Yamagata Masakage

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Yamagata Masakage

Role / Field:

A renowned samurai warrior of the Sengoku period, famous for his red armor and loyalty to Takeda Shingen.

Born:

1524

Died:

1575-06-29

Century / Era:

1524s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Yamagata Masakage (山県 昌景; 1524 – June 29, 1575) also known as Obu Masakage was a Japanese samurai warrior of the Sengoku period. He is known as one of the "Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen". He was famous for his red armour and skill in battle, and was a personal friend of Takeda Shingen. He was the younger brother of Obu Toramasa, who was also a retainer of Shingen, leading the famous "red fire unit" (derived from Shingen's slogan Fūrinkazan).

Career & Major Achievements

Masakage was a fierce warrior who fought in many battles and was given a fief in Shinano. He was present at the Battle of Mimasetoge in 1569 and captured Yoshida Castle, a Tokugawa possession, during the Mikatagahara Campaign (1572–73). He was present for the following Battle of Mikatagahara. His last campaign was in the ill-fated Battle of Nagashino in 1575, in which he tried to persuade Katsuyori to honorably withdraw.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Ii Naomasa of the Tokugawa clan gained the surviving retainers of the Takeda clan and more widely implemented the ideas of "Masakage's red-colored army," having several units of elite samurai in blood-red armor, to inflict fear and demoralization on enemy troops. After his brother Obu Masatora committed seppuku as a cover for Takeda Yoshinobu's failed rebellion, Masakage changed his family name to Yamagata (he used the name Obu Masakage at first). Yamagata is one of the main characters in Akira Kurosawa's epic film Kagemusha.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1524: Birth of Yamagata Masakage — A renowned samurai warrior of the Sengoku period, famous for his red armor and loyalty to Takeda Shingen.
2. 1569: 1569 Milestone — He was present at the Battle of Mimasetoge in 1569 and captured Yoshida Castle, a Tokugawa possession, during the Mikatagahara Campaign (1572–73).
3. 1575 (1575-06-29): Passing & Historical Legacy — Yamagata Masakage passed away on 1575-06-29, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Yamagata Masakage

True or False: “Yamagata Masakage was known for wearing distinctive red armor during his military campaigns.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): His signature red armor made him a recognizable and fearsome figure on the battlefield, inspiring later units to adopt similar colors.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Ismail I — Contemporary (Died in 1524) (1524): Founder and first Shah of Safavid Iran, unifying the nation under native rule.
• Louise Labé — Contemporary (Born in 1524) (1524): French Renaissance poet from Lyon, known for her lyrical works and education.
• Akiyama Nobutomo — Contemporary (Died in 1575) (1575): A prominent samurai of the Sengoku period, known for his service to the Takeda clan.
• Baba Nobufusa — Contemporary (Died in 1575) (1575): A prominent samurai of the Sengoku period, known for his service to the Takeda clan.
• Chōsokabe Morichika — Contemporary (Born in 1575) (1575): Japanese samurai who ruled Tosa Province before his fief was revoked by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
• Alan Arkin — Shared historical date (06-29 · Died) (2023): Esteemed American actor, filmmaker, and musician with a seven-decade career.
• Antoine de Saint-Exupéry — Shared historical date (06-29 · Born) (1900): French writer, poet, and aviator whose works blended adventure with profound humanism.
• Luís de Camões — Historical peer (Born in 1524) (1524): Portugal's greatest poet, celebrated for the epic masterpiece Os Lusíadas.
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• 1524 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1524
• 1575 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1575
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Frequently Asked Questions about Yamagata Masakage