Fukushima Masanori

Masanori Fukushima (福島正則, Fukushima Masanori, 1561-26 August 1624) was a daimyo in the service of Hideyoshi Toyotomi in Japan during the late Sengoku and early Azuchi Momoyama eras.

He fought in the battle of Shizugatake in 1583 and became one of the "seven spears of Shizugatake".

Fukushima Masanori Biography

Fukushima Masanori, or "Ichimatsu", the name by which he was first known, was born in Owari province, son of Fukushima Masanobu. He is said to be the cousin of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

His first combat engagement was during the assault on Miki castle in Harima province and following the battle of Yamazaki, he received a stipend of 500 koku.

At the battle of Shizugatake in 1583 (Tenshō 11 era), Masanori had the honor of taking the first head, that of the enemy general Ogasato Ieyoshi and received an increase of 5,000 koku in his stipend for this feat of arms (the other six "spears" each received 3,000 koku).

Masanori participated in many of Hideyoshi's campaigns; it was after the Kyūshū expedition, however, that he was made a daimyō.

When he received the estate of Imabari in Iyo province, his income was estimated at 110,000 koku. Soon after, he took part in the Korean campaign. Masanori received another award at the capture of Ch'ongju.

Following his participation in the Korean campaign, Masanori took part in the pursuit of Toyotomi Hidetsugu. He led 10,000 men in 1595, surrounded the Seigan-ji at Mount Koya and waited until Hidetsugu committed suicide.

Once Hidetsugu died, Masanori received another 90,000 koku increase in his stipend as well as the estate of Kiyosu, Hidetsugu's former han, in Owari province.

Masanori was on the side of Tokugawa Ieyasu at the battle of Sekigahara, thus ensuring the survival of his estate. Although he later lost his properties, his descendants became hatamoto in the service of the Tokugawa shoguns.