Ukita Hideie

• Born: 1572
• Died: 1662
• Sons: Ukita Hidetaka
• Titles: Chûnagon, Sangi
• Distinction: Lord of Bizen
• Japanese: 宇喜多秀家 (Ukita Hideie)

Hidie was a son of Ukita Naoie and was largely raised by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as something of a protegé. His position as lord of the Ukita had earlier been confirmed by Oda Nobunaga. He received the title of Chûnagon in 1594 and acted as a chief field commander in the Second Korean Campaign. He served as one of the five regents (Go-tairo) following Hideyoshi's death in 1598 and from Okayama castle ruled over Bizen, Mimasaka, and part of Bitchû provinces (yielding an income of around 575,000 koku). He sided with Ishida Mitsunari in 1600 and commanded 17,000 troops at the Battle of Sekigahara (the largest loyal--and active--'western' contingent present). The Ukita troops fought very well in the battle but were overwhelmed when attacked by the turncoat Kobayakawa Hideaki. Following the general defeat of Mitsunari's army, Hidie went into hiding, seeking refuge with the Shimazu. In 1603 he was revealed by Shimazu Iehisa and Tokugawa Ieyasu at first ordered his execution. That sentence was reduced to exile, and Hideie died at the age of 90 on Hachijô Island - possibly the last of the Toyotomi-era daimyô to die.

References

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