Military campaign Date Masamune

a letter written masamune pope paul v



masamune s grave @ zuihōden mausoleum

masamune known few things made him stand out other daimyōs of time. in particular, famous crescent-moon-bearing helmet won him fearsome reputation. child, smallpox robbed him of sight in right eye, though unclear how lost organ entirely. various theories behind eye s condition exist. sources plucked out eye himself when senior member of clan pointed out enemy grab in fight. others had trusted retainer katakura kojūrō gouge out eye him,making him,the one-eyed dragon of Ōshu.

the date clan had built alliances neighboring clans through marriages on previous generations, local disputes remained commonplace. shortly after masamune s succession in 1584, date retainer named Ōuchi sadatsuna defected ashina clan of aizu region. masamune declared war on Ōuchi , ashina betrayal, , started campaign hunt down sadatsuna. formerly amicable alliances cast aside began attack , conquer lands of sadatsuna s allies in pursuit, of kin in mutsu , dewa provinces. in winter of 1585, 1 of these allies, hatakeyama yoshitsugu, felt defeat approaching , chose surrender date instead. masamune agreed accept surrender, on heavy condition hatakeyama give of territory date. resulted in yoshitsugu kidnapping masamune s father terumune during meeting in miyamori castle, terumune staying @ during time. incident ended both yoshitsugu , terumune killed fleeing hatakeyama party clashed pursuing date troops near abukuma river. various records of event exist, although present different accounts of circumstances.

the date fought many battles neighbours afterwards, including battle of hitotoribashi in 1585. after defeating ashina @ battle of suriagehara in 1589, masamune made aizu domain base of operations.