Changes

* ''Died: [[1587]]''

* ''Died: [[1587]]''

Otomo Yoshishige was born the eldest son of [[Otomo Yoshiaki]], lord of [[Funai Province|Funai]]. Yoshiaki - or Yoshinori - was the Daimyo of a clan that traced its roots to a certain [[Fujiwara Hidesato]], the adopted son of [[Nakahara Chikayoshi]]. Fujiwara served [[Minamoto Yoritomo]] during the [[Gempei]] War and fought in Mutsu ([[1189]]). In [[1193]] he was named Shugo of [[Buzen Province|Buzen]] and [[Bungo province|Bungo]], and took the name Otomo.

 

Otomo Yoshishige was born the eldest son of [[Otomo Yoshiaki]], lord of Funai. Yoshiaki - or Yoshinori - was the Daimyo of a clan that traced its roots to a certain [[Fujiwara Hidesato]], the adopted son of [[Nakahara Chikayoshi]]. Fujiwara served [[Minamoto Yoritomo]] during the [[Gempei]] War and fought in Mutsu ([[1189]]). In [[1193]] he was named Shugo of [[Buzen province|Buzen]] and [[Bungo province|Bungo]], and took the name Otomo.

[[Otomo Sadamune]], the 5th head of the family, sided with [[Ashikaga Takauji]] during the latter’s struggle for power and in [[1336]] joined him in marching on Kyoto. Sadamune was involved in fighting with [[Nitta Yoshisada]] and later that same year lost his son Sadanori in a struggle with [[Yuki Chikamitsu]].

[[Otomo Sadamune]], the 5th head of the family, sided with [[Ashikaga Takauji]] during the latter’s struggle for power and in [[1336]] joined him in marching on Kyoto. Sadamune was involved in fighting with [[Nitta Yoshisada]] and later that same year lost his son Sadanori in a struggle with [[Yuki Chikamitsu]].

Later in the [[Nambuchuko Period]], Sadamune’s great-grandson Chikayo fought against his neighbors the Kikuchi, who supported the Southern Court. As a result of Sadamune’s activities, Otomo influence was extended into [[Chikuzen Province|Chikuzen]], [[Hizen Province|Hizen]], and [[Higo Province|Higo]]. During this period he assisted the [[Kyushu Tandai|Chinzei (Kyushu) Tandai]] [[Imagawa Sadayo]], but once the fighting was over, he banded with the Ouchi to have Sadayo removed. In [[1396]] Sadamune replaced Sadayo as Kyushu Tandai.

Later in the [[Nambuchuko Period]], Sadamune’s great-grandson Chikayo fought against his neighbors the Kikuchi, who supported the Southern Court. As a result of Sadamune’s activities, Otomo influence was extended into [[Chikuzen province|Chikuzen]], [[Hizen province|Hizen]], and [[Higo province|Higo]]. During this period he assisted the [[Kyushu Tandai|Chinzei (Kyushu) Tandai]] [[Imagawa Sadayo]], but once the fighting was over, he banded with the Ouchi to have Sadayo removed.

The Otomo weathered the [[Onin War]] ([[1467]]-[[1477]]) and entered the 16th Century in a stronger position than many other old Shugo clans. Tensions with the Ouchi of [[Suo Province|Suo]] and [[Nagato Province|Nagato]] brought a war in [[1501]], and a victory for the Otomo in Buzen at Uma-ga-take. Other feuds with other local clans followed, and at various points over the next five decades the Otomo clashed with the Shoni, Tawara, and Tachibana-the last two eventually becoming Otomo vassals. The Hoshino family of Chikuzen also submitted but later revolted, their bid for independence dragging the current Daimyo, [[Otomo Yoshinori]] (Yoshiaki) into a bitter civil war. In [[1550]] Yoshinori was murdered by one of his own retainers, a certain [[Tsukuni Mimasaka]], and his son Yoshishige became the 21st head of the Otomo. As it was said that Yoshinori had planned to disinherit Yoshishige, rumors circulated that patricide had claimed the old Daimyo. Regardless, Yoshishige proved a capable enough leader, and moved to expand the Otomo’s borders deeper into Kyushu. In [[1551]] Yoshishige fought and defeated the rebellious [[Kikuchi Yoshimune]] of Higo; in [[1557]] he invaded Chikuzen and forced [[Akizuki Kiyotane]] into submission. In September of [[1559]] he led an assault that recaptured [[Moji Castle]], which had been lost to the Mori in [[1558]]. The Mori retook Moji soon afterwards and in October [[1561]] Yoshishige attempted to reclaim this strategic prize with an all-out assault that included a number of cannon-equipped Portuguese warships. The warships were used to credible effect, but Yoshishige’s subsequent attack failed, and Moji remained in Mori hands.  

The Otomo weathered the [[Onin War]] ([[1467]]-[[1477]]) and entered the 16th Century in a stronger position than many other old Shugo clans. Tensions with the Ouchi of [[Suo province|Suo]] and [[Nagato province|Nagato]] brought a war in [[1501]], and a victory for the Otomo in Buzen at Uma-ga-take. Other feuds with other local clans followed, and at various points over the next five decades the Otomo clashed with the Shoni, Tawara, and Tachibana-the last two eventually becoming Otomo vassals. The Hoshino family of Chikuzen also submitted but later revolted, their bid for independence dragging the current Daimyo, [[Otomo Yoshinori]] (Yoshiaki) into a bitter civil war. In [[1550]] Yoshinori was murdered by one of his own retainers, a certain [[Tsukuni Mimasaka]], and his son Yoshishige became the 21st head of the Otomo. As it was said that Yoshinori had planned to disinherit Yoshishige, rumors circulated that patricide had claimed the old Daimyo. Regardless, Yoshishige proved a capable enough leader, and moved to expand the Otomo’s borders deeper into Kyushu. In [[1551]] Yoshishige fought and defeated the rebellious [[Kikuchi Yoshimune]] of Higo; in [[1557]] he invaded Chikuzen and forced [[Akizuki Kiyotane]] into submission. In September of [[1559]] he led an assault that recaptured [[Moji Castle]], which had been lost to the Mori in [[1558]]. The Mori retook Moji soon afterwards and in October [[1561]] Yoshishige attempted to reclaim this strategic prize with an all-out assault that included a number of cannon-equipped Portuguese warships. The warships were used to credible effect, but Yoshishige’s subsequent attack failed, and Moji remained in Mori hands.  

In [[1562]] Yoshishige took the name Sambisai Sorin, and it is as Otomo Sorin that he is best remembered by. That same year, the Otomo accepted an alliance with the Mori’s enemies to the east, the Amako, and attacked the Mori holdings in Buzen. [[Mori Takamoto]], assisted by the Shogun [[Ashikaga Yoshiteru]], managed to arrange a peace treaty. One of Sorin’s daughters was arranged in marriage to [[Mori Terumoto]], Takamoto’s young son, though it does not appear that this union ever actually took place.  

In [[1562]] Yoshishige took the name Sambisai Sorin, and it is as Otomo Sorin that he is best remembered by. That same year, the Otomo accepted an alliance with the Mori’s enemies to the east, the Amako, and attacked the Mori holdings in Buzen. [[Mori Takamoto]], assisted by the Shogun [[Ashikaga Yoshiteru]], managed to arrange a peace treaty. One of Sorin’s daughters was arranged in marriage to [[Mori Terumoto]], Takamoto’s young son, though it does not appear that this union ever actually took place.  

In 1564 Otomo Sorin had to quell a rebellion by the rebellious and fiercely independent Akizuki of [[Chikuzen Province|Chikuzen]]. In [[1568]] the Otomo moved against the Ryuzoji of Hizen, an operation that prompted the interference of the Mori clan. The Otomo vassal [[Hetsugi Akitsura]] was defeated at the [[Battle of Tatarahama]] and in [[1569]] lost [[Tachibana Castle]] (Chikuzen) to the powerful Mori expeditionary force. Sorin responded by threatening the Mori’s Buzen foothold, and forced the Mori to retreat.  

In 1564 Otomo Sorin had to quell a rebellion by the rebellious and fiercely independent Akizuki of Chikuzen. In [[1568]] the Otomo moved against the Ryuzoji of Hizen, an operation that prompted the interference of the Mori clan. The Otomo vassal [[Hetsugi Akitsura]] was defeated at the [[Battle of Tatarahama]] and in [[1569]] lost [[Tachibana Castle]] (Chikuzen) to the powerful Mori expeditionary force. Sorin responded by threatening the Mori’s Buzen foothold, and forced the Mori to retreat.  

By this point, Sorin could claim control of Bungo, most of Buzen, Chikuzen, Chikugo, and considerable influence over Higo and Hizen. Otomo banners even flew over forts in [[Iyo Province|Iyo]], taken from the hostile Kono clan. The Otomo army was known as the Otomo shichikakoku no zei, or the Seven-Province Host of the Otomo. On paper, Otomo Sorin was a mighty Daimyo, and led a powerful clan seemingly destined for regional supremacy. Yet two factors were to undermine Sorin’s ambitions, both of which may well have proved fatal in and of themselves - the Shimazu clan and internal weakness within the Otomo itself. To touch on the latter problem first, the Otomo do not appear to have ever achieved the sort of control over their retainers that other successful Sengoku Daimyo managed. Some of their most important vassals, notably the Tachibana (formerly known as the Hekki) and Tamura, were hardly vassals at all, rather allies who operated with a degree of independence that all but made them daimyo themselves.  

By this point, Sorin could claim control of Bungo, most of Buzen, Chikuzen, Chikugo, and considerable influence over Higo and Hizen. Otomo banners even flew over forts in [[Iyo province|Iyo]], taken from the hostile Kono clan. The Otomo army was known as the Otomo shichikakoku no zei, or the Seven-Province Host of the Otomo. On paper, Otomo Sorin was a mighty Daimyo, and led a powerful clan seemingly destined for regional supremacy. Yet two factors were to undermine Sorin’s ambitions, both of which may well have proved fatal in and of themselves - the Shimazu clan and internal weakness within the Otomo itself. To touch on the latter problem first, the Otomo do not appear to have ever achieved the sort of control over their retainers that other successful Sengoku Daimyo managed. Some of their most important vassals, notably the Tachibana (formerly known as the Hekki) and Tamura, were hardly vassals at all, rather allies who operated with a degree of independence that all but made them daimyo themselves.  

Sorin’s embracement of Christianity no doubt created dissension in the Otomo lands. In [[1551]] Sorin entertained [[Francis Xavier]] and allowed the establishment of a Jesuit mission in Bungo. Sorin was exceedingly friendly to the advocates of the new religion, and while this was no doubt motivated in part by the weapons and commercial opportunities the westerners offered, it is not unreasonable to suppose that Sorin was taken by Christianity. Certainly, the advantages offered by the missionaries were outweighed by the difficulties Christianity incurred. Sorin’s own wife, a woman known to us by the nickname ‘Jezebel’ (a tag assigned the lady, of course, by the Jesuits) was an ardent opponent of Christianity and many of the Otomo retainers complained at the activities of the missionaries, which included the desecration of Buddhist and Shinto sites. Sorin indulged most of the missionaries’ requests and in [[1575]] had a son baptized. In [[1578]] Sorin divorced his wife and was himself baptized, assuming the name Francisco. Two years previously he had retired, and handed over the reins of government to his son Yoshimune, also a Christian known as Constantinho). By this point, the Shimazu clan had entered the picture, and created a crisis in Hyuga.  

Sorin’s embracement of Christianity no doubt created dissension in the Otomo lands. In [[1551]] Sorin entertained [[Francis Xavier]] and allowed the establishment of a Jesuit mission in Bungo. Sorin was exceedingly friendly to the advocates of the new religion, and while this was no doubt motivated in part by the weapons and commercial opportunities the westerners offered, it is not unreasonable to suppose that Sorin was taken by Christianity. Certainly, the advantages offered by the missionaries were outweighed by the difficulties Christianity incurred. Sorin’s own wife, a woman known to us by the nickname ‘Jezebel’ (a tag assigned the lady, of course, by the Jesuits) was an ardent opponent of Christianity and many of the Otomo retainers complained at the activities of the missionaries, which included the desecration of Buddhist and Shinto sites. Sorin indulged most of the missionaries’ requests and in [[1575]] had a son baptized. In [[1578]] Sorin divorced his wife and was himself baptized, assuming the name Francisco. Two years previously he had retired, and handed over the reins of government to his son Yoshimune, also a Christian known as Constantinho). By this point, the Shimazu clan had entered the picture, and created a crisis in Hyuga.