon), and Atsumi Gengo as Kubi-Tori Gengo (Gengo the headtaker).[12][13][14][15]
In 1575, Watanabe fought in the Battle of Nagashino, where he killed Template:Ill, eldest son of Yamamoto Kansuke. At the same battle, Watanabe's younger brother, Template:Ill, killed Sanada Nobutsuna.
In 1582, Watanabe was one of Ieyasu's escorts during his escape to Mikawa in the aftermath of the assassination of Oda Nobunaga.
In 1584, Watanabe participated in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute.[16]
After the Siege of Odawara (1590), Watanabe was given control of domain in Musashi of 3,000 koku and also command of 50 ashigaru infantry.[17]
In 1608, Watanabe became a retainer for the ninth son of Ieyasu, Tokugawa Yoshinao of the Owari Domain. His domains were increased with lands in Owari Iwasaku of 5,000 koku and in Mikawa of 5,000 koku, making him a daimyo with a total of 14,000 koku domain.[18]
Watanabe wore European-style armor, including a morion helmet and Script error: No such module "Lang"..[19]
Watanabe wrote his memoirs in Watanabe Chūemon.[6]
Watanabe's wife was the daughter of Hiraiwa Chikayoshi. They had three sons and four daughters. The eldest son, Template:Ill (1574-1648), would be the first of the Hanzo branch of the Watanabe clan. Watanabe's grandson and Shigetsuna's fifth son, Template:Ill (1611-1668), would be the first of the Hakata Watanabe.
Appendix
References
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Bibliography
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
