Tokugawa forcesHonda
Honda Tadakatsu
本多忠勝
“The Demon of Tonbokiri”
1548–1610 (aged 63)
- Rank / office
- Nakatsukasa-no-taifu
- Domain / base
- Ōtaki, Kazusa → Kuwana, Ise
- Banner / crest
- Honda hollyhock
- Battles in 3D
- 4 battles
Portrait · Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
A samurai need not take heads. What matters is his work with the spear.
Attributed to Honda Tadakatsu
One of Tokugawa's Four Guardians and a matchless warrior said never to have been wounded in 57 battles. Known for his famous spear "Tonbokiri" and his antlered helmet, he served as rearguard at Hitokotozaka and at Mikatagahara and saved Ieyasu both times. Nobunaga praised him as "too good for Japan," and after Sekigahara he held Kuwana, 100,000 koku.
Life and battlesGold dots mark battles you can watch in 3D
- 1570
Battle of Anegawa
The young demon of the spear Tonbokiri. He stood alone in the Anegawa stream and did not yield a step to the great sword of Magara Naotaka.
Anegawa River, Ōmi Province 1,500 troops Watch in 3D › - 1572Genki 3
Rearguard at Hitokotozaka
Covered the retreat before Mikatagahara so well that even the Takeda were impressed.
- 1573
Battle of Mikatagahara
The warrior who went unwounded through 57 battles served as rearguard again this day and saw his lord to safety. His spear "Tonbokiri" hummed in the dusk.
Mikatagahara, Tōtōmi Province 1,000 troops Watch in 3D › - 1584Tenshō 12
Komaki and Nagakute
Stood in the path of Hideyoshi's great army with a handful of men and bought time.
Battle of Komaki and Nagakute 500 troops Watch in 3D › With a mere 500 men he stood on the bank of the Ryūsenji River and single-handedly checked the advance of Hideyoshi's great army: the demon of Tonbokiri at his finest. - 1600Keichō 5
Sekigahara
Fought hard as inspector of the Eastern Army and was granted Kuwana, 100,000 koku, afterwards.
Battle of Sekigahara 500 troops Watch in 3D › As inspector of the Tokugawa army he ranged across the field with a small escort and led the pursuit of the retreating Shimazu.
