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In this Japanese name, the surname is Sakai.
Sakai Tadatsugu
酒井 忠次
portrait of Sakai Tadatsugu
Lord of Yoshida
In office
1565–1578
Succeeded bySakai Ietsugu
Personal details
Born1527
Mikawa province
DiedDecember 17, 1596
Kyoto
Nickname"Boar Slayer" (inokiri)
Military service
Allegiance Matsudaira clan
Imagawa clan
Tokugawa clan
Unit Sakai clan
CommandsYoshida Castle
Battles/warsSiege of Fukutani castle
Siege of Terabe
Siege of Marune
Battle of Batogahara
Battle of Anegawa
Battle of Mikatagahara
Siege of Yoshida Castle
Battle of Nagashino
Battle of Komaki and Nagakute

Sakai Tadatsugu (酒井 忠次, 1527 – 17 December 1596) was one of the most favored and most successful military commanders serving Tokugawa Ieyasu in the late-Sengoku period.

Serving as highest ranking general in Tokugawa clan along with Ishikawa Kazumasa,[1] Tadatsugu also regarded as one of the Four Guardians of the Tokugawa (Tokugawa-Shitennō).[2] along with Honda Tadakatsu, Ii Naomasa, and Sakakibara Yasumasa.[3][4] He also included in another cultural depiction as one of Tokugawa 16 divine generals(Tokugawa jūrokushinshō).[5][6]

Sakai Tadatsugu also allegedly involved in conspiracy that caused the death of Lady Tsukiyama and her son, Matsudaira Nobuyasu.[7]

Early life[edit]

Tadatsugu was born in 1527 to Sakai Tadachika, a hereditary vassal of the Matsudaira clan of Mikawa Province.[3]

When Tadatsugu came of age, he first served Tokugawa Ieyasu's father, Matsudaira Hirotada. Tadatsugu was the husband of princes Usui and Keyoin, a sister of both of Ieyasu's parents and hence Ieyasu's uncle-in-law.

It is said that after Hirotada's death, in 1551 Tadatsugu served young Ieyasu and led a hostage life in Sunpu.

Service under Ieyasu[edit]

In 1556, According to the records from Tosho Gunkan, Tadatsugu defends Fukutani castle which besieged by 2,000 cavalry troops of Oda clan led by Shibata Katsuie. Tadatsugu manage to repel the invaders as he led a sallying forces outside the castle to engage Katsuie troops.[8][9][10][11][12]

In 1558, Tadatsugu accompanied Ieyasu in the Siege of Terabe.[citation needed]

In 1560 at the Siege of Marune against Oda clan.[citation needed]

In 1563, in the Mikawa Ikkō-ikki uprising, Tadatsugu faithfully followed Ieyasu while many of the Sakai Clan contributed to the uprising.[citation needed]

Later in 1564, Tadatsugu lead an attack towards Yoshida Castle, forcing the lord of the castle, Shizumi Obara, to escape and the castle surrender without a fight.[13] Then in the same year, before the Battle of Azukizaka, Tadatsugu wrote letter to the Ikko-Ikki faction in Mikawa, chastising their rebellious conduct.[14]

After 1565, when Ieyasu broke off his ties with the Imagawa clan, Tadatsugu was given command of the Yoshida Castle.[15] in eastern Mikawa (present-day Toyohashi).

By 1567, the majority of daimyō forces in the Tokugawa armies were organized in two divisions, each with a separate commander. Tadatsugu was placed over the forces of 18 Tokugawa daimyō-vassals and his counterpart, Ishikawa Kazumasa, was given command over the forces of 13 daimyō-vassals.[1]

Sometimes around 1565, After the Tokugawa clan captured Yoshida Castle in Mikawa, Ieyasu appoint Tadatsugu to control the castle.[16][17]

In 1570, Tadatsugu were involved in the Battle of Anegawa, where The Tokugawa forces forming the left wing of the Oda and Tokugawa alliance forces. Here, Tadatsugu and Ishikawa Kazumasa leading the vanguard, while Sakakibara Yasumasa and Honda Tadakatsu leading the rearguard of the Tokugawa formation.[18]

In 1572, during the Battle of Mikatagahara, Tadatsugu secured the Tokugawa's right flank, seeing his troops being badly beaten by the opposing Takeda forces; and when Ieyasu and his allies retreated to Hamamatsu Castle, Tadatsugu participated in the ruse which mitigated the effects of Takeda victory in the field; and the Takeda forces withdrew.[19][20]

In June 1574, when the Takeda clan laid siege to Takatenjin, Oda Nobunaga personally lead reinforcements where he encamp in Yoshida castle, as he greeted by Tadatsugu. However, as he heard Takatenjin surrendered, Nobunaga abort his trip to Takatenjin and return to Yoshida castle to decide next step.[21]

depiction of Sakai Tadatsugu with skull head as standard on his back, at the attack of Nagashino, 1575,[22] work by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi.[23]

In 1575, during the Battle of Nagashino, he led a successful night attack against the Takeda along with Kanamori Nagachika.[24][25] For his deeds defending a castle in Tobinosuyama mountain after the battle of Nagashino, Oda Nobunaga rewarding Tadatsugu with a jinbaori(Samurai commander's jacket),[26] and also a Maki no Tachi(sword's mounting).[27]

In 1578, Tadatsugu's son, Sakai Ietsugu (1564–1619), took over his father's role as castellan of Yoshida Castle.[15] The ie- in the beginning of Ietsugu's name was a special honor bestowed by Tokugawa Ieyasu, a special reward for special vassals, allowing them to use one of the kanji from his Nanori name.[28]

In 1579, Tadatsugu were involved with a tragedy that befalls upon Ieyasu family, which ended with Lady Tsukiyama, Ieyasu wife, executed, and their son, Matsudaira Nobuyasu, forced to commit seppuku. Tadatsugu played role in confirming Oda Nobunaga suspicion of the alleged betrayal towards the Oda clan being planned by Lady Tsukiyama. It is said that Tadatsugu were actually conspiring with Odai no Kata here to get rid off Lady Tsukiyama.[7] While Arthur Lindsay Sadler theorized this is deliberate act of spite from Tadatsugu due to his dislikes towards Nobuyasu.[29]

In 1584, during the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute, he successfully turned back a move by Toyotomi Hideyoshi forces against Kiyosu Castle, which was led by Toyotomi commander Mori Nagayoshi. Tadatsugu scouted Nagayoshi forces during their march, then as Nagayoshi rest and camp his soldiers Hachimanbayashi area, Tadatsugu joined Okudaira Nobumasa and Matsudaira Ietada (Fukōzu) in Komaki to launch the attack at dawn. As they pushed Nagayoshi forces, Tadatsugu tried to encircle Nagayoshi forces from the flank, which caused Nagayoshi lose 300 soldiers. [30] However, they ultimately failed to entrap Nagayoshi as he manage to breaking through the encirclement and retreat.[31] Following this, Tadakatsu returned to Komaki where he, Honda Tadakatsu, and Kazumasa Ishikawa stationed their troops.[32]

In 1586, according to "Sakakibara clan historical records", Ieyasu sent Honda Tadakatsu, Sakakibara Yasumasu, and Ii Naomasa as representatives to Kyoto, where three of them being regarded as "Tokugawa Sanketsu"(Three great nobles of Tokugawa).[33] Then in following month, the three of them joined by Tadatsugu Sakai to accompany Ieyasu in his personal trip to Kyoto, where the four of them "became famous".[33]

In 1590, during the Odawara Campaign, Tadatsugu was ordered to accompany Tokugawa Hidetada, Ieyasu's son and heir, to Kyoto, where he served as hostage for Ieyasu's loyalty to the Toyotomi during that campaign. After the battle, Hideyoshi ordered to Tokugawa clan to relocate from their ancestral holdings to the Kantō region. Tadatsugu went into retirement, but his son Ietsugu received a 30,000 koku fudai fief at Usui, in Shimōsa Province, and Tadasugu accompanied them there.[15]

Death[edit]

Tadatsugu died in Kyoto in the winter of 1596. After Tadatsugu's death, the Sakai clan continued to prosper. In 1604, his descendants moved to Takasaki Domain (50,000 koku) in Kōzuke Province; in 1616, they relocated to Takata Domain (100,000 koku) in Echigo Province; in 1619, they were transferred to Matsushiro Domain in Shinano Province; and then, from 1622 through to 1868, they were installed at Tsurugaoka Domain (120,000 koku) in Dewa Province.[15] The head of the Sakai clan was ennobled as a "Count" in the Meiji period.[15]

Personal info[edit]

Sakai Tadatsugu personal armor. Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Chido Museum Collection.[34]

Tadatsugu has a war helmet with golden antler horns, similar to horn motives owned by Sanada Yukimura or Tadakatsu Honda.[35]

Weapons[edit]

In 1560, during that time, it is said Tadatsugu killed a boar with his katana, earning it the name of the Inoshishi-giri or Inokiri (猪切 the Boar Slayer). The blade itself was a work of Masazane from the Tegai school of Nara, and a colleague of the famous Muramasa (or maybe another name for Muramasa himself). Masazane also authored Tonbōgiri (蜻蛉切 the Dragonfly Slayer), the most famous of the Three Great Spears of Japan (天下三名槍), favourite weapon of Honda Tadakatsu, another one of the Tokugawa Shitennō.

Another sword owned by Tadatsugu were a Tachi which were said given by Ieyasu for Tadatsugu. It has passed down through generations of Sakai clan.[36]

Aside from that, there are another Tachi sword possessed by Tadatsugu which forged by Nagamitsu, pupil of renowned swordsmith named Sanemitsu. It is said were given by Oda Nobunaga to Tadatsugu.[37]

A legend said that Tadatsugu personal Yari were named Kame toshi no yari(Jar breaking spear), because at some point of his life, he once found an enemy hiding behind a huge clay jar, which Tadatsugu pierce with his Yari spear along with the enemy behind it.[38]

Sakai clan genealogy[edit]

Emblem (mon) of the Sakai clan

The Sakai clan originated in 14th century Mikawa Province,[39] claiming descent from Minamoto Arichika. Arichika had two sons: one of them, Yasuchika, took the name Matsudaira; and the younger, Chikauji, took the name Sakai.[40]

Sakai Hirochika, who was the son of Chikauji, likewise had two sons, and their descendants gave rise to the two main branches of the Sakai clan.[15] Tadatsugu was heir to the senior branch of the clan.

Footnotes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Marius B. Jansen (1995). Warrior Rule in Japan. Cambridge History of Japan. p. 182. ISBN 9780521484046. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  2. ^ Chido Museum: Sakai clan history Archived 2006-01-25 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b "日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)「酒井忠次」の解説". kotobank. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  4. ^ Louis Frédéric (2002). Japan encyclopedia. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. p. 811. ISBN 9780674017535. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. ^ Harada Kazutoshi (2009, p. 300)
  6. ^ 奥出 賢治 (2002). 徳川十六将図再考 [Reconsideration of the Sixteen Tokugawa Generals] (in Jp). Nagoya City Museum Research Bulletin. pp. 1–21. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  7. ^ a b Cecilia Segawa Seigle; Linda H. Chance (2014). Ōoku The Secret World of the Shogun's Women. Cambria Press. ISBN 9781604978728. Retrieved 6 May 2024. Notes 23= Tsukiyama-Dono p. 85-6; Kinseishi p. 30
  8. ^ "NHK大河ドラマ「どうする家康」第39話、酒井忠次ゆかりの地として福谷城が紹介されました". Miyoshi city website (in Jp). Miyoshi City Board of Education Education Department History and Folklore Museum. 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  9. ^ 蟹江合戦 (in Jp). 歴史研究会. p. 97. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  10. ^ 徳川四天王酒井忠次 (in Jp). 歴史研究会. p. 60. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  11. ^ 今川氏一族の群像 (in Jp). 歴史研究会. p. 88. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  12. ^ Jinbutsu Ōraisha (2007). 歴史読本 Volume 52, Issue 3 (in Jp). 新人物往来社. p. 79. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  13. ^ 四天王・酒井忠次 (in Jp). 歴史研究会. p. 41. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  14. ^ Warriors of Medieval Japan. Bloomsbury Publishing. 2011. p. 245. ISBN 9781849089982. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Papinot, p. 50.
  16. ^ クラストコ VOL.04 学ぶ 豊橋ライフスタイルブック (in Jp). Toyohashi City Hall Public Relations Division ·. 2021. p. 17. ISBN 9784990914493. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  17. ^ (河合敦) Atsushi Kawai (2022). 徳川家康と9つの危機 (in Jp). 株式会社ＰＨＰ研究所. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  18. ^ Stephen Turnbull (2013). The Samurai A Military History. Taylor & Francis. p. 140. ISBN 9781134243693. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  19. ^ Bryant, Anthony. (1994). Samurai, 1550–1600, p. 61.
  20. ^ Turnbull, Stephen (2000). The Samurai Sourcebook. London: Cassell & C0. pp. 222–223. ISBN 1854095234.
  21. ^ (平山優) Masaru Hirayama (2021). 武田三代 信虎・信玄・勝頼の史実に迫る (in Jp). 株式会社ＰＨＰ研究所. Retrieved 6 May 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  22. ^ Stephen Turnbull (2012). Hatamoto: Samurai Horse and Foot Guards 1540–1724. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 11. ISBN 1849082510. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  23. ^ Thomas Cleary (2011). Code of the Samurai A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Taira Shigesuke. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 9781462900428. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  24. ^ Turnbull, Stephen. (2000) Nagashino 1575: Slaughter at the Barricades, p. 60.
  25. ^ Turnbull, Stephen (1987). Battles of the Samurai. London: Arms and Armour Press. p. 85. ISBN 9780853688266.
  26. ^ Harada Kazutoshi (2009, p. 262)
  27. ^ Harada Kazutoshi (2009, p. 214)
  28. ^ Plutschow, Herbert. (1995). "Japan's Name Culture: The Significance of Names in a Religious, Political and Social Context, p.53.
  29. ^ Arthur Lindsay Sadler (2004). Shogun The Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Tuttle Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 9781462916542. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  30. ^ Arthur Lindsay Sadler (2014, p. 123)
  31. ^ Stephen Turnbull. Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781846039614. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  32. ^ Arthur Lindsay Sadler (2014, p. 127)
  33. ^ a b Tetsuo Nakamura; Kazuo Murayama (1991). 徳川四天王: 精強家康軍団奮闘譜 歴史群像シリーズ22号. 学研プラス. pp. 111, 125. ISBN 4051053679. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  34. ^ "色々威胴丸〈兜、頬当、大袖、籠手付／〉" (in Japanese).
  35. ^ Stephen Turnbull (2016). Samurai in 100 Objects. Pen & Sword Books. p. 83. ISBN 9781473850392. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  36. ^ Harada Kazutoshi (2009, p. 134)
  37. ^ Harada Kazutoshi (2009, p. 153)
  38. ^ Roald Knutsen; Patricia Knutsen (2004). Japanese Spears Polearms and Their Use in Old Japan. Global Oriental. pp. 56–57. ISBN 9781901903560. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  39. ^ Appert, Georges et al. (1888). Ancien Japon, p. 76.
  40. ^ Papinot, Jacques. (2003). Nobiliare du Japon -- Sakai, pp. 50-51; Papinot, Jacques Edmond Joseph. (1906). Dictionnaire d’histoire et de géographie du Japon. (in French/German).

Bibliography[edit]

External source[edit]

Tomoyo Hazuki. "Tadatsugu Sakai". tabi-samurai-japan. japan travel samurai. Retrieved 6 May 2024.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai_Tadatsugu

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