Takahashi Shigetane

Takahashi Shigetane (高橋 紹運^?, 1548 – September 10, 1586) also known as Takahashi Shōun (Jōun) (高橋 紹運^?) was a senior retainer of the clan of Otomo throughout the latter Sengoku Period of Feudal Japan. As Shigetane was additionally known by the name of Takahashi Shoun during the earlier years of his life, he would began his service beneath the Otomo of Bungo Province around this same initial time, with Sorin as their leader and head. Eventually, Shigetane became the respective controller of the Takahashi clan, in which he was additionally regarded as a great pillar of power to the Otomo name, being granted a castle by the name of Iwaya that bordered Chikuzen Province in contribution to his authority and prestige.

The powerful Shimazu had conquered the Ryūzōji at Okitanawate in 1584, and by 1586 had set their aim upon the destruction of the Otomo, with whom they had a long, intense rivalry. This action forced Shigetane, who was unprepared, to strengthen his defenses. However, the forces of Shimazu arrived earlier than the Otomo initially anticipated, and therefore Shigetane was desperately placed in a dilemma: on one hand he had no more than 763 men, and as the opposition respectively wielded around 50,000 soldiers, no form of defense could be utterly possible, considering that such a mass of military might was additionally set on solely besieging Iwaya castle, as opposed to splitting and assaulting from a different direction. And as the circumstances would naturally have it, Shigetane was overwhelmed relatively immediately, but the forces in Iwaya somehow managed to survive for over two weeks before initially seeing that the situation was far beyond any length of salvation, forcing Shigetane to commit suicide there and then, who was consequently praised by the Shimazu for his bravery and conviction, despite being in a situation that entirely contradicted any means of victory.

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