Keyamura Rokusuke
Encyclopedia
was a retainer of the Japanese clan of Toyotomi following the Azuchi-Momoyama period
16th century Japan. The first vocation of Rokusuke was farming. His talents were soon discovered by Kato Kiyomasa
, and Kato hired him as a scout. He changed his name from Kida-Magobe (木田孫兵衛) to Keyamura Rokusuke when he became a samurai.
in Korea that Keyamura Rokusuke was killed by a kisaeng
named Non Gae
, though no history records show such incident. This story became popular in 1960s in Korea.
Following the second siege of Jinju
in 1593, Rokusuke was one of many victorious Japanese commanders. That same night the Japanese high command celebrated their victory in Jinju castle. Rokusuke, who was lured onto a balcony by a Korean kisaeng
called Non Gae
. After Non Gae passionately embraced Rokusuke, she toppled backward, taking Rokusuke and herself to their deaths. A shrine to Nong Gae stands on this site.
.
Azuchi-Momoyama period
The came at the end of the Warring States Period in Japan, when the political unification that preceded the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate took place. It spans the years from approximately 1573 to 1603, during which time Oda Nobunaga and his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, imposed order...
16th century Japan. The first vocation of Rokusuke was farming. His talents were soon discovered by Kato Kiyomasa
Kato Kiyomasa
was a Japanese daimyō of the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo period.-Origins and early career:Kiyomasa was born in Owari Province to Katō Kiyotada. Kiyotada's wife, Ito, was a cousin of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mother. Kiyotada died while his son was still young...
, and Kato hired him as a scout. He changed his name from Kida-Magobe (木田孫兵衛) to Keyamura Rokusuke when he became a samurai.
Non Gae
There is a well-known legendLegend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
in Korea that Keyamura Rokusuke was killed by a kisaeng
Kisaeng
Kisaeng , sometimes called ginyeo , were female Korean official prostitute or entertainers. Kisaeng are artists who work to entertain others, such as the yangbans and kings....
named Non Gae
Non Gae
Nongae was a gisaeng of Jinju in the late 16th century. She was born in Jangsu, Jeolla province.The fortress of Jinju was occupied by the Japanese during the Seven Year War, after a long battle in which Nongae's lover Choe Gyeong-hoe was slain...
, though no history records show such incident. This story became popular in 1960s in Korea.
Following the second siege of Jinju
Jinju
Jinju is a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It was the location of the first and second Sieges of Jinju by Japanese forces during the Imjin War...
in 1593, Rokusuke was one of many victorious Japanese commanders. That same night the Japanese high command celebrated their victory in Jinju castle. Rokusuke, who was lured onto a balcony by a Korean kisaeng
Kisaeng
Kisaeng , sometimes called ginyeo , were female Korean official prostitute or entertainers. Kisaeng are artists who work to entertain others, such as the yangbans and kings....
called Non Gae
Non Gae
Nongae was a gisaeng of Jinju in the late 16th century. She was born in Jangsu, Jeolla province.The fortress of Jinju was occupied by the Japanese during the Seven Year War, after a long battle in which Nongae's lover Choe Gyeong-hoe was slain...
. After Non Gae passionately embraced Rokusuke, she toppled backward, taking Rokusuke and herself to their deaths. A shrine to Nong Gae stands on this site.
Other legends
It is also known that Rokusuke was loved as a "farmer who was stronger than a samurai." Keyamura Rokusuke is portrayed as a giant in KabukiKabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
.