Shimazu Takahisa (May 28, 1514 - July 15, 1571) Shimazu Takahisa The Daimyo Shimazu Takahisa introduced firearms to Japan, forever changing samurai warfare. The 15th head of the Shimazu clan, Takahisa was interested in fostering relations with the international travelers of the day. Realising the importance of trade, he [...]

Nakagawa Kiyohide (1542 – June 10, 1583) Nakagawa Kiyohide The Daimyo Nakagawa Kiyohide, also known as Nakagawa Toranosuke as a child, and commonly as Nakagawa Sebe, was born in modern-day Ibaragi City, Osaka in 1542. Kiyohide was originally in the employ of Ikeda Katsumasa, daimyo of Settsu (now bordering [...]

Tokugawa Iemitsu, The Third Edo Shogun (August 12, 1604 – July 8 1651)   Tokugawa Iemitsu was born the first son of Tokugawa Hidetada, and was the favored grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu. His younger brother Tadanaga was his parents favorite, and was suggested as Hidetada’s heir, however Ieyasu demanded that Iemitsu would succeed the [...]

Ota Gyuichi (1527 – 1614) Most samurai made the history books for their martial valor, their deeds and feats. Ota Gyuichi made the history books, literally. Born in 1527 in Ajiki village of Kasugai, modern-day Kita Ku, Nagoya City, Ota Gyuichi, also known as Ota Matasuke Nobusada, was raised in the [...]

Mito Komon, Tokugawa Mitsukuni (July 11, 1628 - January 14, 1701) Mito Komon, in reality, Tokugawa Mitsukuni of Mito, was a grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and was born July 11, 1628 to Ieyasu's 11th son, Tokugawa Yorifusa. Daimyo of the Mito Domain from the age of 34, he ordered his scholars [...]

Takenka Hanbei Shigeharu (September 27, 1544 - Takenaka Shigeharu, is better known today as Hanbei, although it was a name he does not appear to have used during his lifetime. Born in Mino (Gifu), Takenaka Hanbei was a talented strategist of the Sengoku period, and a military advisor to the [...]

Oda Nobuhide (1510-April 8, 1551) Oda Nobuhide, the father of Oda Nobunaga, was known as the Tiger of Owari. Born in Owari (Western Aichi Prefecture) in 1510, Nobuhide was a warlord, magistrate and Buddhist monk, and head of the powerful Oda clan that ruled much of Owari Province. Nobuhide was unable [...]

Tokugawa Yoshinao(January 2, 1601 – June 5, 1650) First Lord of the Owari Domain and of Nagoya Castle Tokugawa Yoshinao was the ninth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, born in Osaka Castle January 2, 1601. At age six, he was made master of Kiyosu Castle (Aichi Prefecture) and in 1612, when [...]

Shibata Katsuie (1522- June 14, 1583) Shibata Katsuie, also known as Gonroku, was born in Kamiyashiro village, Owari. (currently Meito-Ku, Nagoya City.) He originally served under Oda Nobunaga’s younger brother, Oda Nobukatsu, and was part of Nobukatsu’s plan to overthrow his brother. Katsuie led the charge against Nobunaga, but was [...]

Takeda Shingen (December 1, 1521 - May 13, 1573) Known as the Tiger of Kai, Takeda Shingen was an ideas man, an exceptional general famous for his tactical genius, and his innovations. He was an asset to his father from an early age, playing a major role in the Battle of [...]