Takeda forces · Baba
Baba Nobuharu
“The Immortal Demon of Mino”
The foremost of the Takeda Four Guardians, a veteran who served three generations: Nobutora, Shingen and Katsuyori. Said never to have been wounded in more than seventy battles, he was called "the immortal demon of Mino." He was also a master castle-builder. At Nagashino he advised retreat and was overruled; to let the fleeing Katsuyori escape he stood his ground as rearguard and was killed.
- Epithet
- “The Immortal Demon of Mino”
- Rank / office
- Governor of Mino
- Domain / base
- Kai
- Side
- Takeda forces
- Lived
- 1515–1575 (aged 61)
What is a samurai who does not do his duty as rearguard?
Attributed to Baba Nobuharu
Life
- Eiroku 4 Kawanakajima Fought through the fierce battle with the Uesugi as a senior Takeda retainer.
- Genki 3 Mikatagahara Overwhelmed the Tokugawa as part of the main force of the march on the capital.
- Tenshō 3 Rearguard at Nagashino Advised retreat and was overruled; he served as rearguard, let Katsuyori escape and was killed.
Battles in this archive3 battles
- Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima 10th day of the 9th month, Eiroku 4 Kawanakajima, Shinano Province As the detached force's vanguard he forced the Chikuma River and fell on the Uesugi flank, turning the battle. Watch ▸
- Battle of Mikatagahara 22nd day of the 12th month, Genki 3 Mikatagahara, Tōtōmi Province The veteran commander who rolled up the end of the crane's wing from the right and put the Oda reinforcements to flight. Watch ▸
- Battle of Nagashino 21st day of the 5th month, Tenshō 3 Nagashino–Shitaragahara, Mikawa Province A veteran of countless battles. He pressed the palisade repeatedly from the right wing and, once defeat was certain, stood as rearguard and died. Watch ▸
Related sites
- Nagashino–Shitaragahara battlefield (Shinshiro)