Niwa Nagahide

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Niwa Nagahide

Role / Field:

A prominent samurai retainer who served Oda Nobunaga and rose to daimyō status.

Born:

1535-10-16

Died:

1585-05-15

Century / Era:

1535s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Niwa Nagahide (丹羽 長秀; October 16, 1535 – May 15, 1585), also known as Gorōzaemon (五郎左衛門), his other legal alias was Hashiba Echizen no Kami (羽柴越前守), was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku through Azuchi-Momoyama periods of the 16th century. He served as senior retainer to the Oda clan, and was eventually a daimyō in his own right. Going on to fight in the Oda clan's major campaigns, including Mino Campaign 1567, Omi Campaign 1568, the Honganji Campaign from 1570 to 1580, and Iga Campaign 1581, he was named one of the administrators of Kyoto after Nobunaga entered that city in 1568. Nagahide was born in what is now Nishi-ku, Nagoya, but then part of Aichi District, Owari Province. From his youth, Nagahide served Oda Nobunaga and became one of his senior retainers, he fought in the Battle of Kiyosu Castle against Oda Nobutomo, deputy governor of southern Owari.

Career & Major Achievements

He stayed by Nobunaga's side when his brother defied him during the Battle of Inō in 1555 and also fought in the Battle of Ukino against Oda Nobukata, deputy governor of northern Owari in 1558. In 1560, Nagahide also had military service during the Battle of Okehazama, but he wasn't a part of the main strike force. According to the Nobunaga Kōki, he served in the Battle of Inabayama 1567, he was part of Nobunaga's main division against Saitō Tatsuoki. In 1568, during the Omi campaign, he contributed in the conquest of Battle of Kannonji castle and was a part of Nobunaga's personal formation. His participation made him favored by Nobunaga.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He served in the Battle of Anegawa 1570 against the Azai-Asakura clan, and the Hongan-ji campaign from 1570–1580. In February 1571, Nagahide entered Sawayama Castle after Isono Kazumasa moved out, and since then he was active as a castle general with Kawajiri Hidetaka. In September 1571, after Nobunaga ordered for the Tendai Temple affiliated with Enryaku-ji at Mt. Hiei to be burned down, Nagahide and Hidetaka burned down Saimyōji temple. Nagahide also served in the Siege of Ichijodani Castle 1573, in the Battle of Nagashino 1575 against Takeda clan and the Battle of Tedorigawa 1577 under Shibata Katsuie against Uesugi Kenshin. When he wasn't in battle, he was aiding Nobunaga's conquests by taking care of political affairs and had responsibility for constructing Azuchi Castle, which began in 1576 and was completed in 1579.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1535 (1535-10-16): Birth of Niwa Nagahide — A prominent samurai retainer who served Oda Nobunaga and rose to daimyō status.
2. 1555: 1555 Milestone — He stayed by Nobunaga's side when his brother defied him during the Battle of Inō in 1555 and also fought in the Battle of Ukino against Oda Nobukata, deputy governor of northern Owari in 1558.
3. 1560: 1560 Milestone — In 1560, Nagahide also had military service during the Battle of Okehazama, but he wasn't a part of the main strike force.
4. 1567: 1567 Milestone — Going on to fight in the Oda clan's major campaigns, including Mino Campaign 1567, Omi Campaign 1568, the Honganji Campaign from 1570 to 1580, and Iga Campaign 1581, he was named one of the administrators of Kyoto after Nobunaga entered that city in 1568.
5. 1568: 1568 Milestone — In 1568, during the Omi campaign, he contributed in the conquest of Battle of Kannonji castle and was a part of Nobunaga's personal formation.
6. 1570: 1570 Milestone — He served in the Battle of Anegawa 1570 against the Azai-Asakura clan, and the Hongan-ji campaign from 1570–1580.
7. 1571: 1571 Milestone — In February 1571, Nagahide entered Sawayama Castle after Isono Kazumasa moved out, and since then he was active as a castle general with Kawajiri Hidetaka.
8. 1573: 1573 Milestone — Nagahide also served in the Siege of Ichijodani Castle 1573, in the Battle of Nagashino 1575 against Takeda clan and the Battle of Tedorigawa 1577 under Shibata Katsuie against Uesugi Kenshin.
9. 1576: 1576 Milestone — When he wasn't in battle, he was aiding Nobunaga's conquests by taking care of political affairs and had responsibility for constructing Azuchi Castle, which began in 1576 and was completed in 1579.
10. 1585 (1585-05-15): Passing & Historical Legacy — Niwa Nagahide passed away on 1585-05-15, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Niwa Nagahide

True or False: “Niwa Nagahide was always favored by Oda Nobunaga throughout his entire career, never facing political doubt.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While highly trusted, the text implies that later events and the rise of others caused him to feel inadequate regarding the good of the Oda clan.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Niwa Nagahide