Ōtomo Yoshiaki

Ōtomo Yoshiaki (1502–1550) was the twentieth head of the Ōtomo clan, which was based in Bungo Province (present-day Ōita Prefecture), and the father of Ōtomo Sōrin (Yoshishige). He held great power in northern Kyushu and expanded the influence of the Ōtomo clan from Funai in Bungo (present-day Ōita City) as his base; Funai flourished as a Nanban trade port in the era of his son Sōrin. However, because he attempted to deprive his eldest son Yoshishige of his position and pass the headship to his third son Shioichimaru, in 1550 he was attacked at his residence by retainers loyal to Yoshishige, suffered serious wounds, and died two days later (Nikai-kuzure Incident). In 1543 he was also appointed shugo (military governor) of Higo, and he expanded his power, laying the foundation for the Ōtomo clan's zenith, which came in the era of his son Sōrin.