Ishida Mitsunari

Ishida Mitsunari (石田 三成; Japanese pronunciation: [i.ɕi.da (|) mʲi.tsɯꜜ.na.ɾʲi], 1559 – November 6, 1600) was a Japanese samurai and military commander of the late Sengoku period of Japan. He is probably best remembered as the commander of the Western army in the Battle of Sekigahara following the Azuchi–Momoyama period of the 16th century. He is also known by his court title, Jibu-no-shō (治部少輔).

Mitsunari was born in 1559 in northern Ōmi Province (currentNagahama city, Shiga Prefecture), as the second son of Ishida Masatsugu, a retainer for the Azai clan. His childhood name was Sakichi (佐吉).

The Ishida withdrew from service after the Azai's defeat in 1573 at the Siege of Odani Castle. According to legend, Mitsunari was a monk in a Buddhist temple before serving Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but the accuracy of this legend is doubtful as it was first recorded during the Edo period.^{[citation needed]}

In 1577, Mitsunari met Toyotomi Hideyoshi, when the former was still young and the latter was the daimyō of Nagahama. Later, Mitsunari became one of Hideyoshi’s samurai officers. When Hideyoshi engaged in a campaign in the Chūgoku region, Mitsunari assisted his lord in attacks against castles including Tottori Castle and Takamatsu Castle (in present-day Okayama).^{[citation needed]}

In 1583, Mitsunari participated in the Battle of Shizugatake. According to the "Hitotsuyanagi Kaki", he was in charge of a mission to spy on Shibata Katsuie's army and also performed a great feat of Ichiban-yari (being the first to thrust a spear at an enemy soldier) as one of the warriors on the front line. Later, he served in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute in 1584. That same year, he worked as a kenchi (survey magistrate) at Gamo county in Omi Province.^{[citation needed]}

In 1585, Mitsunari was appointed as administrator of Sakai, a role he took together with his elder brother Ishida Masazumi. He was appointed one of the five bugyō, or top administrators of Hideyoshi's government, along with Asano Nagamasa, Maeda Gen'i, Mashita Nagamori and Natsuka Masaie. Hideyoshi made him a daimyō of Sawayama in Ōmi Province, a five hundred thousand koku fief (now a part of Hikone). Sawayama Castle was known as one of the best-fortified castles during that time. In January 1586, he hired Shima Sakon, who was renowned as a wise and courageous commander.^{[citation needed]}

In 1588, Mitsunari was placed in charge of the famed "sword hunt" conducted by Hideyoshi in an effort to disarm the non-military bulk of the population and preserve peace.^{[citation needed]}

In 1590, he campaigned against the Hōjō clan, where he commanded the Siege of Oshi and captured Oshi Castle.