Sakakibara Yasumasa

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In this Japanese name, the surname is Sakakibara.
Sakakibara Yasumasa
榊原 康政
Lord of Tatebayashi
In office
1590–1606
Succeeded bySakakibara Yasukatsu
Personal details
Born1548
Mikawa Province, Japan
DiedJune 19, 1606
Edo, Japan
Military service
Allegiance Sakakibara clan
Matsudaira clan
Tokugawa clan
CommandsTatebayashi Domain
Battles/warsBattle of Batogahara
Battle of Anegawa
Battle of Mikatagahara
Battle of Nagashino
Battle of Komaki and Nagakute
Siege of Odawara
Siege of Ueda

Sakakibara Yasumasa (榊原 康政, 1548 – June 19, 1606) was a Japanese daimyō of the late Sengoku period through early Edo period, who served the Tokugawa clan. As one of the Tokugawa family's foremost military commanders, he was considered one of its "Four Guardian Kings" (shitennō 四天王) along with Sakai Tadatsugu, Honda Tadakatsu and Ii Naomasa. His court title was Shikibu-Shō (式部大輔).[1]

Yasumasa was the owner of a sword named Sakakibara-Masamune, which he presented to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The sword is preserved for centuries by Matsudaira clan. However, it was destroyed during Bombing of Tokyo.[2]

Early life[edit]

The birthplace of Yasumasa Sakakibara Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture

Sakakibara Yasumasa was born in the year Tenmon-17 (1548), the second son of Sakakibara Nagamasa, in the Ueno district of Mikawa Province.[3] The Sakakibara were hereditary retainers of the Matsudaira (later Tokugawa).

The Sakakibara clan branch which Yasumasa hailed from were traditionally serve under the Sakai clan, a fudai lord under Sakai Tadanao, who in turn a vassal of the Matsudaira clan. This classified them as baishin, or "rear vassals".[4]

The young Yasumasa interacted with Matsudaira Motoyasu (later Tokugawa Ieyasu) often from a young age, and was soon appointed his page. Due to his valor at Battle of Batogahara 1564 in the suppression of the Ikkō-ikki uprising in Mikawa, he was allowed to use the "yasu" from Motoyasu's name.[3]

At this time, he unseated his brother and became head of the Sakakibara clan. There are two explanations for this. One is that his brother had been an ally of the Ikko Ikki rebels, and the other is that his brother was a retainer of Ieyasu's son Matsudaira Nobuyasu, who was implicated in what was most probably a non-existent treason plot against Oda Nobunaga.

Service under Ieyasu[edit]

Sakakibara Yasumasa's Gusoku Style Armor

In unspecified time, Yasumasa has acquired a Gusoku style armor from Mizuno Nobumoto, uncle of Ieyasu, which Yasumasa always wearing during battles under the service of Ieyasu out of respect to Nobumoto.[5] Yasumasa also own Gusoku armor with Nanban-Dō(european style armor).[6]

In Eiroku-9 (1566), at age 19, Yasumasa had his coming-of-age ritual, and soon after, he and Honda Tadakatsu were made hatamoto by Ieyasu, and each granted command of 50 cavalrymen. From that point on, they would function as Ieyasu's hatamoto unit commanders.

In 1570, Yasumasa fought at the Battle of Anegawa, He was on second division along with Honda Tadakatsu onto Asakura's left flank, surrounding Asakura Kagetake.[7]: 62–63 

Later in 1573, He battled at Battle of Mikatagahara, where he was recorded fighting along Honda Tadakatsu engaging Takeda clan general named Oyamada Masayuki, while Ishikawa Kazumasa were busy covering the retreat of Ieyasu from the battle.[8]

In 1575 Yasumasa participate in the Battle of Nagashino.

In 1579, Yasumasa was appointed to be the head of Sakakibara clan, succeeding the previous head of clan who is Yasumasa older brother, Sakakibara Kiyomasa. Kiyomasa decided to retire his position after the incident of Matsudaira Nobuyasu who ordered to commit seppuku for treason accusation.Before his ascension to lead the Sakakibara clan, historical recorded the Yasumasa only commanded very few of Samurai clan under him, with only one clan has been identified, which is the Takeo clan.[a]

In 1582, after the Honnō-ji Incident, Yasumasa and other 33 retainers of Ieyasu accompanying their lord to escape through Iga Province and return to Mikawa.[9] Later In March of the same year, According to Meishō genkō-roku record, After the fall of Takeda clan at the Battle of Tenmokuzan in 1582 and subjugated the Takeda clan territories, Ieyasu organized a kishōmon(blood oath) with many samurai clans that formerly was a vassal of Takeda clan to be assigned under the command of Tokugawa clan retainers.[10] Ieyasu Tokugawa planned to assign a largest portions of former Takeda Samurais under Ii Naomasa's command as he consulted and meeting the agreement from Sakai Tadatsugu, a senior Tokugawa clan vassal. However, Ieyasu decision garnered protest from Sakakibara Yasumasa who is going so far as threatening Naomasa. Tadatsugu immediately defending the decision of Ieyasu in response and warns Yasumasa that if he done any harm to Naomasa, he will personally slaughter the Sakakibara clan, thus caused Yasumasa heeding Tadatsugu and not further his protest.[11] Then Tokugawa decided to start assign 70 the Takeda samurais under the command of Ii Naomasa, while Yasumasa himself received the command over 11 samurais from Komai clan led by Komai Masanao, who later became Yasumasa Hatamoto..[12][13]

In 1584, when Ieyasu chose to defy Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Yasumasa Ieyasu to serve in the campaign of Komaki and Nagakute. Yasumasa suggesting to Ieyasu that the region of Komaki would be suitable for the ensuing campaign.[14] Then as a Toyotomi troops under command of Toyotomi Hidetsugu start entering the area of Komaki, Yasumasa join another Tokugawa general named Osuga Yasutaka to launch a surprise attack against unprepared Hidetsugu, where they inflicting heavy losses to Hidetsugu army. However, Yasumasa and Yasutaka advance were held back by reinforcement forces led by Hori Hidemasa, thus they retreat from the battle.[15]

On the wake of Ieyasu victory in Komaki and Nagakute, Yasumasa circulates a derogatory proclamations which condemn Hideyoshi conduct which Yasumasa view as betrayal towards the will of Oda Nobunaga and also insulting Hideyoshi origin from humble peasant class.[16] Hideyoshi were reportedly furious when hearing this and issuing order that he want to see the head of Yasumasa as present.[5]

Sakakibara Yasumasa second armor with Nanban(european) style.[6]

In 1586, according to "Sakakibara clan historical records", Ieyasu sent Yasumasa, Honda Tadakatsu, and Ii Naomasa as representatives to Kyoto, where three of them being regarded as "Tokugawa Sanketsu"(Three great nobles of Tokugawa).[17] Then in following month, the three of them joined by Sakai Tadatsugu to accompany Ieyasu in his personal trip to Kyoto, where the four of them "became famous".[17] Later, Yasumasa was given the title of "'Shikibu-shō'", when accompanying Ieyasu to Osaka to meet with Hideyoshi.[18]

In 1590, Yasumasa participated in Siege of Odawara, where he led the vanguard troops ambushing Hōjō Ujimasa forces.[19] Later, as the Tokugawa moved to the Kantō region following the campaign to pacify Odawara, he was to have a team responsible for the allocation of fiefs. In addition of the sons and son-in-laws of Sakakibara Kiyomasa as part of Yasumasa administration team, Ieyasu also transferred another Tokugawa clan officer named Otsuke to assist the team. Furthermore, Ieyasu viewed Yasumasa needed more manpowers to manage vast domains, so he transfer three of other senior retainers Nagashige Nakane, Tanemasa Harada, and Katsushige Murakami to join the administration team.[4]

In 1599, Yasumasa and Ōtani Yoshitsugu, were appointed as inspectors to mediate an incident within Ukita clan, when some of Ukita Hideie vassals inciting riots due to internal disputes between them. In the end, Yasumasa successfully reconcile the case. However, the aftermath of this incident causing many of Hideie retainers such as Sakazaki Naomori to change their allegiance into the master of Yasumasa, which is Ieyasu Tokugawa. This defections causing massive setback for the Ukita clan politically and militarily while strengthening Ieyasu.[20]

After death of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Yasumasa mobilize a Tokugawa army and marched to Seta in Ōmi Province on the orders from Ieyasu. This was meant as anticipation against any possible hostility from Ishida Mitsunari, the actual number of troops was approximately 3,000. However, Yasumasa is said to have made the daimyo appear to be leading a large army by setting up a checkpoint in Seta.[21]

In 1600, Yasumasa accompanied Tokugawa Hidetada for the march along the Nakasendō at Sekigahara campaign and received a bonus of Tatebayashi Domain worth 100,000 koku, following the Tokugawa victory at the Battle of Sekigahara.[22][1]

Shortly after his assignment in Tatebayashi, Ieyasu also assigned Yasumasa as supervisor of administration team which tasked to manage the revenue incomes of Edo domain, which have roughly 1,000,000 kokus.[23] Conrad Totman noted that after Sekigahara campaign, Ieyasu seems does not willing to include his original retainers, including Yasumasa, Honda Tadakatsu, and Ii Naomasa, in larger administration of the state. However, Harold Bolitho pointed out that this is instead their own decision to not involve themselves in administration and rather focusing in role of governing their military domains.[24] By appointed as Rōjū alongside with Ōkubo Tadachika andHonda Masazumi, Yasumasa held one of highest position in Tokugawa shogunate.[b]

Death[edit]

Yasumasa's tomb in Tatebayashi

Yasumasa himself died in 1606, at the age of 59,[3] and is buried at Zendoji Temple in Tatebayashi, where his grave still stands. His son Sakakibara Yasukatsu fought at the Osaka Campaign.

Yasumasa leave a legacy of 150,000 koku of fief in Takada Domain, Echigo Province for his inheritor of Sakakibara clan.[25]

After the death of Ieyasu, the original members of Yasumasa administration team, Nagashige Nakane, Tanemasa Harada, and Katsushige Murakami, seeking permission to leave their posts and return to serve the Tokugawa clan directly as Hatamoto. However, their request were denied by shogun Tokugawa Hidetada. Hidetada instead ordering them to keep serving the Sakakibara clan, while in exchange, each of their clans were awarded with hereditary domains with 1,000 worth of koku as appreciation for their service to the Sakakibara clan.[4]

Preceded by
none
 Daimyō of Tatebayashi
1590–1606 		Succeeded by

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Takeo clan reportedly never promoted into senior rank throughout the Edo period.[4]
  2. ^ 岡谷『名将言行録』[17]
  1. ^ a b Nussbaum, Louis Frédéric et al. (2005). "Sakakibara Yasumasa" in Japan encyclopedia, p. 811., p. 811, at Google Books; n.b., Louis-Frédéric is pseudonym of Louis-Frédéric Nussbaum, see Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Authority File Archived 2012-05-24 at archive.today.
  2. ^ Markus Sesko (2015). Masamune - His Work, His Fame and His Legacy (PB). p. 164. ISBN 9781329004139. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "「榊原康政」の解説". kotobank. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Toshikazu Komiyama (2006, p. Creation of Fudai Daimyo and the Shogunate system” (Yoshikawa Kobunkan, 2015))
  5. ^ a b 江戸幕府の功労者たちはどんな人生を送ったのか？ 徳川四天王 (in Japanese). 英和出版社. 2014. ISBN 4865450505. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Nanban (Western style) Armor". emuseum.nich.go. the Tokyo National Museum, Kyoto National Museum, Nara National Museum, Kyushu National Museum and the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  7. ^ Turnbull, Stephen (1987). Battles of the Samurai. Arms and Armour Press. p. 62. ISBN 0853688265.
  8. ^ Japan Weekly Mail. Jappan Mēru Shinbunsha. 1876. p. 576. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  9. ^ Kirino Sakuto (2001). 真説本能寺 (学研M文庫 R き 2-2) (in Japanese). 学研プラス. pp. 218–9. ISBN 4059010421. Retrieved 9 May 2024. Tadashi Ishikawa quote
  10. ^ 小宮山敏和「戦国大名家臣の徳川家臣化について　戦国大名武田家家臣を事例として」『論集きんせい』26号、2004年
  11. ^ 岡谷繁実 (1944). 名将言行録. 岩波文庫. Vol. 6巻. 岩波書店. pp. 200–91. ISBN 9784003317365.
  12. ^ 丸島, 和洋 (2015). "土屋昌恒". In 柴辻, 俊六; 平山, 優; 黒田, 基樹; 丸島, 和洋 (eds.). 武田氏家臣団人名辞典. 東京堂出版. p. 505. ISBN 9784490108606.
  13. ^ 柴辻俊六「武田家臣団の解体と徳川政権」『戦国大名領の研究』名著出版、1981年
  14. ^ Stephen Turnbull (2013). The Samurai A Military History. Taylor & Francis. pp. 162–3. ISBN 9781134243693. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  15. ^ Tetsuo Owada (2002). 豊臣秀次: 「殺生関白」の悲劇 (in Japanese). PHP 硏究所. ISBN 9784569621043. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  16. ^ Arthur Lindsay Sadler (2014). The Maker of Modern Japan The Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Taylor & Francis. p. 124. ISBN 9781136924705. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Tetsuo Nakamura; Kazuo Murayama (1991). 徳川四天王: 精強家康軍団奮闘譜 歴史群像シリーズ22号. 学研プラス. pp. 111, 125. ISBN 4051053679. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  18. ^ Kohei Murakawa (2013). 天正・文禄・慶長期、武家叙任と豊臣姓下賜の事例 (in Japanese) (80 ed.). 駒沢史学会. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  19. ^ Iida Tadahiko (1904). 野史 Volumes 19-22 (in Japanese). 吉川弘文館. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  20. ^ 大西泰正 (2010). 豊臣期の宇喜多氏と宇喜多秀家 (in Japanese). 岩田書院. p. 99. ISBN 9784872946123. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  21. ^ Kazuo Murayama (1991). 名将言行録 [meishō genkō-roku/A record of famous generals’ words and deeds]. 講談社. ISBN 4062921774. Retrieved 9 May 2024. Arai Hakuseki 藩翰譜 (clan records); Shigezane Okaya (1835-1920)
  22. ^ Traditions Volumes 1-3. 1980. p. 8. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  23. ^ Marius Jansen (1995). Warrior Rule in Japan. Cambridge University Press. p. 159. ISBN 9780521484046. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  24. ^ Harold Bolitho (1968). "Reviewed Work: Politics in The Tokugawa Bakufu, 1600-1843 by Conrad D. Totman". Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies. 28. Harvard-Yenching Institute: 216–7. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  25. ^ Marcia Yonemoto (2016). The Problem of Women in Early Modern Japan. University of California Press. p. 114. ISBN 9780520965584. Retrieved 5 May 2024.

Bibliography[edit]

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