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Watanabe Moritsuna

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In this Japanese name, the surname is Watanabe.
Watanabe Moritsuna

Watanabe Moritsuna (渡辺 守綱) (1542–1620) was a Japanese samurai of the Watanabe clan, who served the Tokugawa clan. Born in Mikawa Province.

He joined Ieyasu in 1557 and fought in major military campaigns under Ieyasu Tokugawa.

There are also poem about "Three Hanzos" which attributed to him as part of three Tokugawa's notable warriors: [1][2][3][4]

  1. Watanabe Moritsuna as Yari no Hanzō (Hanzō the spear)
  2. Hattori Hanzō as Oni no Hanzō (Hanzō the demon)
  3. Atsumi Gengo as Kubi-Tori Gengo (Gengo the headtaker)

He was also counted as member of the Tokugawa 16 divine generals (Tokugawa jūrokushinshōjin).[5][6][7]

It was recorded that Moritsuna using the European style (Nanban Do Gusoku) armor set, with Spanish Morion helmet and one piece body plate.[8]

Aside from that, Moritsuna Watanabe was also an author of Watanabe Chūemon.[9]

Biography

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Watanabe Moritsuna joined the Ikkō-ikki rebels in Mikawa along with his father Takatsuna, and for a time became an enemy of Tokugawa Ieyasu. After the uprising subdued by Ieyasu, Moritsuna were pardoned and returned to join the Tokugawa clan rank.[10][9]

In 1561, Moritsuna achieved military merit during the battle of Nagasawa castle, as he managed to personally slay the enemy general during the battle. After this battle, he participated with the Tokugawa clan pacification of the rest of Mikawa province.[11]

In 1569, During the Siege of Kakegawa Castle in Tōtōmi Province, Watanabe worked together with Honda Shigetsugu, and other Tokugawa samurai fought in close combat, until they manage to breach the castle gate on the night of the 22nd.[12]

During the Battle of Mikatagahara, Moritsuna and Hattori Hanzō performed with exceptional skill with their spears. This prompting Moritsuna to gain a nickname of Yari no Hanzō (Spear Hanzo) while Hanzō being nicknamed as Oni no Hanzō, (Hanzō the demon).[13][14][15] It was said that during this battle, he divided the unit under his command into two groups, and then fought the retreating battle to cover Ieyasu as he personally blocked any enemies incoming attack with his spear.[16]

In 1584, Watanabe participated in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute.[17]

After the Siege of Odawara (1590), Watanabe was given control of domain in Musashi of 3,000 koku and also command of 50 ashigaru infantry.[18]

In 1608, his domain were increased for to Musashi for 4,000 koku, Owari Iwasaku for 5,000 koku and Mikawa for 5,000 koku were added, making him a daimyo with a total of 14,000 koku domain.[19]

Appendix

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References

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  1. ^ Arthur Lindsay Sadler; Stephen Turnbull (2009). Shogun: The Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Tuttle Publishing. p. 102. ISBN 978-1462916542. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  2. ^ Roald Knutsen; Patricia Knutsen (2004). Japanese Spears: Polearms and Their Use in Old Japan. Global Oriental. p. 54. ISBN 1901903567. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Samurai War Stories Page 14". Retrieved 26 May 2024. Atsumi Gengo – Article 47
  4. ^ George Caiger · (1939). Tell Me about Tokyo. Hokuseido Press. p. 32. Retrieved 26 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 Japanese). Nagoya City Museum Research Bulletin. pp. 1–21. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  7. ^ Kanō Ryūsetsu （1556-1618）. "Sixteen Tokugawa Generals Tokugawa Jurokushozu" [Sixteen Tokugawa Generals Tokugawa Jurokushozu]. bunka.nii.ac.jp (in Japanese). Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture Chido Museum: NII Powered by GETA (C) The Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 20 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Tsunoda Akio (2023). "南蛮渡来の西洋式甲冑！上杉討伐に際し渡辺守綱が家康から賜った甲冑がコチラ【どうする家康】". mag.japaaan.com (in Japanese). Japaaan Magazine. Retrieved 17 June 2024. ※Addendum to the Toshogu Shrine Chronicles, Volume 9, "Armor Imported from the South."
  9. ^ a b Carol Richmond Tsang (2007). "From Peak to Defeat, 1554–1580". War and Faith. Harvard University Asia Center. pp. 200–234. doi:10.1163/9781684174577_008. ISBN 9781684174577. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  10. ^ Masatoshi Itō (伊藤正敏) (2008). 寺社勢力の中世: 無縁・有縁・移民 (in Japanese). 筑摩書房. p. 197. ISBN 978-4480064356. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  11. ^ Watanabe Moritsuna (2023). "【深掘り「どうする家康」】渡辺守綱は「徳川十六神将」の一人で、一向宗の信者だった" [[Digging deeper into "What will Ieyasu do?"] Watanabe Moritsuna was one of the "Tokugawa 16 Divine Generals" and a follower of the Ikko sect]. yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/ (in Japanese). 渡邊大門 無断転載を禁じます。 © LY Corporation. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  12. ^ Kawasaki Fumitaka (1985). 徳川家康・伊賀越えの危難. 鳥影社. p. 115. ISBN 4795251126. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  13. ^ Kaneyoshi Takayanagi (高柳金芳) (1980). 図說江戶の下級武士 (in Japanese). 柏書房. p. 124. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  14. ^ 三重県 (Japan). 警察本部. 警務部 (1964). 三重県警察史, Volume 1. 三重県警察本部警務部警務課. p. 201. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  15. ^ Atsushi Kawai (河合敦) (2022). 徳川家康と9つの危機 (in Japanese). PHP研究所. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  16. ^ Tadachika Kuwata (桑田忠親) (1968). 日本武将列伝: 東西決戦編 [Biography of Japanese military commanders: Decisive battle between East and West]. 新編・日本武将列伝. p. 282. ISBN 978-4-253-00366-7. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  17. ^ 豊橋市 (1973). 豊橋市史, Volume 1 豊橋市史, 豊橋市史編集委員会 (in Japanese). 豊橋市. p. 457.
  18. ^ 吉川弘文館 (1962). 肖像選集, Volume 1 肖像選集, 日本歴史学会 (in Japanese). 日本歴史学会. p. 162. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  19. ^ 清田黙 (1972). 德川加除封錄 (in Japanese). 近藤出版社. p. 217. Retrieved 27 May 2024.

Bibliography

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Watanabe Moritsuna's grave (Toyota, Aichi Prefecture)


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