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Ashina · Kanagami (Ashina kin)

Kanagami Moriharu

“Pillar of the Ashina”

A senior retainer of the Ashina kin and lord of Tsugawa Castle, which guarded the border with Echigo. Skilled in government and diplomacy, he went to the capital for an audience with Toyotomi Hideyoshi and carried great weight as the pillar of the house, working hard for harmony among the retainers after the arrival of the new head Yoshihiro. At Suriagehara in Tenshō 17, as the reversal of the wind sent his side into collapse, he drove alone into the Date to save the retreating army and was killed after a hard fight, aged 63. His death is remembered as the end that symbolised the fall of the great house of Ashina.

Epithet
“Pillar of the Ashina”
Rank / office
Lord of Tsugawa Castle
Domain / base
The Echigo border (Tsugawa Castle)
Banner / crest
Three bars in a circle
Side
Ashina
Lived
1527–1589 (aged 63)

Life

  1. Taiei 7 Birth Born into the Kanagami, a branch of the Ashina.
  2. Tenshō 8 Lord of Tsugawa Castle Entrusted with Tsugawa Castle on the Echigo border and carried great weight as an Ashina elder.
  3. Tenshō 16 To the Capital Went to Kyoto for an audience with Hideyoshi and worked to secure the survival of the Ashina.
  4. Tenshō 17 Death at Suriagehara Charged into the enemy to hold up his collapsing side and was killed, aged 63.

Battles in this archive1 battles

  1. Battle of Suriagehara 5th day of the 6th month, Tenshō 17 Suriagehara, Aizu, Mutsu Province The senior retainer relied on as "the pillar of the Ashina," lord of Tsugawa Castle. Trying to hold up his crumbling side, he charged alone into the enemy and was killed. 2,500 troops Watch ▸

Related sites

  • Tsugawa Castle ruins, Mount Kirin (Aga, Niigata)