Hirate Masahide
Encyclopedia
was a Japan
ese samurai
who served the Oda clan
for two generations. His original name was .
Masahide first served Oda Nobuhide
.
He was talented not only as a samurai but also in various arts like sado
and waka
, and this helped him to act as a skilled diplomat, dealing with Ashikaga shogunate
and deputies of the emperor
. In 1533, a well-known regent Yamashina Tokitsugu made a visit to Owari Province
, the dominion of Oda clan. Finding the superbness of the reception Masahide prepared, Tokitsugu highly praised Masahide's knowledge. Another evidence of his importance as a diplomat can be found in the fact that he paid a visit to Kyoto
to offer the cost needed to repair the Emperor's residence in the name of Nobuhide.
When Nobuhide's son Nobunaga
was born (1534), Masahide became the second highest ranking karo
as well as the tutor of the new-born heir. In 1547 Nobunaga finished his coming-of-age ceremony, and on the occasion of his first battle, Masahide served beside him. The next year, he exerted himself to establish peace between Nobuhide and his agelong rival Saitō Dōsan
of Mino Province
, and to arrange the marriage between Nobunaga and Dōsan's daughter Nōhime
. This move made it possible for the Oda clan to concentrate on the fight against Imagawa clan
.
In these ways, Masahide served the Oda family faithfully, but he was also deeply troubled by Nobunaga's eccentricity. After Nobuhide's death, discord in the clan increased and so did Masahide's concern about the future of his master. In despair, Masahide killed himself in 1553.
The suicide of Masahide is commonly known as the story of wise retainer remonstrating his young master with his own death. However this may not have been the true story. Some believe that Masahide felt responsible for Nobunaga's behavior and took responsibility with his own life. Others believe that after Nobunaga requested Masahide's son's horse and Masahide declined, Masahide faced a difficult situation. Still others think there were serious conflicts with other retainers. Nobunaga did not become less erratic after Masahide's death, but he did grieve the loss and built , a Buddhist temple dedicated to Masahide.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
who served the Oda clan
Oda clan
The was a family of Japanese daimyo who were to become an important political force in the unification of Japan in the mid-16th century. Though they had the climax of their fame under Oda Nobunaga and fell from the spotlight soon after, several branches of the family would continue on as daimyo...
for two generations. His original name was .
Masahide first served Oda Nobuhide
Oda Nobuhide
was a warlord and magistrate of lower Owari Province during the Sengoku period of Japan. His father was Oda Nobusada and Nobuhide was the father of Oda Nobunaga.-Ruling the clan:...
.
He was talented not only as a samurai but also in various arts like sado
Japanese tea ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. In Japanese, it is called . The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called...
and waka
Waka (poetry)
Waka or Yamato uta is a genre of classical Japanese verse and one of the major genres of Japanese literature...
, and this helped him to act as a skilled diplomat, dealing with Ashikaga shogunate
Ashikaga shogunate
The , also known as the , was a Japanese feudal military regime, ruled by the shoguns of the Ashikaga clan.This period is also known as the Muromachi period and gets its name from Muromachi Street of Kyoto where the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu established his residence...
and deputies of the emperor
Emperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
. In 1533, a well-known regent Yamashina Tokitsugu made a visit to Owari Province
Owari Province
was an old province of Japan that is now the western half of present day Aichi Prefecture, including much of modern Nagoya. Its abbreviation is Bishū .-History:The province was created in 646....
, the dominion of Oda clan. Finding the superbness of the reception Masahide prepared, Tokitsugu highly praised Masahide's knowledge. Another evidence of his importance as a diplomat can be found in the fact that he paid a visit to Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
to offer the cost needed to repair the Emperor's residence in the name of Nobuhide.
When Nobuhide's son Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
was born (1534), Masahide became the second highest ranking karo
KARO
KARO is a radio station licensed to serve Nyssa, Oregon, USA. The station is owned by the Educational Media Foundation.It broadcasts a Contemporary Christian music format as part of the Air 1 network.-History:...
as well as the tutor of the new-born heir. In 1547 Nobunaga finished his coming-of-age ceremony, and on the occasion of his first battle, Masahide served beside him. The next year, he exerted himself to establish peace between Nobuhide and his agelong rival Saitō Dōsan
Saito Dosan
was a daimyo who dramatically rose and also fell from power in Sengoku period Japan. He was also known as the for his ruthless tactics.-Life:Originally a wealthy merchant from Yamashiro Province , he entered the service of Nagai Nagahiro of Mino Province , assuming the name Nishimura Kankurô.He...
of Mino Province
Mino Province
, one of the old provinces of Japan, encompassed part of modern-day Gifu Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Mino Province bordered Echizen, Hida, Ise, Mikawa, Ōmi, Owari, and Shinano Provinces....
, and to arrange the marriage between Nobunaga and Dōsan's daughter Nōhime
Nohime
also Kichō or Lady Noh, was the wife of Oda Nobunaga, a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. Her proper name was Kichō, but since she came from Mino Province, she is most commonly referred to as Nōhime . She was renowned for her beauty and cleverness.Nōhime's father was the...
. This move made it possible for the Oda clan to concentrate on the fight against Imagawa clan
Imagawa clan
The was a Japanese clan that claimed descent from Emperor Seiwa . It was a branch of the Minamoto clan by the Ashikaga clan.-Origins:Ashikaga Kuniuji, grandson of Ashikaga Yoshiuji, established himself in the 13th century at Imagawa and took its name.Imagawa Norikuni received from his cousin the...
.
In these ways, Masahide served the Oda family faithfully, but he was also deeply troubled by Nobunaga's eccentricity. After Nobuhide's death, discord in the clan increased and so did Masahide's concern about the future of his master. In despair, Masahide killed himself in 1553.
The suicide of Masahide is commonly known as the story of wise retainer remonstrating his young master with his own death. However this may not have been the true story. Some believe that Masahide felt responsible for Nobunaga's behavior and took responsibility with his own life. Others believe that after Nobunaga requested Masahide's son's horse and Masahide declined, Masahide faced a difficult situation. Still others think there were serious conflicts with other retainers. Nobunaga did not become less erratic after Masahide's death, but he did grieve the loss and built , a Buddhist temple dedicated to Masahide.