Tokugawa forcesIi
Ii Naomasa
井伊直政
“One of the Four Guardians of Tokugawa / The Red Devils of Ii”
1561–1602 (aged 42)
- Rank / office
- Vice-Minister of War
- Domain / base
- Minowa, Kōzuke → Sawayama, Ōmi
- Banner / crest
- Ii tachibana / red armour
- Battles in 3D
- 3 battles
Portrait · Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
His father was killed by the Imagawa and he grew up in exile, until Ieyasu took him on as a page and he rose fast. After the fall of the Takeda he was given their surviving retainers and formed the all-crimson "Red Devils of Ii," the finest unit in the Tokugawa army. A skilled diplomat and schemer as well, he opened the battle at Sekigahara and died two years later of a gunshot wound suffered pursuing the retreating Shimazu.
Life and battlesGold dots mark battles you can watch in 3D
- 1582Tenshō 10
Inheriting the red armour
Took charge of the former Takeda retainers and formed the crimson "Red Devils of Ii."
- 1584Tenshō 12
Komaki and Nagakute
Led the Red Devils in what amounted to his first major action and made his name.
Battle of Komaki and Nagakute 3,000 troops Watch in 3D › The young commander of the Tokugawa red-armoured troops. At Hotokegane he poured fire into Mori Nagayoshi's contingent and brought about his death. - 1585
First Battle of Ueda
Sent with Ōsuga Yasutaka, Matsudaira Yasushige and others as reinforcements after the defeat at Ueda. But neither Maruko Castle nor Ueda Castle fell, and the campaign went nowhere.
Ueda, Shinano Province 5,000 troops Watch in 3D › - 1600Keichō 5
Sekigahara
Led the first charge and was badly wounded pursuing the retreating Shimazu.
Battle of Sekigahara 6,000 troops Watch in 3D › Opened the battle by breaking ranks for the first charge, and late in the day pursued the retreating Shimazu, Naomasa being wounded in the chase. - 1602Keichō 7
Death in Ōmi
Died at Sawayama in Ōmi of his unhealed wound, aged 42.
