Mōri forces · Mōri
Mōri Motonari
“The Three Arrows”
Rising from a small local lordship in Aki, he mastered ten provinces of the Chūgoku region in a single generation. A peerless schemer skilled in intrigue and division, he killed Sue Harukata, usurper of his lords' house, with the surprise attack at Itsukushima, and took Gassan-Toda Castle to destroy the Amago. He is known for the lesson of the "three arrows," teaching his three sons to stand together.
- Epithet
- “The Three Arrows”
- Rank / office
- Governor of Mutsu
- Domain / base
- Aki → the Chūgoku region
- Banner / crest
- One bar and three stars
- Side
- Mōri forces
- Lived
- 1497–1571 (aged 75)
A single arrow breaks easily; three bound together are hard to break.
Letter of instruction to his three sons (attributed)
Life
- Taiei 3 Lord of Kōriyama Succeeded to the house and began expanding from Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle in Aki.
- Kōji 1 Battle of Itsukushima Lured Sue Harukata's great army onto Itsukushima with a small force and killed him in a surprise attack.
- Eiroku 9 Destruction of the Amago Took Gassan-Toda Castle, brought down his old enemies the Amago and completed his conquest of the Chūgoku region.
- Genki 2 Death at Kōriyama Died at Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle aged 75, master of the Chūgoku region.
Battles in this archive1 battles
Related sites
- Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle ruins (Akitakata)
- Itsukushima (Miyajima)