Matsuura Shigenobu

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Matsuura Shigenobu (1549-1614) a warlord of the Japanese province of Hizen during the Sengoku Period of the 16th century extending to the Azuchi-Momoyama period of the 17th century. Shigenobu was the son of Matsuura Takanobu and ruled the Hirado Island. Following the year of 1568 Shigenobu became a Daimyo and fought against his rival clan of So in 1572. Briefly Shigenobu submitted to the Ryuzoji, but afterwards gave support to Toyotomi Hideyoshi during his 1st Campaign against Korea during the year of 1587. Even though Shigenobu supposedly retired in favor of his son Matsuura Hisanobu in 1589, he still led some 3,000 men to Korea under Konishi Yukinaga in the 1st Korean Campaign. Shigenobu became more famous when also leading an attack against the Namwori during the 2nd Korean Campaign. Due to this fact the Matsuura clan greatly grew in domain and attained the Sonogi area in Hizen and Iki Island, for a total of 63,000 koku. Throughout the Azuchi-Momoyama period (especially during the Battle of Sekigahara during the year of 1600), Shigenobu remained neutral without any gain or loss of land. Following the year of 1613 during the Edo Period of the 18th century, Shigenobu came aboard the English ship Clove, which was recorded by John Saris. Shigenobu was afterwards succeeded by his grandson Matsuura Takanobu.