Shimazu Yoshihiro

A replica of Shimazu Yoshihiro's armor, on display at Sengan'en

• Born: 1535
• Died: 1619
• Sons: Shimazu Hisayasu, Shimazu Tadatsune (Iehisa)
• Titles: Hyogo no kami
• Other names: Tadahira
• Distinction: Shimazu retainer, Lord of Satsuma and Ôsumi
• Japanese: 島津義弘 (Shimazu Yoshihiro)

Yoshihiro was the 2nd son of Shimazu Takahisa and was born on 21 August 1535. He displayed great promise from an early age and served in many of his brother Yoshihisa's campaigns. At Kizakihara in 1572, 300 men under Yoshihiro defeated Itô Yoshisuke's 3000 in what is sometimes called the "Okehazama of Kyushu". He went on to fight at Takabaru (1576), Mimigawa (1576), Minamata (1581), and Hetsugigawa (1587). He was named daimyô following the submission of the Shimazu to Hideyoshi in 1587. He led 10,000 men in the First Korean Campaign (1592-93) and during the Second Korean Campaign fought at the battles of Namwôn and Sachôn. At the start of the First Korean Campaign, a number of retainers, including his own brother Toshihisa, protested being called on to serve and so Yoshihiro was compelled to punish them. He sided with Ishida Mitsunari during the Sekigahara Campaign of 1600. Along with Shimazu Toyohisa he joined Ishida's army but their small contingent was almost wiped out in the Battle of Sekigahara. After the defeat he retired in favor of his son Tadatsune. He is said to have fought in 52 battles over the course of his life and was an able leader. He died on 30 August 1619.

References

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