First reigning empress of Japan: Empress Suiko

Konnichiwa. Rekijo A desu!
Today’s article is about Empress Suiko, often referred to in Western history as Suiko Tenno. Born as Princess Nukatabe in 554 A.D., Suiko was the third daughter of Emperor Kimmei. As with many of the imperial daughters at that time, she was married to a future Emperor, her half-brother Bidatsu. When his first wife died, she became his official imperial consort, with the title Okisaki.
For a while, life for Suiko was as expected; she had two sons and three daughters with Bidatsu, securing her duty to the imperial house by giving the current emperor an heir. However, in 585 A.D. her husband passed, leaving the throne empty. The next to rule was Suiko’s brother, Yomei. He only reigned for a couple of years before dying of illness. This started a power struggle between the Soga clan and the Mononobe Clan, both of whom backed imperial princes. The Soga clan won out, installing Prince Hatsusebe as Emperor Sushun. It seemed like all would be back to normal, and the power balance was even. However, Sushun did not approve of the Soga Clan’s power, and he was assassinated by the Soga in 592 A.D. The power vacuum now created was of great concern, and Suiko was asked to take the Imperial Crown as Empress of Japan. It was not the first time in Japan’s history a woman sat on the Chrysanthemum Throne, but it was the first historically documented occasion of this sort.
Empress Suiko was by no means powerless. While most administrative power lay with Prince Shotoku, Suiko’s nephew, Suiko herself ruled from the Chrysanthemum Throne, issuing reforms and working alongside Shotoku and Soga Umako to create a more centralized government. Together, they established a constitution, known as the 17 Article Constitution of 604 (A.D.). Suiko was most concerned with establishing a society based on virtues and proper conduct (mostly Buddhist in origin) and her Constitution was based on this idea. She also established protections for Buddhist monks from China and India, allowing Buddhism to flourish during her reign. She promoted the study of astronomy and geography, welcoming teachers from Korea and China in these disciplines. During her rule, the arts, education, and spiritual studies (mainly Buddhist and Shinto) prospered.
Perhaps Suiko’s most notable feat during her 35-year rule was China officially recognizing Japan as sovereign nation in 600. Her establishment of firm diplomatic relations with the Sui Dynasty helped propel Japan forward among the nations of east Asia at that time, when China and other Asian countries tended to dismiss Japan as a sort of backwards society.
Empress Suiko Tanno proved that a woman was extremely capable of ruling, just as so many other historical women have shown in various other countries. Her reforms improved on the Imperial Court etiquette rules, provided a Constitution for a more centralized government, and established spiritual and educational freedom of learning from outside the island’s boundaries. Her openness and diplomatic efforts placed Japan in an excellent position to learn from the top scholars and societies of the day from around the world.

SOURCES:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Suiko
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Empress_Suiko

Warlord of the North: Date Masamune

Konnichiwa. Rekijo A desu. I am a new writer for MIJC! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
Current pop culture has definitely brought a new light to the men of the samurai era. With such Japanese-created games as Sengoku Basara and Samurai Warriors, the warlords of the Muromachi Era have been introduced to the younger generations, sparking much interest in the actual history of the time. The historical cities often use the video game characters as promotional efforts for tourism in those areas. This was how I came to learn and respect the 16th century samurai Date Masamune.
Date Masamune was a man ahead of his time. Not only did he have great military prowess, but his interest in the rest of the world was different from that of his contemporaries. While Hideyoshi Toyotomi sought to conquer other countries like Korea, Masamune was more interested in developing relations of a diplomatic type with the Western World and others. He was a gritty and fiery personality, and his ambitious, sometimes reckless nature earned him the name “One-Eyed Dragon” which later became a name of honor and respect.
Born the eldest son of Date Teramune at Yonezawa Castle in Mutsu prefecture in 1566/1567, Masamune’s life was fraught with battle and struggles. At the age of 11 or 12, he lost an eye to an infectious disease; some historians say it was smallpox. At 13 he had his genpuku (元服) or coming of age ceremony and was married; at the age of 14 or 15 he won his first battle. Even with all these accomplishments, his family situation was still perilous.
He watched his father die in a treacherous move by a supposedly friendly clan. His own mother thought he was unable to assume the mantle of the family, and tried to have him ousted by his younger brother, even going as far as to try to poison him. However, Date Masamune rose above all this to become the head of the Date clan in 1584, when his father retired. Masamune himself would go on to fight countless clan lords among the northern sections of Japan, until he unified all of the northern clans under his banner. The Ashina, the Soma, and the Satake were just a few of the smaller clans that were brought under the Date rule. In 1600, Masamune established the city of Sendai, in current day Miyagi Prefecture as his base of operations from which to rule his domain.
As Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s influence expanded beyond that of what Oda Nobunaga had already unified, Masamune swore loyalty to the Toyotomi and fought in the great battle of Sekigahara for the Western side, hoping to preserve the Date territories and not be “on the hit list” for Toyotomi’s expansion efforts to unify all of Japan.
In his later years, Masamune established contact with the Dutch and Italians, even so far as to sending one of his own men as an emissary to Rome. The gifts exchanged and the certificates of friendship and diplomacy can still be seen in Sendai City Museum’s collection.
As a certain website describes him, Masamune was “…a mighty, almost-legendary swordsman and general who fought his first battle at fifteen, was never defeated in single combat with the enemy, wore an eyepatch made from the hilt of a samurai sword, and was so over-the-top Money Mayweather swanky that his name is still used as an synonym for “big pimpin’” in Japan to this very day.” This is definitely true in Sendai, where countless products and services still use the image of the crescent moon, or the Date name for advertisement. Even though Masamune lived over 300 years ago, he is still revered greatly in the city he established.

SOURCES:
http://www.samurai-archives.com/masamune.html
http://badassoftheweek.com/index.cgi?id=584119921490

Click to access yonezawa-kankou-en.pdf

Let’s share Japanese History!

Let’s share Japanese History!

Today I would like to introduce you about a person I personally admire.
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坂本龍馬（Ryoma Sakamoto, 1836~1867）Vol.1

Ryoma Sakamoto was originally from Kouchi Pref. of Shikoku region in Japan.
He was a revolutionist and a leader during Bakumatsu (1853-1869),
the end of Edo period I believe. He didn’t grow up in the wealthy samurai family but he studied hard for a master swordsman.
While he was studying hard, he found soon that the Edo government became so weak that it could not protect Japan in the world. He was one of the people who thought about overthrow of the government.

However, a difference among the people was that Ryoma thought it should not battle each other inside the country and he had an ability to absorb various ideas or thoughts from people of different position once he found them good flexibly and an ability to take action even if most people thought something unfeasible. He could meet various good people who had high aspiration and think and adopt various thoughts and ideas. It would be his ability to have a wide network as well.

Therefore, Ryoma challenged himself to negotiate with Tosa clan (current Kouchi Pref.) with his strong will and his wide network other than his ability and skills. Ryoma wasn’t just satisfied with his comfort zone which he grew up in. His goal was always for Japan during the period.

Ryoma was one of the most important persons who could play an important role of leading people to reach peaceful settlement between some clans and the government. He contributed himself to change an old Japanese government system without wars and to form a nation under the Emperor. There is no doubt that he had a big impact on the next generation and Meiji period. People would say that the history demonstrates his ability and skills as a true leader.

【ひな祭り(Hina Matsuri)】: Doll’s Day/Girls’ Day

【ひな祭り(Hina Matsuri)】: Doll’s Day/Girls’ Day
It is a special day for girls which is celebrated each year on March 3 and that is one of five 節句[Sekku]. It is said to be originated from a girls’ play during Heian period(794-1185). During the old period, people started to throw Nagashi-bina (dolls) into a river which became established as a custom in various regions and you can still see it as a traditional festival in some places. People believed the dolls would hold bad luck so that they could cleanse their souls by throwing the dolls into a river.

Later, people began to set up dolls which center on female’s doll and male’s doll, and plum branches for the Doll’s Day and share their girls’ health and happiness with their families and or friends eating ちらし寿司[Chirashi-zushi], ひなあられ[Hina arare] and or drinking 白酒[Shiro-zake]. The traditional festival is still held here and there. Generally it is said to be good to display the dolls earlier than the special day. You can find many kinds of dolls and displays in tiers during the season.

Today I share these photos, taken by my family, of tiny and pottery dolls and the box made by paper, and in the box you can see colorful sweet jellies.
Happy Hina Matsuri!

related words:
節句[Sekku]: the turn of the season when the traditional and annual event is held
ひなあられ[Hina arare]: colorful and cubic rice crackers for the special day
ちらし寿司[Chirashi-zushi]: scattered sushi mixed with rice, rice vinegar, vegetables such as carrots, thin strips of thin omelet, some fish, roasted laver and so on
桃の花[Momo no Hana]: plum flowers (pink color), generally the branches with the pink flowers are used for display
ひしもち[Hishi Mochi]:a special sweet rice cake which is lozenge-shaped
白酒[Shiro-zake]:one type of 日本酒[Nihon-shu], Japanese Sake
Copyright © 2013- MIJC

坂上田村麻呂 (Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro) Vol.3

This is Kazuki@MIJC! Story about his life is almost ending. What do you think about him?
He was an old, famous and ideal symbol of worrier. His life included problem between nation and nation, difficulty of compromising between different tribe.
He is unquestionably hero for recent Japanese. On the other side, how about for the other side?
Please compare to your country’s hero and him. Let’s study about the end of his life.
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坂上田村麻呂 (さかのうえのたむらまろ) [Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro] 758?~811 Vol.3

The last battle between Tamuramaro and Aterui was not dramatic. Compared to the last occupation, a scale of Tamuramaro’s trooper became a 50 percent reduction. This fact meant damage of Ebisu was any longer consumed than Imperial court. In 802, Isawa -inner citadel of Ebisu- was healed over. And then, finally, Aterui and More(母礼) applied for surrender.
Tamuramaro reported this big news to Kyoto, on the other hand, appeal for mercy of Aterui and More. He already recognized ability of these two rebels and believed it is essential to use their support to ruled Ebisu. However, they were unforgivable barbarians for Imperial court.
His petition was refused and they were executed at Kawachi(河内)*①.

Even he defeated Aterui, he has not suppressed whole Ebisu yet. Tamuramaro still kept stay at Isawa, built castle and continued to repress other area of Ebisu frequently. In 805, he backed to Kyoto to attend to a council in the Imperial presence with other chief vassals. They discussed future plan of the country, and faintly decided a shrinking in the budget. War between Ebisu and creation of huge building made exhausted country’s resources. After this council, Tamuramaro did not sat soill of Isawa again. He was already 48 years old then.

The last big happening in his life was “Kusuko no hen”. It was started from one siblings, Fujiwara-no-Nakanari(藤原仲成) and his beautiful younger sister Kusuko(薬子).
The same time, conflict between retired emperor Heizyo and emperor Saga was getting worth. Kusuko crept into retired emperor Heizyo’s favor and tried to take power. They planed to raise un army, but Tamuramaro decided to stay emperor Saga’s side. Tamuramaro asked for release of Hunya-no-Watamaro② who was old comrade of him and be casted into prison. He and Watamaro moved as quick as they can and beleaguered residence of Heizyo. Nakanari was executed, Kusuko took poison, and retired emperor Heizyo lost his political power completely.

The year of Tamurmaro’s death was 811. He was 54 years old. He was inhumed with armor and honor, and the achievement of him transferred to legend. In Tohoku area, there are over 100 shrines and temples which related to Tamurmaro. Now days, Tamuramaro is still worship as a great man and first “Shogun”.

① Kawachi is old name of one part of Osaka. ② Hunya-no-Watamaro was famous worrier and also one of the four vice-generals under Otomaro. Please check at vol.1. He had been appointed by retired emperor Heizyo, so he was looked of as an enemy from emperor Saga.

坂上田村麻呂 (Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro) Vol.2

Hi! This is Kazuki@MIJC! Before we continue to study about Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro let me explain about “Shogun”(将軍). Original meaning of Shogun is general or officer. However, usually, this word include special meaning. The official name of Shogun is Sei-i-taishogun(征夷大将軍). The meaning of each Kanjis are as mentioned below.

Sei(征)=conquest i(夷)=brutish, barbarian lived in North tai(大)=great shogun(将軍)=officer

Originallly, Shogun was temporary officer to defeat barbarian in North. Sakaouetamura-maro falls under this. However, after ages, “Shogun” had became a synonym for a leader of Bushi. The meaning of “Shogun” was different in then and later. Then, let’s continue to study about Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro.
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坂上田村麻呂 (さかのうえのたむらまろ) [Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro] 758?~811 Vol.2

Tamuramaro served army of the Imperial court to defeat Ebisu. Unfortunately, detailed resource of Tamuramaro’s first occupation is not in existence. According to one theory, victorious army lead 100,000 soldiers when he became a vice-general. He was the youngest vice-general. This conquest was ended with the victory of the Imperial court, but it could not kill the leader of Ebisu, Aterui. Moreover, the price of big army was not cheap. That conquest created huge burden to populace. It spend some years to recover again.

After that, Tamuramaro governed politic of North area. In 797, at last, Tamuramaro was appointed to Sei-i-taishogun. Nevertheless, he did not mobilize troops. He endeavored conciliatory measure. He began a maneuver to break it up and made immigrate*① people to North. To investigate the actual conditions of Ebisu and gave title and official rank(官位) to influential people. However, this policy included difficulty and limitation. In 795, Kimikobe-no-Mamaro(吉美侯部真麻呂) who was Fusyu(俘囚)*② worked for the Imperial was killed by another Fusyu. This happening symbolized how difficult to control Ebisu. Finally, Tamuramaro lead 40000 soldiers and invaded territory of Ebisu in 800. This conquest became the final battle between the Imperial court and Aterui. to be continued………

① Leave their prefecture meant almost same as leave their country at that period. ② Fusyu(俘囚 ) is Ebisu submitted to the Emperor. The imperial court used them to rule North part and negotiate with Ebisu.

坂上田村麻呂 (Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro) Vol.1

Hi! This is Kazuki@MIJC! From today, I would like to tell you about one person from a little bit minor period in Japanese history. His name is Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro(坂上田村麻呂). In fact, this long name and a little bit minor guy was the great Shogun in Japanese history. He was one type of idol general in ancient Japanese. In Heian period(794~1185), he was a symbol of Bu(武)*①. Let’s see his life and age together.
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坂上田村麻呂 (さかのうえのたむらまろ) [Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro] 758?~811 Vol.1

At the age he was born, the emperor and Kyoto city were the center of the world for almost all Japanses. Sakanoue-clan was only small local family, but at the generation of his grandfather, Inukai(犬養), Sakanoue clan had increased rapidly as “Bumon”(武門)*②. Inukai His father, Karitamaro(苅田麻呂) was a politician rather than military. Karitamaro has succeeded to oust his antagonist, Dokyo(道鏡)*③ and increased his position yet more. Thus Sakanoue-clan won politics, but on the other hand, another conflict was occurred at far Tohoku area. As I said before, “the emperor and Kyoto city were the center of the world for almost all Japanses”. However, Tohoku area was territory of people who were not correspond with “all most all Japanese”. These kind of people was called Ebisu(夷)*④.

When Tamuramaro succeed his house, the strife between the Japanese Court and Ebisu had been intensified. In 789, Aterui(阿弖流為)- the great leader of Ebisu- defeated Ki-no-Kosami(紀古佐美)-a general of Cpurt-. Emepror instituted famous general, Otomo-no-Otomaro(大伴弟麻呂)*⑤ to “Shogun” for breakthrough. Tamuramaro was chosen one of four vice-generals under Otomaro. Tamuramaro let expedition to against Ebisu.

to be continued…….

① Japanede word “Bun-Bu(文武)” means scholarship and the martial arts, and it was used to express person who is strong and intelligence. Tamuramaro was symbol of strength. Symbol of intelligence was Sugawara-no-Michizane(菅原道真), famous scholar. ② At that period, noble class and Bushi(worrier) class were not separated yet. Bumon was family had strong forces or big military exploit. ③Dokyo was a favorite retainer and priest of empress Kouken(孝謙天皇). He showed the great political power with backing of empress Kouken. Eventually, he cherished ambitious to be emperor and produced counterfeit oracle. However, after death of empress Kouken, Dokyo was overthrown with his family too easily. ④ The race of Ebisu has various theories. They were assumed Ainu came from Hokkaido(北海道) or just Japanese resisted Kyoto. ⑤ In documents, he was the first “Shogun”. However, provide material of him was dispersed.

直江兼続 (Naoe Kanetsugu) Vol.3

This is Kazuki@MIJC. We learned about Kanetsugu until today, and here is the end of his life. He made a big mistake at the crossroad of his life and it was almost impossible to recover. What has he done? Let’s see the ending he chose.
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-直江兼続（なおえかねつぐ）[Naoe Kanetsugu] Vol.3

Just after Kantsugu noticed loss of Mitsunari, he ordered his troop to withdraw. transferred from invasion of Uesugi clan to pursuit battle of Mogami clan. Battle between Kantsugu and Yoshiaki was fierce. Finally, Kanetsugu’s troop kept formation and evacuated to their stronghold. The command of Kanetsugu was very accreted and everyone appeared his command even enemy. Thus, he could pull out to Aizu barely. In 1601, Kanetsugu and his master Uesugi Kagekatsu came up to Kyoto to apologize and surrender Ieyasu formally. Kantsugu made an effort for Uesugi clan. Final judgement of Ieyasu for Uesugi clan was diminished. Before 1600, Uesugii clan ruled one million and two hundred thousand goku①* around Aizu. However, after this judgement, domain of Useugi had been changed to three hundred thousand goku around Yonezawa. Kagekatsu became first feudal lord of Yonezawa Domain. However, their dominion became one quoter, moreover, Uesugi-clan hadn’t fired anyone②*. Therefore, Uesugi-clan has been caught in a financial crunch.

Kanetsugu displayed his shrewdness for improvement. He worked for development of new field, castle construction, flood control, promotion of industry, mine development and reduction of taxes for Tokugawa-clan. The last year for him was 1619. He accompanied with Kagekatsu to go to Kyoto in spite of his illness. After he backed to Edo, his condition has taken a sudden turn for the worse. Kagekatsu assembled famous doctors for Kanetsugu, but they could not rescue Kanetsugu. He was 60 years old when he passed away.

Son of Kanetsugu was dead earlier than his father, so after death of Kanetsug, Naoe-clan was put to an end. One theory goes as follows “he his family purposely”. He did not take an adopted child to continuation of the family. According to this view, heredity stipend of Noe-clan was a burden to Uesugi-clan. Therefore, Kanetsugu abandoned to keep his clan to reduce financial burden. After Kantsugu dead, the retainers of the Uesugi family did not appreciate him because he was the ringleader of unjustly judge. However, after ages, Uesugi Youzan(上杉鷹山) -9th feudal lord- copied Kanetsugu to rebuilt their economy.

Relationship between him and Kagekatsu was ideal. They respected and trusted each others. Kanetsugu has been invited to hiere Hideyoshi sometimes, but he was loyal only to Kagekatsu.

In 2012, he became a main character of long-running historical drama series on NHK TV(大河ドラマ)③*. HIs symbol is his special helmet with one Kanji -Love(愛)-. This is from the name of god. Nowdays, he became one of the most popular Busyo(武将) in Japan. Thank you!

①Goku(石) is yield unit for land. It was used for yardstick of territory. Owners of over ten thousand gook was called Daimyo(大名). ②Basic policy of Uesugi-clan was talent is the most valuable property for organization. However, this policy was a heavy load for a long time. ③Taiga drama(大河ドラマ) is historical drama series created by Japanese national public broadcasting organization(NHK).

直江兼続 (Naoe Kanetsugu) Vol.2

Hi, this is Kazuki@MIJC! Today, we will continue to learn about Naoe Kanetsugu. Last time, his life was raising up but, today he came up against difficulties.
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-直江兼続（なおえかねつぐ）[Naoe Kanetsugu] Vol.2

At the same time of removal to Aizu, Uesugi Kagekatsu was nominated to *①”Gotairo”(五大老). However, Hideyoshi was passed away in 1598. Hideyoshi’s only child Hideyori(秀頼) was just 5 years old, then cold war between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi clan was happened. Kanetsugu had good relationship between Ishida Mitsunari(石田三成), the heart of anti-Tokugawa Ieyasu. The confronation between Ieyasu and Kagekatsu had became intensified day by day. Kagekatsu standed on pro-war faction and had made every effort for consensus. Ieyasu sent interrogators to pursue a rebellious attitude of Uesugi-clan. A sharp and sensational reply of Kanetsugu for Ieyasu -it’s named Naoezyo(直江状)- was well-known as ground of the outbreak of war*②.

Finally, Ieyasu went on an expedition to Aizu with various feudal lords, and at the same time, Usesugi unified the opinion of a dominion people into the pro-war faction. Right after these movements, Mitsunai raised an army to defeat Ieyasu and Ieyasu turned buck to beat him. Kantsugu invaded on east of dominion to eliminate anxiety with 30000 soldiers. The lord of that area, Mogami Yoshiaki(最上義光) and his nephew Date Masamune(伊達政宗) fought back Kanetsugu*③. In the initial plan, Kanetsugu would defeat Yoshiaki as soon as possible, and join Mitsunari with Kagekatsu.

As it turned out, Kanetsugu and Kagekatsu could not participated in the Battle of Ieyasu and Mitsunari. Kanetsugu had two miscalculation. The first one is opposition of Yoshiaki was much more stubborn than he expected. Kanetsugu could not conquered Yoshiaki’s inner citadel. The other was premature settlement of main battle. Ieyasu defeated Mitsunari in only one battle. Kantsugu had to evacuate and resist counteroffensive of enemy.
To be continue….

*①”Gotairo”(五大老) is five supreme advisors in Tyotomi clan. They had strongest power after Hideyoshi. The members were formed from mighty lords. Original members were Tokugawa Ieyasu(徳川家康), Mouri Terumoto(毛利輝元), Maeda Toshiie(前田利家), Ukita Hideie(宇喜多秀家), and Kobayakawa Takakage(小早川隆景). However, Takakage died by cerebral accident, so Uesugi Kagekatsu took as successor of Takakage.

*② At that time, Uesugi clan increased armaments. Ieyasu thought that is a sign of the rebellion. This letter was sharp reply to Ieyasu.

*③ Mogami Yoshiaki was the lord of Yamagata(山形). Uesugi clan had frontier dispute with Mogami clan and Yoshiaki supported Ieyasu.

直江兼続 (Naoe Kanetsugu 1560~1619) Vol.1

HI! This is Kazuki@MIJC. Lets’s continue studying about Japanese Bushi. Today’s person is not Daimyo(大名). He was born in Nigata prefecture(新潟県) at Azuti-Momoyama period. He is well known about good main retainer and Date Masamunephobe. His name is Naoe Kanesugu(直江兼続).
His name Kanestugu and his master’s name Kagekatsu are alike so please be careful about confusing.
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直江兼続（Naoe Kanetsugu, 1560~1619）Vol.1

Higuchi Kanetsugu(樋口兼続) was born in Echigo(越後)-old name of Nigata orefecture-. His father was vassal of Uesugi-clan(上杉氏), which ruled around Echigo area. In 1578, Uesugi Kenshin(上杉謙信), head of the family at the peak period, died without deciding a successor. Then, his two adopted children Kagetora(影虎) -came from other clan- and Kagekatsu(景勝) -son of Kenshin’s cousin- began a succession race. Kanetsugu and his father supported Uesugi Kagekatsu(上杉景勝) and this war was ended with victory of Kagekatsu. However, Uesugi clan still had domestic and external troubles. Civil war caused decay of armament and invasion of other clans. Division of rewards called another conflict. Naoe Nobutsuna(直江信綱), chief vassal of Uesugi-clan, was killed by his colleague because of trouble of reward. Nobutyo had no child, so Kagekatsu ordered Kanetsugu to succeed Naoe clan. After a while, Kanetsugu married Nobutsuna’s widow and renamed Naoe Kanetsugu(直江兼続). After that, Kanetsugu became an aide of his master, Kagekastu.

Right after his marriage, Shibata Shigeie(新発田重家), commander of elite soldiers ,turned traitor to Uesugi clan and many antagonist supported Shigeie. Uesugi clan obeyed Toyotomi HIdeyoshi(豊臣秀吉) and got Toyotomi clan’s backing ,but it wasted 7 years to suppress this revolt. Since revolt of Shigeie, Kanetsugu became one of the most important vassal in Uesugi clan. He took charge of administration and diplomacy, sometimes commanded army. Kagekastu was called *①”Oyakata”(御屋形) and Kanetsugu was called “Danna”(旦那). After this revolt, Kantsugu focused on reconstruct of agriculture and development of industry. *②Especially clothing industry gained great success, brought copious profit. Later, Uesugi clan was relocated from Echigo to Aizu(会津) -some part of Fukushima prefecture- by HIdeyoshi.
To be continued….

*① Oyakata is honorific tittle for leader of big worrier group. This word originally means palace, but it also meant comparison of big organization.
Danna means master of the house. This is not common word for worrier, but this tittle show us how Kanetsugu had power.

*② Clothe was very expensive and valuable at that period. Kantsugu invest an industry which produce cloth from plant in Echigo.