Hashiba forcesTakenaka
Takenaka Shigeharu (Hanbei)
竹中半兵衛
“The Kongming of Our Day”
1544–1579 (aged 36)
- Domain / base
- Bodaisan, Mino
- Banner / crest
- Nine bamboo leaves
- Battles in 3D
- 1 battle
Portrait · Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Born a minor lord of Mino, while still young he astonished the world by seizing Inabayama Castle, the seat of his lords the Saitō, in a single night with a dozen or so men. In time Hideyoshi courted him with the "three visits" and he became his strategist. With Kuroda Kanbei he was one of the "two Bei," whose intrigue and generalship drove the rise of the Hashiba army. When Kanbei was imprisoned in Arioka Castle, he is said to have hidden the hostage Shōjumaru (the future Kuroda Nagamasa) in defiance of Nobunaga's orders and saved his life. But consumed by illness, he died at Mount Hirai during the siege of Miki Castle, aged 36.
Life and battlesGold dots mark battles you can watch in 3D
- 1564Eiroku 7
Seizing Inabayama Castle
Took his lords' castle with a handful of men and showed the whole country his cunning.
- 1567Eiroku 10
Hideyoshi's Strategist
At the request of Kinoshita Tōkichirō (Hideyoshi) he became his retainer and served as staff officer in many campaigns.
- 1578Tenshō 6
Saving Shōjumaru
During Kanbei's imprisonment he hid the hostage Shōjumaru in defiance of Nobunaga's orders and, it is said, saved his life.
- 1578
Siege of Miki
Hideyoshi's strategist, called "the Kongming of our day." He stayed in the Miki lines despite consumption and died of his illness in the camp on Mount Hirai, aged 36.
Miki Castle, Harima Province 1,500 troops Watch in 3D › - 1579Tenshō 7
Death at Mount Hirai
His illness worsened during the siege of Miki Castle and he died in camp, aged 36.
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FAQ
Who was Takenaka Hanbei?
Hideyoshi's famous strategist, called "the Kongming of our day." Known for seizing his lords' castle of Inabayama in a single night with a dozen or so men, he was one of the "two Bei" together with Kuroda Kanbei.
What is Hanbei's most famous story?
When Kuroda Kanbei was imprisoned in Arioka Castle, Hanbei is said to have secretly hidden the hostage Shōjumaru (the future Kuroda Nagamasa) in defiance of Nobunaga's orders and saved his life.
How did Hanbei die?
He stayed with the siege of Miki Castle despite his illness and died of it in the camp on Mount Hirai, aged only 36.
