Yoshiaki Otomo

A military commander in the Sengoku period. The head of the Otomo clan in his 20s. First called Chikayasu, then Chikaatsu. After a battle with Ouchi Yoshitaka, he made peace and made his son Haruhide Yoshitaka's adopted son. He advanced into Chikugo and Higo, becoming the guardian of four provinces, including Bungo and Buzen. In 1550 (Tenbun 19), he tried to make his youngest son Shioichimaru his successor, but was attacked by retainers of his eldest son Shiohoshimaru (Yoshishige), who was killed and Yoshiaki was seriously injured (he died two days later). Yoshishige rushed to his aid and rescued him, and he wrote a will and handed over the family headship to Yoshishige. This document, known as "Otomo Yoshimitsu's Articles," contains important information about the structure of the vassals at the time, relations with the surrounding powers, and territorial rule, and served as a major guide for the 21st shogun, Yoshishige (Sourin).

[Tatsuo Akutagawa]

"The History of Oita 4" by Sumio Watanabe (1977, Oita Godo Newspaper)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

戦国時代の武将。大友氏20代の当主。初め親安、のちに親敦。大内義隆(おおうちよしたか)との攻防ののち和睦し、子の晴英を義隆の猶子(ゆうし)とした。筑後(ちくご)、肥後(ひご)にも進出し、豊後(ぶんご)、豊前(ぶぜん)とともに4か国の守護となった。1550年（天文19）末子塩市丸(しおいちまる)を後継者にしようとしたが、嫡子塩法師丸(しおほうしまる)（義鎮(よししげ)）派の家臣に襲われ、塩市丸は殺され、義鑑は重傷を受けた（2日後に死去）。駆けつけてきた義鎮に救出され、置文(おきぶみ)（遺言状）を記して義鎮に家督を譲ることになった。この置文は『大友義鑑の条々』といわれ、当時の家臣団構成、周辺諸勢力との関係、領国支配などについて重要な内容が含まれており、21代義鎮（宗麟(そうりん)）にとっても大きな指針となった。

［芥川龍男］

『渡辺澄夫著『大分の歴史4』（1977・大分合同新聞社）』

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