Today, let’s take a look at the top ten warriors of Japan’s Sengoku period. Most of these renowned figures were powerful daimyos (大名), local lords who held territories and commanded armies. In this era, samurai warriors were the generals responsible for leading troops into battle. During the Sengoku period, Japan was divided into many small kingdoms, and those who made a lasting impact on history were extraordinary individuals, achieving incredible feats in battle. So, who is considered the greatest warrior of Japan’s Sengoku period?
1. Sanada Yukimura (真田幸村)
Sanada Yukimura holds a special place in the hearts of the Japanese, often regarded as a historical “idol.” However, his popularity wasn’t just for show; it was earned through his remarkable combat skills and leadership. Originally, Yukimura was part of the Western Army (西軍), but after being exiled to Kudo-san (九度山) in Kii Province, he escaped. He later joined Osaka Castle (大坂城), where he fiercely defended it against Tokugawa Ieyasu’s (徳川家康) forces, even though he was greatly outnumbered. Despite ultimately dying in battle, his bravery in leading a small army to disrupt the Tokugawa forces, which were four to five times larger, has been immortalized in novels and legends.
2. Uesugi Kenshin (上杉謙信)
Uesugi Kenshin is often considered a “God of War” (軍神) in Japan, also known as the “Military God.” His intelligence and bravery made him a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. He led his army 14 times into the Kanto region (関東) and participated in five battles at Kawanakajima (川中島), capturing numerous castles and territories. What is most tragic about Uesugi Kenshin is that he didn’t die in battle but succumbed to a stroke caused by excessive drinking. If not for his untimely death, he would likely have achieved even greater accomplishments.
3. Shibata Katsuie (柴田勝家)
Shibata Katsuie was a loyal retainer of the Oda clan (織田家) and known for his exceptional courage. He was often at the front lines, leading charges in battle, earning him the nickname “Shibata the Invincible” (破竹柴田). Despite his valiant efforts, after Oda Nobuhide’s (織田信秀) death, Katsuie joined a rebellion but was pardoned due to his past service. He later followed Nobunaga (信長), and after losing the Battle of Shizugatake (賤ヶ岳の戦い), he was forced to commit seppuku. His story is a reminder that rebellion, even if temporary, often leads to a tragic end.
4. Tachibana Dosetsu (立花道雪)
Tachibana Dosetsu was a legendary figure who, despite being paralyzed from the waist down after being struck by lightning, continued to fight bravely. He was often carried by six soldiers on a palanquin into battle, where he commanded his troops. His victories were numerous, and it makes one wonder how much more formidable he could have been had he not lost the use of his legs. While other warriors perished under lesser circumstances, Dosetsu’s survival after being struck by lightning was a testament to his incredible resilience.
5. Honda Tadakatsu (本多忠勝)
Honda Tadakatsu is often considered one of the most legendary warriors in the history of Japan. Serving under Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康), he played a pivotal role in securing victory during the Sengoku period. He participated in 57 battles throughout his life but miraculously remained unscathed, leading many to believe he was blessed by the gods. In an era where battles were brutal and unpredictable, his ability to survive uninjured earned him the title of “Sengoku’s Mightiest General” (戦国第一猛将). The image of Tadakatsu clad in samurai armor became a symbol of invincibility and courage on the battlefield.
6. Iitomi Toramasa (飯富虎昌)
Iitomi Toramasa was a general under the Takeda clan (武田家), leading a force of 800 men to defeat an army of 8,000 in the second Battle of Kawanakajima (川中島の戦い), earning him the nickname “Tiger of Kai” (甲斐の猛虎). Despite his prowess on the battlefield, his downfall came from internal politics. After a failed plot by his student Taro Yoshinobu (太郎義信), Toramasa was forced to commit seppuku to maintain his honor, leaving a legacy of both brilliance and tragedy.
7. Yamagata Masakage (山県昌景)
Yamagata Masakage was another warrior from the Takeda clan and one of its leading generals. His story, however, ended abruptly at the Battle of Nagashino (長篠の戦い), when Honda Tadakatsu identified him during the heat of battle, shouting his name. With that, the enemy’s guns were trained on him, and Masakage met his end on the battlefield.
8. Hojo Tsunanari (北条綱成)
Hojo Tsunanari hailed from a noble lineage, with his father being a retainer of the Imagawa clan (今川家). Tsunanari had two famous victories under his belt: the first was defending the castle of Imagawa Yoshimoto (今川義元) with only 1,000 men against an army of 100,000, and the second was a surprise attack that caught his enemies completely off guard. His military tactics made him a fearsome leader in the Sengoku period.
9. Kakizaki Kageie (柿崎景家)
Kakizaki Kageie, a general of the Uesugi clan, participated in four Kawanakajima battles. He is most famous for slaying Takeda Shingen’s (武田信玄) brother during one of these encounters. Beyond his military achievements, Kageie was a scholar and helped promote the cultural development of Kakizaki town, laying the foundation for the flourishing culture of the Edo period (江戸時代).
10. Shimazu Yoshihiro (島津義弘)
Shimazu Yoshihiro is often referred to as the “Huang Zhong of Japan” (日本の黄忠) by enthusiasts of Sengoku history. As the daimyo of Satsuma (薩摩), Yoshihiro led his forces to conquer much of Kyushu, but his fame spread beyond Japan when he helped defeat the Korean-Ming allied forces during the Japanese invasions of Korea (朝鮮出兵). Despite being on the losing side at the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原の戦い), he was spared death, largely due to the intervention of Ii Naomasa (井伊直政).
