was a Japanese ''
daimyō
were powerful Japanese magnates, feudal lords who, from the 10th century to the early Meiji era, Meiji period in the middle 19th century, ruled most of Japan from their vast, hereditary land holdings. They were subordinate to the shogun and n ...
'' of the
Sengoku period
The was a period in History of Japan, Japanese history of near-constant civil war and social upheaval from 1467 to 1615.
The Sengoku period was initiated by the Ōnin War in 1467 which collapsed the Feudalism, feudal system of Japan under the ...
. He was born in
Bizen Province, to
Ukita Okiie, a local samurai leader and head of the
Ukita clan
The Ukita clan (宇喜多氏, ''Ukita-shi'') was a Japanese samurai clan of daimyos. The Ukita clan ruled Bizen Province and Bingo Province etc in the late Sengoku period.
History
The Ukita were a local samurai clan in Bizen but became powerf ...
.
[
]
Biography
Naoie's grandfather Yoshiie was killed by Shimamura clan in 1534, Naoie narrowly escaped from Toishi castle along with his father Ukita Okiie. Two years later after his father died, he become head of Ukita clan
The Ukita clan (宇喜多氏, ''Ukita-shi'') was a Japanese samurai clan of daimyos. The Ukita clan ruled Bizen Province and Bingo Province etc in the late Sengoku period.
History
The Ukita were a local samurai clan in Bizen but became powerf ...
in the age of seven years old.
In 1543, he became a vassal of Uragami Munekage and made remarkable progress in his war service.[
In 1544, Naoie was appointed as the lord of small castle called '' Otogo Castle''.][ A year later, he was given command of 30 '']ashigaru
were infantry employed by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The first known reference to ''ashigaru'' was in the 14th century, but it was during the Ashikaga shogunate (Muromachi period) that the use of ''ashigaru'' became prevalent by various ...
'' to defend the fort and was rewarded for fighting treacherous Munekage's enemies.
In 1559, he killed his father-in-law Nakayama Nobumasa by order of Uragami Munekage and restored their old territory.
In 1567, at the Battle of Myōzenji, Naoie succeeded in expelling almost all forces from Bitchū who had entered the western portion of Bizen.
In 1569, Naoie joined with Oda Nobunaga
was a Japanese ''daimyō'' and one of the leading figures of the Sengoku period. He is regarded as the first "Great Unifier" of Japan.
Nobunaga was head of the very powerful Oda clan, and launched a war against other ''daimyō'' to unify ...
and Akamatsu Masahide Akamatsu (written: lit. "red pine") is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
*Akamatsu clan
**, Japanese ''daimyō''
**, Japanese samurai
**, Japanese samurai
**, Japanese samurai
** Akamatsu Tōshōin, Japanese ''daimyō''
...
of western Harima Province to rebel against his lord, Uragami Munekage. However, Munekage attacking Masahide at Tatsuno Castle and force Masahide to surrender. Munekage, whereupon give Naoie a special exception to return to serve him.
In 1570, Naoie killed Okayama castle lord Kanemitsu Munetaka Kanemitsu (written: 金光) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Matsumi Kanemitsu (1922–1992), Japanese-American painter
* , Japanese businessman and politician
* Yaichihyōe Kanemitsu (1892–1966), Japanese judoka ...
and started remodeling the castle
and moved Ukita clan
The Ukita clan (宇喜多氏, ''Ukita-shi'') was a Japanese samurai clan of daimyos. The Ukita clan ruled Bizen Province and Bingo Province etc in the late Sengoku period.
History
The Ukita were a local samurai clan in Bizen but became powerf ...
's main bastion from Numa castle in 1573.
In 1574, since the influence of Naoie was increasing, Uragami Munekage attempted to oust Naoie. Naoie was dissatisfied with the Munekage decision, he allied with Mōri clan
The Mōri clan (毛利氏 ''Mōri-shi'') was a Japanese samurai clan descended from Ōe no Hiromoto. Ōe no Hiromoto was descended from the Fujiwara clan. The family's most illustrious member, Mōri Motonari, greatly expanded the clan's power ...
and launched a rebellion against Munekage.
Naoie attacked Tenjinyama castle successfully, effectively ending Uragami Munekage's rule.
In 1579, the Ukita clan resisted an advance by Hashiba Hideyoshi
, otherwise known as and , was a Japanese samurai and ''daimyō'' ( feudal lord) of the late Sengoku period regarded as the second "Great Unifier" of Japan.Richard Holmes, The World Atlas of Warfare: Military Innovations that Changed the Co ...
, who led a westward march upon orders of Oda Nobunaga. Sensing Oda Nobunaga
was a Japanese ''daimyō'' and one of the leading figures of the Sengoku period. He is regarded as the first "Great Unifier" of Japan.
Nobunaga was head of the very powerful Oda clan, and launched a war against other ''daimyō'' to unify ...
's victory over the Mori clan, Naoie sent a force to help the Mori, but not present citing personal illness as an excuse.
Later in 1581, Naoie cut ties with the Mōri clan
The Mōri clan (毛利氏 ''Mōri-shi'') was a Japanese samurai clan descended from Ōe no Hiromoto. Ōe no Hiromoto was descended from the Fujiwara clan. The family's most illustrious member, Mōri Motonari, greatly expanded the clan's power ...
and submitted to Nobunaga. Thereafter, he engaged in battles across Mimasaka and Bizen against the Mōri.
In February 1582, He died in Okayama Castle. But strategic maneuver proved effective. Nobunaga confirmed his heir, Ukita Hideie
was the ''daimyō'' of Bizen and Mimasaka Provinces (modern Okayama Prefecture), and one of the council of Five Elders appointed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Son of Ukita Naoie, he married Gōhime, a daughter of Maeda Toshiie. Having fought ag ...
, to inherit his domain. later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi
, otherwise known as and , was a Japanese samurai and ''daimyō'' (feudal lord) of the late Sengoku period regarded as the second "Great Unifier" of Japan.Richard Holmes, The World Atlas of Warfare: Military Innovations that Changed the Cour ...
adopted Hideie.
References
1529 births
1582 deaths
Daimyo
People from Okayama Prefecture
Ukita clan
{{daimyo-stub