Changes

* Japanese: 長宗我部　元親 ''(Chousokabe Motochika)''

* Japanese: 長宗我部　元親 ''(Chousokabe Motochika)''

[[Image:Chosokabe_motochika.jpg||thumb|right|Chosokabe Motochika.]]  

[[Image:Chosokabe_motochika.jpg||thumb|right|Chosokabe Motochika.]]  

Daimyô of the [[Chosokabe clan|Chosokabe]] family and eventual vassal to [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], Motochika rose to rule Tosa and, for a short time, the whole of Shikoku. The Chosokabe were respected Jito (deputy administrators) of Tosa from the 12th century and entered the 16th Century as vassals of the [[Ichijo clan|Ichijô Clan]], who were based in western Tosa.  

Daimyô of the [[Chosokabe clan|Chosokabe]] family and eventual vassal to [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], Motochika rose to rule Tosa and, for a short time, the whole of Shikoku. The Chosokabe were respected Jito (deputy administrators) of Tosa from the 12th century and entered the 16th Century as vassals of the [[Ichijo clan|Ichijô Clan]], who were based in western Tosa.  

Motochika was now sole ruler of Tosa, but pressed onwards. One of the problems the Chosokabe were faced with was the very territory they possessed. It was poor, and Motochika was hard-pressed to when it came to decent tracts of land to dole out as rewards to his men. This as much as his own ambitions propelled him towards domination of the whole island.  

Motochika was now sole ruler of Tosa, but pressed onwards. One of the problems the Chosokabe were faced with was the very territory they possessed. It was poor, and Motochika was hard-pressed to when it came to decent tracts of land to dole out as rewards to his men. This as much as his own ambitions propelled him towards domination of the whole island.  

Following his conquest of Tosa, Motochika turned north and prepared for an invasion of Iyo. The lord of that province was [[Kono Michinao|Kôno Michinao]], a daimyo who had once been driven from his domain by the Utsunomiya clan, returning only with the assistance of the powerful [[Mori clan|Môri]]. It was unlikely that Kôno could count on that sort of help again, however-presently the Môri were embroiled in a war with [[Oda Nobunaga]]. Nonetheless, Chosokabe's campaign in Iyo did not go off without a hitch. In [[1579]], a 7,000-man Chosokabe army, commanded by [[Kumu Yorinobu|Kumu (Kubu?) Yorinobu]], met the forces of [[Doi Kiyonaga]] at the Mimaomotegawa. In the ensuing battle, Kumu was killed and his army defeated, though the loss proved little more than an unfortunate delay. The next year, Motochika led some 30,000 men into Iyo, and forced Kôno to flee to Bungo province. With little interference from either the Môri or the Ôtomo, Chosokabe was free to press onwards, and in [[1582]] he stepped up ongoing raids into Awa and defeated the Sogo clan. By [[1583]], Chosokabe troops had subdued both [[Awa clan|Awa]] and [[Sanuki clan|Sanuki]], making Motochika's dream of ruling all of Shikoku a reality.  

Following his conquest of Tosa, Motochika turned north and prepared for an invasion of Iyo. The lord of that province was [[Kono Michinao|Kôno Michinao]], a daimyo who had once been driven from his domain by the Utsunomiya clan, returning only with the assistance of the powerful [[Mori clan|Môri]]. It was unlikely that Kôno could count on that sort of help again, however-presently the Môri were embroiled in a war with [[Oda Nobunaga]]. Nonetheless, Chosokabe's campaign in Iyo did not go off without a hitch. In [[1579]], a 7,000-man Chosokabe army, commanded by [[Kumu Yorinobu|Kumu (Kubu?) Yorinobu]], met the forces of [[Doi Kiyonaga]] at the Mimaomotegawa. In the ensuing battle, Kumu was killed and his army defeated, though the loss proved little more than an unfortunate delay. The next year, Motochika led some 30,000 men into Iyo, and forced Kôno to flee to Bungo province. With little interference from either the Môri or the Ôtomo, Chosokabe was free to press onwards, and in [[1582]] he stepped up ongoing raids into Awa and defeated the Sogo clan. By [[1583]], Chosokabe troops had subdued both [[Awa clan|Awa]] and [[Sanuki clan|Sanuki]], making Motochika's dream of ruling all of Shikoku a reality.  

Sometime around [[1579]], Motochika entered into communication with Nobunaga, whom he fancied an ally. For his part, Nobunaga appears to have humored Motochika, though in private he referred to him as 'a bat on a birdless island' and planned to take Shikoku at some point (in fact naming his son Nobutada commander of the future invasion). This was averted by Nobunaga's death in [[1582]], and Motochika, whether he was aware of it or not, was given a new lease on life. By now he was something of a national power and became involved in the struggle between [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] and [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] the following year. He promised the latter support, though made no direct moves to that end. Hideyoshi, to make sure, sent [[Sengoku Hidehisa]] ([[1551]]-[[1614]]) to block any efforts on Motochika's part, though these troops seem to have been roughly treated by the Lord of Shikoku upon arrival on the island. The so-called [[Komaki Campaign]] between Hideyoshi and Ieyasu ended in a peace treaty, which odd ill for Chosokabe. In May [[1584]] Hideyoshi ordered a full-scale invasion of Shikoku, spear headed by 30,000 troops from the Môri clan and 60,000 more under [[Hashiba Hidenaga]]. Evidently, the late Nobunaga's assessment of the Chosokabe was accurate enough, for the invaders found a small army with such equipment as was available in poor condition. After desultory resistance, Motochika expressed a desire to negotiate. Hideyoshi's terms were generous. Motochika would get to keep his head and his hard-earned province of Tosa, an offer Motochika did not feel inclined to refuse.  

Sometime around [[1579]], Motochika entered into communication with Nobunaga, whom he fancied an ally. For his part, Nobunaga appears to have humored Motochika, though in private he referred to him as 'a bat on a birdless island' and planned to take Shikoku at some point (in fact naming his son Nobutada commander of the future invasion). This was averted by Nobunaga's death in [[1582]], and Motochika, whether he was aware of it or not, was given a new lease on life. By now he was something of a national power and became involved in the struggle between [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] and [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] the following year. He promised the latter support, though made no direct moves to that end. Hideyoshi, to make sure, sent [[Sengoku Hidehisa]] ([[1551]]-[[1614]]) to block any efforts on Motochika's part, though these troops seem to have been roughly treated by the Lord of Shikoku upon arrival on the island. The so-called [[Komaki Campaign]] between Hideyoshi and Ieyasu ended in a peace treaty, which odd ill for Chosokabe. In May [[1584]] Hideyoshi ordered a full-scale invasion of Shikoku, spear headed by 30,000 troops from the Môri clan and 60,000 more under [[Hashiba Hidenaga]]. Evidently, the late Nobunaga's assessment of the Chosokabe was accurate enough, for the invaders found a small army with such equipment as was available in poor condition. After desultory resistance, Motochika expressed a desire to negotiate. Hideyoshi's terms were generous. Motochika would get to keep his head and his hard-earned province of Tosa, an offer Motochika did not feel inclined to refuse.  

In [[1587]] Motochika was called upon for Hideyoshi's invasion of Kyushu, becoming part of an advance force alongside, ironically, Sengoku Hidehisa. Their mission was to augment the besieged Ôtomo clan of [[Bungo province|Bungo]], whose request for assistance had provided Hideyoshi with the pretext for invasion. Despite Motochika's sage advice on the scene, Ôtomo and Sengoku ignored their orders to adopt a defensive stance, and attacked the encroaching [[Shimazu clan|Shimazu]] forces in the [[Battle of Hetsugigawa]]. The allied troops were soundly defeated, and in the process, Motochika suffered the death of his beloved son and heir, [[Chosokabe Nobuchika|Nobuchika]] ([[1565]]-[[1587]]). Hideyoshi praised Motochika's sober thinking, and offered him Ôsumi (once it had been taken) as compensation for his loss, which Motochika respectfully declined. In [[1590]] Motochika led a naval contingent in support of the [[Siege of Odawara]], and in [[1592]] commanded 3,000 troops in the invasion of Korea, being commended for his leadership once again. When he returned from Korea, he retired to Fushimi and took up a monk's habit.  He passed away on 11 July [[1599]].  

In [[1587]] Motochika was called upon for Hideyoshi's invasion of Kyushu, becoming part of an advance force alongside, ironically, Sengoku Hidehisa. Their mission was to augment the besieged Ôtomo clan of [[Bungo province|Bungo]], whose request for assistance had provided Hideyoshi with the pretext for invasion. Despite Motochika's sage advice on the scene, Ôtomo and Sengoku ignored their orders to adopt a defensive stance, and attacked the encroaching [[Shimazu clan|Shimazu]] forces in the [[Battle of Hetsugigawa]]. The allied troops were soundly defeated, and in the process, Motochika suffered the death of his beloved son and heir, [[Chosokabe Nobuchika|Nobuchika]] ([[1565]]-[[1587]]). Hideyoshi praised Motochika's sober thinking, and offered him Ôsumi (once it had been taken) as compensation for his loss, which Motochika respectfully declined. In [[1590]] Motochika led a naval contingent in support of the [[Siege of Odawara]], and in [[1592]] commanded 3,000 troops in the invasion of Korea, being commended for his leadership once again. When he returned from Korea, he retired to Fushimi and took up a monk's habit.  He passed away on 11 July [[1599]].  

In addition to his leadership, Motochika is remembered for his [['100-Article Code of the Chosokabe']] and his struggle to found an economically strong castle town, moving in the course of his career from Oko to Otazaka and on to Urado.  However, the troubles caused by his naming of [[Chosokabe Morichika|Morichika]] as heir did much damage to the Chosokabe house.  After Nobuchika's death in battle, Hideyoshi suggested that Motochika's second son, [[Chosokabe Chikakazu|Chikakazu]], be made heir to the Chosokabe house.  Motochika demurred and instead settled on Morichika, his fourth son.  Deeply embittered, Chikakazu withdrew from public life and died of illness in 1587.  In fact, Motochika had been concerned that Chikakazu was not physically capable of assuming command of the family.  Motochika's third son, [[Chosokabe Chikatada|Chikatada]], also passed over, openly objected.  Morichika's ally, [[Hisatake Chikanao]], agitated against him and in 1599 Chikatada was confined to a temple under guard.  The following year, Chikatada was accused of colluding with the Tokugawa and was put to death.  This provided [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] with another pretext to strip the Chosokabe of their domain.

In addition to his leadership, Motochika is remembered for his [['100-Article Code of the Chosokabe']] and his struggle to found an economically strong castle town, moving in the course of his career from Oko to Otazaka and on to Urado.  However, the troubles caused by his naming of [[Chosokabe Morichika|Morichika]] as heir did much damage to the Chosokabe house.  After Nobuchika's death in battle, Hideyoshi suggested that Motochika's second son, [[Chosokabe Chikakazu|Chikakazu]], be made heir to the Chosokabe house.  Motochika demurred and instead settled on Morichika, his fourth son.  Deeply embittered, Chikakazu withdrew from public life and died of illness in 1587.  In fact, Motochika had been concerned that Chikakazu was not physically capable of assuming command of the family.  Motochika's third son, [[Chosokabe Chikatada|Chikatada]], also passed over, openly objected.  Morichika's ally, [[Hisatake Chikanao]], agitated against him and in 1599 Chikatada was confined to a temple under guard.  The following year, Chikatada was accused of colluding with the Tokugawa and was put to death.  This provided [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] with another pretext to strip the Chosokabe of their domain.