Horio Yoshiharu

Horio Yoshiharu (1543–1611) was a senior retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi who rose to prominence and was praised as the 'Merciful Buddha' (Hotoke no Shigasuke) for his mild and sincere character. Along with Ikoma Chikamasa and Nakamura Kazuji, he was counted among the 'Three Middle Elders' who supported the core of the Toyotomi government. He participated in the Korean invasions, including the Bunroku and Keicho campaigns, and at the Battle of Sekigahara sided with the Eastern Army, receiving the domains of Izumo and Oki (240,000 koku) after the war. He began construction of Matsue Castle together with his heir Tadauji, but when Tadauji died suddenly in 1604, Yoshiharu himself took over the project and completed Matsue Castle in 1611. He died that same year; his grandson Tadaharu succeeded him but died without an heir, extinguishing the Horio line. Matsue Castle survives today as a designated National Treasure, its keep bearing lasting testament to the Horio clan's legacy in the San'in region. Though records of his personal swords are scarce, as a senior retainer serving both the Toyotomi and Tokugawa regimes, he is presumed to have carried blades of the Soshu tradition associated with Masamune and Gō Yoshihiro.