Shimazu Yoshihiro

A military commander from the Sengoku period to the early Edo period. Born on July 23, 4th year of Tenbun. His father was Shimazu Takahisa, the younger brother of Yoshihisa. In 1554 (Tenbun 23), he made his military debut in a battle against the Gamo clan, and was made the guard of Iwatsurugi Castle in Osumi, followed by guarding castles on the front lines at Obi Castle in Hyuga and Iino Castle. He was active in the siege of Sannoyama Castle, Magoshi Castle, the Battle of Honchibaru, and the Battle of Kizakibaru in 1572 (Genki 3), and in the Kyushu Conquest Battle, he annihilated the Otomo forces at Taka Castle (Battle of Mimikawa), and won consecutive battles at Minamata Castle, Oka Castle, and Horikiri Castle, but was defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587 (Tensho 15), surrendered, and was granted Osumi Province. He was known for his military achievements at the Battle of Sacheon during the Bunroku-Keicho War, and although he joined the Western Army in the Battle of Sekigahara and was defeated, he was known for breaking through the enemy lines. He is said to have succeeded his older brother Yoshihisa as head of the family in 1587, but historical documents do not indicate that he did so. He is also famous for constructing the Six Jizo Pagodas for the war dead, inviting potters from Korea, and receiving instruction in the tea ceremony from Sen no Rikyu. He was a fierce warrior who achieved 52 military feats in his lifetime. He died on July 21, 1621, at the age of 85. His grave is in the Fukushoji Cemetery in Kagoshima City.

[Yasushi Miki]

"Everything about Shimazu Yoshihiro" edited by Yasushi Miki (1986, Shinjinbutsu Oraisha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

戦国時代～江戸初期の武将。天文(てんぶん)4年7月23日生まれ。父は島津貴久(たかひさ)。義久(よしひさ)の弟。1554年（天文23）蒲生(かもう)氏との合戦に初陣し軍功、大隅(おおすみ)岩剣(いわつるぎ)城の城番となり、続いて日向(ひゅうが)飫肥(おび)城、飯野(いいの)城と前線の城番をした。三山(さんのやま)城攻め、馬越(まごし)城攻め、本地原(ほんちばる)合戦、1572年（元亀3）の木崎原(きざきばる)合戦などで活躍し、九州征覇の合戦でも高(たか)城で大友軍を壊滅させ（耳川の戦い）、水俣(みなまた)城、岡(おか)城、堀切城攻めで連戦連勝したが、1587年（天正15）豊臣(とよとみ)秀吉に敗れ、降伏し大隅国を安堵(あんど)された。文禄(ぶんろく)・慶長(けいちょう)の役で泗川(しせん)合戦の軍功があり、関ヶ原の戦いでは西軍にくみし敗れたが、敵陣縦断突破で知られている。1587年に兄義久の後を受け家督を継いだとされているが、史料では家督を継いでいない。敵味方戦没者の六地蔵塔の建設、朝鮮からの陶工の招来、千利休(せんのりきゅう)からの茶道伝授でも有名。生涯52回の軍功という猛将。元和(げんな)5年7月21日没。85歳。墓は鹿児島市の福昌寺(ふくしょうじ)墓地にある。

［三木　靖］

『三木靖編『島津義弘のすべて』（1986・新人物往来社）』

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