Iwaki Tsunetaka

Iwaki Tsunetaka was a Sengoku-period warrior of Mutsu Province and the 17th head of the Iwaki clan. He was born in Eiroku 10 (1567) and died on the 22nd day of the 7th month of Tensho 18 (21 August 1590), at the age of 24. His court rank was Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade, and his title was Sakon no Daibu.

The heirship and the Satake

When his father Iwaki Chikataka fell ill, his mother Keijuin and her brother Satake Yoshishige acted as guardians. Tsunetaka is said to have succeeded in Tensho 6 (1578).

Ties with the Date and the Tamura

Because he was related by marriage to Date Terumune, he was at first on friendly terms with the Date. In Tensho 7 (1579), when Date Terumune arranged for Tamura's daughter Megohime to become the principal wife of his son Masamune, Tsunetaka leaned toward the Satake. In Tensho 11 (1583) he mediated between the Date and the Soma. In the Battle of Hitotoribashi he fought on the Satake side, and a retainer of his is said to have killed Oniniwa Yoshinao of the Date. After the Battle of Suriagehara in Tensho 17 (1589), the Iwaki made peace with the Date.

The siege of Odawara and death

He took part in the siege of Odawara and was confirmed in his domains. He died in Zama district of Kōza County, Sagami Province. His grave is said to be at Shingan-ji in Zama City. A third son of Satake Yoshishige, Sadataka, became his adopted heir. His own son fled to the Date, later returned to the Date surname, and became a member of the Sendai domain's kin.