Takenaka Shigeharu
Takenaka Shigeharu (竹中 重治, September 27, 1544 – July 6, 1579), who was also known as Hanbei (半兵衛), was a Japanese samurai during the Sengoku period of the 16th century. Hanbei was the castle lord in command of Bodaiyama Castle.[1] He was a chief strategist and adviser of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.[1] His father was a local samurai Takenaka Shigemoto.[1]
Takenaka Shigeharu | |
|---|---|
| 竹中 重治 | |
 Takenaka Shigeharu | |
| Head of Takenaka clan | |
| In office ?–1579 | |
| Preceded by | not recorded |
| Succeeded by | Takenaka Shigekado |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 27, 1544 |
| Died | July 6, 1579 (aged 34) |
| Children | Takenaka Shigekado |
| Relatives | Takenaka Shigetoshi (cousin) |
| Nickname(s) | Hanbei (半兵衛) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Saitō clan Oda clan |
| Unit | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Takenaka clan |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Inabayama Battle of Anegawa Siege of Miki |
Military life
He initially served the Saitō clan of Mino Province, but later plotted an uprising and took over the Saitō clan's Gifu Castle.[1][2] He then directed the defense against the forces of Oda Nobunaga during the Siege of Inabayama Castle in 1567.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi was so impressed by him that he invited Shigeharu to join his forces as a strategist. Shigeharu made many contributions to Hideyoshi with his exceptional talent in that field, later joined (and succeeded) by Kuroda Yoshitaka.[1]
In 1579, He died of illness during Hideyoshi's attack against the Mōri in the Chūgoku region of Japan, while Miki Castle was being besieged.[2][1]
Descendants
Takenaka Shigekado, Shigeharu's son and successor, continued to serve Hideyoshi after his father's death.[2] At the Battle of Sekigahara, he fought on the side of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and his holdings at Bodaiyama Castle were secured. The Takenaka family thus became a family of hatamoto, and would soon move from their old castle of Bodaiyama Castle to the new castle called Takenaka Jinya(Tkenaka clan's fortified residence).[3][2] The holdings of the Takenaka included Sekigahara Village.[4]
In the mid-19th century, Shigeharu's descendant Takenaka Shigekata served as commander of the Tokugawa forces in Fushimi at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi.
Popular culture
- He is a playable character in Pokémon Conquest (Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition in Japan, with his partner Pokémon being Pikachu and Raichu.)
- He is also a playable character in Samurai Warriors 3, Samurai Warriors 4, Samurai Warriors 5, Warriors Orochi 3, and Warriors Orochi 4.
- A young female version of Takenaka Hanbei is appears in anime called The Ambition of Oda Nobuna which is a series that bring us a lot of cute female version from Sengoku Period figure.
- He appears in the Sengoku Basara anime series and game. His weapon of choice is a linked sword and darkness based attacks. In Anime, however, he contracted tuberculosis and dies after dueling with Kojuro Katakura.
- His nickname, Hanbei, is used in the video game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
- Hanbei serves as an important ally to players in the 2020 video game Nioh 2. As with history, he dies mid-game from his illness during a siege. Despite this, he continues to guide the protagonist Hide from the afterlife.
Notes
- "Takenaka Hanbei (Takenaka Shigeharu)". kotobank. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- Takenaka clan. Harimaya. Accessed October 29, 2007.
- "日本の城がわかる事典「竹中陣屋」の解説". kotobank. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- (in Japanese) 交代寄合竹中氏
External links
- Information on Iwate Castle (in Japanese)
- Information on Bodaisan Castle (in Japanese)
- Woodblock print
- Photo of Shigeharu's Grave
