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

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

'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

'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

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