Everything You Need To Know About the Legendary Date Masamune

The Legendary Date Masamune

Date Masamune was one of the legendary Samurai that shaped the future of Japan. He was famous for unifying Northern Japan by subduing most areas near him. Unlike other Samurai who hated so much Westernization, he was the opposite.

He loved the culture of Western states so much. Some people considered him as a sympathizer of Western goods since he allowed Christianity and other products.

Where did This Legendary Leader Come from?

Date Masamune, also known by the birth name of Bontenmaru, was born on the year of 1567. He was born and raised in the Tohoku region.

Among the sons of Date Terumune, he was the youngest member of a clan who became a Daimyo at a young age.

Date Masamune was born with a silver spoon since he came from a long line of powerful and respected lords in Japan.

During his childhood, he caught a disease called smallpox that robbed his right eye. From then on, he wore an eye patch and was later on called Dokuganryū (独眼竜), or the “One-Eyed Dragon of Ōshu”.

In fact, most of his allies and even his enemies prefer to call him as “the one-eyed dragon.”

However, some say that it is not the disease who stole his eye but Masamune himself. Some legends say that he pulled out his eye since his advisers warned him that enemies might see it as his weakness.

The other stories said that it was his retainer who gouge out his right eye upon his request.

The Beginning of Date Masamune’s Legacy

At a young age, Masamune led his first war with the help of his father, Date Terumune against their enemy, which was the Soma family.

When he turned 17, his father knew that he could already become a great Daimyo. Thus, his father passed the throne to him.

Right after succeeding the throne, their retainer named Ouchi Sadatsuna betrayed them and joined the Ashina clan in Aizu region.

Date Masamune was furious about it that he declared his first war as a Daimyo against Ashina clan. He even assembled an army that will mainly focus on taking down the traitor.

He disregarded his alliance with the Ashina clan and sent his troops to punish them. Masamune wanted to let the traitor face the taste of his Wakizashi weapon.

A Devoted Leader to His Clan

V Neck Samurai T-Shirts

Masamune was so annoyed of Satsaduna’s betrayal since even his closest allies who helped the traitor disregarded their treaty. One of his allies that were affected by his rage was Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu of Dewan province.

Yoshitsugu sensed that Masamune would defeat him soon, so he immediately surrendered. However, Masamune had one condition, and that was, Yoshitsugu must give up all of his territories.

Yoshitsugu was not happy about it, so he kidnapped Terumune for a ransom. When Masamune heard about it, he was so pissed.

He then gathered all of his men then attacked Yoshitsugu. When Yoshitsugu had nowhere to go, he used Terumune as his shield. However, Masamune’s men did not hesitate to shoot them both.

At the age of 17, his standpoint regarding the sins of his enemies was undeniable. For him, the honor and name of the Date clan must come first.

He was known for being a devoted leader who will do anything for his clan even if it means cutting ties with his family or friends.

Service under Hideyoshi and Ieyasu

Toyotomi Hideyoshi had his ways to conquer land. He can use diplomacy, bribery, and sabotage.

If none of those ways worked out, he would use his Katana and Wakizashi to gain territory.  When Toyotomi Hideyoshi came into power in 1590, he rearranged the government system in Japan.

Toyotomi wanted to unify Japan, so he forced his subordinates to give up their lands and pledge loyalty to him; one of the subordinates was Masamune.

Date Masamune had no other choice but to forfeit his land or else he will face the rage of Hideyoshi.

Although he never retrieved his lands, Hideyoshi gave him a piece of land in Iwasetama. He built his castle there and renamed it as Iwadeyama.

Until then, Masamune supported Hideyoshi in many wars like the invasion of Korea.

A Loyal Servant of Tokugawa Ieyasu

After the death of Hideyoshi, another Daimyo named Tokugawa Ieyasu came into power with the vision of unifying Japan.

Everything You Need To Know About the Legendary Date Masamune
Top Four YouTube Videos About Samurai
The Art of Shodo: The Way They Write

Years passed by, Masamune became the retainer of the Shogun, and Tokugawa gave him the Sendai as a domain. Masamune became the most powerful Daimyo in Northern Japan.

In 1604, he left Iwadeyama and moved to Sendai. He left his 4th son in charge of Iwadeyama and to rule its people.

He moved to Sendai together with his 52,000 vassals including their families. Masamune became the most famous Daimyo for being the wealthiest during that time.

The Daimyo gave his loyalty and served Tokugawa Ieyasu all of his life. Date supported and helped Tokugawa win the bloodiest war in Japanese history, the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 AD.

Did Date Masamune Welcome Westernization in Japan?

Although Masamune was popular for being a loyalist to its country, some said that he welcomed Christianity.

It all started when a pope cures the illness of his girlfriends. Date Masamune converted himself from being a Buddhist to Christian. Until then, he became so obsessed with Westernization.

He was also responsible for the conversion of many Buddhists into Christianity. Masamune started to sympathize with missionaries.

Masamune also started to expand his business to Europe. Then he started importing products and goods. He sent Japanese nobles in Europe using his own western-style sailing ship in Madrid.

When Japan welcomed Westernization, he started encouraging other leaders to do the same.

What were the Contributions of the Daimyo in Japan?

Aside from helping Tokugawa in winning all of his battles, Date was responsible for unifying the territories in Northern Japan.

Date Masamune the Daimyo who also expanded the trading route in Japan by allowing to Western countries to import and export goods.

He was also liable for establishing the first Embassy of Japan in Rome. In short, the Daimyo was responsible for strengthening the relation of other countries and in Japan.

The End of the Infamous Daimyo

Some believed that, among the warriors in Japan, he was the greatest among all. Aside from his amazing skills in the art of sword fighting, he established the name of Japan in other countries.

He participated in unifying the territories in Japan. He was able to witness the beginning of the new period of peace under the rule of Tokugawa. Masamune leaves an undying legacy that is alive until today.

At the age of 69, Date Masamune died, leaving all of his assets to his sons.