Atobe Katsusuke
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Atobe Katsusuke (跡部勝資? 1547-April 3, 1582) was a reputable retainer under the Takeda clan of Kai Province throughout the latter half of the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan. Conjectively serving under Takeda Shingen as a man of notable capability, Katsusuke became regarded as one of the most highly respected advisors by the time Shingen had passed on and Katsuyori seized headship, at which he assisted the new heir with many capable feats. Katsusuke was most recognized, among these feats, for convincing Katsuyori that Nagashino Castle, being of lowly defense in effect to Ieyasu's crucially wounding defeat at the Battle of Mikatagahara two years prior in 1573, should be assaulted in full force by way of their exceedingly effective cavalry, which shouldn't come to any harm if employed correctly. As this advice was put into effect, Katsusuke was unfortunately bested by a change of circumstances: Tokugawa Ieyasu--the castle's owner--was mutually backed by Oda Nobunaga and the latter's legion of arqubusiers, which desolated the Takeda's cavalry by overwhelming means, forcing Katsusuke to redeem such humiliation by fighting under the flag of Katsuyori as the years passed, while the majority of the retainers loss confidence in the Takeda and defected. As the combined Oda/Tokugawa assault was unleashed upon the Takeda's homeland of Kai and Shinano in 1582, Katsusuke, knowing he failed in the name of his lord and the people, did not retaliate against the invasion, but committed ritual suicide as a means to end his life, instead.
[edit] References
- Atobe Katsusuke - SamuraiWiki. (Samurai Archives) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005
- Battle of Nagashino - SamuraiWiki. (Samurai Archives) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005
