Kasuya Takenori

糟屋武則

One of the Seven Spears of Shizugatake who joined the Western Army at Sekigahara and lost his domain

Era

Azuchi-Momoyama to Early Edo period

Lifespan

1562-unknown

Description

Life

Kasuya Takenori (b. 1562, death year disputed) was a warrior from Harima Province who distinguished himself at the 1583 Battle of Shizugatake by defeating Shukuya Shichizaemon, a retainer of Sakuma Morimasa, earning him a place among the "Seven Spears of Shizugatake" and a grant of 2,000 koku in Kako District, Harima, plus 1,000 koku in Kawachi from Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He later became lord of Kakogawa Castle in Harima and administrator of Hideyoshi's directly held lands (kurairechi) in Miki District, eventually holding 12,000 koku with quasi-daimyo status.

Sekigahara and Loss of Domain

At the Battle of Sekigahara he joined the Western Army under Ishida Mitsunari, leading 360 troops in the assault on Fushimi Castle, and is said to have fought in Ukita Hideie's unit in the main battle. Following the Western Army's defeat, his domain was confiscated in the post-battle settlement, stripping him of his status.

Legacy

Accounts of his fate after this and the year of his death vary between sources, with some claiming he died during the Keicho era and others that his line continued until a son died in the Summer Siege of Osaka; the matter remains unresolved. Among the Seven Spears, he stands out as one who failed to secure lasting daimyo status, emblematic of those who went down with the Toyotomi cause.