Imagawa Yoshimoto

Daimyō of the Sengoku period, known as 'The number one archer' of Tōkaidō.

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:
Imagawa Yoshimoto
Role / Field:
Daimyō of the Sengoku period, known as 'The number one archer' of Tōkaidō.
Born:
1519
Died:
1560-06-12
Century / Era:
1519s Historical Era
Database Source:
2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Imagawa Yoshimoto (今川 義元; 1519 – June 12, 1560) was a Japanese samurai and daimyō (feudal lord) of the Sengoku period. Based in Suruga Province, he was known as The number one archer in the Tōkaidō (海道一の弓取り, Kaidō-ichi no Yumitori); he was one of the three daimyō that dominated the Tōkaidō region. He died in 1560 while marching to Kyoto. He was killed in the village of Dengakuhazama in Okehazama by Oda Nobunaga. Yoshimoto was born as in 1519, the third son of Imagawa Ujichika of the Imagawa clan, which claimed descent from Emperor Seiwa (850–880).

Career & Major Achievements

His childhood name was Yosakimaru (芳菊丸). His family branched from Minamoto clan by the Ashikaga clan. As he was not the eldest son, he was not an heir to his father's lordship. As a result, the young boy was sent to a temple where his name was changed to Baigaku Shōhō (梅岳承芳) or Sengaku Shōhō (栴岳承芳). In 1536, his older brother Ujiteru died suddenly, unleashing successional disputes.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His elder half-brother, Genkō Etan (玄広恵探), tried to seize the lordship, but the clan split into two factions. Yoshimoto's faction argued he was the rightful heir because Yoshimoto's mother (Jukei-ni) was the consort of Ujichika. Genkō Etan's faction disputed this based on Genkō's seniority, and that his mother was a member of the Kushima family. However, with the assistance of Hojo Ujitsuna of Sagami province and support of Takeda Nobutora of Kai province, the Genkō faction was eliminated in the Hanagura Disturbance (花倉の乱, Hanagura-no-ran). Baigaku Shōhō changed his name to Yoshimoto at this point and succeeded the clan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

  1. 1519: Birth of Imagawa Yoshimoto — Daimyō of the Sengoku period, known as 'The number one archer' of Tōkaidō.
  2. 1536: 1536 Milestone — In 1536, his older brother Ujiteru died suddenly, unleashing successional disputes.
  3. 1560 (1560-06-12): Passing & Historical Legacy — Imagawa Yoshimoto passed away on 1560-06-12, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Imagawa Yoshimoto

True or False: “Did Imagawa Yoshimoto die in battle against Oda Nobunaga at the Okehazama battlefield?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He was killed by two Oda samurai (Mōri Shinsuke and Hattori Koheita) in the village of Dengakuhazama near Okehazama.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Imagawa Yoshimoto

Who was Imagawa Yoshimoto and what are their primary contributions?

Daimyō of the Sengoku period, known as 'The number one archer' of Tōkaidō. Origins & Early Life: Imagawa Yoshimoto (今川 義元; 1519 – June 12, 1560) was a Japanese samurai and daimyō (feudal lord) of the Sengoku period. Based in Suruga Province, he was known as The number one archer in the Tōkaidō (海道一の弓取り, Kaidō-ichi no Yumitori); he was one of the three daimyō that dominated the Tōkaidō region. He died in 1560 while marching to Kyoto. He was killed in the village of Dengakuhazama in Okehazama by Oda Nobunaga. Yoshimoto was born as in 1519, the third son of Imagawa Ujichika of the Imagawa clan, which claimed descent from Emperor Seiwa (850–880).

When was Imagawa Yoshimoto born and during which historical era did they live?

Imagawa Yoshimoto was born on 1519 and passed away on 1560-06-12. For complete historical world events during this era, explore the 1519 Chrono-Archive.

Where can I read more verified chronological archives on Imagawa Yoshimoto?

Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.

Source: Wikipedia