 | |
| Baba Nobuharu | |
| Born: | 1514 or 1515 |
|---|---|
| Place of Birth: | Family home was in Kyoraishi |
| Died: | 28th June 1575 |
| Cause of Death: | Killed in battle |
| Place of Death: | Outside Nagashino Castle |
| Style name: | 馬場 信春 |
| Served: | Takeda |
| Participation(s): | Siege of Fukashi Battle of Kawanakajima (1561) Siege of Katsurayama Siege of Minowa Battle of Mimasetōge Battle of Mikatagahara Battle of Nagashino |
Baba Nobuharu (馬場 信春), also known as Baba Nobufusa, was one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda. Nobuharu participated in many of Takeda Shingen's campaign's until the latter's death, in which Baba Nobuharu continued his service to Shingen's successor, Takeda Katsuyori.
Biography[]
Baba Nobuharu was the son of Baba Torasada and served three successive generations of the Takeda clan under, Takeda Nobutora, Takeda Shingen, and Takeda Katsuyori. He was traditionally credited with having fought in twenty-one battles without sustaining a single wound.[1]
In 1550, after the Siege of Fukashi, Baba Nobuharu was placed in charge of Fukashi.[2]
In 1557, during the third Battle of Kawanakajima, Baba Nobuhara led a force of approximately 6,000 troops in a successful siege of Katsurayama Castle.[3]
Baba Nobuharu subsequently took part in numerous campaigns conducted under Takeda Shingen, including the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima in 1561, the Siege of Minowa in 1566, and the Battle of Mimasetōge.[4]
In 1572, Baba Nobuharu took part in the Battle of Mikatagahara, one of the key engagements between the Takeda and Tokugawa forces. Alongside Yamagata Masakage, Baba Nobuharu led the Takeda vanguard toward Hamamatsu Castle, which appeared undefended—its gates stood open, torches were lit, and drums sounded from within. Recognizing the signs of a potential ruse, both commanders wisely refrained from launching a direct assault. Instead, the Takeda army established a temporary encampment near Saigadake. That night, Ōkubo Tadayo and Amano Yasukage, both retainers of Tokugawa Ieyasu, mustered a volunteer force of sixteen arquebusiers and approximately 100 foot soldiers, launching a surprise night attack on the Takeda camp.[5]
In 1575, during the Battle of Nagashino, Baba Nobuharu commanded the Takeda vanguard of the right wing.[6] Baba Nobuharu chose to remain behind and protect Takeda Katsuyori's withdrawal, personally commanding the rearguard.[7] Nobuharu was able to command a his men as they protected Katsuyori’s retreat across the Kansagawa River.[8] As the pursuing Oda - Tokugawa forces closed in, Nobuharu, in a true samurai tradition, boldly announced his name on the battlefield, declaring that only a warrior of the highest caliber was worthy of taking his head. His challenge was met by two samurai, who charged him simultaneously, wielding spears and was beheaded.[9]
Sources[]
- ↑ Samurai: The Code of the Warrior, Thomas Louis, Tommy Ito, p. 90
- ↑ Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg. 212
- ↑ Kawanakajima 1553–1564, Stephen Turnbull, p. 48
- ↑ Samurai: The Code of the Warrior, Thomas Louis, Tommy Ito, p. 90
- ↑ Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg. 223
- ↑ Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg. 32
- ↑ Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg. 180
- ↑ Samurai: The Code of the Warrior, Thomas Louis, Tommy Ito, p. 90
- ↑ Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg. 180