Baba Nobuharu

Baba Nobuharu (1515-1575) was one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Takeda" who served Takeda Shingen, feared by the nickname "Oni Mino (Demon Mino)." His life—remaining faithful to his lord until the destruction of the Takeda clan and dying at the Battle of Nagashino after voluntarily serving as the rearguard to protect Takeda Katsuyori's retreat—has long been passed down as the ideal image of samurai loyalty and valor.

The most notable aspect of Nobuharu's life is his outstanding battle record and the legend of invincibility. Having participated in over seventy battles in Shingen's service without ever being wounded, the nickname "Invincible Oni Mino" derived from this tradition. Whether strictly historical or not, his survival while always fighting at the front lines is evidence of his valor and accurate tactical judgment.

Regarding swords, Nobuharu was deeply knowledgeable about edged weapons. Kai Province (Yamanashi), the heartland of the Takeda clan, was known as a sword-producing region, and Kai-style swords were valued for their rugged durability in actual combat. Nobuharu is said to have favored such Koshu-style swords and was meticulous about the quality of weapons throughout his forces.

At the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, facing the innovative concentrated arquebus tactics of the Oda-Tokugawa alliance, the Takeda cavalry suffered devastating losses. Nobuharu volunteered to command the rearguard to allow lord Katsuyori to retreat safely. Despite being sixty years old, he fought on until finally cut down—a death that has been inscribed in history as the tragic beginning of the Takeda clan's end.