Ando Chikasue

Ando Chikasue was a Sengoku daimyo of northern Dewa (present-day northern Akita) and the eighth head of the Hiyama line of the Ando clan. Born in 1539 as the son of Ando Shunsue, he died in 1587.

Succession and reunification

He took over the clan in 1553 and based himself at Hiyama Castle. The Ando were then split into the Hiyama and Minato lines. After prevailing over the Toshima and Daihoji in the Minato disturbance of 1570 and bringing Yuri District under his influence, he effectively absorbed the Minato line through marriage and adoption, reuniting the family. He later moved his seat from Hiyama to Wakimoto Castle.

Campaigns

From 1564 to 1569 he tried to take Kazuno District from the Nanbu but was blocked by Nanbu Harumasa. In 1582 he had Asari Katsuyori killed and unified the Hinai region.

Dealings with the center

From 1573 to 1582 he sent tribute to Oda Nobunaga every year, and after Nobunaga's death he opened relations with Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He was raised to Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade in 1577 and to Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade with the post of jijū in 1580.

Death and reputation

He died of illness in 1587 while on campaign against Tozawa Moriyasu of Kakunodate at the Battle of Karamatsuno. His ability earned him the epithet "Hokuten no Tosei", the Dipper of the northern sky. The later Minato War is thinly documented in primary sources and many details remain uncertain. No sword associated with him was found in the sources checked.