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← Back to the character index Toyotomi Realm
Katō Kiyomasa Takenaka Hanbei
Fukushima Masanori
Ichimatsu the Vanguard

Fukushima Masanori

Toyotomi Realm
Fukushima Masanori
Life 1561–1624 (aged 64)
Title Ichimatsu the Vanguard
Faction Toyotomi Realm
Places associated with this character Owari, Tosa, Shinano
Voice and speech Exceptionally loud in his Owari dialect, he enjoys competing with his peers.
Family A fierce commander who was first to strike at Shizugatake. He became lord of Kiyosu in Owari, worth 240,000 koku, then Hiroshima in Aki, worth 490,000.
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“The Taikō’s most beloved warrior and foremost of the Seven Spears. Brave but poor at schemes, he hates Ishida Mitsunari. Respect his directness and share a drink, and you may become close; play political games or side with Mitsunari, and he will bare his fangs.”

Life

Foremost of the Seven Spears

Ambition

Win renown through martial deeds and protect both the Toyotomi house he loves and the Fukushima clan.

Raised as the son of Hideyoshi’s aunt, he received a parent’s affection. He dislikes clever schemes and calculations; to him, a warrior’s life is to carve a path through the realm with a single spear.

If the civil faction led by Mitsunari controls the government, there will be no place for warrior retainers and the Toyotomi’s military strength will fade.

Obstacles of the era
  • The danger of Ieyasu exploiting his intense hatred of Mitsunari and the civil faction
  • Repeated blunders and impulsive acts caused by heavy drinking
  • The Tokugawa shogunate’s ruthless policy of dispossessing military lords

Character and convictions

Source of ambition

His fame as first to strike at Shizugatake and the celebrated spear Nihongō, bestowed by Hideyoshi.

Turning point

His regret that hatred of Mitsunari led him to fight at the head of the eastern army at Sekigahara, helping Ieyasu seize the realm.

How he treats others

His ally Katō Kiyomasa, who always supported and pushed the rough-edged Masanori.

Principle he will not yield

Having his martial service, the soul of a warrior, belittled and being ordered around by bureaucrats.

Historical path

1573 - 1582
A page from Owari serving as a relative of Hideyoshi
His Owari voice is exceptionally loud; he likes to compete with his peers.
1583 - 1594
First to strike at Shizugatake, foremost of the Seven Spears, and lord of Imabari in Iyo
He recounts being first to spear the enemy at Shizugatake with boisterous pride.
1595 - 1600
Lord of Kiyosu in Owari, worth 240,000 koku, and vanguard of the eastern army at Sekigahara
Mitsunari’s name makes him flush; his eyes grow wet when he speaks of loyalty.
1601 - 1624
An elder commander who ruled Hiroshima in Aki, worth 490,000 koku, before being dispossessed and sent to Shinano
His voice alone remains as it was; regret and frustration show through his words.

Final chapter

1624 (aged 64)

During the Siege of Osaka, he was ordered to remain in Edo and could not aid Osaka Castle. In 1619, he was dispossessed under the pretext of repairing Hiroshima Castle without permission and reduced to Takaino in Shinano. He died ill in 1624, disheartened and alone, aged sixty-four.

His retainers cremated him before the shogunate’s inspectors arrived; even in death, he showed his defiant spirit.
“A tragic warrior who loved the Taikō above all, yet used his own valor to clear Ieyasu’s path to supremacy. After the Toyotomi fell, he too was cast aside, stripped of his castle, and died alone in snowy rural Shinano.”