Saito clan
Encyclopedia
The was a Japanese clan in Mino Province
(present-day Gifu Prefecture
) during the Sengoku period
in the 16th century. According to records, the Saitō clan descended from the Fujiwara clan. Throughout the earlier years of the Sengoku period, the Saitō clan ruled as one of the most powerful clans in Japan.
(referred to by many as a serpent) was the powerful daimyo
(feudal lord) of the whole province of Mino. One opposing daimyo, known as Oda Nobuhide
(who ruled the Oda clan
) wished to take Dōsan's land, but had much trouble doing so because he suffered from internal struggles within his own clan. Nobuhide was eventually defeated by Dōsan, leading Nobuhide to suggest an alliance between the two clans. This alliance was formed through his son, Oda Nobunaga
(one of three Unifiers of Japan later on), marrying Dōsan's daughter, Nōhime
. Throughout their alliance, they would mainly face off against the Imagawa clan
of Mikawa Province
.
. Saitō Yoshitatsu soon became very lustful for power, to the extent that he would kill both of his brothers and attempt to kill Dōsan to take the throne. This immaturity on Yoshitatsu's part was somewhat fueled by the fact that Dōsan had not liked Yoshitatsu as his favorite son, causing more jealousy amongst him. Following the year of 1556, Yoshitatsu defeated and killed Dōsan following the Battle of Nagaragawa
, effectively declaring himself the head of the Saitō clan.
during the year of 1560, Yoshitatsu himself was destined to die a year later. Following Yoshitatsu's death, Saitō Tatsuoki
took the throne as the head of the Saitō, and elaborated well on his ineptitude. Nobunaga soon took this chance of the major loss in power in the Saitō to attack them. Nobunaga started by moving his base to the province of Mino and secretly conspire with many Saitō retainers to abandon their lord. This strategy was effectively put into place following the year of 1567, when Tatsuoki suffered the loss of Inabayama Castle
(in which he was in at the time) and many of his retainers. He suffered in exile. This effectively spelled the death of the Saitō clan.
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....
(present-day Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
) during the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
in the 16th century. According to records, the Saitō clan descended from the Fujiwara clan. Throughout the earlier years of the Sengoku period, the Saitō clan ruled as one of the most powerful clans in Japan.
Clan under Dōsan
A man by the name of Saitō DōsanSaito 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...
(referred to by many as a serpent) was the powerful daimyo
Daimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
(feudal lord) of the whole province of Mino. One opposing daimyo, known as 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:...
(who ruled 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...
) wished to take Dōsan's land, but had much trouble doing so because he suffered from internal struggles within his own clan. Nobuhide was eventually defeated by Dōsan, leading Nobuhide to suggest an alliance between the two clans. This alliance was formed through his son, Oda 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...
(one of three Unifiers of Japan later on), marrying 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...
. Throughout their alliance, they would mainly face off against the 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...
of Mikawa Province
Mikawa Province
is an old province in the area that today forms the eastern half of Aichi Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Mikawa bordered on Owari, Mino, Shinano, and Tōtōmi Provinces....
.
Clan under Yoshitatsu
In 1555, Saitō Dōsan chose one of his sons to become his heir, excluding Saitō YoshitatsuSaito Yoshitatsu
was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period. He was the second generation lord of the Saitō clan.-Early life:Yoshiatsu was born in Mino Province in 1527, the eldest son of Saitō Dōsan. Some theorize that Yoshitatsu was in fact the son of Toki Yorinari, the former ruler of Mino...
. Saitō Yoshitatsu soon became very lustful for power, to the extent that he would kill both of his brothers and attempt to kill Dōsan to take the throne. This immaturity on Yoshitatsu's part was somewhat fueled by the fact that Dōsan had not liked Yoshitatsu as his favorite son, causing more jealousy amongst him. Following the year of 1556, Yoshitatsu defeated and killed Dōsan following the Battle of Nagaragawa
Battle of Nagaragawa
The was a battle that took place along the banks of the Nagara River in Mino Province in April 1556. It was a battle between Saitō Dōsan and his son, Saitō Yoshitatsu.-Background:...
, effectively declaring himself the head of the Saitō clan.
Clan under Tatsuoki
Following the death of Oda Nobuhide during the year of 1551, Nobunaga would take the seat as the head of the Oda, in which he also attempted in his assistance of Saitō Dōsan when Yoshitatsu fought at Nagara River. After the Imagawa suffered a major defeat at the Battle of OkehazamaBattle of Okehazama
The took place in June 1560. In this battle, Oda Nobunaga defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto and established himself as one of the front-running warlords in the Sengoku period.-Background:...
during the year of 1560, Yoshitatsu himself was destined to die a year later. Following Yoshitatsu's death, Saitō Tatsuoki
Saito Tatsuoki
was a daimyo in Mino Province during the Sengoku period and the third generation lord of the Saitō clan. He was a son of Saitō Yoshitatsu, and a grandson of Saitō Dōsan. He was also a nephew of Oda Nobunaga's first wife, Nōhime, herself a daughter of Saitō Dōsan....
took the throne as the head of the Saitō, and elaborated well on his ineptitude. Nobunaga soon took this chance of the major loss in power in the Saitō to attack them. Nobunaga started by moving his base to the province of Mino and secretly conspire with many Saitō retainers to abandon their lord. This strategy was effectively put into place following the year of 1567, when Tatsuoki suffered the loss of Inabayama Castle
Gifu Castle
is a castle located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Along with Mount Kinka and the Nagara River, it is one of the main symbols of the city.-History:Gifu Castle was first built by the Nikaidō clan between 1201 and 1204 during the Kamakura Period....
(in which he was in at the time) and many of his retainers. He suffered in exile. This effectively spelled the death of the Saitō clan.