Statue of the Japanese god Ofami Nangi
When mentioning Japan's three tragic heroes, many people may think of Nanmu Masanari for the first time. However, there was also a tragic hero at the end of the Sengoku period in Japan, that is, Sanada Yukimura, who served in the Toyotomi family. At the same time, he was also hailed as the last hero of the Japanese Sengoku.
Although Sanada Yukimura was compared to the last hero of the Japanese Sengoku and the first soldier of Japan, he did not have many glorious records. Conversely, the major battles he fought in in the first half of his life were largely not commanded by himself, but were planned by his father, Masayuki Sanada.
Images of Yukimura Sanada, a warlord
Sanada Yukimura was born in 1567 into the Sanada family of Kai, the son of a Japanese warlord during the Sengoku period, Masayuki Sanada. The Sanada family was originally one of the Noble Clans and has always been attached to the Takeda clan of the Hao clan. After the fall of the Takeda family, the Sanada family lost the basis for survival and could only rely on the land and castle rewarded by the Takeda family to support themselves.
During Takeda Shingen's lifetime, the Sanada family had little close relationship with the Oda family, nor did they form an alliance. It was not until after the fall of the Takeda family that the Sanada family defected to the Oda family. Soon, however, Oda Nobunaga committed suicide during the Honnō-ji Rebellion, and the Oda family did not fall. Subsequently, the Sanada family chose to attach themselves to the Tokugawa family.
Shingen Takeda, former head of the Sanada family
In 1583, Sanada Masayuki established a castle in the Ueda area, establishing the Sanada family's rule over the area, which was Ueda Castle. The Ueda area was the land of four wars, and daimyōs everywhere wanted to seize this area with an important strategic position, so Ueda Castle became the target of competition among the major names.
Three years later, Tokugawa Ieyasu asked Sanada Masayuki for ownership of Numata Castle, which was directly rejected by the Sanada family. Soon, Tokugawa Ieyasu sent his troops to Ueda Castle with a sense of revenge, and launched a joint battle with the Sanada family. The main reason why the two sides met each other was because the Sanada family was already attached to the Tokugawa family at this time, and it was not reasonable to disobey the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Numata Castle was not the territory of the Sanada family, but was forcibly occupied by the Sanada family after the fall of the Takeda family. Therefore, Sanada Masayuki's refusal made Tokugawa Ieyasu feel that this was a rebellion, so he sent troops to Ueda Castle. As for why Sanada Masayuki refused Tokugawa Ieyasu's request, it is mentioned in the book "The Encyclopedia of the World":
"Katsuyori Takeda gave me a circle of Ueno Kuninumada Castle.10(Tensho 10) Belonged to Ieyasu Tokugawa and relieved Shinano Kuni Ueda Castle, but in 1985 Ieyasu tried to give Numata directly to The Hojo clan, so he was at odds with Ieyasu and belonged to Toyotomi Hideyoshi."
(Translation: Originally, the Sanada family received Ueno Kingdom's Numata Castle from Takeda Katsurai.) In 1582, the Sanada family was attached to Tokugawa Ieyasu and was placed in Ueda Castle, Shinano Province. In 1585, Tokugawa Ieyasu wanted to hand over Numata to the Hojo clan, and the Sanada family opposed Ieyasu and eventually became subordinate to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. ）
Tokugawa Ieyasu, who gave refuge to the Sanada family
Tokugawa Ieyasu mistakenly believed that the Sanada family, which had separated from the destroyed Takeda family, had no fighting power to speak of, so he relaxed his vigilance against the enemy and led 7,000 men to attack Ueda Castle. At this time, the Sanada army was less than 2,000 men, but under the command of Sanada Masayuki, more than 1,000 Tokugawa troops were eliminated at the cost of 40 people. Unwilling to accept defeat, Tokugawa Ieyasu wanted to besiege the defenders of the city by besieging the city, but had to retreat when he learned that the local reinforcements, the Uesugi Army, were about to arrive on the battlefield.
After the war, Tokugawa Ieyasu changed his attitude toward the Sanada family and eased the relationship between the two families through marriage, marrying Honda Komatsu, the daughter of Honda Tadatsu, to Sanada Nobuyuki, the eldest son of Sanada Masayuki. No one expected that this marriage would lay the groundwork for the later division of the Sanada family.
Hondo Komatsu, daughter of Honda Tadatsu
Long before the Ueda War began, the Sanada family, in order to consolidate their alliance with the Uesugi family, sent their second son, Sanada Yukimura, as a hostage to Uesugi Keisatsu. Although his identity is a hostage, he did not receive a cold reception at the Uesugi family, and Uesugi Keikatsu paid great attention to him.
After the war, the hostility between the Sanada family and the Tokugawa family was dissolved, and Sanada Masayuki no longer needed the Uesugi family as a backer, but switched to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. At this time, Toyotomi Hideyoshi had already reached the Taikaku and was undoubtedly a key figure in controlling the real power of the world. As long as they can attach themselves to the Toyotomi family, the safety of the entire Sanada family will be guaranteed. In 1586, Sanada Yukimura was accepted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and became his close bodyguard.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi of the Official to the Taikaku
In the special context of the time, Sanada Masayuki's transfer to Toyotomi Hideyoshi was not an act of disobedience. As early as 1582, Sanada Masayuki's old lord Uesugi Keisatsu had already begun peace talks with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi abandoned his attack on the Uesugi family and retained his domain; Uesugi Keisatsu submitted to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and received the rank of Shoji. Under this logic, Uesugi Keisatsu's vassals were also equal to those of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Coupled with the fact that Sanada Masayuki was also willing to be loyal to the Toyotomi family, it was logical for Sanada Masayuki to become a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
As soon as Sanada Masayuki entered the Toyotomi family, he received the rank of five ranks, and directly became toyotomi Hideyoshi's close bodyguard, which shows the importance he attaches to him. In other words, this is also the importance of the Sanada family. It was for this reason that Sanada Yukimura was grateful to Toyotomi Hideyoshi for his kindness to him, so much so that he decided to serve the Toyotomi family to death.
Sanada family former head Uesugi Kageshi
For a long time after Sanada Yukimura became a toyotomi Hideyoshi family minister, there were not many opportunities for him to show his personal ability. After all, as a janissary, it was difficult for him to have the opportunity to go out and lead the troops to fight. It was not until 1598 that Sanada Yukimura ushered in a turning point in his life. In August of that year, Toyotomi Hideyoshi died of illness in Kyoto, leaving only a young son who could not manage the government and a family courtier who was eager to move.
One of the most ambitious courtiers was Tokugawa Ieyasu, who immediately became active after Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death. First, secret military treaties were constantly concluded with other daimyōs to win more forces against the Toyotomi family; secondly, they secretly recruited troops to buy horses to expand their armaments, and the desire to compete for the world was clearly revealed.
In 1600, the old forces of the Toyotomi clan, led by Ishida Sansei, and the new forces led by Tokugawa Ieyasu lined up in the Sekigahara area in preparation for a century war. This battle not only determined the fate of the two men, but also determined the future ownership of Japan. At this critical moment, the Sanada family fell into hesitation.
After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ishida Sansei, the main backbone of the Toyotomi family
As mentioned earlier, Sanada Masayuki's eldest son, Sanada Nobuyuki, married the daughter of Honda Tadatsukatsu, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Tokugawa, which meant that Sanada Nobuyuki could only fight for Tokugawa Ieyasu, while Sanada Masayuki and Sanada Yukimura were betraying the Toyotomi family if they chose to fight for Tokugawa Ieyasu. If you fight on the side of the Toyotomi family, you will be the enemy of your parents and brothers, and it is really difficult to choose. Eventually, the Sanada family split in two, with Sanada Nobunaga leading his troops to Tokugawa Ieyasu's ranks, while Sanada Masayuki and Sanada Yukimura joined Ishida Mitsunari's army.
However, Sanada Masayuki and Sanada Yukimura were not directly involved in the Sekigahara Battle, but were responsible for stopping the Tokugawa family reinforcements. On the eve of the outbreak of war, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered Tokugawa Hidetada to lead the main force of the Tokugawa army to the battlefield. Once this force entered the Sekigahara area, the Tokugawa Confederate Forces would have an absolute superiority over the Ishida Allied Forces. In other words, as long as to prevent Tokugawa Hidetada from participating in the battle, the odds of victory for the Ishida alliance will be greatly increased.
Sanada Shinyuki, who joined the Tokugawa Army
Sure enough, when Tokugawa Hidetada marched to Ueda Castle, he was provoked by Sanada Yukimura and chose to storm Ueda Castle. Although the garrison in the city was seriously insufficient, under the command of the father and son, the Tokugawa army did not take advantage of the opportunity. After many days of fighting, Tokugawa Hidetada realized that he was about to miss the fighter plane of the Sekigahara Battle, so he led his troops to leave in a hurry. However, by the time he reached the Sekigahara region, the decisive battle to determine the ownership of the world was over. Fortunately, the war ended in The victory of Tokugawa Ieyasu, otherwise Tokugawa Hidetada would have had to choose to apologize for his sins. In this regard, it is mentioned in the book "Chronicles of the History of Asahi Japan":
"In the battle of Sekigahara in 5 years of Keicho, I was enshoured with my father about Mitsunarikata Ishida at Ueda Castle, and provoked Hidetada Tokugawa's army on the nakasendo road to prevent the westward."
(Translation: During the Battle of Sekigahara, which took place in Keicho's 5th year, Ishida Ordered Sanada Yukimura and Sanada Masayuki to hold on to Ueda Castle, provoking Tokugawa Hidetada's army, who had come to support from Nakasen Province, and stopping Tokugawa Hidetada's westward movement.) ）
Schematic diagram of the Sekigahara Combined War
Overall, the defeat of the Ishida Coalition forces in the Battle of Sekigahara had nothing to do with Sanada Masayuki and Sanada Yukimura. On the contrary, it was precisely because the father and son dragged down Tokugawa Hidetada and the main force led by him that the Ishida alliance had an increase in the chances of victory in the Battle of Sekigahara. Otherwise, as soon as the war begins, the Ishida coalition army will fall into a passive situation, and the rate of defeat will be faster. The real reason for the failure of the Sekigahara War was the sudden defection of Hideaki Kohayakawa, which caused the old forces of the Toyotomi family to fall short.
After the war, Tokugawa Ieyasu liquidated the daimyo who had supported Ishida Misei, but "accidentally" spared Sanada Masayuki and Sanada Yukimura. The reason for this is that Sanada Nobuyuki tried to intercede for the two, which was the reason why Tokugawa Ieyasu was able to open up. Therefore, later generations often believe that the Sanada family split before the Sekigahara War was the political means used by the Sanada family. No matter which side wins, at least it can guarantee the safety of the Sanada family and the continuation of the bloodline. In this regard, the author is positive.
Sanada family pattern
After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Toyotomi family's power shrank severely, but there was still a place at that time. At this time, there were not many castles left in the hands of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (lord of the Toyotomi family and son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi), and Osaka Castle was not only his residence, but also the core of the Toyotomi family's power. Many of the toyotomi family's former vassals often plotted a comeback here to overthrow Tokugawa Ieyasu's rule.
In 1614, the Toyotomi family established contact with Sanada Yukimura, who was under house arrest, hoping that he would give it another hand for the Toyotomi family. To this, Sanada Yukimura agreed. Judging from the accounts of his words and deeds during his house arrest, Sanada Yukimura has been waiting for such an opportunity. In October, Sanada Yukimura escaped the surveillance of the Tokugawa family and led his cronies into Osaka Castle, where he was immediately enfeoffed as a military commander by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Since the Toyotomi family's military strength was no longer as great as before, the first task was to preserve Osaka Castle, followed by attacking other areas and seizing the lands occupied by Tokugawa Ieyasu. To this end, Sanada Yukimura proposed to strengthen the defense of Osaka Castle and build a new fortification called "Sanada Maru" on the outskirts of the city wall. The so-called "Sanada Maru" is actually a deer rock that extends to build a new fan-shaped wall on the outside of the southern city wall of Osaka Castle. And set up arrow towers and other fortifications on the walls of the new city to facilitate shooting. In fact, this defense system has long been widely adopted in ancient China, and it is not a creative move.
Osaka Castle today
In November, Tokugawa's main forces also reached the outskirts of Osaka Castle and completed the encirclement, gradually reducing the encirclement. Due to the peculiarity of Sanada Maru's location, it was destined that the Tokugawa army must capture Sanada Maru before attacking Osaka Castle, which also determined that Sanada Yukimura would take the lead in the duel with the Tokugawa army. In the first confrontation, Sanada Yukimura calmly commanded the troops and annihilated more than 2,000 Tokugawa troops at a very low cost. It was precisely because Sanada Maru was not captured that the battle known as the Osaka Winter Front came to an end. In this regard, the book "Zhi Wei" once mentioned:
"14 years. Nobushige built a fort called Sanadamaru to the south of Osaka Castle in the winter camp, and showed a struggle to attack to Ieyasu Tokugawa's main team as a oligarist Toyotomi.
(Translation: 1614... Sanada Yukimura, who built a fortress known as Sanada Maru in the south of Osaka Castle during the Battle of Cage Castle in the Winter Front, led a lone army to attack Tokugawa Ieyasu's home front, and was very heroic... ）
Osaka Castle is now housed in a modern complex
However, everyone involved in the Osaka Battle knew very well that the Osaka Winter Front was definitely not the last battle between the Tokugawa and Toyotomi families, and that the current peace was only a temporary peace. At a banquet during the truce, Sanada Yukimura explicitly mentioned his views on the general situation of the world, believing that the Toyotomi family was bound to perish, and that it would be Tokugawa Ieyasu who would seize the world and establish the shogunate. But even so, he would fight for the Toyotomi family until the last moment.
In 1615, the Battle of Osaka was fought. Since Sanada Maru had been destroyed, Osaka Castle lost its only barrier. Coupled with the repeated defeats of the Toyotomi army, morale has long since fallen to a trough. Sensing his weakness, Sanada Yukimura decided to engage in a final showdown with the Tokugawa Army. At 4 p.m. on May 7, Sanada Yukimura, who had just fought a fierce battle and was recovering his strength, was beheaded by the Tokugawa army, and the Toyotomi army collapsed and scattered. The next day, Toyotomi Hiderai and his mother Asai Tea Set Fire to Osaka Castle, and the Toyotomi family was declared extinct.
After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the main bone of the Toyotomi family, Asai Tea Tea Film and Television Stills
Judging from the historical records at that time, Sanada Yukimura once tried to rush into the battlefield of the enemy and die more than once, but he stopped every time. Judging from his performance and mentality in the two battles, it was not because of greed for fear of death that he dispelled this idea, but to give the Tokugawa army more blows and better protect the young lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
During the two battles of osaka Winter's Front and Osaka Summer's Battle, Sanada Yukimura also frequently designed beheadings in order to cut off to the heads of Tokugawa Ieyasu who had come to supervise the battle. It can be said that even if he knew that the Toyotomi family could not turn things around, he still had to drag the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu to accompany the toyo family funeral.
Simulation of the performance of the Osaka Summer Team Sanada Yukimura
The author believes that from the perspective of Sanada Yukimura's military achievements, it is a bit exaggerated that the world compares him to the last hero of the fighting country, after all, his merits are far inferior to those of the military generals or daimyo of the same period. Whether it was Honda Tadatsukatsu under Tokugawa Ieyasu or Masanori Fukushima under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, their military achievements were far superior to Sanada Yukimura's. Overall, Sanada Yukimura's record is not proud, it can only be called excellent, not a person who stands on the head of other warring warlords.
However, if you take his loyalty as the starting point, then Sanada Yukimura is indeed a hero. In that era of war and strife, the ethics of Tsunaga had long been abandoned by the samurai, and the situation of "lower keshang" occurred repeatedly. Even fathers and sons can kill each other because of the uneven distribution of benefits, the most prominent example of which is the civil unrest in the Saito family. And even in this atmosphere, Sanada Yukimura was able to maintain his original intention, and in order to repay Toyotomi Hideyoshi's kindness, he chose to bow down for the Toyotomi family, die, and not be moved by interests, which is the most rare.
When looking through the materials, the author did not find that Tokugawa Ieyasu had tried to bring down Sanada Yukimura. It was Tokugawa Ieyasu who was also aware of Sanada Yukimura's determination, and knew very well that even sending an emissary would not shake his determination to serve the Toyotomi family. If this is the case, then it is simply not to surrender, so it will be clear that he can be captured alive or cut off his head. Although Sanada Yukimura did not help the Toyotomi family return to the peak in the end, he still did his duty as a courtier.
bibliography:
1. World Encyclopedia
2. Asahi-Japanese History Person's Dictionary
3.《Wisdom Store》
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