Shigenobu was the son of Matsuura Takanobu and ruled Hirado. He became daimyô in 1568 and defeated his rivals the Sô (of Tsushima Island) in 1572. He briefly submitted to the authority of the Ryûzôji, then gave his support to Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the latter's Kyushu Campaign (1587). Though he had officially retired in favor of his son Hisanobu in 1589, he led some 3,000 men to Korea under Konishi Yukinaga in the 1st Korean Campaign, and again in the 2nd Campaign, gaining fame for leading an attack at Namwön. As a result of his activities in 1587 and in Korea, the Matsuura domain was increased to include the Sonogi area in Hizen and Iki Island, for a total of 63,000 koku. He remained neutral during the Sekigahara Campaign but did not suffer the loss of any lands as a result; he came aboard the English ship Clove in 1613, an event recorded by John Saris. Shigenobu was ultimately succeeded by his grandson Takanobu.
References
- Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005