Tachibana Dōsetsu

In this Japanese name, the surname is Tachibana.

Tachibana Dōsetsu
立花 道雪
Head of Tachibana clan
In office 1571–1575
Preceded by	Tachibana Akitoshi
Succeeded by	Tachibana Ginchiyo
Personal details
Born	Bungo Province, 1513
Died	Chikugo Province, 1585
Military service
Allegiance	Ōtomo clan Bekki clan
Battles/wars	Battle of Umegatake castle Battle of Kurumagaeshi Pacification of Bungo Pacification of Higo Siege of Mount Kosho castle Siege of Moji (1562) Siege of Moji (1563) Fourth Battle of Yanagigaura Siege of Mount Hōman castle Siege of Yasumimatsu castle Siege of Mount Kosho castle (1567) Battle of Yasumimatsu Siege of Tachibana castle Second siege of Tachibana castle Battle of Tatarahama (1569) Battle of Imayama Battle of Saga Castle Fukuoka campaign (1571-1583) Battle of Sawara (1582) Battle of Koganebara (1582) Siege of Konomidake Castle Bungo province reconquest Siege of Kurume Siege of Neko'o Castle

Tachibana Dōsetsu (立花 道雪, 22 April 1513 – 2 November 1585), born Betsugi Akitsura (戸次鑑連), also as Bekki Akitsura, and Bekki Dōsetsu, was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period who served the Ōtomo clan. A member of Bekki clan, He was the father of Tachibana Ginchiyo and adopted father of Tachibana Muneshige.

He was known as one of the wisest Ōtomo retainers and remembered for his anti Christianity in the Ōtomo's domain stance. Dōsetsu was counted as the Sanshuku of Ōtomo clan together with Usuki Akisumi and Yoshihiro. Akimasa.

The military career of Tachibana Dōsetsu mostly known for his roles in the Battle of Tatarahama, Ōtomo clan reconquest of Bungo Province in 1584, and the brilliant defense of Kurume city.

As a subject of mythical legends and for his personal battle prowess, Dōsetsu has earned some nicknames such as Hachiman incarnation(弓矢八幡), Thunder god's incarnation(摩利支天の化身), God of war from Kyushu(九州の軍神), or Dōsetsu the ogre(鬼道雪、).

Dōsetsu died from illness during a military at Chikugo Province in 1585. In his lifetime, he was reportedly involved in 37 military campaigns and more than 100 smaller scale of engagements, despite half of his lower body was paralyzed.

Biography

Born with a childhood name Akitsura in Yoroigatake Castle, Bungo Province, Dōsetsu hailed from Bekki clan. Dōsetsu fought his first battle leading 2,000 soldiers when he reached 14 years old, replacing gis sivkly father who has been retired from military service. In this campaign, Dōsetsu fought against the Ōuchi clan in Umegatake castle , Buzen Province, where he emerge victorious despite being outnumbered by around 3,000 mens in difference.

In August 22, 1535, Dōsetsu lead an army to pacify rebellion of Kikuchi clan in Higo Province, where he manage to suppress the rebels after the battle of Kurumagaeshi. After this battle, Dōsetsu organized 48 of his warriors to form a small elite squad which nicknamed as "Shiro-Taka" or "White Hawks" squad.

In 1546, Dōsetsu and other Ōtomo clan retainers were sent with 10,000 strong troops to suppress the first rebellion of Akizuki clan.

In 1548, Dōsetsu was recorded has experienced an incident where he was struct by lightning bolt. This incident caused his left leg to be permanently paralyzed

Military service 1553-1562 & Siege of Moji

In 1553, Dōsetsu retired from his position as head of Bekki clan at 41 old, then adopted Bekki Shigetsura, his half nephew, as foster son. Dōsetsu also immediately appoint Shigetsura as the next head of Bekki clan.

In 1554, Dōsetsu were sent to suppress several uprisings in Bungo and Higo Province which incited by Ohara Nakamoto, Honjo Shinzaemon, and Nakamura Shinbei.

In 1557, the Akizuki clan rebelled again due to their collaboration with Mōri Motonari, then Sorin responded by sending Dōsetsu and Usuki Akisumi with 2,000 soldiers to quell their rebellion. Dōsetsu besieged the Akizuki clan which led by Akizuki Kiyotane in Mount Kosho castle. In the end, Kiyotane and his son committed seppuku inside their castle.

The site of the ruined Moji castle

In the next year of 1558, Dōsetsu fought Mōri clan general named Kobayakawa Takakage in the first siege of Moji castle. In this battle, Dōsetsu were recorded has 800 of his archers to showered Kobayakama's army with arrows. As the Dōsetsu continues his siege until 1562, Dōsetsu entered the last phase of this Siege of Moji, where he enlisted the help of traders from Portuguese Empire In this battle, the Portuguese merchants assisted Dōsetsu with three ships weighted between 500-600 tons, The bombardment from the ships allowed the Ōtomo troops to establish themselves around Moji castle. However, the castle defenders manage to break the siege after the Portuguese has spent all their ammunitions and withdraw from this operation. Despite the Ōtomo forces under Dōsetsu launched another attempt besieging the castle in 10 October 1561, and they failed to subdue the castle.

In 1560, Dōsetsu, Usuki Akisumi and Yoshihiro Akimasa fought against Munakata Ujisada, the head of Munakata clan.

In 1562, Dōsetsu stormed Moji castle on October 13 and they manage to subdue the castle which defended by Reizei Mototoyo, a former Ouchi clan vassal who are 25 years old. On November 26, there was a battle all day long near Moji Castle, leaving hundreds injured and dead with unclear result.

Military service 1563-1570 & Battle of Yasumimatsu

In 1563, on the New Year's Day of 6th year of Eiroku, a large army led by Mōri Takamoto and Kobayakawa Takakage arrived to relieve Moji castle. The army of Dōsetsu and Mōri Takamoto entered standoff until intermediary envoy from Kyoto arrived and sending message from Ashikaga shogunate to both Dōsetsu and Takamoto to stop their conflict. In the same year, Dōsetsu changed his name from Akitsura into Dōsetsu. It was recorded that he changed the name to "Dōsetsu", which literally means "road's snow", as it symbolized a loyalty to not changing his way or betray his master until his death.

In 1564 July 25, the mediator from the Shogunate secured an agreement of temporary peace treaty between the Mōri clan and the Ōtomo clan. However, this truce does not last long as on March 25, Dōsetsu once again fight the Mōri clan army which led by Koremaki Yufu in The Fourth Battle of Yanagigaura.

Later in 1565, the head of Tachibana clan, Tachibana Munekatsu, rebelled against Ōtomo clan. Dōsetsu were sent to pacify this rebellion. In the end, the forces of Akitsura manage to capture Tachibanayama Castle belonging to the rebels. However, Ōtomo Sorin, the head of Ōtomo clan, choose to give pardon for Tachibana Munekatsu due to his family relationship.

In 1567, Akizuki Tanezane, a surviving son of Akizuki Kiyotane and the new Akizuki clan's head, has manage to recapture the castle of Mount. Kosho from the Ōtomo clan and made his intention clear to fight against them. In response, Sorin sent Dōsetsu, Usuki Akisumi, and Yoshihiro Akimasa with 20,000 soldiers on August 14th to punish Tanezane. The Otomo army first engaged the Akizuki clan forces at the Battle of Amamizu and Haseyama (also known as the Battle of Uryuno) on August 14th, and on the 15th, and captured Ojo, a branch castle of Yasumimatsu Castle, and causing the commander of the castle, Moromasa Sakata committed suicide.

Later in July, Otomo Sorin sent Dōsetsu to engage the Akizuki clan once again, where Dōsetsu manage to capture enemy castle in Mount Hōman. Dōsetsu was recorded being armed with a long sword in this battle.

Battle of Yasumimatsu
Date 1567, September 3th Location Around Yasumimatsu Castle in Chikuzen Province Result Akizuki clan victory
Belligerents
Ōtomo clan	Akizuki clan
Commanders and leaders
Tachibana Dōsetsu Tsuresada Totoki  † Bekki Akitaka  † Bekki Chikashige  † Bekki Chikamune  † Usuki Akisumi Yoshihiro Tatewaki  † Toshimitsu Hyōgo  † Yoshihiro Akimasa	Akizuki Tanezane Sakata Moromasa  †
Strength
20,000	12,000 4,000 during night raid
Casualties and losses
at least 400	Unknown

Dōsetsu then stationed his army around Yasumomatsu castle, in preparation to capture Mount Kosho Castle. However, the castle defended firmly and the siege dragged on. Subsequently, rumors circulated that huge Mōri clan army in Chugoku region plans to invade Ojo, which prompted the Ōtomo forces withdraw from the siege of Mount. Kosho. Later, the Ōtomo army abandon Yasumimatsu castle and began retreating in the morning of September 3th. In response, Tanezane decided to sally out to give chase against the withdrawing Ōtomo army by dividing his 12,000 troops into four groups under the command of Kankage Intosho, Sanehisa Uchida Zenbei, over 3,000 cavalry, and Ayabe Suruga no Kami, over 5,000 cavalry. Dōsetsu already anticipate this movement by leading a rearguard with 3,000 soldiers with the assistance of his lieutenants, Bekki Shigetsura, Ono Shizuyuki, and Korenobu Yufu, who each leading 500 to 600 cavalry.

During this attack, at first the assault forces of Tanezane manage to inflict losses as they killed one of Dōsetsu's most trusted general, Koretada Totoki. However, the rearguard detachment of Dōsetsu manage to reverse the situation and inflicting heavy losses to Tanezane troops, forcing them to retreat. Later in night, Tanezane once again launched assault this time with 4,000 soldiers in night raid. The unexpected night attack by the Akizuki forces threw the Otomo army into chaos, and they suffered heavy losses with the total number of casualties was over 400. throwing the latter's force into panic. Dōsetsu manage to return order on his troops and organizing retreat, however, Tanezane order his troops to pursue the fleeing Dōsetsu furter, as they continued to pursue them as far as Chikugo Yamakuma Castle, forcing the Otomo army to suffer even more casualties. Many of Dōsetsu'S clansmen has been killed in this battle, such as Bekki Akitaka, Bekki Chikashige, Bekki Chikamune.

In 1568, Mōri Motonari sent his army under the lead of Shimizu Munenori to besiege the Tachibanayama castle. Dōsetsu army successfully defended the castle. In this battle, four of Dōsetsu vassals, Tsuresada Totoki, Takano Daizen, Yufu Yoshinobu, and Ando Ietada, gained fame in the battle, and later given nickname as Dōsetsu-Shitennō(Four heavenly kings of Dōsetsu). The invasion of Mōri also involved Tachibana Munekatsu, the head of Tachibana clan, who has now betrayed the Ōtomo clan for the second time.

Later in same year, Dōsetsu besiege Tachibana castle, which defended by Tachibana Munekatsu. However, one of Munekatsu vassal defected into Dōsetsu rank, and in the end, the castle of Tachibanayama were fallen to the Ōtomo army. In the end, Munekatsu were executed, and the office of Tachibana clan were postponed from Munekatsu's heir, Tachibana Shinzen, before later in 1571, Sorin instead give the office of Tachibana clan to Dōsetsu. On November 25, Dōsetsu entered Chikugo Akashi Castle and married Hitoshihime, the daughter of Monchūsho Akitoyo, an Otomo vassal.。

In 1569, Dōsetsu involved in failed defense Siege of Tachibana castle, where the enemy forces under Mōri Motonari beat Dosetsu forces with the use of extensive use of cannons. Later in the same year, Dōsetsu personally led the Otomo forces against the Mōri clan in Tatara area (located in modern day Higashi-ku, Fukuoka), where they engaged in at least four battles which ended in deadlocks.

Hakata Bay, where Dōsetsu fought the Mōri clan army at the Battle of Tatarahama

In May 18, after several engagements at the Battle of Tatarahama, the Ōtomo army led by Dōsetsu, Usuki Akisumi, and Yoshihiro Akimasa clashed against 40,000 soldiers under Kikkawa Motoharu and Kobayakawa Takakage. During the fierce battle between the two sides, Dōsetsu lead the charge into the enemy formation and killed more than ten enemies and manage to beat the vanguard of Motoharu which led by Yoshikawa Motoharu's vanguard led by Nobuki Narazaki. Then, Yoshikawa Motoharu used iron cannons to counterattack. The situation were described as dire for Ōtomo side before Dōsetsu charging towards the gap in a formation of Takakage army, allowing other Dōsetsu generals to reorganize themselves and rearranging their artillery. Dōsetsu rode his horse and charging forward unto the enemy camp while drawing his sword.The army of Motoharu and Takakage unable to resist and was pushed back.

Following the battle of Tatatahama, there are about 18 more clashes in the area from 21–26 May, between Dōsetsu and the Mōri army with undetermined results.

In April 23, 1570, Dōsetsu fought the forces Ryūzōji Takanobu and Nabeshima Naoshige in battle of Imayama. in this engagement, Dōsetsu were recorded riding palanquin for the first time to support his disabled left leg during battle. After this battle, Dōsetsu advanced further to engage the Ryūzōji army on the eastern flank of Saga Castle, until september after Dōsetsu manage to negotiate truce with Ryūzōji Takanobu. However, this campaign by Ōtomo forces were considered catastrophic defeat due to massive casualties they suffered and failure to complete their objectives, which ended in August 20.

Military service 1571-1579 & defense of Chikuzen

Stone wall of Tachibana Castle Ruins.

In 1571, Dōsetsu appointed as the official head of Tachibana clan, and changed his name, becoming Tachibana Dōsetsu. As he became an authority who responsible for the Tachibanayama Castle, Dōsetsu were tasked to maintain the defense of the Bungo's northwestern reaches.. However, as Dōsetsu now appointed in Tachibana castle, the Bekki clan were split into two, as there are some who wants to remain in Bekki clan's traditional domain, Fujikita, while other vassals of Bekki clan like Andō Ietada choose to follow Dōsetsu into Tachibana.

On the same year, Dōsetsu take Munakata Irohime, sister of his old enemy, Munakata Ujisada, as concubine. At that year, Dōsetsu were 59 years old, while Irohime was 25 years old This was considered as reconciliation political marriage between the Munakata clan and the Ōtomo clan.

Later in 1575, Dōsetsu manage to secure authorization from Ōtomo Sorin to appoint his sole daughter, Tachibana Ginchiyo, as the inheritor for the next head of Tachibana clan. After Sorin gave him permission, Dōsetsu immediately retire as head of Tachibana clan and appoint Ginchiyo, who at that time still 7 years old, a head of Tachibana clan. Dōsetsu also resigned from the position of Karō (senior official) of the Ōtomo clan, and assuming more active role in the military command of Chikuzen province.

In 1578, Dōsetsu and Takahashi Shigetane led a military operation in Tsukushi, where they pacified Iwaya castle in Chikuzen, until they stopped at Shibata river. Later in the same year, after the disastrous defeat of Otomo clan in the Battle of Mimigawa at the hand of Shimazu clan. the Ōtomo clan suffered massive defections from their vassals, although Dōsetsu stayed loyal to the Ōtomo clan. However, the Tachibana castle which located at the frontier of Ōtomo clan territories now became vulnerable against enemy aggressions. In December 11 to 13 of the 1578, Ryuzoji Takanobu working together with Tsukushi Hirokado and Akizuki Tanezane to invade Chikuzen, while Dōsetsu and his army working hard to defend those territories.

Map of Japanese provinces (1868) with Chikuzen Province highlighted

In 1579 of mid January, Dōsetsu participated in the second Ōtomo invasion of Tsukushi province and Dazaifu town against the Akizuki clan, forcing Akizuki Tanezane to abandon his siege of Takatoriyama Castle. After that, Dōsetsu besiege the Iwaya castle for the second time.

In March, Dōsetsu besiege the Iwaya castle for the third time subsequently with some clashes against the forces of Akizuki Tanezane. Following that, Dōsetsu engaged against Akizuki clan forces in the battle of Yatake, Chikuzen province.

Later in April 18, Dōsetsu rescued an Ōtomo clan general named Shiga Chikamori from the pursuit of Akizuki Tanezane by tricking the latter with some deceptions. Tanezane then withdrawn his army as he believed the ruse. Later, in July 12-18th, Dōsetsu defeated Harada Nobutane in the Battle of Namamatsuhara. In July 27, Dōsetsu repelled a joint attack from Tanezane and Nobutane.

From August 18 until early September, Dōsetsu engaged in three separate battles against the armies of Harada Nobutane, Munakata Ujisada, and Sugi clan respectively, in Tatarahama, Hakozaki, and adjacent of Agematsu Castle.

In September, Dōsetsu and other Ōtomo generals fought in five separate battles against allied forces of Akizuki, Ryuzoji, Munakata and Harada clans, spanning in several places such as Arahei castle, Ikeda castle, and Kosoyama Castle.

In November 15 until December 29, Dōsetsu involved in five engagements against Akizuki clan and their allies such as Tsukushi Hirokado and the Harada clan.

Military service 1580-1584

In 1580, Dōsetsu wrote a letter to 13 senior retainers of Ōtomo Yoshimune, heir to Sorin. In that letter, Dōsetsu condemning spread of christianity in the territories of Ōtomo clan.

Later in February 2, Dōsetsu fought the forces of Ryuzoji clan in Sawara, Chiba.

in May, he manage to capture a castle in Chikuzen from Munakata Ujisada. in September 10 Dōsetsu clashed against Ujisada in Yoshikawa area of Fukuoka. followed by the second Battle at Kama-Honami, Battle of Mount Ishigaki, and Battle of Yagiyama Ishizaka in October.

In November 3 until December, Dōsetsu fought against the forces of Akizuki Tanezane and Munakata Ujisada respectively.

Tachibana Muneshige, Dōsetsu's son-in-law and future head of Tachibana clan

Next year in 1581, Dōsetsu participated in the several engagements across against Akizuki Tanezane. First, Dōsetsu fought against Tanezane and Ujisada in the battle of Koganebara, which was recorded in history as the largest military engagement ever happened in Kurate until at that time. In this battle, Dōsetsu has inflicted a crushing defeat on his enemies, which left the territories under the control of Ujisada vulnerable to the further incursions by Dōsetsu army. Later, Dōsetsu fought against Tanezane again in Shimizuhara, and Takatori castle.

In July 27, Dōsetsu and Shigetane Shigetane fought against Tsukushi Hirokado and Akizuki Tanezane in the second battle of Dazaifu Kanzeon-ji. It is in this battle that, Takahashi Munetora, who will be known as Tachibana Muneshige, saw his first notable action. Contemporary Italian jesuit Alessandro Valignano has recorded that Muneshige was adopted as son by Dōsetsu and inheriting the Tachibana clan. Then, as he secure the adoption, Dōsetsu immediately changed the lordships of Tachibana clan from his daughter, Ginchiyo, to Muneshige.

In 1582 of February 10, Dōsetsu fought the Harada clan forces in the Fifth battle of Ima Matsubara. Later in March 16, he fought in the battle of mount Konomi against Ujisada forces. In April 16, Dōsetsu and Tachibana Muneshige besiege a castle under the control Nobutane. At first, Dōsetsu brought 1,000 of his soldiers crossing the Naka river in the morning, then he divide them into two groups before storming the castle and forcing the defenders to abandon the castle, allowing Dōsetsu to claim the Iwato castle.

In October 2, Dōsetsu send his retainer, Yoshida Rensama to assist Shigetane in recapturing Yonenoyama Castle from the Akizuki clan. It was recorded that 200 soldiers of Akizuki clan has been slain during this battle.

In November 12, Dōsetsu was tasked to govern the town of Takatori by Mori Shizuma, an Ōtomo clan vassal. In the following day, as Dōsetsu were on the way Transported military supplies to Nōgata, they were ambushed by Munakata Ujisada's army at Miyawaka. As Dōsetsu forces fought back the ambush, the manage to repulse Ujisada forces although they also suffered many losses. In the following day of November 14, Dōsetsu once again clashed against Ujisada forces, followed with the next day Dōsetsu hastily marched his army to capture Miyaji town at Fukutsu, Fukuoka, while Ujisada still occupied with defending Kōbitake Castle.

The last military engagement Dōsetsu involved in 1582 was occured in December 22, where Dōsetsu, Shigetane, and Muneshige fought against Ujisada.

In 1583, Dōsetsu and Shigetane spent their time from January to February fought the Tsukushi clan in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka. Later, from February to April, Dōsetsu manage to repel the repeated attacks by Tsukushi Hirokado. In April 23, Dōsetsu and Shigetane stormed the Konomidake Castle which defended by Ujisada, causing the latter to fled into Hakusan Castle.

Bungo province reconquest

in 1584, After Ryūzōji Takanobu killed at the Battle of Okitanawate, the Ōtomo clan take their chance to launch reconquest expedition of Ryūzōji territories which formerly belong to the Ōtomo in March by invading Bungo Province. However, they were unable to subdue Chikugo Neko'o Castle which defended by Kuroki Ienaga. This prompted Yoshimune to request assistance to Dōsetsu and Shigetane On August 18 who responded by mobilize their army of 5,000 soldiers, crossing the mountainous and difficult terrain of the Chikugo River, Minou Mountains, Kujukujiri, and Takatori mountain. progressively, the forces of Dōsetsu and Shigetane marches on while beating the Tsukushi clan and Akizuki clan forces. The next opponent Dōsetsu and Shigetane facing was the Kusano Clan and the Hoshino clan, which Dōsetsu and Shigetane beat at the chain of engagements in Tanushimaru Town, Katase, Eritoguchi and Ishigaki, spanning 60 kilometer of from their starting point. On the 20th, Dōsetsu appointed his vassal, Ujibe Tsubakihara to led the assault against Takamure Castle, which surrendered in August 24.

Defense of Kurume 1585

Siege of Kurume
Location of Kurume, where the anti-Ōtomo forces besiege the town
Date 1585 Location Kurume, Chikugo Province, Kyushu island Result Ōtomo clan victory, siege failed
Belligerents
Ōtomo clan	Anti Ōtomo alliance Ryūzōji clan Akizuki clan Tsukushi clan Nabeshima clan Samurai clans from Hizen, Chikuzen, Chikugo, and Buzen
Commanders and leaders
Tachibana Dōsetsu Takahashi Shigetane	Ryūzōji Ieharu Kusano Chin'ei Nabeshima Naoshige Tsukushi Hirokado Ki Shigefusa Nagano Sukemori Goto Ienobu
Strength
9,800	30,000
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

In 1585, Dōsetsu were involved in a defense against anti Ōtomo alliance massive invasion which led by Ryūzōji Ieharu. This alliance has involved many Ōtomo enemies such as Kusano Chin'ei, Nabeshima Naoshige, Tsukushi Hirokado, Ki Shigefusa (also known as Utsunomiya Chinfusa), Nagano Sukemori, and Goto Ienobu. This alliance were further augmented by Samurai clans from Hizen, Chikuzen, Chikugo, and Buzen, so that they all add up to 30,000 soldiers in strength, while Dōsetsu and Takahashi Shigetane had only 9,800 soldiers under their commands. The alliance has begun their attacks towards Kurume town.

Dōsetsu and Shigetane manage to score a series of war victories over the numerically superior allied focers with combinations brilliant maneuvers and tactics in three separate battles:

1. At first, in April 8, Dōsetsu and Shigetane launched assault to Yanagawa, destroying an enemy troops and manage to capture enemy generals such as Ryuzouji Shinsuke, Then they followed in action by burn down Yanagawa and returned to the coast of Takao. Then later the Otomo forces splitting the 9,800 soldiers into two groups.
2. Later, Dōsetsu and Shigetane camped at Takara mountain, before they once again mobilize their army in April 18 storming Hatsushin castle and capturing it. Dōsetsu and Shigetane manage to repulse the Ryūzōji clan reinforcements which sent to help Hatsushin castle.
3. In the final phase of this series of engagements around the vicinity of Kurume town, the anti-Ōtomo forces were beaten back with losses after Dōsetsu and Shigetane fought bitterly defending their position.

In April 23, Ieharu and Hirokado commit their reserves of remaining 16,000 troops and dividing their forces into five sections besieging Kurume. Dōsetsu and Shigetane engaged the allied forces with the combination of skillful artillery salvos, defensive formation tactics, and timely counterattacks, which in the end caused the allied siege collapsed.

Death

During the siege of Neko'o Castle, Chikugo Province in 1585, Dōsetsu fell ill, then as his condition worsened, and felt he was about to died, Dōsetsu told his retainers to put his body in armor and bury it on Mt. Kora facing Yanagawa Castle. Thus he was passed in September 11 at the age of 73. However, as Takahashi Shigetane and Tachibana Muneshige fearing that the enemy will desecrate Dōsetsu body if they retreat, they did not fulfill his wishes and instead brought his corpse along with them on their retreat. Until his death, Dōsetsu were recorded has fought in 37 campaign and more than 100 minor engagements while about half of his body was paralyzed.

Personal info

Dōsetsu Was known for his loyalty to the Ōtomo clan. however, he does not afraid to speak out his mind to criticize his lord. When In 1578 Ōtomo Sorin planned to subjugate the Shimazu clan in southern Kyushu. Dōsetsu firmly opposed this policy. Later, when indeed Sorin was crushed by the Shimazu clan at the Battle of Mimigawa, Dōsetsu immediately harshly criticize Sorin. However, although the aftermath of this crushing defeat causing many of their vassals to lose confidence with the Ōtomo clan and defected, Dōsetsu staying loyal to the Ōtomo and keep defending Ōtomo clan. At one occasion, Dōsetsu even killed a monkey pet of Sorin with Japanese war fan, as he saw Sorin were too indulged with party and playing with his pet.

Dōsetsu also notoriously known as ruthless disciplinarian. During the campaign against the Ryuzoji clan at Chikuzen Kawarasaki , he learned that some of his soldiers had left the camp without permission and returned to their homes. Dōsetsu immediately dispatched his soldiers and ordered them to execute not only those deserting soldiers who had returned home, but also their parents. Despite the urging of other senior military officers to not kill those soldier's parents, Dōsetsu insisted as he viewed the parents are equally guilty.

Dōsetsu was said to possess a "strength that above any ordinary men" and has mastered a particular sword style which were named as tachiuchi ni myō o etaru (the art of slashing in all-direction). According to the chronicle of Bekkidōsetsu Jō-jō” “Bekki gundan, Dōsetsu manage to personally kill 3 of Mōri clan general, namely Motonori Akagawa, Motochika Katsura, and Motoyo Reisen during the battle in Yanagiura In 1562 in october 13th. Meanwhile another records from Bekki Gundan and Kyūshū shoshō gunki has stated that in 1567, Dōsetsu personally killed two of enemy warriors namely Katsura Motochika and Akagawa Motonori. In the following days of 14th, during the battle of Yasumimatsu, Dōsetsu also reportedly has cut down seven enemy warriors and personally charging into enemy camp while on horseback. From then on he got a nickname 'Oni-Dōsetsu'. During a battle against Mori clan in 1569, Dōsetsu killed at least ten of the enemy warriors personally.

It was said that Dōsetsu were respected and admired even by his enemies. Nabeshima Naoshige reportedly shed his after hearing the death of Dōsetsu, while Ryūzōji Takanobu once praised Dōsetsu as "a best military figure in his time who are a lover of martial arts and literatures.".

Meanwhile, his contemporary, the famous daimyo of Kai Province, Takeda Shingen, reportedly has heard the reputation of Dōsetsu, and once saying that Shingen said he "would like to fight Dōsetsu in a battle and test his fighting skills" although Shingen lamented that the distance between his territory with Dōsetsu were too far apart.

Weaponry & armory

According a folklore, while Dōsetsu still a young man, he was taking shelter under a tree, as it was raining. Suddenly, a lightning bot struck him. However, Dōsetsu unsheath his Chidori sword to cut the Thunder God inside the lightning bolt, allowing him to survive. After this incident, he renamed his 'Chidori' to 'Raikiri'.

Aside from Raikiri, Dōsetsu also possessed a 85 cm katana sword of made of Bizen Kiyomitsu origin.

A Yari (Japanese spear) belongs Dōsetsu also preserfed in Tachibana museum of Yanagawa city. It was reported Dōsetsu used this spear to fight during a battle of Mount Tachibana valley in July 4 of 1568, when he fought against Tachibana Akitoshi, former head of Tachibana clan who rebelled against Ōtomo clan.

Tachibana museum also preserved a Naginata polearm which were dated from 1553 which belongs to Tachibana clan. Its Blade length 65.0 cm while its Curvature is 2.1 cm. This Naginata were said as one of Naginata which carried by 100 soldiers whose escorting Dōsetsu carriage during battles.

Warfare

Tachibana Dōsetsu reportedly always praying in this Rokusho Shrine before going to war

As a military commander, Dōsetsu were recorded to participate in fighting melee combats during his wars, despite being suffering from paralysis in his left leg due to an accident at certain point during his life, which forcing him to ride a carriage which carried by his followers even during battles. He also said to keep his personal arquebusTanegashima gun on the side of his carriage there are about 100 soldiers surrounding his carriage to escort Dōsetsu in battles. Dōsetsu was said to command the soldiers who carried him to take him along with his carriage to charge into enemy ranks during battles.

The military regime under Dōsetsu command has developed many miscellanous posts which was unique to his clan. Those units were usually named with extravagant sobriquet such as "Tachibana's clan four heavenly kings" (Shitennō), "48 Dōsetsu's White hawk warriors" (Shirotaka), or "Dōsetsu's two great kings" (no niō) This positions usually consisted of the most elite and trusted retainers of both Bekki clan and Tachibana clan. However, the membership of this units also changed many times during Dōsetsu lifetime. as example, the 48 White hawk Warriors usually recruit new members to replace old members who has retired or killed in a battle to sustain their numbers. Meanwhile, to help him maintain the administrations, Dōsetsu has appointed 7 of hist most senior retainers as Karō.

Dōsetsu also known as avid reader of military strategy principles from the book of Sun Tzu treatise of The Art of War。Later, in a Ōtomo military campaign together with Takahashi Shigetane, Dōsetsu fought using the hōen formation, which included six ranks of arquebusiers and two ranks of bows to fend off attacks. In this battle, Shigetane used a defensive formation which named as kōyaku formation.

Dōsetsu also known for his innovation in gunpowder warfare, as according to one record, Dōsetsu once conducted experiments on complex movements of iron cannons before firing, where he invented a method of mixing ammunition and projectiles for one shot and putting them into special bamboo tubes. This technique were rumored causing the artillery gunners of Tachibana clan could fire salvo of their cannons three times faster than regular contemoporary artillery gunners. This technique were reportedly used by Tachibana Muneshige during the Siege of Ōtsu in 1600. This technique were named hayagō.

In popular culture

18th century Japanese philosopher Miura Baien has wrote an elegy that praising Tachibana Dōsetsu for his wisdom, courage, and honor.

Tachibana Dōsetsu were depicted in Japanese semi-historical novel Honō no gunsen Tachibana Dōsetsu authored by Nishizu Hiromi.

In the popular anime series Naruto, there are techniques named “Chidori” and “Raikiri”. To reference the story of Dōsetsu, a major character named Kakashi Hatake uses one of these techniques to cut a bolt of lightning in half.

In the anime series Katana Maidens, Chidori is the sword used by the main character, Eto Kanami.

Tachibana appears in the video game Samurai Warriors 2: Empires as a generic officer.

Tachibana is mentioned in the description of the Raikiri, which is usable in the fantasy RPG Nioh.

See also

• Shigashi

Appendix

Bibliography

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• 中野等、穴井綾香 (2012). 柳川市史編集委員会 (ed.). 柳川の歴史4・近世大名立花家.
• Nakano Anai (2012). 中野等、穴井綾香 著、柳川市史編集委員会 編『柳川の歴史4 (in Japanese). 柳川市. p. 21~2. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
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• Kuwata Kazuaki (2016). 戦国時代の筑前国宗像氏 [Munakata clan of Chikuzen Province during the Sengoku period]. 図書出版 花乱社. ISBN 978-4-905327-60-8. Retrieved 17 April 2024.

External biography

• 立花家十七代が語る立花宗茂と柳川
• 戦国戸次氏年表
• 井樓纂聞 梅岳公遺事