Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen
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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...
. These Twenty-Four were the most trusted commanders of the armies of Takeda Shingen
Takeda Shingen
, of Kai Province, was a preeminent daimyo in feudal Japan with exceptional military prestige in the late stage of the Sengoku period.-Name:Shingen was called "Tarō" or "Katsuchiyo" during his childhood...
. A third of them died at the famous Battle of Nagashino
Battle of Nagashino
The ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force...
in 1575 when they led the Takeda forces against 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...
.
The Twenty-Four Generals
- Akiyama NobutomoAkiyama Nobutomowas a samurai during the Age of Warring States in Japan. He was a retainer in the service of the Takeda family who served as one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen. Nobutomo also served under Shingen's son, Takeda Katsuyori.-Early career:...
- involved in invasion of Shinano ProvinceShinano Provinceor is an old province of Japan that is now present day Nagano Prefecture.Shinano bordered on Echigo, Etchū, Hida, Kai, Kōzuke, Mikawa, Mino, Musashi, Suruga, and Tōtōmi Provinces...
and Takeda's second in command, he was one of the few outside Takeda's direct control, because he disliked being under authority. - Amari TorayasuAmari Torayasuwas a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, and served the Takeda clan under Takeda Nobutora and Shingen. Amari was a shukurō, or clan elder, following Shingen's accession to family headship and was one of Takeda Shingen's twenty-four generals. He was killed in action at the battle of Uedahara in...
- d. Battle of UedaharaBattle of UedaharaThe was the first defeat suffered by Takeda Shingen, and the first field battle in Japan at which firearms were used.Takeda Shingen met up with his force that had taken Shika castle, and led 7000 men north to face the threat posed by Murakami Yoshikiyo...
1548 - Anayama NobukimiAnayama Nobukimi, also known as Baisetsu Nobukimi, was a Japanese samurai. He was the son of Anayama Nobutomo and a nephew of Takeda Shingen. He became famous as one the Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen....
- following MikatagaharaBattle of MikatagaharaThe ' was one of the most famous battles of Takeda Shingen's campaigns, and one of the best demonstrations of his cavalry-based tactics.-Background:...
and NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force...
, allied with Tokugawa IeyasuTokugawa Ieyasuwas the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
and aided in defeat of Takeda KatsuyoriTakeda Katsuyoriwas a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku Period, who was famed as the head of the Takeda clan and the successor to the legendary warlord Takeda Shingen. He was the son of Shingen by the , the daughter of Suwa Yorishige... - Baba NobuharuBaba Nobuharu, also known as ', was a samurai of Japan's Sengoku period and one of Takeda Shingen's so-called "Twenty-Four Generals"; they were his most trusted commanders. Baba fought at the battles of Mikatagahara and Nagashino, where he led the vanguard of Takeda Katsuyori's right-wing.When Takeda Shingen...
- fought at MikatagaharaBattle of MikatagaharaThe ' was one of the most famous battles of Takeda Shingen's campaigns, and one of the best demonstrations of his cavalry-based tactics.-Background:...
and commanded vanguard of the right wing of Takeda army at NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force...
, where he died. - Hara MasataneHara Masatanewas a senior retainer of the Takeda clan during the late Sengoku period of Japanese history. Masatane was a relative of Hara Toratane, though from a different branch of the family, and was also a skilled commander. He was present at the Battle of Mimasetoge and was killed in the forefront of the...
- d. Battle of NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force...
1575 - Hara TorataneHara Toratane' was a senior retainer of the Takeda clan during the late Sengoku period of Japanese history. He is known for being one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen....
- Ichijō NobutatsuIchijo Nobutatsuwas a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, who was the younger brother of Takeda Shingen, the ruler of Kai Province. He is known for being one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen....
- younger brother to Shingen, fought at NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force... - Itagaki NobukataItagaki Nobukatawas a retainer of the Takeda family. His name is also seen with different kanji as 信形.Nobukata served under both Takeda Nobutora and Takeda Shingen and also was tasked with young Shingen...
- d. Battle of UedaharaBattle of UedaharaThe was the first defeat suffered by Takeda Shingen, and the first field battle in Japan at which firearms were used.Takeda Shingen met up with his force that had taken Shika castle, and led 7000 men north to face the threat posed by Murakami Yoshikiyo...
1548 - Kōsaka Danjō MasanobuKosaka Masanobualso known as was one of Takeda Shingen's most loyal retainers, and one of his "Twenty-Four Generals" during the Sengoku period of Japan. He is often credited as the original author of Kōyō Gunkan, which records the history of the Takeda family and their military tactics...
- played a major role in the fourth battle of KawanakajimaBattles of KawanakajimaThe ' were fought in the Sengoku Period of Japan between Takeda Shingen of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province in the plain of Kawanakajima, in the north of Shinano Province. The location is in the southern part of the present-day city of Nagano.The five major battles took place in...
, but was not present at NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force... - Naitō MasatoyoNaito Masatoyo' also known as was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. As one of Takeda Shingen's most reliable generals, he fought in many of the Takeda clan's battles. Masatoyo was the second son of Takeda Nobutora's senior retainer, Kudō Toratoyo. He was first called Kudō Sukenaga...
- Obata ToramoriObata Toramoriwas a retainer of the Takeda clan throughout the latter Sengoku Period of Feudal Japan. He was one of Takeda Shingen's 'Twenty-four Generals', his most trusted commanders. He was the father of Obata Masamori.-References:...
- d. 1561, is recorded as having been wounded 40 times in 30 encounters - Obata MasamoriObata MasamoriObata Masamori , also known as Obata Nobusada, was one of Takeda Shingen's 'Twenty-four Generals', his most trusted commanders. He was the son of Obata Toramori, and came from western Kozuke province. He fled Kozuke and joined the Takeda around 1560...
- led the largest contingent (500 cavalry in the center company) at NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force... - Obu ToramasaObu Toramasa, known as the "Wild Tiger of Kai", was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, who served the Takeda clan. He was the tutor of Takeda Shingen's younger brother Takeda Nobushige. He later betrayed Shingen with Shingen's eldest child, the rebellious Takeda Yoshinobu. A historically accurate...
- Oyamada NobushigeOyamada Nobushigewas a Japanese samurai general in the Takeda army under Takeda Shingen, and later under Takeda Katsuyori. He was considered one of the "Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen", the clan's greatest commanders...
- fought at KawanakajimaBattles of KawanakajimaThe ' were fought in the Sengoku Period of Japan between Takeda Shingen of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province in the plain of Kawanakajima, in the north of Shinano Province. The location is in the southern part of the present-day city of Nagano.The five major battles took place in...
, MikatagaharaBattle of MikatagaharaThe ' was one of the most famous battles of Takeda Shingen's campaigns, and one of the best demonstrations of his cavalry-based tactics.-Background:...
, and NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force... - Saigusa Moritomo - d. NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force...
1575 - Sanada YukitakaSanada Yukitakawas a daimyō of Shinano Province who became one of Takeda Shingen's 'Twenty-four Generals' , submitting to become Takeda's vassal after a long and difficult struggle against him....
- daimyōDaimyois 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...
of Shinano ProvinceShinano Provinceor is an old province of Japan that is now present day Nagano Prefecture.Shinano bordered on Echigo, Etchū, Hida, Kai, Kōzuke, Mikawa, Mino, Musashi, Suruga, and Tōtōmi Provinces...
who submitted to Shingen - Sanada NobutsunaSanada Nobutsunawas a 16th century Japanese samurai who served the Takeda clan. He was born in Matsuo castle and was the eldest son of Sanada Yukitaka, a castle lord in Shinano Province who, by the time of his son's coming-of-age, had pledged his loyalty to the Takeda...
- d. NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force...
1575 - Tada MitsuyoriTada Mitsuyoriwas a Japanese Sengoku period samurai. He first served under the daimyo Takeda Nobutora, but later on served under Takeda Shingen, Nobutora's son. Mitsuyori was a native of the Mino Province....
- Takeda NobushigeTakeda Nobushigewas a samurai of Japan's Sengoku period, and younger brother of Takeda Shingen. Takeda Nobushige held the favor of their father, and was meant to inherit the Takeda lands, wealth and power, becoming head of the clan. However, Shingen rebelled against their father and seized the lands and power for...
- younger brother to Shingen, d. fourth battle of KawanakajimaBattles of KawanakajimaThe ' were fought in the Sengoku Period of Japan between Takeda Shingen of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province in the plain of Kawanakajima, in the north of Shinano Province. The location is in the southern part of the present-day city of Nagano.The five major battles took place in...
1561 - Takeda NobukadoTakeda Nobukadowas a samurai commander of the late Sengoku period of Japanese history. He was a brother of Takeda Shingen, and one of his 'Twenty-Four Generals'. Nobukado commanded the Takeda central company in the Battle of Nagashino, as an adviser under Katsuyori....
- brother to Shingen, d. 1575 - Tsuchiya MasatsuguTsuchiya Masatsuguwas a senior retainer beneath the clan of Takeda throughout the late Sengoku period of Feudal Japan....
- fought at MikatagaharaBattle of MikatagaharaThe ' was one of the most famous battles of Takeda Shingen's campaigns, and one of the best demonstrations of his cavalry-based tactics.-Background:...
, d. NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force...
1575; his sons followed Takeda KatsuyoriTakeda Katsuyoriwas a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku Period, who was famed as the head of the Takeda clan and the successor to the legendary warlord Takeda Shingen. He was the son of Shingen by the , the daughter of Suwa Yorishige...
until his death at TemmokuzanBattle of TemmokuzanThe 1582 in Japan, also known as the Battle of Toriibata, is regarded as the last stand of the Takeda family. This was the final attempt by Takeda Katsuyori to resist the combined forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga, who had been campaigning against him for some time.In his bid to hide from...
in 1582 - Yamagata MasakageYamagata Masakagewas one of the 24 generals of the Takeda clan. He was famous for his red armour and skill in battlefield, and was a personal friend of Takeda Shingen. He was the younger brother of Obu Toramasa who was also a retainer of Shingen leading the famous "red fire unit"...
- fought at MikatagaharaBattle of MikatagaharaThe ' was one of the most famous battles of Takeda Shingen's campaigns, and one of the best demonstrations of his cavalry-based tactics.-Background:...
and YoshidaSiege of YoshidaThe 1575 siege of Yoshida was undertaken by Takeda Katsuyori against the forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu. This would be one of many battles fought by the Tokugawa and Takeda samurai clans during Japan's Sengoku period ....
, d. NagashinoBattle of NagashinoThe ' took place in 1575 near Nagashino Castle on the plain of Shitaragahara in the Mikawa province of Japan. Forces under Takeda Katsuyori had besieged the castle since the 17th of June; Okudaira Sadamasa , a Tokugawa vassal, commanded the defending force...
1575 - Yamamoto KansukeYamamoto Kansukewas a Japanese samurai of the 16th century who was one of Takeda Shingen's most trusted Twenty-Four Generals. Also known by his formal name, Haruyuki . He was a brilliant strategist, and is particularly known for his plan which led to victory in the fourth battle of Kawanakajima against Uesugi...
- strategist of fourth battle of KawanakajimaBattles of KawanakajimaThe ' were fought in the Sengoku Period of Japan between Takeda Shingen of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province in the plain of Kawanakajima, in the north of Shinano Province. The location is in the southern part of the present-day city of Nagano.The five major battles took place in...
, died in that battle - Yokota TakatoshiYokota Takatoshiwas a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period who served the Takeda clan. During the siege of Toishi castle he suffered many wounds and was killed in battle.- References :* Stephen Turnbull. Ashigaru 1467-1649....
- d. Siege of Toishi 1550