Kobayakawa Takakage | |
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Native name | 小早川 隆景 |
Born | 1533 |
Died | July 26, 1597 (aged 63 or 64) |
Allegiance | Mōri clan |
Rank | Lord (Daimyō) |
Relations |
Father: Mōri Motonari Mother: Myōkyū |
Kobayakawa Takakage (小早川 隆景?, 1533 – July 26, 1597) was a samurai retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi during Japan's Sengoku period, and the son of Mōri Motonari. Adopted by the head of the Kobayakawa clan, Takakage took his name, and succeeded his adoptive father to become head of the Kobayakawa clan following his death in 1545.
As head of the Kobayakawa clan, he expanded the clan's territory in the Chūgoku region (western Honshū), and fought for the Mōri clan in all their campaigns; for a time, he also opposed both the great warlords Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He later swore loyalty to Hideyoshi, however, and entered his service; he was then awarded domains in Iyo Province on Shikoku and Chikuzen Province on Kyūshū, totalling 350,000 koku.
Takakage took part in Hideyoshi's invasions of Shikoku, Kyūshū, and Korea, and adopted Kobayakawa Hideaki, formerly an adopted son of Hideyoshi, and named him successor to the clan.
He led the Mori navy in the recapture of Moji Castle and its defense in 1561. He also fought in the 1568 Battle of Torisaka, the 1568 Battle of Tatarahama, and the 1570 Battle of Nunobeyama.