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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|Ôsumi]] 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]].  His first wife was the daughter of his grandfather, [[Shimazu Takayoshi]] and thus his aunt.  He was very fond of her, as evidenced by his grief when she died.  His second wife was the daughter of [[Tanegashima Tokitada]].  The existence of a third wife is presumed but her identity is uncertain.

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|Ôsumi]] 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]].  His first wife was the daughter of his grandfather, [[Shimazu Takayoshi]] and thus his aunt.  He was very fond of her, as evidenced by his grief when she died.  His second wife was the daughter of [[Tanegashima Tokitada]].  The existence of a third wife is presumed but her identity is uncertain.

Once he had defeated his rivals in Satsuma and Ôsumi, 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|Hyûga]], 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 Hyûga 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 Ôtomo and begged asylum. His former capital, Sadowara, was occupied soon afterwards by the Shimazu.  

Once he had defeated his rivals in Satsuma and Ôsumi, and brought around the Iriki-in and Togo to his side, Yoshihisa was able to concentrate on his greatest threat: [[Ito Yoshisuke|Itô Yoshisuke]]. The latter controlled much of southern [[Hyuga province|Hyûga]], 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 Itô seriously battered and Yoshihisa in a position to expand northward. Four years later Yoshihisa and his brothers led some 6,000 men into Hyûga and defeated the Itô 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 Itô lord fled to the lands of the Ôtomo and begged asylum. His former capital, Sadowara, was occupied soon afterwards by the Shimazu.  

The battles in southern Hyûga 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|Ôtomo Sôrin]] and Yoshimune gathered a great army from the considerable Ôtomo domain (which included much of northern Kyushu) and marched into southern Hyûga.  

The battles in southern Hyûga 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|Ôtomo Sôrin]] and Yoshimune gathered a great army from the considerable Ôtomo domain (which included much of northern Kyushu) and marched into southern Hyûga.  

Yoshihisa had by now returned to Satsuma, having left his brother Iehisa with a thousand men to watch the border at Takajo. The advancing Ôtomo quickly crushed the pro-Shimazu lord (and former Ito vassal) [[Tsuchimochi Chikanari]] and occupied [[Matsuo castle]]. The two Ôtomo lords lingered there after sending a relative, [[Tawara Chikataka]], ahead with the main body. This invested Takajo, which Iehisa defended fiercely.  

Yoshihisa had by now returned to Satsuma, having left his brother Iehisa with a thousand men to watch the border at Taka Castle [高城]. The advancing Ôtomo quickly crushed the pro-Shimazu lord (and former Ito vassal) [[Tsuchimochi Chikanari]] and occupied [[Matsuo castle]]. The two Ôtomo lords lingered there after sending a relative, [[Tawara Chikataka]], ahead with the main body. This invested Takajo, defended fiercely by Iehisa.  

[[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 Ôtomo 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 Ôtomo. With the enemy spearhead ground to a halt in front of him, Yoshihisa signaled for the men on the flanks to charge the Ôtomo flanks in a pincer movement while at this key moment, Iehisa led out a spirited foray from Takajo. The Ôtomo levies panicked and suddenly the battle had developed into a rout, with the Shimazu mercilessly riding down 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 Ôtomo may have been as many as 20,000 killed. Certainly, the Ôtomo would never again command the power they once had.  

Learning of the dire threat in Hyûga, 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 Ôtomo 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 including [[Hongo Hisamori]] [北郷久盛] 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 back, the lord of the Shimazu rallied his faltering men and turned the tables on the Ôtomo. With the enemy spearhead ground to a halt in front of him, Yoshihisa signaled for the men on the flanks to charge the Ôtomo flanks in a pincer movement while at this key moment, Iehisa led out a spirited foray from Takajo. The Ôtomo levies panicked and suddenly the battle had developed into a rout, with the Shimazu mercilessly riding down 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 Ôtomo may have been as many as 20,000 killed. Certainly, the Ôtomo would never again command the power they once had.  

Yoshihisa's reputation soared after Mimigawa, and the Shimazu strength grew. Confident that the Ôtomo 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 Ôtomo 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…  

==Hideyoshi Intervenes==

==Hideyoshi Intervenes==

Yoshihisa had made a grave mistake in his underestimation of Hideyoshi, but as 1586 drew to a close, the latter's threats may have seemed a moot point. With the Ôtomo everywhere retreating or switching sides, the occupation of the Ôtomo capital in Bungo, [[Funai]], was only a matter of time. Perhaps hoping to buy back a little of that time to rally his great hosts, Hideyoshi dispatched a force to Bungo commanded by [[Chosokabe Motochika]] and [[Sengoku Hidehisa]]. Though these men were under orders to sit tight in the Ôtomo capital, Sengoku and [[Otomo Yoshimune|Ôtomo Yoshimune]], over Motochika's objections, decided to take the fight to the Shimazu. Their reasoning was that the Shimazu seemed to have drawn back to rest (as indeed they had) and this presented a fine opportunity to relieve Toshimitsu, a nearby castle currently under siege by [[Niiro Tadamoto]]. Unfortunately for the allies, Yoshihisa learned of their movements and hastened to the area. Toshimitsu was overrun, and Ôtomo and his allies were confronted with a Shimazu army. Motochika suggested they retreat to Funai, but was again ignored. Instead, Yoshimune decided to have a go at what seemed to be a reasonably manageable enemy force (unaware as he was that the bulk of the Shimazu were hidden in the hills across the Hetsugigawa). The fighting commenced with [[Sogo Nagayasu]] (a Shikoku warrior like Motochika) falling for a feint across the river by [[Ijuin Hisanori]]. The result of the battle was another Ôtomo defeat and the occupation of Bungo. Unfortunately for Yoshihisa, his moment of glory would be brief indeed. On 20 January [[1587]] [[Hashiba Hidenaga]] landed on Kyushu with as many as 60,000 men, followed by [[Kobayakawa Takakage]] and the Môri, who had with them a further 90,000. Faced with this mighty host and already stretched to the limit, the Shimazu withdrew south rapidly, allowing Hidenaga to proceed with an advance along the eastern coast of the island. Hideyoshi himself arrived with yet another 30,000 in February and secured the submission of most of the warlords of the provinces conquered by the Shimazu in the past decade, including the [[Akizuki clan|Akizuki]], [[Arima clan|Arima]], [[Goto clan|Goto]], [[Nabeshima clan|Nabeshima]], Omura, and Ryûzôji. The Toyotomi progress was almost leisurely, especially since the only real Shimazu resistance would come at the Sendai River on 6 June, and this was in essence a show of simple defiance by the proud Shimazu warriors. By this point, the approaches to Kagoshima lay open, and Toyotomi troops were pouring into Satsuma.  

Yoshihisa had made a grave mistake in his underestimation of Hideyoshi, but as 1586 drew to a close, the latter's threats may have seemed a moot point. With the Ôtomo everywhere retreating or switching sides, the occupation of the Ôtomo capital in Bungo, [[Funai]], was only a matter of time. Perhaps hoping to buy back a little of that time to rally his great hosts, Hideyoshi dispatched a force to Bungo commanded by [[Chosokabe Motochika]] and [[Sengoku Hidehisa]]. Though these men were under orders to sit tight in the Ôtomo capital, Sengoku and [[Otomo Yoshimune|Ôtomo Yoshimune]], over Motochika's objections, decided to take the fight to the Shimazu. Their reasoning was that the Shimazu seemed to have drawn back to rest (as indeed they had) and this presented a fine opportunity to relieve Toshimitsu, a nearby castle currently under siege by [[Niiro Tadamoto]]. Unfortunately for the allies, Yoshihisa learned of their movements and hastened to the area. Toshimitsu was overrun, and Ôtomo and his allies were confronted with a Shimazu army. Motochika suggested they retreat to Funai, but was again ignored. Instead, Yoshimune decided to have a go at what seemed to be a reasonably manageable enemy force (unaware as he was that the bulk of the Shimazu were hidden in the hills across the Hetsugigawa). The [[Battle of Hetsugigawa]] [戸次川の戦い] commenced with [[Sogo Nagayasu]] (a Shikoku warrior like Motochika) falling for a feint across the river by [[Ijuin Hisanori]]. The result of the battle was another Ôtomo defeat and the occupation of Bungo. Unfortunately for Yoshihisa, his moment of glory would be brief indeed. On 20 January [[1587]] [[Hashiba Hidenaga]] landed on Kyushu with as many as 60,000 men, followed by [[Kobayakawa Takakage]] and the Môri, who had with them a further 90,000. Faced with this mighty host and already stretched to the limit, the Shimazu withdrew south rapidly, allowing Hidenaga to proceed with an advance along the eastern coast of the island. Hideyoshi himself arrived with yet another 30,000 in February and secured the submission of most of the warlords of the provinces conquered by the Shimazu in the past decade, including the [[Akizuki clan|Akizuki]], [[Arima clan|Arima]], [[Goto clan|Goto]], [[Nabeshima clan|Nabeshima]], Omura, and Ryûzôji. The Toyotomi progress was almost leisurely, especially since the only real Shimazu resistance would come at the Sendai River on 6 June, and this was in essence a show of simple defiance by the proud Shimazu warriors. By this point, the approaches to Kagoshima lay open, and Toyotomi troops were pouring into Satsuma.  

Yoshihisa was faced with two alternatives: a doomed last stand at Kagoshima or surrender. He wisely chose the latter. On 14 June [[1587]], he shaved his head and appeared in Hideyoshi's headquarters at Taiheiji in Satsuma. All things considered, Hideyoshi was lenient in his treatment of the humiliated Shimazu, allowing Yoshihisa to keep his head and his clan to keep Satsuma, Ôsumi, and southern Hyûga. Yoshihisa was naturally expected to retire (and indeed he had hastily taken up a monk's habit and the priestly name Ryuhaku [竜伯]), and he turned over leadership of the clan to his brother Yoshihiro. He lived in more-or-less quiet retirement until his death in 1611, having seen his clan defeated once again, this time in the fighting at [[Battle of Sekigahara|Sekigahara]] in [[1600]].  

Yoshihisa was faced with two alternatives: a doomed last stand at Kagoshima or surrender. He wisely chose the latter. On 14 June [[1587]], he shaved his head and appeared in Hideyoshi's headquarters at Taiheiji in Satsuma. All things considered, Hideyoshi was lenient in his treatment of the humiliated Shimazu, allowing Yoshihisa to keep his head and his clan to keep Satsuma, Ôsumi, and southern Hyûga. Yoshihisa was naturally expected to retire (and indeed he had hastily taken up a monk's habit and the priestly name Ryuhaku [竜伯]), and he turned over leadership of the clan to his brother Yoshihiro. He lived in more-or-less quiet retirement until his death in 1611, having seen his clan defeated once again, this time in the fighting at [[Battle of Sekigahara|Sekigahara]] in [[1600]].  

{{saref}}

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*Asakawa, Kan'ichi ''The Documents of Iriki'' Yale 1929  

*Asakawa, Kan'ichi ''The Documents of Iriki'' Yale 1929  

 

[[Category:Samurai]]

[[Category:Samurai]]

[[Category:Sengoku Period]]

[[Category:Sengoku Period]]