 | |
| Ii Naomasa | |
| Born: | March 4, 1561 |
|---|---|
| Place of Birth: | Tōtōmi Province |
| Died: | March 24, 1602 |
| Cause of Death: | Wound |
| Place of Death: | Unknown |
| Style name: | 井伊 直政 |
| Served: | Tokugawa Ii |
| Participation(s): | Battle of Tenmokuzan Battle of Komaki and Nagakute Siege of Odawara Castle (1590) Battle of Sekigahara |
Ii Naomasa (井伊 直政) was one of Tokugawa Ieyasu's famous retainers and the adopted son of Ii Naotora.
Biography[]
Ii Naomasa was one of the Four Guardian's of the Tokugawa Clan. Ii Naomasa wore a red dangaie-do (armor) and a gold-horned helmet which was his trademark. He used to equip all of his army in red-lacquered armor because of it's physical impact on the opposing force. Ii's forces were known as the 'Red Devils'.[1]
In 1576, Ii Naomasa is credited with thwarting an assassination attempt against Tokugawa Ieyasu.[2]
In 1581, Naomasa contributed to the capture of Takatenjin Castle by orchestrating the drainage of its water supply. The following year, in 1582, Ii Naomasa participated in the defeat of Takeda Katsuyori during the Battle of Tenmokuzan.[3]
In 1584, Ii Naomasa participated in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute, where he effectively employed a contingent of ashigaru armed with arquebuses[4] and engaged with the Toyotomi's Ikeda forces.[5]
In 1590, during the Siege of Odawara Castle, Ii Naomasa participated in one of the few significant engagements of the campaign. When a mine collapsed a section of the castle’s walls, Naomasa and his red devil troops advanced through the breach to engage the Hōjō forces in combat.[6] That same year, Naomasa was granted the fief of Minowa, worth 12,000 koku.[7]
In 1600, during the Battle of Sekigahara, Ii Naomasa was the first to climb up the walls of Gifu Castle.[8] When the fighting commenced, the Easter army vanguard was led by Fukushima Masanori and Ii Naomasa. During the battle, Naomasa led his 'Red Devils', named for their red-lacquered armor. The vanguard proceeded to advance on two Wester army parties, first the troops of Ukita Hideie, proceeding with the armies of the Shimazu. Whilst the battle was relatively well balanced from both sides, this changed after the defection of Kobayakawa Hideaki in favor of the Tokugawa and attacking the Western army forces closest to his position. Soon after, the Shimazu forces began their withdrawal. During Shimazu's withdrawal, Ii Naomasa's forces gave their pursuit, showing their stubborn yet brave endeavour.[9]
After being wounded at Sekigahara due to his elbow being shattered by an arquebus ball[10] he received the fief of Sawayama for 180,000 Koku.[11] During Naomasa's injury in battle, it is believed that Naomasa received first aid from a ninja from his own employ by the name of Miura Yo'emon, who was the Joshin of the Ii clan. Naomasa was served some black medicine to drink from his retainer in order to help stop the bleeding from his injury.[12]
Ii Naomasa died in 1602, and was succeeded by his son Ii Naokatsu, contrary to his wishes for his illegitimate son Ii Naotaka to take over his domain.[13]
Sources[]
- ↑ Osprey - The Samurai, Anthony J. Bryant pg.63
- ↑ Samurai The World of the warrior, Stephen Turnbull pg.60
- ↑ Samurai The World of the warrior, Stephen Turnbull pg.60
- ↑ Samurai The World of the warrior, Stephen Turnbull pg.61
- ↑ Stephen Turnbull, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, p. 41
- ↑ Samurai The World of the warrior, Stephen Turnbull pg.61
- ↑ Samurai Source Book, Stephen Turnbull pg.194
- ↑ Samurai Source Book, Stephen Turnbull pg.194
- ↑ Samurai Commanders (2), Stephen Turnbull pg.15
- ↑ Samurai Source Book, Stephen Turnbull pg.194
- ↑ Samurai Sourcebook, Stephen Turnbull pg.43
- ↑ Ninja AD, 1460-1650, Stephen Turnbull pg.48
- ↑ Samurai Commanders (2), Stephen Turnbull pg.17