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==The Lord of Koriyama==

==The Lord of Koriyama==

[[Image:Mori_motonari.jpg|thumb|right|Mori Motonari.]]

[[Image:Mori_motonari.jpg|thumb|right|Mori Motonari.]]

Motonari inherited a clan that claimed direct descent from [[Oie Hiromoto|Ôie Hiromoto]], an advisor to [[Minamoto Yoritomo]] who served the [[Hojo Clan|Hôjô]] well after Yoritomo's death. Hiromoto's son assumed the name Môri, and in [[1336]] Aki province became the clan's homeland when [[Mori Tokichika|Môri Tokichika]] was appointed Jito there. The clan experienced a power struggle in the 1470's that saw the main [[Mori clan|Môri]] line absorb both its branch families.  

Motonari inherited a clan that claimed direct descent from [[Oie Hiromoto|Ôie Hiromoto]], an advisor to [[Minamoto Yoritomo]] who served the [[Hojo clan|Hôjô]] well after Yoritomo's death. Hiromoto's son assumed the name Môri, and in [[1336]] Aki province became the clan's homeland when [[Mori Tokichika|Môri Tokichika]] was appointed Jito there. The clan experienced a power struggle in the 1470's that saw the main [[Mori clan|Môri]] line absorb both its branch families.  

Motonari was born Shojumaru, the second son of [[Mori Hiromoto|Môri Hiromoto]], a daimyo who struggled against the local [[Takeda clan]] (not to be confused with the [[Kai Province|Kai]] branch of that family) and the encroaching [[Ouchi Clan|Ôuchi]]. In [[1499]], Hiromoto found himself in the path of a looming Amako invasion from Izumo, and allied with Oûchi. At the time, [[Ouchi Yoshioki|Ôuchi Yoshioki]] was becoming involved in the gunboat politics of Kyoto and while he was away, the Amako grew stronger. In [[1506]] Hiromoto died, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Okimoto, who ended up assisting Yoshioki in Kyoto for a short period. It happened that he died in [[1516]], and Motonari was named to act as guardian to the late lord's young son, Komatsumaru. Komatsumaru in turn was to die in [[1523]], after which Motonari became the official head of he clan. Evidently, Môri's predecessors had died under unclear circumstances, for there is a legend that it was Motonari himself who dispatched them. At any rate, Motonari did not inherit a particularly enviable position. The most powerful daimyo in Aki, [[Takeda Motoshige]], took advantage of Okimoto's death to make a play for Môri land, and in [[Izumo Province|Izumo]] the Amako began to rattle their sabers. Luckily for the Môri, however, their young lord quickly proved himself a man of action. Takeda had set out to take [[Koriyama Castle]] (the Môri's chief bastion since the early 14th Century) but found his troops intercepted and routed by the numerically inferior Môri clan. This victory carried a certain prestige value for Motonari, but was quickly over-shadowed by greater events. In [[1518]] [[Amako Tsunehisa]] made a series of raids into the Ôuchi's lands, falling back with the return of Yoshioki from Kyôto. In [[1521]] a formal peace treaty was signed between the two clans but this lasted for but one year. In [[1522]], Tsunehisa marched into Aki, forcing Motonari, whose lands sat directly in the Amako's path, to submit. Motonari was immediately dispatched against [[Kagamiyama Castle]] while Tsunehisa himself struck at Kanayama. Motonari was successful in his endeavor, but Tsunehisa made no progress against Kanayama and retreated. Also in 1522, Motonari married the daughter of [[Kikkawa Kunitsune]]; this match would not only secure the friendship of the Kikkawa but would in time produce three fine sons. Any sense of security this marriage brought was shaken in [[1524]], when Môri suffered the defection of his vassal, [[Katsura Hirozumi]], and was forced to defeat the traitor in open battle not far from Koriyama.  

Motonari was born Shojumaru, the second son of [[Mori Hiromoto|Môri Hiromoto]], a daimyo who struggled against the local [[Takeda clan]] (not to be confused with the [[Kai province|Kai]] branch of that family) and the encroaching [[Ouchi clan|Ôuchi]]. In [[1499]], Hiromoto found himself in the path of a looming Amako invasion from Izumo, and allied with Oûchi. At the time, [[Ouchi Yoshioki|Ôuchi Yoshioki]] was becoming involved in the gunboat politics of Kyoto and while he was away, the Amako grew stronger. In [[1506]] Hiromoto died, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Okimoto, who ended up assisting Yoshioki in Kyoto for a short period. It happened that he died in [[1516]], and Motonari was named to act as guardian to the late lord's young son, Komatsumaru. Komatsumaru in turn was to die in [[1523]], after which Motonari became the official head of he clan. Evidently, Môri's predecessors had died under unclear circumstances, for there is a legend that it was Motonari himself who dispatched them. At any rate, Motonari did not inherit a particularly enviable position. The most powerful daimyo in Aki, [[Takeda Motoshige]], took advantage of Okimoto's death to make a play for Môri land, and in [[Izumo Province|Izumo]] the Amako began to rattle their sabers. Luckily for the Môri, however, their young lord quickly proved himself a man of action. Takeda had set out to take [[Koriyama Castle]] (the Môri's chief bastion since the early 14th Century) but found his troops intercepted and routed by the numerically inferior Môri clan. This victory carried a certain prestige value for Motonari, but was quickly over-shadowed by greater events. In [[1518]] [[Amako Tsunehisa]] made a series of raids into the Ôuchi's lands, falling back with the return of Yoshioki from Kyôto. In [[1521]] a formal peace treaty was signed between the two clans but this lasted for but one year. In [[1522]], Tsunehisa marched into Aki, forcing Motonari, whose lands sat directly in the Amako's path, to submit. Motonari was immediately dispatched against [[Kagamiyama Castle]] while Tsunehisa himself struck at Kanayama. Motonari was successful in his endeavor, but Tsunehisa made no progress against Kanayama and retreated. Also in 1522, Motonari married the daughter of [[Kikkawa Kunitsune]]; this match would not only secure the friendship of the Kikkawa but would in time produce three fine sons. Any sense of security this marriage brought was shaken in [[1524]], when Môri suffered the defection of his vassal, [[Katsura Hirozumi]], and was forced to defeat the traitor in open battle not far from Koriyama.  

In [[1528]], Ôuchi Yoshioki passed away and was succeeded by his son Yoshitaka. The Amako made an effort to capitalize on this turn of events, but with only minimal success. Yoshitaka proved, at least initially, to be a competent enough leader, and held the Amako's ambitions in check while extending Oûchi authority in [[Buzen province]]. For his part, Môri drifted back into the Oûchi's camp, and set about consolidating the Môri's holdings in Aki, and gathering local allies, chief among these being the [[Shisido Clan|Shisido]], [[Kumagai Province|Kumagai]], and [[Amano Clan|Amano]]. Efforts by the Amako to bring the Môri back under their sway failed, and in [[1540]] [[Amako Akihisa]] (Haruhisa) sent a sizable army into Aki. Motonari was heavily outnumbered and shut himself up in Koriyama. Akihisa made little impression against the hill-top fortifications and settled for burning Koriyama's accompanying town - Yoshida - to the ground. Still unable to convince Motonari to submit, Akihisa sat down for a siege-a decisive mistake, as it turned out. Ôuchi Yoshitaka dispatched his general [[Sue Takafusa]] (Harukata) to relieve Koriyama, and in early October Sue arrived. Caught between two forces, Akihisa's army fell back, and in a desperate rear-guard action his trusted general [[Uyama Hisakane]] was killed.  

In [[1528]], Ôuchi Yoshioki passed away and was succeeded by his son Yoshitaka. The Amako made an effort to capitalize on this turn of events, but with only minimal success. Yoshitaka proved, at least initially, to be a competent enough leader, and held the Amako's ambitions in check while extending Oûchi authority in [[Buzen province]]. For his part, Môri drifted back into the Oûchi's camp, and set about consolidating the Môri's holdings in Aki, and gathering local allies, chief among these being the [[Shisido clan|Shisido]], [[Kumagai Province|Kumagai]], and [[Amano clan|Amano]]. Efforts by the Amako to bring the Môri back under their sway failed, and in [[1540]] [[Amako Akihisa]] (Haruhisa) sent a sizable army into Aki. Motonari was heavily outnumbered and shut himself up in Koriyama. Akihisa made little impression against the hill-top fortifications and settled for burning Koriyama's accompanying town - Yoshida - to the ground. Still unable to convince Motonari to submit, Akihisa sat down for a siege-a decisive mistake, as it turned out. Ôuchi Yoshitaka dispatched his general [[Sue Takafusa]] (Harukata) to relieve Koriyama, and in early October Sue arrived. Caught between two forces, Akihisa's army fell back, and in a desperate rear-guard action his trusted general [[Uyama Hisakane]] was killed.  

The following year, old [[Amako Tsunehisa]] died. Sensing a great opportunity in both this and Haruhisa's earlier defeat, Oûchi Yoshitaka and Môri invaded Izumo in [[1542]]. Initially, the campaign went well enough, but at length it bogged down and dragged into [[1543]]. By the time the allies reached [[Gassan-Toda Castle]], their troops were weary and at the absolute limits of there supply lines. At this critical point, while the Ôuchi and Môri were preparing for a siege, the Amako lashed out, routing the invaders and driving them all the way back to Nagato and Aki. Motonari returned to Koriyama to lick his wounds while Yoshitaka, his confidence shattered, retreated into the finery and luxury of Yamaguchi. In fact, the failed expedition could be seen as benefiting Môri in the long run. With Yoshitaka's lapse into inactivity, Motonari had more room to expand throughout Aki, and play kingmaker with various local lords. In the meantime, the Amako took advantage of their recent victory to push their influence into the lands to their east - Hôki, Mimasaka, and Bitchû.  

The following year, old [[Amako Tsunehisa]] died. Sensing a great opportunity in both this and Haruhisa's earlier defeat, Oûchi Yoshitaka and Môri invaded Izumo in [[1542]]. Initially, the campaign went well enough, but at length it bogged down and dragged into [[1543]]. By the time the allies reached [[Gassan-Toda Castle]], their troops were weary and at the absolute limits of there supply lines. At this critical point, while the Ôuchi and Môri were preparing for a siege, the Amako lashed out, routing the invaders and driving them all the way back to Nagato and Aki. Motonari returned to Koriyama to lick his wounds while Yoshitaka, his confidence shattered, retreated into the finery and luxury of Yamaguchi. In fact, the failed expedition could be seen as benefiting Môri in the long run. With Yoshitaka's lapse into inactivity, Motonari had more room to expand throughout Aki, and play kingmaker with various local lords. In the meantime, the Amako took advantage of their recent victory to push their influence into the lands to their east - Hôki, Mimasaka, and Bitchû.  

Over the next few years, Motonari managed to put a son into the top positions of two powerful Aki clans-the [[Kikkawa Clan|Kikkawa]] and [[Kobayakawa Clan|Kobayakawa]]. His second son Motoharu went to the Kikkawa, and his third son, Takakage, went to the Kobayakawa.  

Over the next few years, Motonari managed to put a son into the top positions of two powerful Aki clans-the [[Kikkawa clan|Kikkawa]] and [[Kobayakawa clan|Kobayakawa]]. His second son Motoharu went to the Kikkawa, and his third son, Takakage, went to the Kobayakawa.  

Motonari's eldest son and heir, a onetime goodwill hostage of the Oûchi, was Takamoto, the father of the future [[Mori Terumoto|Môri Terumoto]]. By [[1550]], both Motoharu and Takakage had become the lords of their respective clans, and not a moment too soon, for turmoil erupted in [[Suo Province|Suo]]. As mentioned, Oûchi Yoshitaka had retreated from affairs of state following the Izumo debacle in 1543. During the next seven years, he handed over most military matters to his retainers, notably the Naito and Sue Takafusa, contenting him self with court intrigue and the China trade. It would seem that Sue had attempted again and again to warn his lord against neglecting military affairs, going so far towards the end as to insinuate that someone close to the Ôuchi might rebel. In 1550, that someone turned out to be Sue himself. When Takafusa revolted, Yoshikata was forced to flee Yamaguchi and, finding that none of his major retainers were willing to help him, committed suicide. Sue quickly made a thin attempt to legitimize his actions by placing a ready-made Oûchi puppet (a member of the [[Otomo clan|Ôtomo clan]]) in Yamaguchi.

Motonari's eldest son and heir, a onetime goodwill hostage of the Oûchi, was Takamoto, the father of the future [[Mori Terumoto|Môri Terumoto]]. By [[1550]], both Motoharu and Takakage had become the lords of their respective clans, and not a moment too soon, for turmoil erupted in [[Suo Province|Suo]]. As mentioned, Oûchi Yoshitaka had retreated from affairs of state following the Izumo debacle in 1543. During the next seven years, he handed over most military matters to his retainers, notably the Naito and Sue Takafusa, contenting him self with court intrigue and the China trade. It would seem that Sue had attempted again and again to warn his lord against neglecting military affairs, going so far towards the end as to insinuate that someone close to the Ôuchi might rebel. In 1550, that someone turned out to be Sue himself. When Takafusa revolted, Yoshikata was forced to flee Yamaguchi and, finding that none of his major retainers were willing to help him, committed suicide. Sue quickly made a thin attempt to legitimize his actions by placing a ready-made Oûchi puppet (a member of the [[Otomo clan|Ôtomo clan]]) in Yamaguchi.