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Date · Oniniwa (Date retainer)

Oniniwa Yoshinao (Sagetsusai)

“The Loyal Elder of the Date”

A long-serving elder of the Date house who carried great weight as a councillor. At the battle of Hitotoribashi in Tenshō 13, when the Date main body was enveloped by the 30,000 of the Satake–Ashina alliance, he volunteered for the rearguard at the age of 73. Waving a golden baton, he led a handful of Oniniwa men to a stand at the edge of the bridge and held back the oncoming host. He was killed after a hard fight, but the time bought at the cost of his life saved Masamune's main body from collapse. His son Tsunamoto served Masamune as a senior retainer.

Epithet
“The Loyal Elder of the Date”
Rank / office
Councillor
Domain / base
Mutsu
Side
Date
Lived
1513–1585 (aged 73)

This is an old warrior's last service.

Attributed to Oniniwa Sagetsusai

Life

  1. Tenshō 12 Councillor Carried great weight as an elder of the Date house even in old age.
  2. Tenshō 13 Death at Hitotoribashi Volunteered for the rearguard, fought hard and was killed, saving Masamune. He was 73.

Battles in this archive1 battles

  1. Battle of Hitotoribashi 17th day of the 11th month, Tenshō 13 Hitotoribashi, Adachi District, Mutsu Province The 73-year-old retainer Oniniwa Yoshinao. Waving a golden baton, he volunteered for the rearguard and stood his ground at the edge of Hitotoribashi. He was killed after fighting hard, and his death saved Masamune. 800 troops Watch ▸

Related sites

  • Aoba Shrine (Sendai, Miyagi)