Mori Yoshinari

Mori Yoshinari (1523–1570) was a senior retainer of Oda Nobunaga, the father of Mori Nagayoshi, who bore the epithet "Oni Musashi," and a fierce warrior who earned the epithet "Seme no Sanza" as a master of the spear. When Nobunaga marched on Kyōto, he served as vanguard alongside Shibata Katsuie, and he distinguished himself in many battles as a man of martial prowess. His third son, Mori Ranmaru, is known as a page in Nobunaga's service.

Yoshinari had entered Nobunaga's service by Tenbun 23 (1554), and he took part in major campaigns including the Battle of Okehazama (1560) and the Battle of Inō. Through a series of campaigns spanning Nobunaga's unification of Owari and his conquest of Mino, he built up a record of military distinction and was appointed castellan of Usayama Castle (in Ōmi Province, in present-day Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture).

In 1570, when Asakura Yoshikage of Echizen and Azai Nagamasa of Ōmi allied and raised the banner of revolt against Nobunaga, Yoshinari took on the role of garrisoning Usayama Castle. In the 9th month of 1570, he fought the Asakura-Azai allied forces at Sakamoto (present-day Ōtsu) in the Battle of Usayama Castle and, outnumbered, died a heroic death in battle. His death is said to have deeply grieved Nobunaga.

In connection with arms and armor, Yoshinari is known as a master of the spear, and he is said to have wielded a jūmonji-yari bearing the signature of Seki Kanesada.