Honda Shigetsugu

Honda Shigetsugu (1529-1596) was a fierce warrior who devoted his life as a retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and was known by the nickname Oni Sakuza ('Demon Sakuza'). He belonged to the Mikawa Honda clan, the same family as Honda Tadakatsu, and was one of the meritorious retainers who risked their lives to support Ieyasu in the early days of his career. Together with Amano Yasukage and Kōriki Kiyonaga, he served as one of the Three Magistrates of Mikawa (Mikawa san-bugyō), and he also displayed his abilities in administrative affairs. He took part in many battles, including the Battle of Mikatagahara, and was distinguished for his martial prowess. His blunt and straightforward character earned him the name Oni Sakuza, but his loyalty was unwavering, and he won deep trust from Ieyasu. It is said that, from his camp during the Battle of Nagashino in Tenshō 3 (1575), he wrote to his wife the famous letter 'Ippitsu keijō, hi no yōjin, Osen nakasu na, uma koyase' ('A brief note: beware of fire, don't make Osen cry, keep the horses well fed'), expressing concern for his young heir Senchiyo (later Honda Narishige). It is known as the shortest letter in Japan. At Hongan-ji, his family temple, in Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture, his helmet and armour worn by Shigetsugu, a gold folding fan received from Ieyasu, and other items have been handed down.