Takeda Motoshige

• 武田元繁
• Died: 1517
• Son: Mitsuo
• Titles: Shugo
• Distinction: Aki warlord

Motoshige held Kanayama Castle [銀山城] in Aki Province. In 1508 he joined Ôuchi Yoshioki in the latter's expedition to Kyoto. He attempted to subdue the independent-minded Môri and took advantage of the death of Môri Okimoto to take Arita Castle [有田城] in 1516. In the 10th month of the following year, Môri Motonari, allied with the Kikkawa and Kobayakawa families, moved to retake Arita. The Takeda marched out to contest them and suffered the defeat of their vanguard and the death of its commander, Kumagai Motonao [熊谷元直]. Motoshige himself brought the remainder of his army to attack Motonari but was killed on horseback by an archer. He was succeded by his son Mitsuo [光和].

References

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