Matsura Takanobu (1529-1599)
- Born: 1529
- Died: 1599
- Titles: Hizen no kami
- Other names: Matsura Gensaburô, Dôka (道可)
- Sons: Shigenobu, Nobuzane (Bungo no kami; d.1621)
- Distinction: Hizen warlord
- Japanese: 松浦 隆信 (Matsura Takanobu)
Takanobu was the son of Matsura Okinobu and ruled Hirado.
He became head of the Matsura clan in 1541, at age 13. Reputedly affiliated with the wakô (Japanese pirates), he clashed with his neighbors the Sô (of Tsushima Island) and the Ômura (of the Sonogi area of Hizen) as he expanded Matsura power. By the end of the 1560's had consolidated his hold over the Matsura district, aided by a small but important influx of income brought about by trade with the Portuguese. Though strongly concerned about the introduction of Christianity, he tolerated it for a time, allowing the Portuguese to establish a church in Hirado in 1551; through trade with the Portuguese, Hirado became one of the most active and important ports in Japan.[1] Tension built within the Matsura domain, however, and in 1561 a dozen Portuguese traders were killed in a dispute over the cost of cloth. Though he relented in his anti-foreign stance to an extent after 1564, in 1565 Takanobu ordered his own ships to attack the Westerners' 'Great Ship' after it had anchored in the Ômura domain (eschewing the Matsura domain). The assault failed after another Portuguese vessel came to the Ship's aid. He retired in 1568 in favor of his son Matsura Shigenobu.
| Preceded by: Matsura Okinobu |
Head of Matsura clan (1541-1568) |
Succeeded by: Matsura Shigenobu |
References
- Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005
