Shibata forcesMaeda
Maeda Toshiie
前田利家
“Matazaemon of the Spear”
1538–1599 (aged 62)
- Rank / office
- Provisional Major Counsellor
- Domain / base
- Kaga
- Banner / crest
- Plum blossom
- Battles in 3D
- 3 battles
Portrait · Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
When I die, do not cremate me. Bury me in the earth.
Attributed to Maeda Toshiie
In his youth a page of Nobunaga known as a flamboyant "kabukimono," he became the fierce warrior celebrated as "Matazaemon of the spear." He campaigned in the north under Shibata Katsuie, but at Shizugatake, torn between his old friend Hideyoshi and his overlord Katsuie, he left the field and decided the battle. He later became one of the Five Elders of the Toyotomi regime and laid the foundation of the million-koku domain of Kaga.
Life and battlesGold dots mark battles you can watch in 3D
- 1552Tenbun 21
The Flamboyant Young Warrior
Served as Nobunaga's page and made his name with flashy dress and his work with the spear.
- 1577
Battle of Tedorigawa
Serving under Katsuie, he was near the rear. He rallied his men in the confusion and just managed to cross the river and withdraw.
Tedori River, Kaga Province 3,000 troops Watch in 3D › - 1583Tenshō 11
Withdrawal at Shizugatake
Torn between his old friend Hideyoshi and his lord Katsuie, he left the field and settled the battle.
Battle of Shizugatake 3,000 troops Watch in 3D › Deployed on Mount Shigeyama but withdrew without fighting. His silence, caught between his friend Hideyoshi and his overlord Katsuie, decided the battle. - 1585Tenshō 13
A Million Koku in Kaga
Ruled Kaga, Noto and Etchū from Kanazawa and became a great daimyo.
- 1590
Siege of Odawara
Commander of the army that invaded the Kantō from the north with Uesugi Kagekatsu and others. He took the Hōjō castles of Kōzuke and Musashi one after another, Hachiōji Castle among them.
Odawara, Sagami Province 18,000 troops Watch in 3D › - 1598Keichō 3
The Five Elders
By Hideyoshi's dying wish he was entrusted with the guardianship of the young lord Hideyori.
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FAQ
Who was Maeda Toshiie?
A fierce warrior in Oda Nobunaga's service known as "Matazaemon of the spear," who later ruled Kaga, Noto and Etchū and founded the million-koku domain of Kaga. In the Toyotomi regime he was one of the Five Elders and was entrusted with the guardianship of the young Hideyori.
What did Toshiie do at Shizugatake?
He deployed under Shibata Katsuie, but torn between his old friend Hideyoshi and his overlord Katsuie he left the field in mid-battle. His withdrawal is said to have been one of the decisive factors in Katsuie's defeat.
What was Toshiie's relationship with Hideyoshi?
They were old friends from their youth under Nobunaga. After Shizugatake Toshiie followed Hideyoshi and supported the Toyotomi regime as one of the Five Elders.
