Fuwa Mitsuharu

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Fuwa Mitsuharu

Role / Field:

Samurai retainer who served Oda Nobunaga and became a key figure in Echizen Province.

Born:

1550

Died:

1580-12-14

Century / Era:

1550s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Fuwa Mitsuharu (不破 光治; died December 14, 1583) was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods. Originally a retainer of Saitō Dōsan, Mitsuharu went on to serve Oda Nobunaga, he received a land in Echizen Province and became a member of the so-called Echizen Sanninshu (Echizen Triumvir) along with Maeda Toshiie and Sassa Narimasa. Mitsuharu served as the lord of Nishinoho Castle in Mino Province and, from early on as a retainer of the Saitō clan, the sengoku daimyō of Mino. Along with Inaba Yoshimichi, Andō Morinari, and Ujiie Naotomo, Mitsuharu was known as one of the "Western Mino Group of Four". Unlike the other three, Mitsuharu was said to have remained loyal to the Saitō until the end, but after the Saitō were eliminated, he served Oda Nobunaga.

Career & Major Achievements

According to one secondary source from the Genroku era in the Edo period, Mitsuharu went to Odani Castle in Ōmi Province, and, following consultations with a retainer of the Azai clan named Anyōji Keisei, arranged for the engagement of Nobunaga’s younger sister, Oichi, to Azai Nagamasa. Mitsuharu, along with Naitō Shōsuke, attended her bridal procession. In 1568, after Nobunaga responded to pleas from Ashikaga Yoshiaki (who was under the protection of Asakura Yoshikage of Echizen) to march upon Kyōto, Mitsuharu, together with Wada Koremasa, Matsui Sadakatsu, and Shimada Hidemitsu, headed toward Echizen to meet Yoshiaki. After capturing Kōhoku in the battle for the capital, Mitsuharu was sent to meet Yoshiaki who was waiting at the Ryūshō Temple. Thereafter, Mitsuharu participated in the Siege of Ōkawachi Castle in 1569, an attack on Odani Castle and the Shiga Campaign in 1570, an offensive in Ise-Nagashima in 1571, an encirclement of enemy forces at Katano Castle in 1572, the Siege of Makishima Castle, and the Siege of Ichijōdani Castle in 1573.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1574, after the killing of Maeba Yoshitsugu of Echizen, Mitsuharu deployed with Hashiba Hideyoshi and Niwa Nagahide to Tsuruga and participated in a subsequent offensive in Ise-Nagashima. In 1575, Mitsuharu participated in the attack of Echizen Ikkō-ikki. After this campaign, Oda Nobunaga awarded Shibata Katsuie control of eight districts in Echizen. Together with Sassa Narimasa and Maeda Toshiie, Mitsuharu governed two districts in Fuchū in Echizen while also serving as metsuke, or overseers, for Katsuie. These three individuals were referred to as the "Fuchū Group of Three".

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1550: Birth of Fuwa Mitsuharu — Samurai retainer who served Oda Nobunaga and became a key figure in Echizen Province.
2. 1568: 1568 Milestone — In 1568, after Nobunaga responded to pleas from Ashikaga Yoshiaki (who was under the protection of Asakura Yoshikage of Echizen) to march upon Kyōto, Mitsuharu, together with Wada Koremasa, Matsui Sadakatsu, and Shimada Hidemitsu, headed toward Echizen to meet Yoshiaki.
3. 1569: 1569 Milestone — Thereafter, Mitsuharu participated in the Siege of Ōkawachi Castle in 1569, an attack on Odani Castle and the Shiga Campaign in 1570, an offensive in Ise-Nagashima in 1571, an encirclement of enemy forces at Katano Castle in 1572, the Siege of Makishima Castle, and the Siege of Ichijōdani Castle in 1573.
4. 1574: 1574 Milestone — In 1574, after the killing of Maeba Yoshitsugu of Echizen, Mitsuharu deployed with Hashiba Hideyoshi and Niwa Nagahide to Tsuruga and participated in a subsequent offensive in Ise-Nagashima.
5. 1575: 1575 Milestone — In 1575, Mitsuharu participated in the attack of Echizen Ikkō-ikki.
6. 1580 (1580-12-14): Passing & Historical Legacy — Fuwa Mitsuharu passed away on 1580-12-14, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
7. 1583: 1583 Milestone — Fuwa Mitsuharu (不破 光治; died December 14, 1583) was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Fuwa Mitsuharu

True or False: “Fuwa Mitsuharu was always loyal to the Saitō clan until their final defeat.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he remained loyal to the Saitō initially, after their elimination, he subsequently served Oda Nobunaga.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Fuwa Mitsuharu