Itagaki Nobukata

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Itagaki Nobukata

Role / Field:

A prominent retainer and general of the Takeda clan, known for his military prowess.

Born:

1489

Died:

1548-03-23

Century / Era:

1489s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Itagaki Nobukata (板垣 信方; 1489 – March 23, 1548) was a retainer of the Takeda family. He was known as one of the "Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen". His name is also seen with different kanji as 信形. Nobukata served under both Takeda Nobutora and Takeda Shingen and also was tasked with young Shingen. In 1541 Nobutora, along with Amari Torayasu, was driven out from the position of the head of Takeda clan, and he served as the general for Shingen often leading the troops into a battle when Shingen could not.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1542, he would personally finish off Takato Yoritsugu at Battle of Ankokuji, shortly after the Siege of Fukuyo. In 1545, he successfully besieged and captured Takato castle. In 1546, he defeated Uesugi Norimasa at Usui Toge in Battle of Odaihara. With these victories, he was instrumental in gaining the control of Shinano Province and proved himself a skilled tactician. After these victories, Nobukata increasingly became selfish and started to hold victory ceremonies without firmly winning a battle.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

These victories rapidly became fewer. As Nobukata was the eldest of the Takeda retainers and having educated Shingen, few could criticize his actions. In 1547, during Siege of Shika Castle, Nobukata and his troops were almost completely wiped out in a battle and without a timely rescue by Hara Toratane, Nobukata himself would have been in danger as well. Shingen offered the following waka to Nobukata to encourage him to correct his act. Dare mo Miyo Mitsureba Yagate Kaku Tsuki no Izayofu Ana ya Hito no Yo no Naka誰もみよ 満つればやがて 欠く月の 十六夜ふ穴や 人の世の中 (Translation) "Everyone sees that even a beautiful full moon starts to change its shape, becoming smaller as the time passes.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1489: Birth of Itagaki Nobukata — A prominent retainer and general of the Takeda clan, known for his military prowess.
2. 1541: 1541 Milestone — In 1541 Nobutora, along with Amari Torayasu, was driven out from the position of the head of Takeda clan, and he served as the general for Shingen often leading the troops into a battle when Shingen could not.
3. 1542: 1542 Milestone — In 1542, he would personally finish off Takato Yoritsugu at Battle of Ankokuji, shortly after the Siege of Fukuyo.
4. 1545: 1545 Milestone — In 1545, he successfully besieged and captured Takato castle.
5. 1546: 1546 Milestone — In 1546, he defeated Uesugi Norimasa at Usui Toge in Battle of Odaihara.
6. 1547: 1547 Milestone — In 1547, during Siege of Shika Castle, Nobukata and his troops were almost completely wiped out in a battle and without a timely rescue by Hara Toratane, Nobukata himself would have been in danger as well.
7. 1548 (1548-03-23): Passing & Historical Legacy — Itagaki Nobukata passed away on 1548-03-23, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Itagaki Nobukata

“"Everyone sees that even a beautiful full moon starts to change its shape, becoming smaller as the time passes. Even in our human lives, things are as it is."” (1547)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Itagaki Nobukata

True or False: “Itagaki Nobukata was always viewed by his peers as a flawless and indispensable military leader throughout his entire career.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His later actions became increasingly selfish, leading to suspicion from others despite his early successes.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Rupa Goswami — Contemporary (Born in 1489) (1489): A seminal poet and philosopher of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
• Giordano Bruno — Contemporary (Born in 1548) (1548): Italian philosopher known for cosmic pluralism and infinite universe theories.
• Gonzalo Pizarro — Contemporary (Died in 1548) (1548): Spanish conquistador, brother of Francisco Pizarro, key figure in the conquest of the Inca Empire.
• Honda Tadakatsu — Contemporary (Born in 1548) (1548): A prominent 16th-Century Japanese samurai, general, and daimyo serving the Tokugawa clan.
• Adolfo Suárez — Shared historical date (03-23 · Died) (2014): Key architect of Spain's transition to democracy, serving as Prime Minister 1976-1981.
• Akira Kurosawa — Shared historical date (03-23 · Born) (1910): Master of Japanese cinema, known for dynamic style and epic storytelling.
• Thomas Cranmer — Historical peer (Born in 1489) (1489): Leading theologian and Archbishop of Canterbury during the English Reformation.
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• 1489 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1489
• 1548 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1548
• March 23 (03-23) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 23

Frequently Asked Questions about Itagaki Nobukata