Shima Sakon

Quick Facts: Who was Shima Sakon?

Subject:

Shima Sakon

Known for:

Japanese samurai and daimyō who served key figures like Ishida Mitsunari during the late Sengoku period.

Born:

1540-06-09

Died:

1600-10-21

Century / Era:

1540s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Shima Kiyooki (島 清興; 9 June 1540 - 21 October 1600), also known as Shima Tomoyuki and Shima Katsutake, was a Japanese samurai of the late Sengoku period. His nickname was Shima Sakon (島 左近) (Shima Nearby on the Left). Sakon eventually left the service of the Hatakeyama clan, Tsutsui Junkei, Toyotomi Hidenaga and eventually joined and serve under Ishida Mitsunari. Sakon was born in the Yamato province to Shima Matsukatsu, a local lords of Yamato Province. The Shima clan was considered to be a resident landholder around present-day Heguri-cho, Ikoma County, Nara Prefecture.

Career & Major Achievements

Sakon served the Hatakeyama clan who were the Shugo (Governors) of Kawachi Province. In 1562, Sakon took part in the Battle of Kyokoji in which Hatakeyama Takamasa fought Miyoshi Nagayoshi, but Takamasa was defeated. Later in 1577, Sakon became one of the two primary samurai officers under Tsutsui Junkei alongside Matsukura Shigenobu. Since he fought under command of Junkei during this time, he became one of the local lords belonging to the Tsutsui clan, gradually distinguished himself as a samurai taisho or samurai commander (a samurai who gives battle orders and maneuvers troops). After the death of Junkei, It has been said that in January 1586, Sakon hired by Ishida Mitsunari and was convinced to serve the Toyotomi clan under Toyotomi Hidenaga (Hideyoshi’s brother) at Kyushu Campaign.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1591, after Hidenaga died, Ishida Mitsunari recruited him into his army as a leading strategist. Later in 1598 after Hideyoshi died, Sakon proceeded to help Mitsunari as he struggled against Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1600, a few days before the battle of Sekigahara, Sakon led an assault on Ieyasu's Eastern army at Battle of Kuisegawa with great success. As always, he was one of the bravest generals of Ishida Mitsunari on the battlefield. On October 21, 1600, at the Battle of Sekigahara, Shima served as one of Ishida's higher-ranking officers, commander of Ishida Mitsunari forces, he commanding a unit of 1,000 men.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1540 (1540-06-09): Birth of Shima Sakon — Japanese samurai and daimyō who served key figures like Ishida Mitsunari during the late Sengoku period.
2. 1562: 1562 Milestone — In 1562, Sakon took part in the Battle of Kyokoji in which Hatakeyama Takamasa fought Miyoshi Nagayoshi, but Takamasa was defeated.
3. 1577: 1577 Milestone — Later in 1577, Sakon became one of the two primary samurai officers under Tsutsui Junkei alongside Matsukura Shigenobu.
4. 1586: 1586 Milestone — After the death of Junkei, It has been said that in January 1586, Sakon hired by Ishida Mitsunari and was convinced to serve the Toyotomi clan under Toyotomi Hidenaga (Hideyoshi’s brother) at Kyushu Campaign.
5. 1591: 1591 Milestone — In 1591, after Hidenaga died, Ishida Mitsunari recruited him into his army as a leading strategist.
6. 1598: 1598 Milestone — Later in 1598 after Hideyoshi died, Sakon proceeded to help Mitsunari as he struggled against Tokugawa Ieyasu.
7. 1600 (1600-10-21): Passing & Historical Legacy — Shima Sakon passed away on 1600-10-21, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Shima Sakon

True or False: “Did Shima Sakon die on the battlefield at Sekigahara while fighting against Tokugawa Ieyasu's forces?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His fate after the battle is mysterious; sources suggest he either died of his wounds later or escaped and passed away a few years afterward.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Shima Sakon