Â鶹APP

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Date Masamune

Statue of daimyo Date Masamune in Aobayama Park Sendai (2016). Photo by; fooomio.

He was born on September 5, 1567. He was the ruler of Japan during the Azuchi -Momoyana period and Edo period.

He was the eldest son of Date Terumune and Yoshihime Terumune. His father was a Japanese Samurai clan leader of the Sengoku period.

His mother was aristocratic from the Sengoku period. She was known as the Demon Princes of the Ouu. This is because of her personality and attempts to grab the power of the Date clan.

He was raised as heir to a powerful Daimyo in the Tohoku region. He succeeded his father as clan leader in 1584, at the age of 17 years.

In 1581 when he was the age of 14, Masamune helped his father in his campaigns by helping him to fight the soma clan.

Masamune’s army was recognized for its black armour and golden headgear. However, Date Masamune was succeeded by his son Date Tadamune in 1636.

He was well known as the one-eyed dragon or the Dokuganryu. This after he lost sight of one of his eyes.

He was the founder of the modern-day city of Sendai. Let’s learn more interesting facts about his character, leadership and power during his reign.

1. He was Raised in a Prominent Family

Portrait of Date Masamune, a daimyo from the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the early Edo period.

He was raised as an heir to a powerful Daimyo in Tohoku Region. His father was a samurai clan leader of the Sengoku period.

His mother was aristocratic and was referred to as the Demon Princes of the Ouu. This is because she attempted to grab the power of the Date clan.

At the age of 14, Masamune helped his father in his campaigns to fight the Soma clan. At the age of 17 years, he managed to succeed his father as a clan leader.

2. He was a Good Writer and Strict Father

During the Sengoku period, letters were being written on behalf of oneself. Masamune wrote his letters whereby he managed to send 4,500 letters and h wrote 1,300 of them compared to other leaders.

Masamune had personally written an overwhelmingly large proportion of his letters.

Date Masamune was also referred to be a strict father to his daughters and sons. He had 10 daughters and Four sons with one wife and 7 Concubines.

He was so strict with his sons especially the eldest Hidemune and his second son Tadamune.

 However, his second succeeded his father and become the second feudal lord of the Sendai Domain. He was merciful to his daughters.

Masamune left several letters behind of advice to his sons. He left one of the letters to them which reminded them not to recite Waka in a particular manner. This is a type of Japanese poetry.

3. He was One-Eyed Man

In 1571, he lost his right eye because of Smallpox. In those days smallpox was a fatal disease and there was no cure for it.

Some sources say that Masamune plucked out his eye after he was warned by a senior member of the clan that he will lose it during the fight whereby an enemy will grab it.

Others claim that Masamune instructed his truster retainer Katakura Kojuto to pluck it, making him the One-eyed Dragon of Oshu.

4. Masamune Killed his Younger Brother

He killed his brother because his mother hated him because of his one-eyed condition. Thus he favoured his younger brother Kojirou.

In 1958, Masamune’s father was killed by Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu. His mother believed that Masamune was the cause of his death.

Thus Yoshime wanted Kojirou to succeed in clan leadership from his father but Masamune was against it.

She tried to poison him to allow Kojirou to become a leader. Masamune was upset by his mother’s action and he killed his younger brother.

His mother fleed to his brother’s castle in Mogami lands. She remained in the date family and continued to communicate with his Masamune through letters even after the murder of her son.

5. He Faced Execution Under Hideyoshi

In 1590, Toyomoti Hideyoshi grabbed the Odawara castle. He Compelled the Tohoku region daiymos to take part in the campaigns.

However, Masamune was against Hideyoshi’s demands and delayed his request. Hideyoshi got impatient with Masamune and ordered him to be executed.

Masamune faced the virtual ruler of japan with no fear. However, Hideyoshi spared his life since he didn’t want more trouble. Masamune finally joined him to seize the Odawara castle.

6. His Father Died during the Attack of the Nihonmatsu Clan

Masamune lost his father during the attack of the Nihonmatsu clan which was being led by Hatakeyama Yoshitsugu.

When Yoshitsugu was attacked by Masamune’s father and lost the battle, he pretended to surrender. Masamune agreed with the surrender but gave them a tough condition.

The condition was that the Nihonmatsu give up their territory to the date. Yoshitsugu was not in agreement with the condition thus kidnapping his father.

Masamune declared war against them which resulted in him killing his father and Yoshitsugu. Due to the death of his father, he declared the battle of Hitotorishiba for revenge.

7. He Launched the Hitotorishiba Battle

Masamune launched the Hitotorishiba Battle so that to attack the Nihonmatsu clan after his father’s death.

Despite having the smallest number of forces, 7,000 compared to the Hatakeyama force of 30,000, he won the battle and killed Yoshitsugu.

8. He was the Founder of Sendai Domain

Masamune was the founder of the Sendai Domain which he established in Sendai. The territory of the domain was the largest in Japan. It has a value of over 620,000 Koku.

He also comes up with an Idea of opening trade between Sendai Domain and Spain.

9. Patron of Culture and Christianity

He expanded trade in the remote areas of the Tohoku religion. He beautified the region through the construction of many palaces.

He also encouraged foreigners to visit his place. He also supported Christianity by allowing missionaries to visit his land and preaching.

10. Masamune Death

Graves of Date Munezane (eldest son of Date Hidemune, second from left) and Iisaka-no-tsubone (mother of Date Hidemune, right next to Date Munezane’s grave), Memorial pagoda of Date Masamune(right next to Iisaka-no-tubone’s grave), west cemetery.

Masamune died at the age of 68 in 1936. His death was caused by a combination of oesophagal cancer and peritonitis.

After his death, he was succeeded by his son, Date Tadamune.

Finally, even though Date Masamune caused bloodshed to other clans he left a legacy and many people prospered due to his strategies and wisdom.

Due to his governance, the city of Sendai is prosperous today.

Documented in history books, He remains a prominent character in the rich history and heritage of japan.