 | |
| Honda Tadakatsu | |
| Born: | March 17, 1548 |
|---|---|
| Place of Birth: | Mikawa Province |
| Died: | December 3, 1610 |
| Cause of Death: | Unknown |
| Place of Death: | Edo Province |
| Style name: | 本多 忠勝 |
| Served: | Tokugawa |
| Participation(s): | Battle of Anegawa Battle of Mikata ga Hara Battle of Nagashino Siege of Takatenjin (1581) Battle of Komaki and Nagakute Battle of Sekigahara |
Honda Tadakatsu (本多 忠勝), also known as Honda Heihachirō (本多 平八郎) was one of the Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings. It is said that he fought 60 battles and was never injured once. Tadakatsu was known for wielding his famous spear the Tombo-Giri.
Biography[]
Military Career[]
In 1570, during the Battle of Anegawa, Honda Tadakatsu executed a highly effective flank attack that resulted in Asakura Kagetake, the enemy commander-in-chief, being completely encircled amid the intense fighting.[1]
In 1573, during the Battle of Mikatagahara, Honda Tadakatsu engaged Takeda clan general Naitō Masatoyo in combat. Despite the ferocity of the Takeda assault, Tadakatsu and the Tokugawa forces held their ground with notable resilience.[2]
In 1575, Honda Tadakatsu commanded in the front line in the Battle of Nagashino, and appears in the Nagashino screen in his famous helmet ornamented with wooden antlers and with a large Buddhist rosary over his shoulder.[3]
In 1581, during the second Siege of Takatenjin, Honda Tadakatsu distinguished himself in combat by taking twenty-two enemy heads from the Takeda forces.[4]
In 1584, during the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute, after the clashes between the Ikeda and Mori Nagayoshi forces against those of the Tokugawa, Tadakatsu positioned his troops in wait with the intent of striking Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s expected reinforcements, however, such an opportunity did not materialize. Hideyoshi’s army was of sufficient size that, despite recognizing Tadakatsu’s bravery, it refrained from attacking him, and no effort was made to eliminate the Tokugawa commander. Tadakatsu subsequently withdrew to Kobata, where he rejoined Tokugawa Ieyasu within the protection of the castle. Hideyoshi’s forces achieved only a limited rear assault on Ieyasu’s withdrawing troops as they entered Kobata.[5]
In 1590, Tadakatsu was appointed daimyō of Ōtaki in Kazusa Province, with a stipend assessed at 100,000 koku. Following the Battle of Sekigahara, he was awarded Kuwana in Ise Province, where his domain was valued at 150,000 koku.[6]
Sources[]
- ↑ The Samurai Swordsman Master of War, Stephen Turnbull, pg. 63
- ↑ Samurai Sourcebook, Stephen Turnbull, pg. 222
- ↑ Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg.38
- ↑ The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga, Brill's Japanese Studies Library, Volume 36, Gyūichi Ōta; Editors/Translators: Jurgis S.A. Elisonas and Jeroen P. Lamers, p. 396
- ↑ Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Stephen Turnbull, p. 41-42
- ↑ Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg.38