Tokugawa forces · Honda
Honda Tadakatsu
“The Demon of Tonbokiri”
One of Tokugawa's Four Guardians and a matchless warrior said never to have been wounded in 57 battles. Known for his famous spear "Tonbokiri" and his antlered helmet, he served as rearguard at Hitokotozaka and at Mikatagahara and saved Ieyasu both times. Nobunaga praised him as "too good for Japan," and after Sekigahara he held Kuwana, 100,000 koku.
- Epithet
- “The Demon of Tonbokiri”
- Rank / office
- Nakatsukasa-no-taifu
- Domain / base
- Ōtaki, Kazusa → Kuwana, Ise
- Banner / crest
- Honda hollyhock
- Side
- Tokugawa forces
- Lived
- 1548–1610 (aged 63)
A samurai need not take heads. What matters is his work with the spear.
Attributed to Honda Tadakatsu
Life
- Genki 3 Rearguard at Hitokotozaka Covered the retreat before Mikatagahara so well that even the Takeda were impressed.
- Tenshō 12 Komaki and Nagakute Stood in the path of Hideyoshi's great army with a handful of men and bought time.
- Keichō 5 Sekigahara Fought hard as inspector of the Eastern Army and was granted Kuwana, 100,000 koku, afterwards.
Battles in this archive4 battles
- Battle of Anegawa 28th day of the 6th month, Genki 1 Anegawa River, Ōmi Province The young demon of the spear Tonbokiri. He stood alone in the Anegawa stream and did not yield a step to the great sword of Magara Naotaka. Watch ▸
- Battle of Mikatagahara 22nd day of the 12th month, Genki 3 Mikatagahara, Tōtōmi Province The warrior who went unwounded through 57 battles served as rearguard again this day and saw his lord to safety. His spear "Tonbokiri" hummed in the dusk. Watch ▸
- Battle of Komaki and Nagakute 9th day of the 4th month, Tenshō 12 Nagakute, Owari Province With a mere 500 men he stood on the bank of the Ryūsenji River and single-handedly checked the advance of Hideyoshi's great army: the demon of Tonbokiri at his finest. Watch ▸
- Battle of Sekigahara October 21, Keichō 5 Sekigahara, Mino Province As inspector of the Tokugawa army he ranged across the field with a small escort and led the pursuit of the retreating Shimazu. Watch ▸
Related sites
- Kuwana Castle ruins (Mie)
- Ōtaki Castle (Chiba)