Naitō Masatoyo

Naitō Masatoyo (1522-1575) was one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of the Takeda" who served Takeda Shingen and Katsuyori. Together with Yamagata Masakage, Baba Nobuharu and Kōsaka Masanobu, he led the elite of the Takeda army and was a distinguished general. In the conquest of Kōzuke Province (present-day Gunma Prefecture), he earned numerous military distinctions, and as castellan (jōdai) of Minowa Castle he became the linchpin of Takeda rule in the Kantō region.

Masatoyo rose to prominence as a close aide of Shingen and displayed superb skill in commanding troops on the battlefield. He took part in the major campaigns of the Takeda army, including the Battles of Kawanakajima, and his mastery of tactics was highly praised by the other generals. Based at Minowa Castle (present-day Takasaki), he managed the administration of Kōzuke and secured Takeda control over the region.

The Battle of Nagashino (1575) was the end of Masatoyo's life. At Shitaragahara, the Takeda army, facing the arquebus units of the allied Oda and Tokugawa forces, suffered a crushing defeat. Masatoyo, however, remained on the battlefield until the end. While serving as rear guard (shingari) for the retreating Takeda army, he died a heroic death in battle. Masatoyo's death was an irreparable loss for the Takeda house.

Masatoyo's life is still told today as a story that symbolizes both the glory and the downfall of the Takeda army.