Takeda Motoshige

• Died: 1517
• Son: Mitsuo
• Titles: Aki no kami
• Distinction: 7th lord of the Aki Takeda
• Japanese: 武田 元繁 (Takeda Motoshige)

Motoshige held Kanayama Castle [銀山城] in Aki Province. In 1508 he joined Ôuchi Yoshioki in the latter's expedition to Kyoto. Yoshioki was compelled to return to his domain when his lands were threatened by the Amako and, sensing the opportunity, Motoshige cut his ties with the Ôuchi and began to expand his power in Aki Province. He attempted to subdue the independent-minded Môri and took advantage of the death of Môri Okimoto to take Arita Castle [有田城] in 1516. In the 10th month of the following year, Môri Motonari, allied with the Kikkawa and Kobayakawa families, moved to retake Arita. The Takeda marched out to contest them and suffered the defeat of their vanguard and the death of its commander, Kumagai Motonao [熊谷元直]. Motoshige himself brought the remainder of his army to attack Motonari but was killed on horseback by an archer. He was succeeded by his son Mitsuo [光和, d.1535]. The fortunes of the Takeda gradually waned after Motoshige's death and ended with the capture of Kanayama by the Mori in 1541 and the flight of Takeda Nobuzane to Izumo province.

References

• Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005