Date Harumune

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Date Harumune (伊達晴宗, Date Harumune^? 1519-1578) was the 15th head of the reputed Date clan of Mutsu Province and son of Date Tanemune during the early years of the Sengoku Period of Feudal Japan. As Harumune's father announced his declaration to send Sanemoto, his third son, over to the Uesugi for the sake of mutual relations in 1542, Harumune recalled the existence of two additional branches to the Uesugi: The first being the Yamanouchi of Musashi; the second being the Ogigayatsu of Kozuke. Knowing that these two branches were not only constantly clashing for competition of territory, but additionally resided exceedingly close to the province of Mutsu, Harumune declared that such an action would prove of great danger, considering that the clans of Osaki and Soma could possibly be consumed by one or the other, and the Date's influence would be torn apart by signs of desperation for expansion, while other clans would use such an event to attain populace support against the Date's name. As Tanemune regardlessly declined his son's logic, Harumune created what would be known as the "Tenbun no ran": a conflict at which both Harumune and Tanemune consistently clashed for power by individually gaining the support of the Date retainers and other neighboring clans. Beginning the year of 1542 and ending by 1548, Harumune forced his father into retirement that same year, and followed by moving his new base of power to Yonezawa Castle, as the official 15th head of Date.

As Harumune spent the majority of his time to reconstruct and strengthen the prestige and influence of the Date with the passage of many years, he became known by his people as an exceedingly determined daimyo, employing many kokujin (ji-samurai) to consistently better the agriculture of the land, and thus benefit the people. However, he began to dispute on many variable matters with his son, Terumune, around this time, and decided to allow Terumune headship over Date after being fearful at the prospect of acting against the will of Ashikaga Yoshiteru, the current Shogun, who suggestively wished for Terumune's ascension. Retiring around 1560 as a resolution, Harumune died by unknown means during the year of 1578.