Maeda Toshiie
Prominent general of Oda Nobunaga, known for his skill with the yari spear.
Biographical Overview & Key Facts
- Subject:
- Maeda Toshiie
- Role / Field:
- Prominent general of Oda Nobunaga, known for his skill with the yari spear.
- Born:
- 1538-01-15
- Died:
- 1599-04-27
- Century / Era:
- 1538s Historical Era
- Database Source:
- 2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0
Origins & Early Life
Maeda Toshiie (前田 利家; January 15, 1538 – April 27, 1599) was one of the leading generals of Oda Nobunaga following the Sengoku period of the 16th century extending to the Azuchi–Momoyama period. His preferred weapon was a yari, and Matazaemon (又左衛門) was his common name; he was therefore known as Yari no Mataza (槍の又左). He was a member of the so-called Echizen Sanninshu (Echizen Triumvir) along with Sassa Narimasa and Fuwa Mitsuharu. The highest rank from the court that he received is the Great Counselor Dainagon (大納言). His father was Maeda Toshimasa and his wife was Maeda Matsu.
Career & Major Achievements
His childhood name was "Inuchiyo" (犬千代). Toshiie was born in the village of Arako (present-day Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya). He was the fourth of seven brothers, of Maeda Toshimasa, who held Arako Castle. Toshiie served Oda Nobunaga from childhood (first as a page) and his loyalty was rewarded by being allowed to be the head of the Maeda clan, very unusual for a fourth son with no apparent failures among his elder brothers. Just like Nobunaga, Toshiie was also a delinquent; usually dressed in the outlandish style of a kabukimono, they committed delinquent and deviated behaviors together.
Enduring Legacy & Impact
It is believed he also became a friend to Kinoshita Tokichiro (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi) in their youth. Just as Hideyoshi was known as Saru, 猴 or "monkey," it is believed that Toshiie was called Inu, 犬 or "dog" by Nobunaga. Due to a long-standing belief that dogs and monkeys are never friendly to each other, Toshiie is often depicted as reserved and stern, in contrast to Hideyoshi's talkative and easy-going nature. Toshiie began his career as a member of the akahoro-shū (赤母衣衆), the unit under Oda Nobunaga's personal command. He later became an infantry captain (ashigaru taishō 足軽大将) in the Oda army.
Chronological Milestones & Life Events
Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Maeda Toshiie
True or False: “Maeda Toshiie was always favored by Oda Nobunaga and never faced professional setbacks.”
Answer (FALSE ❌): Toshiie experienced significant setbacks, including being dismissed as a Ronin in 1559 after an incident involving his hairpin.
Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines
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- Chōsokabe Motochika — Contemporary (Died in 1599) (1599): Powerful Sengoku daimyō who unified Shikoku Island through military prowess and political maneuvering.
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- A. K. Fazlul Huq — Shared historical date (04-27 · Died) (1962): Pakistani statesman and jurist, known as Sher-e-Bangla, a founding father of Pakistan.
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- 1538 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1538
- January 15 (01-15) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 15
- 1599 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1599
- April 27 (04-27) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 27
Frequently Asked Questions about Maeda Toshiie
Who was Maeda Toshiie and what are their primary contributions?
Prominent general of Oda Nobunaga, known for his skill with the yari spear. Origins & Early Life: Maeda Toshiie (前田 利家; January 15, 1538 – April 27, 1599) was one of the leading generals of Oda Nobunaga following the Sengoku period of the 16th century extending to the Azuchi–Momoyama period. His preferred weapon was a yari, and Matazaemon (又左衛門) was his common name; he was therefore known as Yari no Mataza (槍の又左). He was a member of the so-called Echizen Sanninshu (Echizen Triumvir) along with Sassa Narimasa and Fuwa Mitsuharu. The highest rank from the court that he received is the Great Counselor Dainagon (大納言). His father was Maeda Toshimasa and his wife was Maeda Matsu.
When was Maeda Toshiie born and during which historical era did they live?
Maeda Toshiie was born on 1538-01-15 and passed away on 1599-04-27. For complete historical world events during this era, explore the 1538 Chrono-Archive.
Where can I read more verified chronological archives on Maeda Toshiie?
Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia