Hōjō Tsunashige Explained

Office:Lord of Tamanawa Castle
Term Start:1542
Term End:1587
Predecessor:Hōjō Tamemasa
Successor:Hōjō Ujishige
Hōjō Tsunashige
Native Name:北条 綱成
Native Name Lang:jpn
Birth Name:Katsuchiyo
Birth Date:1515
Death Place:Tamanawa Castle, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan
Father:Kushima Masashige
Nickname:"Jio Hachiman"
Allegiance: Later Hōjō clan
Rank:Commander
Relations:Hōjō Tamemasa (step father)
Hōjō Ujitsuna (father in law)
Hōjō Ujiyasu (brother in law)
Commands:Tamanawa Castle
Kawagoe Castle
Fukazawa Castle
Battles:

or Hōjō Tsunanari also known as "Jio Hachiman", was a samurai commander with great skill under the Hōjō clan. The brother in law of Hōjō Ujiyasu. Around the Kantō region, he fought in many battles supporting the Hōjō, also contributing to the expansion of the domain of Hōjō, he was well known for his fighting skill and also an excellent diplomat.

Biography

Tsunashige's childhood name was 'Katsuchiyo'. His father was Kushima Masashige, a vassal of the Imagawa clan. Tsunashige was the stepson of Hōjō Ujiyasu's brother, Tamemasa, and son-in-law of Hōjō Ujitsuna. He was fought for Hōjō from 1537 and known as 'Jio Hachiman' (God of worriers with yellow flags) for his soldiers yellow uniforms, along with outstandingly creative banners.[1] Tsunashige was the castellan (castle lord) in command of Tamanawa Castle and Kawagoe Castle.

In 1545, during the Siege of Kawagoe Castle, despite an overwhelming attacking force, numbering around 85,000, the 3,000 men Kawagoe Castle's garrison under Hōjō Tsunashige, held off the siege until the Hojo Ujiyasu relief force arrived. He attained fame by defeating the siege.[2]

In 1551, he fought in Siege of Hirai castle against Uesugi Norimasa.

In 1561, he fought in the first Siege of Odawara against Uesugi Kenshin.

In 1564, he fought in the second Battle of Konodai against Satomi Yoshihiro.

In 1567, he fought in Battle of Numajiri against Satake Yoshishige.

In 1571, Fukazawa Castle that Tsunashige defended was surrounded by Takeda Shingen's large army. Tsunashige held off well but was forced to surrender. Then, he withdrew to his Tamanawa Castle.[3]

After the Siege of Fukazawa Castle, Tsunashige retired from public life, and he died in 1587.[1] Tsunashige's tomb is at Ryūhō-ji Temple near the Tamanawa castle.[4]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 北条綱成. コトバンク. 27 July 2019.
  2. Web site: 2代氏綱から5代氏直まで仕えた "地黄八幡" の闘将 . 戦国ヒストリー. 27 July 2019.
  3. Web site: 深沢城 . 日本の城がわかる事典 . コトバンク . 2019-08-05.
  4. Web site: 北条早雲が築いた名城~鎌倉「玉縄城跡」に残る遺構と古民家 . Lineトラベル. Japanese. 25 July 2019.