Natsuka Masaie (長束 正家, 1562 – November 8, 1600) was a daimyō in the Azuchi-Momoyama period. He was served Niwa Nagahide and later Hideyoshi. He was one of the Go-Bugyō, or five commissioners, appointed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.[1][2]

Natsuka Masaie
長束 正家
Lord of Minakuchi Castle
In office
1585–1600
Personal details
Born1562
Owari Province
DiedNovember 8, 1600
Anraku-ji, Shiga Prefecture
Military service
Allegiance Niwa clan
Oda clan
Toyotomi clan
Western Army
RankGo-Bugyo
CommandsMinakuchi Castle
Battles/warsSiege of Takamatsu (1582)
Siege of Oshi (1590)
Battle of Sekigahara (1600)

Biography

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He was born in Owari Province. Masaie served Niwa Nagahide who was a retainer of the Oda clan.[3] Later, because the domain of the Niwa clan was badly reduced after Hashiba Hideyoshi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) ended the Sengoku period by reunifying Japan, Masaie served him and was given the rule of Minakuchi, Ōmi Province.

Hideyoshi congratulated Masaie on arithmetical faculty and appointed him as one of the Go-Bugyō, along with Ishida Mitsunari, Maeda Gen'i, Asano Nagamasa and Mashita Nagamori.

 
Natsuka Massie battle standards

Battle of Sekigahara

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After Hideyoshi died, in 1600 Masaie and Ishida Mitsunari who was also one of the Go-Bugyō, put up Mōri Terumoto and raised their army against Tokugawa Ieyasu.

At the battle of Sekigahara, Masaie lined their army on Nangu-san with Mōri Hidemoto and Kikkawa Hiroie. However, Masaie was prevented from fighting by Hiroie and finally routed to Minakuchi. Setting fire to Minakuchi Castle, he committed suicide. His grave is at Anraku-ji, in Shiga Prefecture.

 
Tomb of Natsuka Massie

References

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  1. ^ Nihonshi yōgoshū B (Tokyo: Yamakawa shuppansha, 2000), p. 126.
  2. ^ Berry, Mary Elizabeth (1989). Hideyoshi. Harvard University Asia Center. p. 235. ISBN 9780674390263.
  3. ^ Nihonshi yōgoshū B, p. 126.