Amago Tsunehisa

Amago Tsunehisa (1458–1541) was a Sengoku-period daimyo based in Izumo Province (present-day Shimane Prefecture). He expanded his power through scheming and political skill, and was later called the "Lord of Eleven Provinces," a ruthless and cunning warlord. He lived a long life of 84 years, yet spent most of it on the battlefield.

Tsunehisa was born in 1458, the son of Amago Kiyosada, deputy governor (shugo-dai) of Izumo Province. In Bunmei 16 (1484) he was removed from the post of shugo-dai, but he remained in Izumo and kept his power. In Meiō 9 (1500) he returned to the post of shugo-dai. Later war chronicles say that in Bunmei 18 (1486) Tsunehisa recaptured Gassan-Toda Castle.

Afterward, Tsunehisa steadily expanded his power and brought the leading families of the Chūgoku region under his control. While contending for supremacy with the Ōuchi and Mōri clans, he extended his influence from Izumo into Oki, Hōki, Iwami and Bingo. He was also called the "Saint of Stratagems" (Bōsei), and together with Mōri Motonari and Ukita Naoie he is counted among the "three great schemers of the Chūgoku region."

In terms of his connection with swords, Izumo Province, Tsunehisa's home base, had long been a center of tatara iron smelting. As a place that produced high-quality iron sand, it was also a source of tamahagane, the steel used to make Japanese swords.

Tsunehisa remained active until the end of his life and died in 1541 at the age of 84. Even after handing over the headship of the family to his grandson Amago Haruhisa, he continued to take part in military and political affairs. That image of the ruthless warlord of the Sengoku era shows the true essence of his character.