Chōsokabe Morichika

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Chōsokabe Morichika

Role / Field:

Japanese samurai who ruled Tosa Province before his fief was revoked by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Born:

1575

Died:

1615-06-11

Century / Era:

1575s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Chōsokabe Morichika (長宗我部 盛親; 1575 – May 11, 1615) was a Japanese samurai of the Azuchi–Momoyama period through early Edo period. Once the ruler of Tosa Province, his fief was revoked by Tokugawa Ieyasu after the Battle of Sekigahara. His childhood name was Sen'yumaru (千熊丸). Morichika was the 4th son of Chōsokabe Motochika. He was named the heir to the Chōsokabe following Chōsokabe Nobuchika's death in 1587 and fought in the Siege of Odawara (1590) and 1st Korean Campaigns (1592-93).

Career & Major Achievements

In 1600, he sided with Ishida Mitsunari and commanded 6,600 men. His troops fought against Ikeda Terumasa at the Battle of Sekigahara (though he saw very little action) Due to communication failures, battlefield positioning, and the betrayal of neighboring armies, Morichika’s forces stood completely idle and saw almost no action before the Western Army collapsed. He was afterwards deprived of his fief despite sending an apology to Tokugawa Ieyasu. That same year, he had ordered the execution of his elder brother Tsuno Chikatada, who had questioned his right to be Motochika's heir, as ruler of Tosa Province. In 1614, he went to join the defenders of Osaka Castle against the Tokugawa, he arriving there the same day as Sanada Yukimura.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His Chōsokabe contingent fought very well in both the Winter and Summer Osaka Campaigns. After the fall of Osaka, Morichika attempted to flee but was apprehended at Hachiman-yama by Hachisuka men. He and his sons were beheaded on May 11, 1615, following the defeat of the Toyotomi and Chōsokabe forces at the Battle of Tennōji. Father: Chōsokabe Motochika (1539–1599) Mother: Lady Motochika (d. 1583) Older brother : Chōsokabe Nobuchika Kagawa Chikakazu Wife: Daughter of Chōsokabe Nobuchika Children: Chōsokabe Moritaka (d.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1539: 1539 Milestone — Father: Chōsokabe Motochika (1539–1599) Mother: Lady Motochika (d.
2. 1575: Birth of Chōsokabe Morichika — Japanese samurai who ruled Tosa Province before his fief was revoked by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
3. 1583: 1583 Milestone — 1583) Older brother : Chōsokabe Nobuchika Kagawa Chikakazu Wife: Daughter of Chōsokabe Nobuchika Children: Chōsokabe Moritaka (d.
4. 1587: 1587 Milestone — He was named the heir to the Chōsokabe following Chōsokabe Nobuchika's death in 1587 and fought in the Siege of Odawara (1590) and 1st Korean Campaigns (1592-93).
5. 1600: 1600 Milestone — In 1600, he sided with Ishida Mitsunari and commanded 6,600 men.
6. 1614: 1614 Milestone — In 1614, he went to join the defenders of Osaka Castle against the Tokugawa, he arriving there the same day as Sanada Yukimura.
7. 1615 (1615-06-11): Passing & Historical Legacy — Chōsokabe Morichika passed away on 1615-06-11, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Chōsokabe Morichika

True or False: “Chōsokabe Morichika maintained control of Tosa Province throughout the entire Edo period.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His fief was revoked by Tokugawa Ieyasu following his defeat at the Battle of Sekigahara.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akiyama Nobutomo — Contemporary (Died in 1575) (1575): A prominent samurai of the Sengoku period, known for his service to the Takeda clan.
• Baba Nobufusa — Contemporary (Died in 1575) (1575): A prominent samurai of the Sengoku period, known for his service to the Takeda clan.
• Guido Reni — Contemporary (Born in 1575) (1575): Master of the Italian Baroque, renowned for classical religious paintings.
• Katagiri Katsumoto — Contemporary (Died in 1615) (1615): Japanese warlord of the Azuchi–Momoyama period, associated with the Toyotomi clan's decline.
• Mir Emad Hassani — Contemporary (Died in 1615) (1615): Master Persian calligrapher, renowned for perfecting the Nastaʿlīq script.
• Sanada Yukimura — Contemporary (Died in 1615) (1615): Legendary samurai warrior of the Sengoku period, famed for the Siege of Osaka.
• Alexander Kerensky — Shared historical date (06-11 · Died) (1970): Russian revolutionary who led the Provisional Government during the tumultuous period of 1917.
• Alfred Kroeber — Shared historical date (06-11 · Born) (1876): Pioneering American cultural anthropologist, influential in early museum and academic departments.
• Jakob Böhme — Historical peer (Born in 1575) (1575): German philosopher and Christian mystic whose thought influenced German Idealism and Romanticism.
• Johann Carolus — Historical peer (Born in 1575) (1575): Pioneering German publisher credited with the world's first newspaper.
• 1575 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1575
• 1615 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1615
• June 11 (06-11) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 11

Frequently Asked Questions about Chōsokabe Morichika