Sakuma Morimasa

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Sakuma Morimasa

Role / Field:

A prominent Sengoku period retainer who fought in major battles for the Oda clan.

Born:

1554

Died:

1583-07-01

Century / Era:

1554s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Sakuma Morimasa (佐久間 盛政; 1554 – July 1, 1583) was the son of Sakuma Moritsugu, cousin of Sakuma Nobumori, a prominent Oda retainer to Oda Nobuhide and Oda Nobunaga. After several campaigns in which he had fought, he was given the nickname oni-genba which literally means "Demon Genba", Genba being his middle name. Morimasa was born in what is now Shōwa-ku, Nagoya (situated in contemporary Aichi District, Owari Province), He was a retainer of Shibata Katsuie and one of his top generals in many of his campaigns. Morimasa's first battle was the Battle of Kannonji Castle in 1568 against Rokkaku Yoshikata, he was 15 years old. Morimasa continued joining various battles, including the Siege of Tezutsuyama Castle in Echizen Province against Asakura clan in 1570, the Battle of Yasugawara against Rokkaku Yoshikata and the Battle of Makishima Castle against Ashikaga Yoshiaki in 1573, and performed distinguished war service.

Career & Major Achievements

Morimasa was given the former Ikko Sect fortress Oyama Gobo in the Kaga prefecture by Oda Nobunaga; the fortress was subsequently named Oyama Castle in 1580 but went on to become Kanazawa Castle. In 1581, he beats Uesugi Kagekatsu from Shirayama Castle at Kaga Province. Later, Morimasa headed for a rescue in response to a demand by Maeda Toshiie and beat the Uesugi army stationed at the back of the Arayama Castle at Noto Province. In 1582, after the betrayal of Akechi Mitsuhide which led to the death of both Oda Nobunaga and his heir Oda Nobutada, Morimasa sided with Shibata Katsuie over making Oda Nobutaka (the third son of Nobunaga) as heir to the Oda clan whereas Hashiba Hideyoshi (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi) supported Lord Sanboshi. Sanboshi was the heir to Oda Nobutada and was still an infant at that time.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This argument led to the split of the Oda clan retainers into the two main factions led by Shibata Katsuie and Hashiba Hideyoshi. Armies of the two factions eventually came to war. In 1583, Morimasa led an offensive force against Takayama Ukon in Iwasakiyama. Morimasa then proceeded against Shibata Katsuie's orders, killing Nakagawa Kiyohide in the early stages of the battle of Shizugatake. However, he ignored Shibata Katsuie's orders to fall back and this led to his defeat as Toyotomi Hideyoshi's forces approached the next morning.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1554: Birth of Sakuma Morimasa — A prominent Sengoku period retainer who fought in major battles for the Oda clan.
2. 1568: 1568 Milestone — Morimasa's first battle was the Battle of Kannonji Castle in 1568 against Rokkaku Yoshikata, he was 15 years old.
3. 1570: 1570 Milestone — Morimasa continued joining various battles, including the Siege of Tezutsuyama Castle in Echizen Province against Asakura clan in 1570, the Battle of Yasugawara against Rokkaku Yoshikata and the Battle of Makishima Castle against Ashikaga Yoshiaki in 1573, and performed distinguished war service.
4. 1580: 1580 Milestone — Morimasa was given the former Ikko Sect fortress Oyama Gobo in the Kaga prefecture by Oda Nobunaga; the fortress was subsequently named Oyama Castle in 1580 but went on to become Kanazawa Castle.
5. 1581: 1581 Milestone — In 1581, he beats Uesugi Kagekatsu from Shirayama Castle at Kaga Province.
6. 1582: 1582 Milestone — In 1582, after the betrayal of Akechi Mitsuhide which led to the death of both Oda Nobunaga and his heir Oda Nobutada, Morimasa sided with Shibata Katsuie over making Oda Nobutaka (the third son of Nobunaga) as heir to the Oda clan whereas Hashiba Hideyoshi (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi) supported Lord Sanboshi.
7. 1583 (1583-07-01): Passing & Historical Legacy — Sakuma Morimasa passed away on 1583-07-01, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Sakuma Morimasa

True or False: “Sakuma Morimasa was always loyal to Shibata Katsuie throughout his entire military career.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he served under Shibata Katsuie at times, his actions and allegiances shifted significantly during the power struggles following Oda Nobunaga's death.

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