Kinoshita Masanao

• Death: 1584
• Distinction: Ryûzôji retainer
• Japanese: 木下 昌直 (Kinoshita Masanao)

Masanao was originally from Kyoto but had come to Kyushu and been accepted into the service of Ryûzôji Takanobu, whom he admired highly. He gained a reputation as a fearless warrior and at the Battle of Okitanawate he was killed fighting in the rear guard. He is sometimes ranked as one of Takanobu's shi-tenno.

References

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