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Japan History
Honda Tadakatsu: The Bravest General of Tokugawa
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Honda Tadakatsu
The perfect portrayal of a Samurai would be brave, honorable and loyal to his masters. As we all know, Samurai has been part of the rich culture of Japan since ancient times ago. In Japan, a Samurai named Honda Tadakatsu bloomed for his bravery amongst other Samurai.
Aside from their traits, they were known for their knowledge in the art of sword fighting. They were also famous for having an elegant dress with great swords.
Who was this Famous Samurai Named Honda Tadakatsu?
Honda Tadakatsu, or also known as Honda Heihachiro, was born in March 1548. He was born and raised in Mikawa province. He was the son of another prominent Samurai named Tadataka.
Tadakatsu was popular for being a fierce fighter, as well as a great tactician when it comes to war. His skills were an advantage to him that he received a higher promotion often for his service.
Tadakatsu played the role as one of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s generals who fought with many clans. When he was in service, he received a lot of praises. Oda Nobunaga himself, who was famous for being fierce, admires him.
Nobunaga stated that the general was “Samurai among Samurai”; that he is the ideal type of a true Samurai. Takeda Shingen, a warlord, said that Tadakatsu’s helmet made him more look like a devil.
Daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi also stated that among Samurai generals, Tadakatsu was the best.
When it comes to war, he won several battles that led to his recognition as the brilliant strategist. Some even stated that without him, Tokugawa might be dead for a long time.
Some legends said that all throughout his battles, he was not injured even a single cut of the blade. Throughout his childhood, until when he became a warrior, he never had a wound.
In the war zone, he likes to stay on the front line, unlike any other leader who will let the minions attack first. He enjoyed being the first one who attacks the enemies. That is why among his peers, he earned the name “the warrior who surpass death”.
Why Were the Enemies So Intimidated by Him?
Wearing a black armor and having a helmet that has horns made him so popular. His extravagant suit and helmet made him looked like he just recently stepped out from hell.
The demon looks that he portrayed made his enemies intimidated by him. Every time an enemy would see horns in a battlefield, it’s understood that he was fighting in the battle.
Some enemies would often back out since they knew that the devil Samurai was there.
Another thing that made Tadakatsu look badass was his big spear or known as the dragonfly cutter. There was a legend that the blade was so sharp that when a dragonfly landed on the tip of the weapon, it split in half.
Some stated that the weapon of Tadakatsu might have the blessing of the deities or might be a divine weapon that’s why he never suffered a wound. Years passed by; his spear became one greatest spear of warriors in Japan.
There’s a lot of times wherein his enemies would rush him in hopes of taking him down, but no one succeeded. The fun fact was that, he was not even hiding from his enemies.
Countless battles passed by and he earned the nickname of the “Samurai who escaped death”.
What Battles Did Tadakatsu Take Part in?
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Every Samurai who knows Tadakatsu’s skill in the art of sword fighting feared him. The image Honda Tadakatsu established was an image of a warrior that would eat anyone alive.
Among the loyal warriors who served Tokugawa Ieyasu, he was the bravest. He was the right hand and was the favorite of Tokugawa among his generals.
During his service to Tokugawa Ieyasu, he fought a lot of civil wars that his master took part in. One of the greatest moments in battle for Tadakatsu was the battle of Anegawa in July 1570.
The battle of Anegawa happened in Omi province in Japan. Tokugawa and Oda Nobunaga combined their forces to defeat the Azai and Sakura clans. It was the first battle that the two great unifiers combined their powers.
After the Anegawa battle, the Mikatagahara followed. For Tadakatsu, it was one of his worst battles since his master was not able to win the war. The battle was against Takeda Shingen’s armies, and it took place in Totomi province.
Tadakatsu ruled the troops against Takeda’s army under the rule of Naito Masatoyo. Tadakatsu’s army was only 11,000 while Takeda’s army was 35,000.
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Another event that he faced during his service to Tokugawa was the battle of Nagashino. The battle happened in Nagashino castle in Mikawa province.
It was still a battle between Takeda and Tokugawa-Nobunaga forces. If Tokugawa wasn’t able to win on the Mikatagahara war, this time he has slain his enemies.
Tadakatsu had a brilliant idea to be able to win their war. Instead of using Katana, his strategy was to use muskets and shoot Takeda’s army without stopping.
The plan succeeded, and the idea of Tadakatsu worked and killed Takeda’s thousands of troops.
What Led to the Komaki Campaign?
Tadakatsu noticed that Hideyoshi was forming an army that would kill Tokugawa. The general realized that his master would be in big trouble if he will not do anything. Tadakatsu gathered his men and marched to Shonai river to intercept Hideyoshi.
Hideyoshi overpowered him, but Hideyoshi was so surprised and compelled to Tadakatsu’s bravery. So, he commanded his forces that no harm must come to Tadakatsu and his men.
What Happened during the Battle of Sekigahara?
At the age of 57, Tadakatsu took part in the legendary battle of Sekigahara in October 1600. During the battle, most soldiers targeted Tadakatsu in hopes to kill him, but no one can even come closer. Tadakatsu continued fighting until the war was over.
The battle that took place in Kuseigawa river was the conflict that led to Sekigahara battle. It’s the battle between Tokugawa of the Eastern army and Mitsunari of Western army.
Mitsunari ambushed Tokugawa’s officers, but fortunately, Tadakatsu was able to rescue them. Ishida Mitsunari wanted to overthrow Tokugawa to get back their superiority in Japan.
Due to secret treaties that Tokugawa made, many of Hideyoshi-Mitsunari’s ally betrayed them and did not take part in the battle. The Battle of Sekigahara put an end to the bloody wars, and it became the start of peace under Tokugawa Shogunate.
What Happened to Honda Tadakatsu after Their Wars Were Over?
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When Tokugawa unified Japan, the service of the Samurai was no longer needed. In short, Tadakatsu would longer need to experience blood baths that flooded the landscape of the country.
Tokugawa gave him land in Otaki then built the Otaki castle as a reward to his loyalty throughout the battles. Tadakatsu had a comfortable life that any man could ask for, but he wasn’t happy about it.
He still wanted to fight and pursue Tokugawa’s other vision in Japan. But due to his frustration in politics, he quitted and stayed in his castle.
In 1610, Tadakatsu died at the age of 63 due to natural causes. Some said that he accidentally killed himself while using one of the Japanese swords.
As of now, together with his son and wife, his tombstone is in Kondo, at the Otaki castle.