Date Masamune

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Template:Short description Template:For Template:Family name hatnote Template:Infobox officeholder Template:Campaignbox Campaigns of Date Masamune

Template:Nihongo was a Japanese samurai and daimyō during the Azuchi–Momoyama period through the early Edo period. Heir to a long line of powerful feudal lords in the Tōhoku region, he went on to found the modern-day city of Sendai. An outstanding tactician, he was made all the more iconic for his missing eye, as Masamune was often called dokuganryū (独眼竜), or the "One-Eyed Dragon of Ōshū".<ref>This name is derived from the nickname of the ancient Chinese general Li Keyong (李克用), who was also one-eyed.Template:Citation needed</ref> As a legendary warrior and leader, Masamune is a character in a number of Japanese period dramas.

Early life and rise

Date Masamune was born as Bontenmaru (梵天丸) later Tojirō (藤次郎), as the eldest son of Date Terumune, likely born in Yonezawa Castle (in modern Yamagata Prefecture).<ref name="Yamagata"/> At the age of 14 in 1581, Masamune led his first campaign, helping his father fight the Sōma clan. His buddhist name is “Zuiganjiden Teizan Zenri Daikoji”. In 1584, at the age of 17, Masamune succeeded his father, Terumune, who chose to retire from his position as daimyō. Masamune's army was recognized by its black armor and golden headgear.

Date Masamune Armour

Masamune is known for a few things that made him stand out from other daimyō of the time. In particular, his famous crescent-moon-bearing helmet won him a fearsome reputation. As a child, smallpox robbed him of sight in his right eye, though it is unclear exactly how he lost the organ entirely.<ref>In 1974, a Japanese research team recovered his body from his mausoleum, called Zuihoden, which was destroyed by the United States Army's attacks in 1945. According to the research report, the right orbit retained some soft tissue. There is also a wooden image of Masamune in the temple Zuiganji, Matsushima, made in 1652 at his wife Megohime's instructions. This statue has a right eye, though it is smaller than his left one. [1] Template:Webarchive</ref> Various theories behind the eye's condition exist. Some sources say he plucked out the eye himself when a senior member of the clan pointed out that an enemy could grab it in a fight. Others say that he had his trusted retainer Katakura Kojūrō gouge out the eye for him, making him the "One-Eyed Dragon" of Ōshu.<ref>[2] Template:Webarchive Some writers refer to this episode as a turning point for Masamune, such as Masashi Hosaka in Garyu-no-ten, Template:ISBN.</ref>

The Date clan had built alliances with neighboring clans through marriages over previous generations, but local disputes remained commonplace. Shortly after Masamune's succession in 1584, a Date retainer named Ōuchi Sadatsuna defected to the Ashina clan of the Aizu region. Masamune declared war on Ōuchi and the Ashina for this betrayal, and started a campaign to hunt down Sadatsuna. Formerly amicable alliances were cast aside as he began to attack and conquer the lands of Sadatsuna's allies in pursuit, even those of his kin in Mutsu and Dewa Province.

In the winter of 1585, one of these allies, Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu felt defeat was approaching and chose to surrender to the Date instead. Masamune agreed to accept the surrender, but on the heavy condition that the Nihonmatsu give up most of their territory to the Date. This resulted in Yoshitsugu kidnapping Masamune's father Terumune during their meeting in Miyamori Castle, where Terumune was staying during the time. The incident ended with Terumune and Yoshitsugu killed as the fleeing Nihonmatsu party clashed with the pursuing Date troops near the Abukuma River.<ref>Ken-ichi Sato, Date Masamune Nazotoki-sanpo, Template:ISBN</ref>

Due to the death of Date Terumune by the hands of Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu, Masamune swore vengeance. In January 1586, Masamune had his revenge by launching an attack against the Nihonmatsu at the Battle of Hitotoribashi.<ref name=Turnbull>Template:Cite book</ref> The following year, Date Masamune once again attacked Nihonmatsu at Battle of Koriyama in 1588, the son of Hatakeyama Yoshitsugu set the castle on fire and fled to Aizu. Various records of the event exist, although they present different accounts of its circumstances. That same year, he effectively won a series of battles against the Soma and Ashina clans.<ref name="泉田邦彦 et al 2021 pp164-170">泉田邦彦, et al (2021), pp.164-170.</ref>

In 1589, the Date clan fought many battles with their neighbours afterwards, including the Siege of Kurokawa and Battle of Suriagehara against Ashina clan. After defeating the Ashina clan, Masamune made Kurokawa Castle in Aizu domain his base of operations. Later, Masamune fought in the Siege of Sukagawa and defeated Nikaidō clan. In the end 1589, Masamune sealed the Date clan's hegemony over southern Mutsu Province.

  • The emblem (mon) of the Date clan
    The emblem (mon) of the Date clan
  • Date Masamune uma-jirushi (right)
    Date Masamune uma-jirushi (right)
  • Date Masamune (1567–1636) uma-jirushi (left)
    Date Masamune (1567–1636) uma-jirushi (left)

Service under Hideyoshi

In 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi seized Odawara Castle and compelled the Tōhoku-region daimyō to participate in the campaign. Although Masamune refused Hideyoshi's demands at first, he had no real choice in the matter since Hideyoshi was the virtual ruler of Japan. Masamune still delayed, infuriating Hideyoshi. Expecting to be executed, Masamune, wearing his finest clothes and showing no fear, faced his angry overlord. Not wanting further trouble, Hideyoshi spared his life, saying that "He could be of some use."

Being a major power in northern Japan, Masamune was naturally viewed with suspicion, as any potential rival would be viewed. Toyotomi Hideyoshi reduced the size of his land holdings after his tardiness in coming to the Siege of Odawara against Hōjō Ujimasa.

In 1591, Masamune forfeited the ancestral land of the Date Clan (present day Date City, Kawamata, Koori, and Kunimi) to Hideyoshi, causing widespread riots. He never regained the territory.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After he fought against Kunohe Rebellion, he was given Iwatesawa and the surrounding lands as his home domain. Masamune moved there, rebuilt the Iwatesawa Castle, renamed it Iwadeyama, and encouraged the growth of a town at its base.<ref name="Osaki"/> Masamune stayed at Iwadeyama for 13 years and turned the region into a major political and economic center.

He and his men served with distinction in the Hideyoshi Korean invasions In 1592–1598.

Service under Ieyasu

In 1598, after Hideyoshi's death, Masamune began to support Tokugawa Ieyasu—apparently at the advice of Katakura Kojūrō. Tokugawa Ieyasu increased the size of his lands again, but was constantly suspicious of Masamune and his policies. Although Tokugawa Ieyasu and other Date allies were always suspicious of him, Date Masamune for the most part served the Tokugawa loyally.

In 1600, under Tokugawa eastern army, he fought in Sekigahara Campaign at Siege of Shiroishi and Siege of Hasedo. Later, Tokugawa Ieyasu awarded Masamune the lordship of the huge and profitable Sendai Domain, which made Masamune one of Japan's most powerful daimyō. Tokugawa had promised Masamune a one-million koku domain, but, even after substantial improvements were made, the land only produced 640,000 koku, most of which was used to feed the Edo region.

In 1604, Masamune, accompanied by 52,000 vassals and their families, moved to what was then the small fishing village of Sendai. He left his fourth son, Date Muneyasu, to rule Iwadeyama. Masamune would turn Sendai into a large and prosperous city.

In 1614 and 1615, he fought in the Osaka campaigns against the Toyotomi Clan.

Later in 1616, when Tokugawa Ieyasu was on his deathbed, Masamune visited him and read him a piece of Zen poetry. Masamune was highly respected for his ethics; a still-quoted aphorism is, "Rectitude carried to excess hardens into stiffness; benevolence indulged beyond measure sinks into weakness."

Later years and death

Masamune was viewed with caution by Ieyasu and Hidetada, but gained trust during the reign of Iemitsu. As someone who did not experience the Warring States period, Iemitsu had a fondness for hearing stories from the warlords who lived during that time, such as Masamune and Tachibana Muneshige.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1636, Masamune died of a combination of esophageal cancer and peritonitis at the age of 68 years. He was returned to Sendai in the same daimyō procession as when he was alive. The bakufu gave approval for his eldest legitimate son, Date Tadamune, to inherit the Date clan territory.

Masamune's Grave at Zuihōden mausoleum

Patron of culture and Christianity

A letter from Masamune to Pope Paul V

Masamune expanded trade in the northeastern Tōhoku region. Although initially faced with attacks by hostile clans, he managed to overcome them after a few defeats and eventually ruled one of the largest fiefdoms of the later Tokugawa shogunate. He built many palaces and worked on many projects to beautify the region. He is also known to have encouraged foreigners to come to his land. Even though he funded and promoted an envoy to establish relations with the Pope in Rome, he was likely motivated at least in part by a desire for foreign technology, similar to that of other lords, such as Oda Nobunaga. Further, once Tokugawa Ieyasu outlawed Christianity, Masamune reversed his position, and though disliking it, let Ieyasu persecute Christians in his domain. For 270 years, Tōhoku remained a place of tourism, trade, and prosperity. Matsushima, for instance, a series of tiny islands, was praised for its beauty and serenity by the wandering haiku poet Matsuo Bashō.

He showed sympathy for Christian missionaries and traders in Japan. In addition to allowing them to come and preach in his province, he also released the prisoner and missionary Padre Sotelo from the hands of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Date Masamune allowed Sotelo as well as other missionaries to practice their religion and win converts in Tōhoku.

Replica of the galleon Date Maru, or San Juan Bautista, in Ishinomaki, Japan

Masamune notably funded and backed one of Japan's few journeys of far-flung diplomacy and exploration in this period. He ordered the building of the exploration ship San Juan Bautista, using foreign (European) ship-building techniques. He sent one of his retainers, Hasekura Tsunenaga, Sotelo, and an embassy numbering 180 on a successful voyage to establish relations with the Pope in Rome. This expedition visited such places as the Philippines, Mexico, Spain and Rome. Previously, Japanese lords had never funded this sort of venture, so it was probably the first successful voyage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At least five members of the expedition stayed in Coria (Seville) of Spain to avoid the persecution of Christians in Japan. 600 of their descendants, with the surname Japón (Japan), are now living in Spain.

When the Tokugawa government banned Christianity, Masamune had to obey the law. However, some sources suggest that Masamune's eldest daughter, Irohahime, was a Christian.<ref>ja:五郎八姫. She had to divorce her husband Matsudaira Tadateru, who was exiled for his defiant attitude toward his father Ieyasu Tokugawa. After this separation, Irohahime never remarried though her parents, Masamune and Megohime suggested a remarriage. Some historians thought that her attitude was due to her faith.</ref>

Family

Statue of Date Masamune in Aobayama Park, Sendai
  • Father: Date Terumune<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Mother: Yoshihime (1548–1623), daughter of Mogami Yoshimori the daimyō of Dewa Province<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Wife: Megohime, daughter of Tamura Kiyoaki owner of Miharu Castle in Miharu Domain, Mutsu Province<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Sibling: Date Kojirō Masamichi
  • Concubines:
    • Īsaka no Tsubone (1569–1634)
    • Shinzō no Kata (d. 1612)
    • Shōkō'in (1583–1656)
    • Oyama no Kata (1587–1668)
    • Shōgo'in (d. 1644)
    • Okachi no Kata (d. 1669)
    • Hosshō'in (1604–1664)
  • Prostitute: Template:SicKōnomae (1577–1641)
  • Children:
    • Date Hidemune (1591–1658), by Shinzō no Kata
    • Irohahime (1594–1661), by Megohime, never remarried after the forced divorce with Matsudaira Tadateru
    • Date Tadamune (1600–1658), by Megohime, the second lord of Sendai Domain
    • Template:Ill (1600–1634), by Shinzō no Kata, adopted by Template:Ill to succeed the Iizaka clan but died childless
    • Date Muneyasu (1602–1639), by Shōkō'in, first head of the Iwadeyama-Date branch family
    • Date Munetsuna (1603–1618), by Megohime, first head of the Iwagasaki Date branch family but died childless
    • Date Munenobu (1603–1627), by Oyama no Kata, was adopted to become the second head of the Iwagasaki Date branch family but also died childless and it became extinct
    • Date Munetaka (1607–1626), by Oyama no Kata, was adopted and became the first head of the Murata Tade family (a Date line offshoot), but caught smallpox and died childless
    • Mūhime (1608–1683), by Oyama no Kata, married Ishikawa Munetaka
    • Takematsumaru (1609–1615), by Megohime
    • Date Munezane (1613–1665), by Shōgo'in, adopted into the Watari family (different from the Watari-Date family)
    • Minehime (1616–1635), by Okachi no Kata, married Date Munezane (1611–1639) of the Watari-Date family
    • Date Munekatsu (1621–1679), by Okachi no Kata
    • Sengikuhime (1626–1655), by Hosso'in, married Kyōgoku Takakuni
    • Tsuta (1598–1671), by Kōnomae, adopted by Oniniwa Tsunamoto, married Harada Munesuke
    • Watari Munemoto (1600–1669), by Kōnomae, initially adopted by Oniniwa Tsunamoto, then adopted by Watari Shigemune

Others

"Three Great Men" of Date clan

  • Katakura Kagetsuna (片倉 景綱, 1557 – December 4, 1615) was a samurai of the Katakura clan, also known by his court title, Bichū no Kami (備中守), or more commonly, as Katakura Kojūrō.
  • Date Shigezane (伊達 成実, 1568 – July 17, 1646). A senior retainer of the Date clan of Sendai, he was a cousin of Date Masamune and founder of the Watari-Date clan.
  • Oniniwa Tsunamoto (鬼庭 綱元) (1549 – July 13, 1640). Deeply trusted by Masamune, he was made a senior retainer at the young age of 35.

Retainers

Date clan's prominent castles

Dry moat and earthen wall of Wakabayashi Castle

According to 21st century historian Watanabe, no historical documents have been found from the Sengoku period that refer to Masamune as the "One-Eyed Dragon." The moniker was first found in the 1830, the famous Confucian scholar Rai San'yō wrote a poem about Masamune in his "Eishi Zekku" (Eishi Quaal Poems), in which he referred to him as the "One-Eyed Dragon". Originally, "One-Eyed Dragon" nickname was the nickname of Li Keyong, who was active in the late Tang Dynasty in China. Li Keyong was known as an excellent military commander, and Daimon suspected that San'yō most likely compared Masamune to Li Keyong in that poem.

There is no record of Masamune ever wearing an eyepatch. A portrait of Date Masamune (by Yasunobu Kano) held by the Sendai City Museum is depicted with both eyes open, in accordance with Masamune's will. Portraits and wooden statues made after his death show both eyes open, with the right eye slightly smaller. Daimon also discusses how Masanune's eyepatch appearance fluctuated in 20th century entertainment. The 1942 film "Dokuganryu Masamune" marked the first time Masamune appeared wearing an eyepatch. Actor Ken Watanabe, who played the lead role of Masamune in the 1987 NHK historical drama "Dokuganryu Masamune," appeared wearing an eyepatch made from the tsuba of a sword over his right eye. Since then, this appearance has become established for portrayals of Masamune.<ref name="Masamune eye portrayal">Template:Cite web</ref>

Masamune is the protagonist of the anime series Masamune Datenicle, produced by the city of Date in collaboration with Fukushima Gainax in order to promote the city's historic connection to the Date Clan. In this series, he is depicted as a child taking on the role of leader of his clan for the first time. Previous leaders of the Date Clan manifest in order to help him prepare for his first battle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The professional wrestling organization Osaka Pro Wrestling featured two wrestlers using the ring names Masamune and Hideyoshi, who together form the tag team "Sengoku".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

References

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Works cited

Further reading

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