Changes

* ''Born: [[1533]]''

* ''Born: [[1533]]''

* ''Died: [[1611]]''

* ''Died: [[1611]]''

==Yoshihisa's Advance==

==Yoshihisa's Advance==

Shimazu Yoshihisa was the eldest son of [[Shimazu Takahisa]] ([[1514]]-[[1571]]) and a lady of the Iriki-in family. As talented as his father, whom he succeeded in [[1566]], Yoshihisa continued the long struggle to unify the fragmented Shimazu domain. To this end he was compelled to subdue both the Tomotsuki and Hisikari within the borders of [[Satsuma province|Satsuma]] and [[Osumi province|Osumi]] while fighting hard to fend off advances from the outside lords Sagara and Ito. In these difficult endeavors Yoshihisa was well-served by his brothers ([[Shimazu Yoshihiro|Yoshihiro]], [[Shimazu Iehisa|Iehisa]], and Toshihisa) and his steadily growing retainer band, which included the noted generals [[Ijuin Tadamune]], [[Niiro Tadamoto]], and [[Uwai Akitane]].  

Shimazu Yoshihisa was the eldest son of [[Shimazu Takahisa]] ([[1514]]-[[1571]]).  His mother was the daughter of Iriki-In Tadashige. As talented as his father, whom he succeeded in [[1566]], Yoshihisa continued the long struggle to unify the fragmented Shimazu domain. To this end he was compelled to subdue both the Tomotsuki and Hisikari within the borders of [[Satsuma province|Satsuma]] and [[Osumi province|Osumi]] while fighting hard to fend off advances from the outside lords [[Sagara Yoshihi]] and [[Ito Yoshisuke]]. In these difficult endeavors Yoshihisa was well-served by his brothers ([[Shimazu Yoshihiro|Yoshihiro]], [[Shimazu Iehisa|Iehisa]], and Toshihisa) and his steadily growing retainer band, which included the noted generals [[Ijuin Tadamune]], [[Niiro Tadamoto]], and [[Uwai Akitane]].  

Once he had defeated his rivals in Satsuma and Osumi, and brought around the Iriki-in and Togo to his side, Yoshihisa was able to concentrate on his greatest threat: [[Ito Yoshisuke]]. The latter controlled much of southern [[Hyuga province|Hyuga]], and from the vital castle of Obi was threatening the borders of the Shimazu domain. In [[1572]]  [[Shimazu clan|the Shimazu]] and Ito fought a fierce battle at [[Battle of Kizakihara|Kizakihara]] that saw 300 Shimazu defeat an Ito army of as many as 3,000. The conclusion of this battle saw the Ito seriously battered and Yoshihisa in a position to expand northward. Four years later Yoshihisa and his brothers led some 6,000 men into Hyuga and defeated the Ito again at Takabaru. The war was decisively turned against Yoshisuke in January [[1578]], when he suffered yet another defeat at Kamiya. Largely abandoned by his followers, the once-proud Ito lord fled to the lands of the Otomo and begged asylum. His former capital, Sadowara, was occupied soon afterwards by the Shimazu.  

Once he had defeated his rivals in Satsuma and Osumi, and brought around the Iriki-in and Togo to his side, Yoshihisa was able to concentrate on his greatest threat: [[Ito Yoshisuke]]. The latter controlled much of southern [[Hyuga province|Hyuga]], and from the vital castle of Obi was threatening the borders of the Shimazu domain. In [[1572]]  [[Shimazu clan|the Shimazu]] and Ito fought a fierce battle at [[Battle of Kizakihara|Kizakihara]] [木崎原の戦い] that saw 300 Shimazu defeat an Ito army of as many as 3,000. The conclusion of this battle saw the Ito seriously battered and Yoshihisa in a position to expand northward. Four years later Yoshihisa and his brothers led some 6,000 men into Hyuga and defeated the Ito again at Takabaru. The war was decisively turned against Yoshisuke in January [[1578]], when he suffered yet another defeat at Kamiya. Largely abandoned by his followers, the once-proud Ito lord fled to the lands of the Otomo and begged asylum. His former capital, Sadowara, was occupied soon afterwards by the Shimazu.  

The battles in southern Hyuga in 1578 had established Yoshihisa as a great warrior and had the additional benefit of increasing the confidence of his followers. Almost overnight, the ranks of the Shimazu swelled - and not a moment too soon, for the Otomo had taken notice of the disturbance on their southern border. Determined to nip the Shimazu menace in the bud, the father and son team of [[Otomo Sorin]] and Yoshimune gathered a great army from the considerable Otomo domain (which included much of northern Kyushu) and marched into southern Hyuga.  

The battles in southern Hyuga in 1578 had established Yoshihisa as a great warrior and had the additional benefit of increasing the confidence of his followers. Almost overnight, the ranks of the Shimazu swelled - and not a moment too soon, for the Otomo had taken notice of the disturbance on their southern border. Determined to nip the Shimazu menace in the bud, the father and son team of [[Otomo Sorin]] and Yoshimune gathered a great army from the considerable Otomo domain (which included much of northern Kyushu) and marched into southern Hyuga.  

[[Image:Mimigawa.jpg|thumb|left|Battle of Mimigawa, (1578)]]

[[Image:Mimigawa.jpg|thumb|left|Battle of Mimigawa, (1578)]]

Learning of the dire threat in Hyuga, Yoshihisa hastily rallied his kinsmen and marched north to Sadowara, where he was briefly held up by bad weather. Meanwhile, his brother Yoshihiro, who was advancing along a different route, encountered and scattered an advance Otomo force, following up this success with the destruction of an enemy fort at Matsuyama. Yoshihisa then advanced to the Taka area, and joined with the rest of the Shimazu clan. The following battle was one of the lesser-known but more decisive of the 16th Century. Yoshihisa, with as many as 30,000 warriors, adopted a defensive posture, inviting an attack from the impetuous Tawara, who had no less then 60,000 men at his command. The attack did come, and it was nearly ruinous for the Shimazu: a number of generals were killed under the sheer weight of the charge, which tore deeply into the Shimazu army. It was at this moment, however, that Yoshihisa revealed his true qualities as a leader. Refusing to move his standard one-inch back, the lord of the Shimazu rallied his faltering men and turned the tables on the Otomo. With the enemy spearhead ground to a halt in front of him, Yoshihisa signaled for the men on the flanks to charge the Otomo flanks in a pincer movement while at this key moment, Iehisa led out a spirited foray from Takajo. The Otomo levies panicked and suddenly the battle had developed into a rout, with the Shimazu mercilessly riding won their defeated enemy as they fled north. Hundreds if not thousands were drowned attempting to cross the Mimigawa, after which the battle is called. Sources differ on the results of the slaughter but the cost to the Otomo may have been as many as 20,000 killed. Certainly, the Otomo would never again command the power they once had.  

Learning of the dire threat in Hyuga, Yoshihisa hastily rallied his kinsmen and marched north to Sadowara, where he was briefly held up by bad weather. Meanwhile, his brother Yoshihiro, who was advancing along a different route, encountered and scattered an advance Otomo force, following up this success with the destruction of an enemy fort at Matsuyama. Yoshihisa then advanced to the Taka area, and joined with the rest of the Shimazu clan. The following battle was one of the lesser-known but more decisive of the 16th Century. Yoshihisa, with as many as 30,000 warriors, adopted a defensive posture, inviting an attack from the impetuous Tawara, who had no less then 60,000 men at his command. The attack did come, and it was nearly ruinous for the Shimazu: a number of generals were killed under the sheer weight of the charge, which tore deeply into the Shimazu army. It was at this moment, however, that Yoshihisa revealed his true qualities as a leader. Refusing to move his standard one-inch back, the lord of the Shimazu rallied his faltering men and turned the tables on the Otomo. With the enemy spearhead ground to a halt in front of him, Yoshihisa signaled for the men on the flanks to charge the Otomo flanks in a pincer movement while at this key moment, Iehisa led out a spirited foray from Takajo. The Otomo levies panicked and suddenly the battle had developed into a rout, with the Shimazu mercilessly riding won their defeated enemy as they fled north. Hundreds if not thousands were drowned attempting to cross the Mimigawa [耳川], after which the [[Battle of Mimigawa|battle]] is called. Sources differ on the results of the slaughter but the cost to the Otomo may have been as many as 20,000 killed. Certainly, the Otomo would never again command the power they once had.  

Yoshihisa's reputation soared after Mimigawa, and the Shimazu strength grew. Confident that the Otomo would be of no account for the time being, he proceeded to strike a truce with them and marched into [[Higo province|Higo]]. Many of the warriors there were in fact wise enough to see which way the wind was blowing and offered their fealty. An exception was [[Sagara Yoshiaki]], who resisted a Shimazu request to march through his land in [[1581]]. The result was the [[Siege of Minamata]], which is described in the Iriki-in documents…  

Yoshihisa's reputation soared after Mimigawa, and the Shimazu strength grew. Confident that the Otomo would be of no account for the time being, he proceeded to strike a truce with them and marched into [[Higo province|Higo]]. Many of the warriors there were in fact wise enough to see which way the wind was blowing and offered their fealty. An exception was [[Sagara Yoshiaki]], who resisted a Shimazu request to march through his land in [[1581]]. The result was the [[Siege of Minamata]], which is described in the Iriki-in documents…