Saitō Dōsan

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Saitō Dōsan

Role / Field:

Sengoku period samurai lord and daimyo, known as the "Viper of Mino" for his ruthless tactics.

Born:

1494

Died:

1556-05-28

Century / Era:

1494s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Saitō Dōsan (斎藤 道三; 1494 – May 28, 1556), also known as Saitō Toshimasa (斎藤 利政), was a Japanese samurai lord and daimyo during the Sengoku period. He was also known as the "Viper of Mino" (美濃の蝮, Mino no Mamushi) for his ruthless tactics. He was appointed Governor of Yamashiro by the Imperial Court. After entering monkhood in his later years, he was also called Saitō Yamashiro-nyudō-no-kami (斎藤山城入道守). He has historical reputation as one of Japan's Three Great Villains (日本三大梟雄), a nickname which he shared with Matsunaga Hisahide and Ukita Naoie, due to their ambitious and treasonous personality, along with the habit of resorting to underhanded tactics and assassinations to eliminate their opposition.

Career & Major Achievements

Saitō Dōsan has long been regarded as a symbolic figure of "Gekokujō" (the rise of those of lower status to positions of power), rising from a humble oil merchant to the ruler of Mino Province. However, recent research suggests that it was actually Dōsan's father who was the oil merchant. This implies that Dōsan's "Gekokujō" was a two-generation achievement involving both father and son. He became a daimyo through Gekokujō of Toki Yorinari at Mino Province in 1542. Yorinari was forced out of Mino by Saitō Dōsan.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Saito fortress was located at Inabayama castle. He married Omi no kata, a sister of Akechi Mitsutsuna (Akechi Mitsuhide's father). He defeated Oda Nobuhide at the Battle of Kanōguchi in 1547. In 1549 Oda Nobuhide was defeated by Dōsan. Nobuhide made peace with Dōsan by arranging a political marriage between his son and heir, Oda Nobunaga, and Dōsan's daughter, Nōhime.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1494: Birth of Saitō Dōsan — Sengoku period samurai lord and daimyo, known as the "Viper of Mino" for his ruthless tactics.
2. 1542: 1542 Milestone — He became a daimyo through Gekokujō of Toki Yorinari at Mino Province in 1542.
3. 1547: 1547 Milestone — He defeated Oda Nobuhide at the Battle of Kanōguchi in 1547.
4. 1549: 1549 Milestone — In 1549 Oda Nobuhide was defeated by Dōsan.
5. 1556 (1556-05-28): Passing & Historical Legacy — Saitō Dōsan passed away on 1556-05-28, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Saitō Dōsan

True or False: “Saitō Dōsan's rise to power was solely due to his own military genius and ambition.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While ambitious, historical research suggests that the 'Gekokujō' achievement involved both him and his father, who was the original oil merchant.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Saitō Dōsan