Shimazu Iehisa

• Born: 1547
• Died: 1587
• Sons: Shimazu Toyohisa
• Titles: Nakatsukasa taiyu

Iehisa was the 4th son of Shimazu Takahisa. He was one of the most famed Shimazu commanders and fought in most of his brother Yoshihisa's battles. In 1578 he held Taka castle in Hyûga against a powerful Ôtomo army, allowing his brothers time to raise a relief army and rush to his aid. The Ôtomo were crushed at the Battle of Mimigawa, which Iehisa joined by leading his men out of the castle and into the enemy's rear. He especially distinguished himself at the Battle of Okitanawate, where he led 2,000 Shimazu and 1,000 Arima troops in a victory over Ryûzôji Takanobu that resulted in the latter's death. He fought bravely against the invading Toyotomi forces in 1587 but died suddenly at his Sadowara castle in Hyûga on 10 July, possibly as the result of poisoning. He was probably the finest warrior the Shimazu produced in the Sengoku Period.

References

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