Sakuma Morishige Explained

Sakuma Morishige
Native Name:佐久間 盛重
Death Date:June 11, 1560
Death Place:Marune fortress
Allegiance:Oda clan
Rank:Samurai
Battles:Battle of Ino
Siege of Marune
Commands:Marune fortress

was a Japanese samurai from Sakuma clan who served Oda Nobunaga. He is believed to be the first "general' killed by gunfire in Japan.

In 1556, Morishige fought at the Battle of Ino against Oda Nobuyuki.

In 1560, during the invasion of Owari Province by Imagawa Yoshimoto, leading up to the Battle of Okehazama, Morishige was appointed to defend the Marune fortress on the border of the province.

The fortress came under attack by Tokugawa Ieyasu (who was at that time named Matsudaira Motoyasu). During the Siege of Marune, Ieyasu made effective use of concentrated arquebus fire. Morishige was killed by a bullet, and the fortress fell to Imagawa forces.[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Turnbull, Stephen . The Samurai Sourcebook . Cassell & Co. . 1998 . 1854095234 . 215.
  2. Web site: Sakuma Morishige. samurai-world.com. 27 February 2019.