Fukushima Masanori

1.1. Birth and Family

Fukushima Masanori, whose childhood name was Ichimatsu_Ichimatsu^Japanese, was born in 1561 in Futatsudera, Kaitō, Owari Province (present-day Ama, Aichi Prefecture). He was believed to be the eldest son of Fukushima Masanobu, who operated a barrel-making business. However, some historical accounts suggest that Masanobu may have been his adoptive father, and his biological father might have been Hoshino Narimasa, a cooper from Kiyosu, Kasugai, Owari Province (present-day Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture). Masanori's mother was the younger sister of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mother, which made Hideyoshi his first cousin and established a crucial familial connection that would later define much of his career.

1.2. Early Service Under Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Due to his mother's familial connection to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Fukushima Masanori began his career at a young age serving as a koshō_page^Japanese in Hideyoshi's retinue. His first experience in combat occurred during the assault on Miki Castle in Harima Province, which lasted from 1578 to 1580. Initially, Masanori was granted a stipend of 200 koku_koku^Japanese. Following the Battle of Yamazaki in 1582, where he participated in the attack on Shōryūji Castle and demonstrated military prowess, his stipend was increased by 300 koku_koku^Japanese, bringing his total to 500 koku_koku^Japanese.

In 1583, Masanori achieved significant distinction at the Battle of Shizugatake. He earned the honor of taking the first head by defeating the enemy general Ogasato Ieyoshi (or Haigo Gozaemon according to some accounts), a feat that further solidified his reputation. For this exceptional achievement, Masanori was granted a substantial increase of 5,000 koku_koku^Japanese, a notably larger reward compared to the 3,000 koku_koku^Japanese given to the other six "Spears of Shizugatake." He also participated in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute in 1584, where he led 300 soldiers as part of the rear guard alongside his father, Masanobu, and later received a reward of dō-kataginu_dō-kataginu^Japanese (a type of juban_undergarment^Japanese) for his actions during the retreat from Mino. Furthermore, Masanori was involved in the campaign against Negoro-ji and the Shikoku Campaign, demonstrating his continued service in Hideyoshi's expanding domain. During this early period, he also married a woman named Omasa.

2.1. Rise to Daimyō

Fukushima Masanori's distinguished service at the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583 was a turning point in his career. His decisive actions, including taking the first head, earned him recognition as one of the "Seven Spears of Shizugatake," a group of seven young generals who displayed exceptional bravery and loyalty. This valor was further rewarded after the Kyūshū campaign in 1587, when he was elevated to the status of a daimyō_daimyō^Japanese. He was granted the fief of Imabari in Iyo Province, which provided him with an annual income of 113,000 koku_koku^Japanese. This marked his establishment as a territorial lord with his own domain. Subsequently, during the Siege of Odawara in 1590, he joined forces with generals such as Hachisuka Iemasa, Hosokawa Tadaoki, and Gamō Ujisato to besiege Nirayama Castle, further contributing to Hideyoshi's unification efforts.

2.2. Japanese Invasions of Korea (Imjin War)

Fukushima Masanori played a significant role in the Japanese invasions of Korea, known as the Imjin War. In 1592, during the Bunroku Campaign, he served as the commander of the Fifth Division, leading forces that included Toda Katsutaka, Chōsokabe Motochika, Hachisuka Iemasa, Ikoma Chikamasa, and Kurushima Michifusa. Under his command, the Fifth Division was tasked with the conquest of Gyeonggi Province and achieved notable success by capturing the city of Ch'ongju. Towards the end of the year, he was assigned to defend Chuksan in Gyeonggi Province.

Masanori later returned to Japan and then re-entered Korea in January 1594. As peace negotiations progressed and a southern deployment was decided, Masanori took on crucial logistical and defensive responsibilities. He was tasked with guarding Matsunoura Castle and Jangmunpo Castle on Geoje Island and overseeing supply lines. In October, when the Korean navy, led by Yi Sun-sin, attacked Jangmunpo (known as the Battle of Jangmunpo), Masanori personally commanded his warships, countering the attack by setting enemy vessels ablaze and successfully repelling the Koreans.

In July 1595, a major political event unfolded back in Japan: Toyotomi Hidetsugu was ordered by Hideyoshi to commit seppuku_seppuku^Japanese. Masanori, who was in Japan at the time, was the one who delivered the order for Hidetsugu's ritual suicide. Following Hidetsugu's death, Masanori received a substantial increase of 90,000 koku_koku^Japanese to his stipend and was granted Hidetsugu's former fief of Kiyosu in Owari Province, bringing his total income to 240,000 koku. In 1598, he was officially granted the Hashiba_Hashiba^Japanese surname and the Toyotomi_Toyotomi^Japanese clan name. It was noted that Masanori, alongside Aoki Kazunori, was given the special status of 'kugyō-nari_kugyō-nari^Japanese' (becoming a court noble), a privilege usually reserved for direct relatives of the Toyotomi family, signifying their special relationship to Hideyoshi through his mother's side. Although Masanori did not participate in the subsequent Keicho Campaign, he was selected, along with Ishida Mitsunari and Masuda Nagamori, to lead a large army for Hideyoshi's planned large-scale military action in Korea in 1599. However, this plan was never executed due to Hideyoshi's death in August 1598, which led to the withdrawal of Japanese forces from the Korean Peninsula.

2.3. Conflict with Ishida Mitsunari

After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1598, a significant rift emerged between Fukushima Masanori and Ishida Mitsunari, primarily stemming from their contrasting roles and influence during the Korean invasions. Masanori, along with other military generals such as Katō Kiyomasa, Ikeda Terumasa, Hosokawa Tadaoki, Asano Yoshinaga, Katō Yoshiaki, and Kuroda Nagamasa, became increasingly dissatisfied with Mitsunari. They accused him of submitting unfavorable assessments of their military achievements and underreporting their successes during the Imjin War, particularly regarding the Siege of Ulsan Castle.

This discontent escalated into the "Seven Generals conspiracy" or a legal conflict against Mitsunari. In 1599, after the death of Maeda Toshiie, who had maintained a precarious balance between the factions, Masanori and his allies allegedly gathered at Kiyomasa's mansion in Osaka Castle with the intention of confronting Mitsunari. However, Mitsunari was forewarned of their plot by Jiemon Kuwajima, a servant of Toyotomi Hideyori, and fled to Satake Yoshinobu's residence with Shima Sakon and others. When the seven generals discovered Mitsunari's absence, they searched other feudal lords' residences in Osaka Castle. As Kato's forces approached the Satake residence, Mitsunari and his group escaped and took refuge in Fushimi Castle.

The following day, the seven generals surrounded Fushimi Castle, aware of Mitsunari's presence. Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was then overseeing political affairs at Fushimi Castle, intervened to mediate the volatile situation. Although the generals demanded that Ieyasu hand over Mitsunari, Ieyasu refused. Instead, he negotiated a resolution: Mitsunari would retire from public office, and the controversial assessment of the Battle of Ulsan Castle would be reviewed. Ieyasu's second son, Yūki Hideyasu, was assigned to escort Mitsunari safely to Sawayama Castle.

While popular theory suggests this was a conspiracy to murder Mitsunari, historian Watanabe Daimon argues that the incident was more accurately a legal dispute between the generals and Mitsunari. Ieyasu's role, in this interpretation, was not to physically protect Mitsunari but to mediate the generals' grievances. Nevertheless, historians generally view this incident as more than a personal feud; it represented a significant political alignment, pushing military figures who opposed Mitsunari closer to Tokugawa Ieyasu. This alignment proved crucial during the subsequent Battle of Sekigahara, which pitted Ieyasu's Eastern Army against Mitsunari's Western Army. Muramatsu Shunkichi attributed Mitsunari's ultimate failure against Ieyasu largely to his unpopularity among the influential political figures of the time. This incident also solidified Masanori's bond with Ieyasu, leading to a marriage alliance between Masanori's adopted son, Masayuki, and Ieyasu's adopted daughter, Manten-hime, an arrangement that defied Hideyoshi's posthumous prohibition on private marriages among daimyōs.

2.4. Battle of Sekigahara

Fukushima Masanori played a pivotal role in the Sekigahara Campaign of 1600. Leading 6,000 troops, he initially participated in the Aizu Campaign but, upon news of Ishida Mitsunari's uprising in the Kansai region, joined the historic Oyama Council. At this council, influenced by Kuroda Nagamasa, Masanori was the first among the daimyōs to pledge allegiance to Tokugawa Ieyasu, decisively shifting the momentum and sealing the decision to reverse course and march westward.

On August 21, 1600, Masanori's forces joined the Eastern Army's advance, attacking Takegahana Castle, which was defended by Oda Hidenobu, an ally of Mitsunari. The Eastern Army was divided, with Masanori leading a group of 16,000 soldiers alongside figures such as Ii Naomasa, Honda Tadakatsu, and others, proceeding downstream towards Ichinomiya. On August 22, Masanori and Naomasa led a direct assault on Takegahana Castle, which culminated in the castle's fall after its defender, Sugiura Shigekatsu, set it ablaze and committed suicide.

On September 29, Masanori, Ii Naomasa, and Honda Tadakatsu reinforced Ikeda Terumasa's forces in the Battle of Gifu Castle. This engagement was also against Oda Hidenobu's Western Army forces. Hidenobu's anticipated support from Ishikawa Sadakiyo never materialized due to an agreement with Naomasa. Although Hidenobu prepared to commit seppuku_seppuku^Japanese, he was persuaded by Ikeda Terumasa to surrender, leading to the capture of Gifu Castle. Masanori also pleaded for Hidenobu's life, out of respect for his former lord's lineage.

The main Battle of Sekigahara took place on October 21. Masanori, fighting for Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Army, was designated as the advance guard and initiated the battle. He charged north from the Eastern Army's left flank along the Fuji River, directly attacking the Western Army's right center, which was held by Ukita Hideie's army of 17,000. Masanori's troops engaged in one of the fiercest and bloodiest confrontations of the battle. Despite Ukita's vanguard, led by Akashi Takenori, initially pushing back Masanori's forces and forcing a temporary retreat, Masanori's troops managed to prevent Ukita's further advance. The tide of the battle dramatically shifted when Kobayakawa Hideaki betrayed the Western Army and sided with the Eastern Army. This change allowed Masanori's forces to regain momentum and ultimately secure a decisive victory for the Eastern Army.

Following the victory at Sekigahara, Masanori played a crucial role in securing Osaka Castle from the Western Army's supreme commander, Mōri Terumoto. As a reward for his contributions, he was granted the prestigious Hiroshima Domain in Aki Province and Bingo Province, with an income of 498,000 koku. Although he would later lose these vast holdings, his descendants eventually became hatamoto_hatamoto^Japanese, direct retainers of the Tokugawa shōgun.

2.5. Hiroshima Domain Administration

q=Hiroshima Castle|position=left
Fukushima Masanori formally entered his new domain of Geibi (Aki and Bingo Provinces) in March 1601. He immediately undertook extensive surveys of his territory, recalculating the kokudaka_kokudaka^Japanese (total yield of the domain). He implemented a system that effectively paid his vassals with rice and reduced the burden on farmers by publicly disclosing the results of the land surveys and collecting taxes proportionate to actual yields, which was considered benevolent governance.

Masanori was also dedicated to the protection of temples and shrines within his domain. In 1602, he sponsored the restoration of the Heike Nōkyō_{Heike Nōkyō}^Japanese, a famous collection of Buddhist sutras, at Itsukushima Shrine. In 1602, his surname was officially confirmed as Toyotomi. In 1603, he began the construction of the formidable Kamei Castle at the westernmost point of Aki, strategically positioned against the Mōri clan's easternmost territory, Iwakuni Castle, and designed to control traffic along the Sanyō Road. By 1619, his domain's kokudaka_kokudaka^Japanese had increased to 515,000 koku, demonstrating his effective administrative capabilities as a daimyō.

2.6. Later Relations with the Tokugawa Shogunate

Fukushima Masanori's relationship with the newly established Tokugawa Shogunate was complex, balancing his enduring loyalty to the Toyotomi house with the demands of the new regime. From 1604 onwards, he diligently participated in the Tokugawa Shogunate's large-scale castle construction and repair projects across Japan, fulfilling his duties as a major daimyō. However, he never forgot his primary loyalty to the Toyotomi family.

In 1608, when Toyotomi Hideyori fell ill, Masanori promptly traveled to Osaka Castle to visit him, demonstrating his concern for his former lord's heir. In March 1611, when Tokugawa Ieyasu pressured Hideyori into a meeting at Nijō Castle, it was Masanori, along with Katō Kiyomasa and Asano Yoshinaga, who persuaded the strong-willed Yodo-dono (Hideyori's mother) to allow the meeting. Despite his crucial role in facilitating this political reconciliation, Masanori himself feigned illness and did not attend the meeting. Instead, he deployed 10,000 troops along the road from Hirakata to Kyoto, preparing for any unforeseen events.

Following this meeting, many of Masanori's close allies and fellow Toyotomi-loyal daimyōs, such as Kiyomasa, Asano Nagamasa, Asano Yoshinaga, and Ikeda Terumasa, died in quick succession. In 1612, Masanori himself requested retirement due to illness, though this was not granted by the Shogunate. During the Sieges of Osaka (Winter and Summer Campaigns of 1614-1615), despite pleas for assistance from Hideyori, Masanori refused to openly join the Toyotomi forces. He remained in Edo, serving as an overseer for the shogunate, and tacitly permitted the shogunate's seizure of 80,000 koku_koku^Japanese of rice from his Osaka warehouse. While Masanori did not directly participate in the battles, his eldest son, Fukushima Tadakatsu, led troops on behalf of the shogunate. However, some of his relatives, including Fukushima Masamori and Fukushima Masashige, did join the Toyotomi side. After the war, Masanori's younger brother, Fukushima Takanori, was stripped of his domain by the shogunate on suspicion of secretly communicating with the Toyotomi forces.

3.1. Circumstances of Dispossession

In 1619, shortly after the death of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Fukushima Masanori was accused of violating the Buke Shohatto (Laws for the Military Houses). This accusation stemmed from his unauthorized repair of parts of Hiroshima Castle (specifically, the main, second, and third baileys, as well as the stone walls), which had been damaged by a typhoon-induced flood. Masanori had submitted a request for permission to repair the castle two months prior, but official approval from the bakufu_bakufu^Japanese (shogunate) had not been granted. Furthermore, this incident occurred after a previous instruction from the shogunate to demolish a newly constructed part of his castle, reported by the Mōri clan, despite the "One Castle Per Province" ordinance.

Masanori's defense was that he had only carried out necessary repairs to leaky sections of the building. Initially, the issue was resolved with the condition that Masanori, who was performing his duties in Edo, would apologize and remove the repaired sections. However, the shogunate later accused him of insufficient removal, as he had only demolished the repairs to the main bailey but left the repairs to the second and third baileys intact. Compounding this, Masanori delayed sending his heir, Fukushima Tadakatsu, to Edo as a hostage and responded to the shogunate's inquiries with the defiant statement, "Everything depends on the parent's will," refusing to fully comply. Enraged by his perceived defiance, Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada dispatched emissaries Makino Tadanari and Hanabusa Masanari to Masanori's residence in Edo. As a result, his extensive territories in Aki and Bingo Provinces, valued at 500,000 koku, were confiscated. He was instead transferred to Takaino Domain, comprising four counties in Kawanakajima, Shinano Province, and Uonuma District, Echigo Province, with a significantly reduced income of 45,000 koku.

3.2. Later Life and Death

Following his dispossession, Fukushima Masanori moved to Takaino Domain. Upon his relocation, he promptly transferred the headship of the family to his eldest son and heir, Fukushima Tadakatsu, and formally retired, adopting the monastic name Kōsai. His life in Takaino was brief, lasting only five years, but during this period, he made notable contributions to the development of the domain. He initiated a comprehensive land survey, oversaw the establishment of new irrigation systems, and promoted the development of new rice fields and flood control projects, leaving a legacy of administrative improvements.

However, in September 1620, his heir, Fukushima Tadakatsu, died prematurely. As a result, Masanori was compelled to return 25,000 koku of his reduced domain back to the shogunate. Fukushima Masanori himself died on July 13, 1624, at Takaino (present-day Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture), at the age of 64. The circumstances of his death further complicated his family's fate. Before the shogunate's inspector, Hotta Masayoshi, could arrive to verify his death, Masanori's retainer, Tsuda Shirobei, took the unauthorized step of cremating Masanori's body. This action was deemed a violation of shogunate protocol, leading to the posthumous forfeiture of his remaining 20,000 koku. Consequently, the Fukushima family's daimyō lineage was extinguished.

Despite the family's disinheritance, the shogunate granted Fukushima Masanori's son, Fukushima Masatoshi, a stipend of 3,112 koku, making him a hatamoto_hatamoto^Japanese (direct retainer). After Masatoshi died without an heir, the family line was temporarily interrupted. However, Fukushima Masakatsu, a grandson of Fukushima Tadakatsu, later revived the family, and his descendants served as Goshoinban_Goshoinban^Japanese (inner guards) for generations.

4.1. Character and Public Image

Fukushima Masanori is popularly remembered as a courageous and skilled warrior, though often depicted as a inoshishi-musha_{wild boar warrior}^Japanese lacking in cunning and prone to impulsive behavior. Anecdotes frequently highlight his violent tendencies and quick temper. However, historical records also reveal his considerable administrative capabilities. His domain's kokudaka_kokudaka^Japanese significantly increased under his stewardship, from 498,000 koku in 1601 to 515,000 koku by 1619, a testament to his effective governance, including land surveys and tax policies.

Furthermore, despite his traditional warrior background, Masanori maintained a policy of religious tolerance, particularly towards Christians, throughout his tenure as lord of Kiyosu Castle and later Hiroshima. He was known to be a heavy drinker, and his anecdotes often revolve around his bad temper when intoxicated.

4.2. Notable Anecdotes

Numerous anecdotes paint a vivid picture of Fukushima Masanori's character:

• Childhood incident**: It is said that in his youth, while apprenticing in his father's barrel-making business, he got into a fight with an adult and killed the person with a chisel.
• Entry into Hiroshima**: Upon entering Hiroshima as its new lord, a strong wind, known as a "ji-arashi_{land storm}^Japanese," blew. Masanori reportedly exclaimed, "Is it proper for the land to rage at the beginning of my entry?" and, without cause, executed an innocent boatman.
• Sekigahara incidents**: While commended for his bravery at Sekigahara, he also exhibited impetuous behavior. After the fall of Gifu Castle, he vehemently pleaded for the life of its defender, Oda Hidenobu, out of respect for Hidenobu's lineage as a descendant of Oda Nobunaga, Masanori's former lord's lord. Shortly thereafter, when a lower-ranking Tokugawa foot soldier insulted and caused a subordinate of Masanori's to commit suicide, Masanori demanded the seppuku_seppuku^Japanese of the soldier's superior, Ina Akitsuna, a direct retainer of Tokugawa. He reportedly declared, "If my demand is not met, I will abandon my domain." This incident contributed to Tokugawa-aligned historical accounts describing him as "inherently violent and boastful of military achievements."
• Nihongo spear (Kuroda-bushi)**: Masanori was known for his heavy drinking and poor conduct when intoxicated. During a drinking party, he challenged Mori Tomonobu, a retainer of Kuroda Nagamasa, to drink a large cup of sake. Mori initially refused, citing his duty as an envoy. Masanori, however, insisted, promising any reward if Mori succeeded, and further taunted him by disparaging the Kuroda samurai as weak drinkers. Insulted, Mori dramatically drank the sake and demanded the famous spear, Nihongo_Nihongo^Japanese, which Hideyoshi had once gifted to Masanori. Despite his dismay, Masanori, bound by the samurai code, had to honor his word, thus losing his family heirloom. This event is famously immortalized in the folk song "Kuroda-bushi_Kuroda-bushi^Japanese."
• Nagoya Castle construction**: While participating in the construction of Nagoya Castle under the Shogunate's orders, Masanori complained, "Edo and Sunpu are understandable, but why are we made to toil for the castle of a concubine's child (referring to Tokugawa Yoshinao)? I cannot bear this." He urged Ikeda Terumasa to convey their grievances to Ieyasu. When Terumasa remained silent, Katō Kiyomasa reportedly chastised Masanori, saying, "Do not speak so recklessly. If you are so unwilling to build, return to your domain and prepare for rebellion. If you cannot do that, then hasten the construction as ordered."
• Meeting Ieyasu on his deathbed**: When Ieyasu was gravely ill, Masanori visited him in Sunpu. Ieyasu coldly told him, "You should return to Aki. If you are dissatisfied with the Shogun (Tokugawa Hidetada), do not hesitate to raise an army." Upon leaving Ieyasu's presence, Masanori reportedly wept openly, lamenting, "It is regrettable that after all my loyal service, he would speak to me in such a manner." Hearing this, Ieyasu was said to have felt relieved, stating, "I spoke that way only to make him vent that one sentence."
• Impression of Sen no Rikyū**: Masanori once asked Hosokawa Tadaoki why he admired the enigmatic tea master Sen no Rikyū, who had no martial prowess. Later, when Tadaoki invited Masanori to a tea ceremony hosted by Rikyū, Masanori was deeply impressed. After the ceremony, he remarked, "Though I have never flinched before any strong enemy, I felt somehow intimidated when facing Rikyū-dono."
• Fear of his wife**: Masanori was reportedly quite afraid of his wife, Shōsen-in. There is an anecdote that she once attacked him with a naginata_naginata^Japanese in a fit of jealousy over his womanizing, forcing the battle-hardened warrior to flee.
• Insulting Ishida Mitsunari**: After the fall of Osaka Castle and the subsequent capture of Ishida Mitsunari, Masanori reportedly spat on and kicked Mitsunari's head, saying, "You caused a useless war."

4.3. Administrative and Religious Policies

Beyond his military prowess, Fukushima Masanori was also an effective administrator and demonstrated a notable policy of religious tolerance. From his time as Kiyosu Castle lord, he consistently protected Christians, and his overall stance towards religions was generally permissive. This was reflected in his efforts to increase his domain's kokudaka_kokudaka^Japanese through efficient governance and his lenient tax policies, as seen in the public disclosure of land survey results to farmers.

6.1. Family

Fukushima Masanori's family included:

• Father**: Fukushima Masanobu (c. 1525-1597). Some sources suggest he was Masanori's adoptive father, with Hoshino Narimasa being his biological father.
• Mother**: Shōun-in, who was the younger sister of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mother (Omasadokoro), making Hideyoshi Masanori's first cousin.
• First Wife**: Shōun-in (died May 16, 1602). She was the daughter of Tsuda Nagayoshi, one of Masanori's senior retainers. She bore him three sons but died from complications during the difficult childbirth of their youngest son, Masatoshi. Her grave is located at Myōkei-in in Hiroshima.
  • Son**: Fukushima Masatomo (1596-1608)
  • Second Son**: Fukushima Tadakatsu (1598-1620)
  • Son**: Fukushima Masatoshi (1601-1638)
• Second Wife**: Shōsen-in (died January 18, 1642). She was the daughter of Makino Yasunari and an adopted daughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu. She married Masanori in 1604 and bore him three daughters. After Masanori's dispossession, she returned to her family home with her youngest daughter.
  • Daughter**: Kōshō-in (died 1634) - wife of Minase Kanetoshi.
  • Daughter**: Shunpo Myōka (died 1632) - wife of Ōno Iuemon.
  • Daughter**: Kiku - concubine of Hasegawa Kyūma.
• Adopted Children**:
  • Adopted Son**: Fukushima Masanori (presumably a different individual with the same name, or a lineage related to his own family through adoption)
  • Adopted Son**: Fukushima Masayuki (1585-1608) - seventh son of Bessho Shigemune. He married Manten-hime, an adopted daughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
  • Adopted Daughter**: Genkō-in - wife of Kurushima Nagachika and daughter of Mizuno Tadamasa.

6.2. Retainers

Prominent retainers who served under Fukushima Masanori included:

• Ogawa Yasuyoshi
• Osaki Nagayuki
• Ozeki Masakatsu
• Kani Yoshinaga
• Nagao Issho
• Fukushima Harushige
• Horita Kanemon
• Horita Yagoroemon
• Kinozō Nagamasa
• Adachi Yasumochi
• Adachi Yasumune

7.1. Historical Evaluation

Historically, Fukushima Masanori is evaluated as a quintessential "bushō_warrior^Japanese," celebrated for his bravery and directness, particularly his contributions as one of the "Seven Spears of Shizugatake" and his pivotal role in the Battle of Sekigahara. However, his strong loyalty to the Toyotomi family often put him at odds with the consolidating power of the Tokugawa Shogunate, eventually leading to his downfall.

Despite his popular image as a hot-headed "wild boar warrior" with various anecdotes highlighting his temper and violence, Masanori was also an effective administrator. His successful implementation of land surveys and tax policies, which included publicly disclosing survey results and collecting taxes based on actual yields, demonstrates his practical approach to governance and his commitment to the welfare of his domain. The increase in his domain's kokudaka_kokudaka^Japanese under his leadership further underscores his administrative capabilities. His consistent policy of religious tolerance, especially towards Christians, sets him apart from some of his contemporaries and reflects a pragmatic, perhaps even progressive, stance on social cohesion.

His dispossession was not merely a consequence of violating the Buke Shohatto_{Buke Shohatto}^Japanese but also a clear political statement by the Tokugawa Shogunate to assert its absolute authority and eliminate any potential challenges from powerful, independent-minded daimyōs, especially those with strong ties to the Toyotomi. Masanori's personal loyalty to Hideyoshi, even after his death, was a perceived threat to Tokugawa's centralized rule. Ultimately, his life reflects the changing times from the chaotic Sengoku period to the more rigid and controlled Edo period, where direct military prowess was no longer enough to maintain a daimyō's position without complete political subservience to the Shogun.

7.2. Related Artifacts

Two significant artifacts are famously associated with Fukushima Masanori:

• Nihongo spear**: Known also as Nippongo, this renowned spear was once part of the Imperial Palace collection and is recognized as one of "The Three Great Spears of Japan." It later came into the possession of Fukushima Masanori before being famously lost to Mori Tahei Mori (Mori Tomonobu) in a drinking contest. The spear is currently housed at the Fukuoka City Museum in Japan, where it has been restored.
• Masanori's tachi_tachi^Japanese (sword)**: A tachi_tachi^Japanese formerly owned by Fukushima Masanori is reputedly one of the most expensive swords in the world, valued at 105.00 M USD. It is currently held by the Tamoikin Art Fund.

8.1. Novels and Literature

Fukushima Masanori has been featured in several literary works:

• Aizen Myōō (愛染明王) by Shiba Ryōtarō, included in his short story collection Ore wa Gongen (俺は権現).
• Fukushima Masanori: Hideyoshi Tenkagori no Ichibanyari (福島正則-秀吉天下取りの一番槍) by Takahashi Kazushima, published in 2000.
• Mizu no Toride: Fukushima Masanori Saigo no Tatakai (水の砦-福島正則最後の闘い) by Ōkubo Tomohiro.
• Tōshō Fukushima Masanori: Taikōki Gaiden (闘将 福島正則-太閤記外伝) by Takahashi Kazushima.
• Furui Kashinoki (古い樫木) by Yamamoto Shūgorō, included in his short story collection Hana mo Katana mo (花も刀も).
• Shinkun Ieyasu no Missho (神君家康の密書) by Katō Hiroshi, published in 2011.

8.2. Film and Television

Fukushima Masanori has appeared in numerous films and television dramas:

• Harakiri (1962 film), where he is mentioned and his fictional retainer, Tsugumo Hanshiro, is the protagonist.
• Sekigahara (1981, TBS), portrayed by Tetsurō Tamba.
• Onna Taikōki (1981, NHK Taiga drama), portrayed by Kan Mikami.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu (1983, NHK Taiga drama), portrayed by Katsuhiko Watabiki.
• Dokuganryū Masamune (1987, NHK Taiga drama), portrayed by Sabu Kawahara.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu (1988, TBS historical drama special), portrayed by Hiroyuki Konishi.
• Aoi Tokugawa Sandai (2000, NHK Taiga drama), portrayed by Keizō Kanie.
• Tenchijin (2009, NHK Taiga drama), portrayed by Yoshizumi Ishihara.
• Gunshi Kanbei (2014, NHK Taiga drama), portrayed by Hideo Ishiguro.
• Sanada Maru (2016, NHK Taiga drama), portrayed by Motoki Fukami.
• Sekigahara (2017 film), portrayed by Takuma Otoo.
• Dō Suru Ieyasu (2023, NHK Taiga drama), portrayed by Motoki Fukami.

8.3. Video Games

Masanori is a notable character in several video games, primarily those from Koei Tecmo:

• He is featured in Koei's video games Kessen and Kessen III.
• He appears in the Samurai Warriors series. Initially a non-playable character in Samurai Warriors 3, he became playable in its expansions, Samurai Warriors 3 Z and Samurai Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends. He continues as a playable character in Samurai Warriors 4 and its subsequent expansions.
• He is a playable character in Pokémon Conquest (known as Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition in Japan), where his partner Pokémon are Krokorok and Krookodile.