(b. 1527 d. 1578) was one of Takeda Shingen's most loyal retainers, and one of his 'Twenty-Four Generals' during the Sengoku period of Japan. He is often credited as the original author of Kōyō Gunkan, which records the history of the Takeda family and their military tactics. However, recent studies strongly suggest that other writers used Kōsaka's name to boost the book's credibility. The association between Masanobu and Shingen began in 1543 as a love relationship. At the time they were sixteen and twenty two, respectively. Such relationships were in vogue in pre-modern Japan, a tradition known as shudo. The love pact signed by the two, in Tokyo University's Historical Archive, documents Shingen's pledge that he was not, nor had any intentions of entering into, a sexual relationship with a certain other retainer, and asserts that "since I want to be intimate with you" he will in no way harm the boy, and calls upon the gods to be his guarantors. (Leupp, pp.53-54) Kōsaka in known as one of the three Danjō that served the Takeda family, along with Sanada Yukitaka and Hoshina Masatoshi (Danjō stands for a formal title, Danjōchū; 弾正忠). Among these three, Kōsaka was known as the "Nige Danjō" (literally, the fleeing Danjō), because of his cautious commanding and skillful retreats. As the general in command of Kaizu castle, Kōsaka played an important role in the fourth Battle of Kawanakajima. He informed Takeda via signal fires of the movements of Uesugi Kenshin's army as it approached, and then led the sneak attack up Saijo-yama in order to drive Uesugi's men down to the plain where they could be surprised by Takeda's army. Even though that tactic failed, Kōsaka led his men back down the hill, attacking Uesugi's army from the rear, and turning the tide of the battle into a Takeda victory. Kōsaka Masanobu is known to have openly criticized Katsuyori numerous times. Because of this, Kosaka was forced to "retire" from service in 1578 and died later from illness. In popular culture, especially in video games, Kōsaka Masanobu is often seen wearing a full kabuto helmet with a menpō. (more)
Type: person
Genres: politics, physics, science, technology
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Kōyō Gunkan:
The is a record of the military exploits of the Takeda family, compiled largely by the Takeda vassal Kōsaka Danjō Masanobu, and completed in 1616 by Obata Kagenori. It provides some of the most detailed descriptions and statistics of warfare in the
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Takeda clan:
The Takeda was a famous clan of daimyō (feudal lords) in Japan's late Heian Period to Sengoku period. The Takeda were descendants of Emperor Seiwa (850-880) and are a branch of the Minamoto clan (Seiwa Genji), by Minamoto no Yoshimitsu (1056-1127), b
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Hoshina Masatoshi:
Hoshina Masatoshi (1509-1593) was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, who served the Takeda clan. The son of Hoshina Masanori, he ruled Takatō Castle in Shinano Province. He initially opposed Takeda Shingen's invasion of Shinano; however, he la
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Takeda Shingen:
Takeda Shingen In 1559, his name was changed again (this time by his own will) to the well-known Takeda Shingen. Shin is the contemporary Chinese pronunciation of the character nobu, which means "believe"; gen means "black", the color of intelligence
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Battles of Kawanakajima:
The battles of Kawanakajima were fought in the Sengoku Period of Japan between Takeda Shingen of Kai province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo province in the plain of Kawanakajima, in the north of Shinano Province, located in the southern part of the ci
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Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen:
The Twenty-Four Generals (武田二十四将) were just one of many historically famous groupings of battle commanders from Japan's Sengoku Period. These Twenty-Four were the most trusted commanders of the armies of Takeda Shingen. A third of them died at the fa
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Sengoku period:
The Warring States period was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict in Japan that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. Although the Ashikaga shogunate
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University of Tokyo:
The University of Tokyo, abbreviated as Todai, is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, some 2,100 of them foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa
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Uesugi Kenshin:
was a daimyo who ruled Echigo province in the Sengoku Period of Japan. He was one of the many powerful lords of the Sengoku period. He is famed for his prowess on the battlefield, the legendary rivalry with Takeda Shingen, his military expertise, str
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Kabuto:
Kabuto (兜, 冑) is a helmet used with traditional Japanese armour as worn by samurai. It features a strong bowl, the "hachi", which protects the crown of the head, a suspended series of articulated plates (the "shikoro") to protect the neck, and often
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