Changes

* ''Birth: [[1530]]''

* ''Birth: [[1530]]''

* ''Death: [[1587]]''

* ''Death: [[1587]]''

* ''Other names: Ôtomo Yoshishige, Ôtomo Yoshizumi, Ôtomo Soteki, Ôtomo Gensai

* ''Other names: Ôtomo Yoshishige (大友義鎮), Ôtomo Yoshizumi, Ôtomo Soteki, Ôtomo Gensai, Don Francisco

* ''Title: Saemon no kami

* ''Title: Saemon no kami

* ''Distinction: Lord of [[Bungo province|Bungo]]

* ''Distinction: Lord of [[Bungo province|Bungo]]

* ''Japanese'': [[大友]]宗麟 ''(Ootomo Sourin)''

* ''Japanese'': [[大友]]宗麟 ''(Ootomo Sourin)''

Ôtomo Yoshishige was born the eldest son of [[Otomo Yoshiaki|Ôtomo Yoshiaki]], lord of Funai. Yoshiaki - or Yoshinori - was the daimyo of a clan that traced its roots to a certain [[Fujiwara Hidesato]], the adopted son of [[Nakahara Chikayoshi]]. Fujiwara served [[Minamoto Yoritomo]] during the [[Gempei War]] and fought in [[Mutsu province|Mutsu]] ([[1189]]). In [[1193]] he was named ''[[shugo]]'' of [[Buzen province|Buzen]] and [[Bungo province|Bungo]], and took the name Ôtomo.

Ôtomo Sôrin, or Yoshishige, was a prominent [[Sengoku period]] ''daimyô'' of northern Kyushu. At his peak, he controlled six provinces.<ref name=shimazu>"[http://www.shuseikan.jp/word/family33.html Ôtomo Yoshishige]," ''Satsuma Shimazu-ke no rekishi'', [[Shokoshuseikan|Shôkoshûseikan]] official website.</ref>

 

Sôrin was born the eldest son of [[Otomo Yoshiaki|Ôtomo Yoshiaki]], lord of Funai, head of [[Otomo clan|a clan]] that traced its roots to a certain [[Fujiwara Hidesato]], the adopted son of [[Nakahara Chikayoshi]]. Fujiwara served [[Minamoto no Yoritomo]] during the [[Gempei War]] and fought in [[Mutsu province|Mutsu]] in [[1189]]. In [[1193]] he was named ''[[shugo]]'' of [[Buzen province|Buzen]] and [[Bungo province]]s, and took the name Ôtomo.

[[Otomo Sadamune|Ôtomo Sadamune]], the 5th head of the family, sided with [[Ashikaga Takauji]] during the latter’s struggle for power and in [[1336]] joined him in marching on Kyoto. Sadamune was involved in fighting with [[Nitta Yoshisada]] and later that same year lost his son Sadanori in a struggle with [[Yuki Chikamitsu]].

[[Otomo Sadamune|Ôtomo Sadamune]], the 5th head of the family, sided with [[Ashikaga Takauji]] during the latter’s struggle for power and in [[1336]] joined him in marching on Kyoto. Sadamune was involved in fighting with [[Nitta Yoshisada]] and later that same year lost his son Sadanori in a struggle with [[Yuki Chikamitsu]].

Later in the [[Namboku-cho Period|Namboku-chô Period]], Sadamune’s great-grandson Chikayo fought against his neighbors the Kikuchi, who supported the Southern Court. As a result of Sadamune’s activities, Ôtomo influence was extended into [[Chikuzen province|Chikuzen]], [[Hizen province|Hizen]], and [[Higo province|Higo]]. During this period he assisted the [[Kyushu Tandai|Chinzei (Kyushu) Tandai]] [[Imagawa Sadayo]], but once the fighting was over, he banded with the Ôuchi to have Sadayo removed.

Later in the [[Namboku-cho Period|Namboku-chô Period]], Sadamune’s great-grandson Chikayo fought against his neighbors the Kikuchi, who supported the Southern Court. As a result of Sadamune’s activities, Ôtomo influence was extended into [[Chikuzen province|Chikuzen]], [[Hizen province|Hizen]], and [[Higo province|Higo]]. During this period he assisted the [[Kyushu Tandai|Chinzei (Kyushu) Tandai]] [[Imagawa Sadayo]], but once the fighting was over, he banded with the Ôuchi to have Sadayo removed.

The Ôtomo weathered the [[Onin War|Ônin War]] ([[1467]]-[[1477]]) and entered the 16th Century in a stronger position than many other old ''shugo'' clans. Tensions with the Ôuchi of [[Suo province|Suo]] and [[Nagato province]]s brought a war in [[1501]], and a victory for the Ôtomo at Uma-ga-take in Buzen. Other feuds with other local clans followed, and at various points over the next five decades the Ôtomo clashed with the Shôni, Tawara, and Tachibana-the last two eventually becoming Ôtomo vassals. The Hoshino family of Chikuzen also submitted but later revolted, their bid for independence dragging the current daimyo, [[Otomo Yoshinori|Ôtomo Yoshinori]] (Yoshiaki) into a bitter civil war. In [[1550]] Yoshinori was murdered by one of his own retainers, a certain [[Tsukuni Mimasaka]], and his son Yoshishige became the 21st head of the Ôtomo. As it was said that Yoshinori had planned to disinherit Yoshishige, rumors circulated that patricide had claimed the old daimyo. Regardless, Yoshishige proved a capable enough leader, and moved to expand the Ôtomo’s borders deeper into Kyushu. In [[1551]] Yoshishige fought and defeated the rebellious [[Kikuchi Yoshimune]] of Higo; in [[1557]] he invaded Chikuzen and forced [[Akizuki Kiyotane]] into submission. In September of [[1559]] he led an assault that recaptured [[Moji Castle]], which had been lost to the Môri in [[1558]]. The Môri retook Moji soon afterwards and in October [[1561]] Yoshishige attempted to reclaim this strategic prize with an all-out assault that included a number of cannon-equipped Portuguese warships. The warships were used to credible effect, but Yoshishige’s subsequent attack failed, and Moji remained in Môri hands.  

The Ôtomo weathered the [[Onin War|Ônin War]] ([[1467]]-[[1477]]) and entered the 16th Century in a stronger position than many other old ''shugo'' clans. Tensions with the Ôuchi of [[Suo province|Suo]] and [[Nagato province]]s brought a war in [[1501]], and a victory for the Ôtomo at Uma-ga-take in Buzen. Other feuds with other local clans followed, and at various points over the next five decades the Ôtomo clashed with the Shôni, Tawara, and Tachibana-the last two eventually becoming Ôtomo vassals. The Hoshino family of Chikuzen also submitted but later revolted, their bid for independence dragging the current daimyo, [[Otomo Yoshinori|Ôtomo Yoshinori]] (Yoshiaki) into a bitter civil war. In [[1550]] Yoshinori was murdered by one of his own retainers, a certain [[Tsukuni Mimasaka]], in the [[Nikaikuzure Incident]], and his son Yoshishige became the 21st head of the Ôtomo. As it was said that Yoshinori had planned to disinherit Yoshishige, rumors circulated that patricide had claimed the old daimyo. Regardless, Yoshishige proved a capable enough leader, and moved to expand the Ôtomo’s borders deeper into Kyushu. The following year, his younger brother [[Ouchi Yoshinaga|Ôuchi Haruhide]] succeeded the assassinated [[Ouchi Yoshitaka|Ôuchi Yoshiaka]] as head of the [[Ouchi clan|Ôuchi clan]] of [[Suo province|Suô province]].<ref name=shimazu/>

 

In [[1551]] Yoshishige fought and defeated the rebellious [[Kikuchi Yoshimune]] of Higo; in [[1557]] he invaded Chikuzen and forced [[Akizuki Kiyotane]] into submission. In September of [[1559]] he led an assault that recaptured [[Moji castle]], which had been lost to the [[Mori clan|Môri clan]] in [[1558]]. The Môri retook Moji soon afterwards and in October [[1561]] Yoshishige attempted to reclaim this strategic prize with an all-out assault that included a number of cannon-equipped Portuguese warships. The warships were used to credible effect, but Yoshishige’s subsequent attack failed, and Moji remained in Môri hands.  

In [[1562]] Yoshishige took the name Sambisai Sôrin, and it is as Ôtomo Sôrin that he is best known. That same year, the Ôtomo accepted an alliance with the Môri’s enemies to the east, the Amako, and attacked the Môri holdings in Buzen. [[Mori Takamoto|Môri Takamoto]], assisted by the Shogun [[Ashikaga Yoshiteru]], managed to arrange a peace treaty. One of Sôrin’s daughters was arranged in marriage to [[Mori Terumoto|Môri Terumoto]], Takamoto’s young son, though it does not appear that this union ever actually took place.  

In [[1562]] Yoshishige took the name Sambisai Sôrin, and it is as Ôtomo Sôrin that he is best known. That same year, the Ôtomo accepted an alliance with the Môri’s enemies to the east, the Amako, and attacked the Môri holdings in Buzen. [[Mori Takamoto|Môri Takamoto]], assisted by the Shogun [[Ashikaga Yoshiteru]], managed to arrange a peace treaty. One of Sôrin’s daughters was arranged in marriage to [[Mori Terumoto|Môri Terumoto]], Takamoto’s young son, though it does not appear that this union ever actually took place.  

Tawara crossed the Omaru River and paused before Taka-jô, the only castle aside to offer resistance thus far. The 3,000-man garrison was under the command of the skilled [[Shimazu Iehisa]], who was determined to hold out as long as possible, giving his elder brother Yoshihisa time to prepare the Shimazu army. Tawara, not unwisely, decided to bypass Taka-jô, leaving a screening force to keep Iehisa pinned down and, hopefully, to wither on the vine. At the same time, it seems that Tawara was confident that the Shimazu, whose reputation was traditionally none too impressive, posed little threat. Consequently little effort was made to gather intelligence on what was transpiring beyond the southern Hyûga hills that lay before the Ôtomo army. In fact, Yoshihisa had rallied an army and driven north, executing a series of maneuvers that led to the [[Battle of Mimigawa]]. The battle ended in a complete disaster for the Ôtomo - thousands of troops were killed and thousands of others scattered, with the ‘Seven-Province Host’ in pell-mell retreat. Sôrin and his son joined the flight and returned to Bungo crest-fallen. The fortunes of the Ôtomo had taken a sudden and dramatic turn for the worse, and declined with every year thereafter. The following year the Ôtomo were largely driven from Chikugo by the Ryûzôji, and suffered another rebellion by [[Akizuki Tanezane]]. In Bungo itself, dissension was rife, in many cases as a result of Sôrin’s continued support of Christianity. In fact, the Ôtomo were in such poor shape that Shimazu Yoshihisa saw fit to call for a cease-fire. The beleaguered Ôtomo readily agreed, freeing Yoshihisa to fight an enemy he considered a much more dangerous opponent – [[Ryuzoji Takanobu|Ryûzôji Takanobu]].

Tawara crossed the Omaru River and paused before Taka-jô, the only castle aside to offer resistance thus far. The 3,000-man garrison was under the command of the skilled [[Shimazu Iehisa]], who was determined to hold out as long as possible, giving his elder brother Yoshihisa time to prepare the Shimazu army. Tawara, not unwisely, decided to bypass Taka-jô, leaving a screening force to keep Iehisa pinned down and, hopefully, to wither on the vine. At the same time, it seems that Tawara was confident that the Shimazu, whose reputation was traditionally none too impressive, posed little threat. Consequently little effort was made to gather intelligence on what was transpiring beyond the southern Hyûga hills that lay before the Ôtomo army. In fact, Yoshihisa had rallied an army and driven north, executing a series of maneuvers that led to the [[Battle of Mimigawa]]. The battle ended in a complete disaster for the Ôtomo - thousands of troops were killed and thousands of others scattered, with the ‘Seven-Province Host’ in pell-mell retreat. Sôrin and his son joined the flight and returned to Bungo crest-fallen. The fortunes of the Ôtomo had taken a sudden and dramatic turn for the worse, and declined with every year thereafter. The following year the Ôtomo were largely driven from Chikugo by the Ryûzôji, and suffered another rebellion by [[Akizuki Tanezane]]. In Bungo itself, dissension was rife, in many cases as a result of Sôrin’s continued support of Christianity. In fact, the Ôtomo were in such poor shape that Shimazu Yoshihisa saw fit to call for a cease-fire. The beleaguered Ôtomo readily agreed, freeing Yoshihisa to fight an enemy he considered a much more dangerous opponent – [[Ryuzoji Takanobu|Ryûzôji Takanobu]].

By [[1586]] the fortunes of the Ôtomo had reached their nadir. Ryûzôji Takanobu had been killed fighting the Shimazu, allowing Yoshihisa to return his attentions to Bungo. In May Sôrin left Usuki, his place of retirement, and traveled to Osaka to see [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], from whom he pleaded assistance against Shimazu. Hideyoshi had no doubt planned to march on Kyushu anyway, but Sôrin provided a convenient excuse made all the more substantial when the Shimazu refused to agree to a Toyotomi-brokered peace deal. In December 1586 the first Toyotomi troops landed on Kyushu and while these men joined Ôtomo Yoshimune in a defeat at the [[Battle of the Hetsugigawa]], the massive army that followed swept the Shimazu all the way back to Satsuma.

By [[1586]] the fortunes of the Ôtomo had reached their nadir. Ryûzôji Takanobu had been killed, allowing Shimazu Yoshihisa to return his attentions to Bungo. In May Sôrin left Usuki, his place of retirement, and traveled to Osaka to see [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], from whom he pleaded assistance against the Shimazu. Hideyoshi had no doubt planned to march on Kyushu anyway, but Sôrin provided a convenient excuse made all the more substantial when the Shimazu refused to agree to a Toyotomi-brokered peace deal. In December 1586 the first Toyotomi troops landed on Kyushu and while these men joined Ôtomo Yoshimune in a defeat at the [[Battle of the Hetsugigawa]], the massive army that followed swept the Shimazu all the way back to Satsuma.

Sôrin passed away later that year, his family seemingly secure in their hereditary fiefdom of Bungo if no longer independent. Unfortunately, Yoshimune had one further mistake to make. Tasked with leading 6,000 men to Korea as part of Hideyoshi’s [[Korean Invasions|invasion]] in [[1592]], Yoshimune displayed cowardice during fighting with Chinese troops near Pyongyang. Learning of a sizable Chinese force moving into the area, Yoshimune abandoned an important fort, an action that caused him to be sent home in disgrace and then stripped of his lands. He sided with [[Ishida Mitsunari]] during the [[Sekigahara Campaign]] and was exiled afterwards. He died in [[1605]], the last head of the Ôtomo family.

Sôrin passed away later that year, his family seemingly secure in their hereditary fiefdom of Bungo if no longer independent. Unfortunately, Yoshimune had one further mistake to make. Tasked with leading 6,000 men to Korea as part of Hideyoshi’s [[Korean Invasions|invasion]] in [[1592]], Yoshimune displayed cowardice during fighting with Chinese troops near Pyongyang. Learning of a sizable Chinese force moving into the area, Yoshimune abandoned an important fort, an action that caused him to be sent home in disgrace and then stripped of his lands. He sided with [[Ishida Mitsunari]] during the [[Sekigahara Campaign]] and was exiled afterwards. He died in [[1605]], the last head of the Ôtomo family.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Samurai]]

[[Category:Samurai]]

[[Category:Christians]]

[[Category:Christians]]

[[Category:Sengoku Period]]

[[Category:Sengoku Period]]