Hachisuka Masakatsu

Hachisuka Masakatsu (1526-1586), widely known by his common name Hachisuka Koroku, was a Sengoku warrior from Owari Province who met the young Kinoshita Tōkichirō (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi) early in life and became his right-hand man. He contributed to the overnight construction of Sunomata Castle, secured supply lines during the Chugoku Campaign against the Mōri clan, and was a meritorious retainer who supported Hideyoshi's unification of Japan from behind the scenes. He is regarded as the founding ancestor of the Hachisuka clan of the Tokushima domain. In battle he excelled at surprise attacks and night raids, fighting across many theaters with a sharp uchigatana. As one of the key retainers who managed the practical affairs of Hideyoshi's rise, he holds an important place in sword history.