Fukushima Masanori

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Fukushima Masanori
Fukushima Masanori

Fukushima Masanori (福島正則?) (1561-1624) was a samurai of the late Sengoku Period to early Edo Period. A retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he fought in the battle of Shizugatake in 1583, and soon became known as one of Seven Spears of Shizugatake which also included Kato Kiyomasa and others.

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[edit] Origins

Fukushima Masanori, or as he was first known, Ichimatsu, was born in Owari Province, the son of Fukushima Masanobu. He is believed to have been the cousin of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He first engaged in battle at the assault on Miki Castle in Harima Province, and following the battle of Yamazaki, he was granted a 500 koku stipend.

[edit] Fame as One of the "Seven Spears"

At the battle of Shizugatake in 1583 (Tenshō 11), Masanori had the honor of taking the first head, namely that of the enemy general Ogasato Ieyoshi, receiving a 5000 koku increase in his stipend for this distinction (the other six "Spears" each received 3000 koku).

[edit] Korean Campaign

Masanori took part in many of Hideyoshi's campaigns; it was after the Kyūshū Expedition, however, that he was made a daimyō. Receiving the fief of Imabari in Iyo Province, his income was rated at 110,000 koku. Soon after, he took part in the Korean Campaign. Masanori was to once again receive distinction by his taking of Ch'ongju.[1]

[edit] Later Years

Following his involvement in the Korean campaign, Masanori was involved with the execution of Toyotomi Hidetsugu. He led 10,000 men in 1595, surrounding Seiganji temple on Koya-san, and waiting until Hidetsugu had committed suicide.[2] With Hidetsugu dead, Masanori was to receive a 90,000 koku increase in stipend, as well as receiving Hidetsugu's former fief of Kiyosu, in Owari Province.[3]

Masanori sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara, and thus ensured the survival of his domain. However, though he was later to lose his holdings, his descendants became hatamoto in the service of the Tokugawa shogun.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Turnbull, Stephen. Samurai Invasion. London: Cassell & Co., p. 120.
  2. ^ Ibid, p. 232.
  3. ^ Berry, Mary Elizabeth. Hideyoshi. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, pp. 127-8.

[edit] External links

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