For my first installment of this series, I wanted to do someone who was a favorite persona of mine as well as someone who deserved to be the first name on this sure to be prestigious list. However, I wanted to stay away from the bigguns (Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, Ieyasu, Shingen, Kenshin, etc.) for now. So I decided to look to look at Shimazu Yoshihisa. While doing this, I realized, I really like Shimazu Yoshihiro as well. Then I realized I like Shimazu Iehisa. Then I realized I really liked Shimazu Takahisa. Then I realized....you get the picture.
So my first installment of this series will not focus on one individual in particular. Instead it will focus on an entire clan. The Shimazu.
The Shimazu Clan
The Shimazu clan were situated on Kyushu in the Satsuma han. Over time, the Shimazu would become known for producing extraordinary generals as well as exemplary warriors. They were among the last families to submit to Toyotomi Hideyoshi in his bid to consolidate the realm. They are also responsible for some of the most brilliant military strategies ever witnessed in Japan, which I will get to in the following sections.
Now, I would like to take a look at a few of the prominent names associated with the Shimazu Family.
Shimazu Tadahisa
Tadahisa was named the Shugo of Satsuma in 1187 on a direct appointment from Minamoto Yoritomo. He was a tremendous leader that would go on to earn the moniker of "Lord of the 12 Southern Islands." Tadahisa is a prominent figure in the Rekidai Uta, which is a basically a long poem that describes the succession of the Shimazu lords. While his reign does coincide with a turbulent period in Japanese history, his military career is not quite up to par with some of the names that follow.
Shimazu Katsuhisa
Katsuhisa is a rather interesting figure among the Shimazu clan. He was a prominent figure within the family until he was forced into exiled after the rebellion of Shimazu Sanehisa and coming to odds with Shimazu Takahisa. He tried to secure the rulership of the clan for his own at Kagoshima, but he was defeated. Again, we haven't really gotten to the meat of the Shimazu military leaders.
Shimazu Takahisa
Finally we get to the good stuff! Takahisa was a very capable leader and an ambitious military persona. He sought to strengthen the Shimazu hold in Kyushu and sought many different ways in which to accomplish this. This included firearms. Takahisa is credited with being the first daimyo to employ the new weapons on the battlefield in Japan. This took place in 1549 during the Siege of Kajiki. While not a very significant battle in terms of territory expansion, it was a very important step in the development of Japanese warfare.
During Takahisa's reign, the Shimazu became one of the prominent families throughout the archipelago. He actually sought to improve foreign trade within his territory (thanks to the firearms.) this led to the vast improvement in the economic conditions of Kagoshima. Despite Takahisa's brilliance, he is often overshadowed by the later leaders of the clan.
Shimazu Yoshihisa
Yoshihisa is by far my favorite of the Shimazu leaders. He is also one of my favorite daimyo, period. Yoshihisa was perhaps the most talented general in the history of the Shimazu and his leadership helped guide them through several very historic battles. After becoming the head of the Shimazu in 1566, Yoshihisa set about unifying Kyushu under Shimazu control. This of course led to several battles. Most notably; Kizakihara (1572) and Takabaru (1578) against the Ito, and Mimigawa (1578) against the Otomo, After the Battle of Takabaru, Yoshihisa had gained total respect from his retainers. Something that would help out tremendously in the latter conflict.
The Battle of Mimigawa in 1578 was Shimazu Yoshihisa's crowning moment. Th
e battle truly showed his mettle as a general and leader of men. His army completely routed a much larger Otomo force, allowing the Shimazu to take near total control over the whole of Kyushu. Yoshihisa was able to accomplish this major feat through the use of highly disciplined and loyal retainers.Yoshihisa did make one critical mistake, however. When Hideyoshi decided to consolidate the realm after his ascension to power, one of the obvious steps he took was to conquer Kyushu. Yoshihisa dismissed Hideyoshi's attempts at a non-combative approach to capturing Kyushu due to his humble origins. Yoshihisa felt like he shouldn't have to negotiate with someone who was not originally of bushi rank.
Of course this led to Hideyoshi's Kyushu campaign and the defeat of the Shimazu. The most famous battle of this campaign was the Battle of Hetsugigawa in 1586. Despite eventually losing the campaign, the Shimazu were able to defeat a Toyotomi army led by Chosokabe Motochika at this engagement.
Yoshihisa is quite possibly the greatest general to ever come out of Kyushu.
Shimazu Yoshihiro
Yoshihiro is probably the most famous of all the Shimazu generals. Yoshihiro's career as a warrior began at a very young age, and he quickly showed signs of the fierce fighting future that was to come. It was known from the very start that Yoshihiro was destined to be a great leader. During the Battle of Kizakihara, Yoshihiro distinguished himself for his brave fighting.
Yoshihiro also fought at Takabaru, Mimigawa, Minamota and Hetsugigawa. After the subjugation of Kyushu by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Yoshihiro was called upon to lead men in his quest to conquer Korea. Yoshihiro led a rather large contingent of men in both Korean Campaigns. He most notably fought valiantly at Namwon and Sachon.
Like Yoshihisa, Yoshihiro was guilty of one fatal mistake. In 1600, Yoshihiro sided with Ishida Mitsunari at Sekigahara against the Tokugawa. We know how well that decision turned out for him...
Shimazu Iehisa
Iehisa was an exemplary commander for the Shimazu who fought in several battles throughout his career.
He particularly distinguished himself as a leader of men at the Battle of Okitanawate in 1584 against Ryuzoji Takanobu. Iehisa is also credited with a major role in the defeat of the Otomo at Mimigawa. Iehisa held out in Taka Castle in the opening stages of the war, allowing the rest of the Shimazu commanders to come to his aid and defeat the much larger attacking force.
That about wraps up some of the bigger military names in the Shimazu clan's history. There are a few other names that deserve mention:
Shimazu Tadatsune - The 1st Tozama daimyo to hold a fief under the Tokugawa administration. He was the first Japanese man to rule over all of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Tadatsune also participated in the Osaka Winter Campaign in 1614.
Shimazu Nariakira - He lived much later than the other men I have mentioned. Nariakira placed a very high value on Western living. He oversaw the first "Western Ship" built in Japan, and he established a major industrial area in Satsuma.
There are a few other names that I have left out. Most notably Shimazu Sanehisa and Shimazu Toyohisa. Both of these men were great leaders in their own right. Probably Toyohisa a little more than Sanehisa.
Why were the Shimazu so successful in Kyushu? How could they keep producing such talented military leaders?
Must have been something in the rice cakes.....
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