Sakuma Morimasa

Sakuma Morimasa (1554-1583) was a fierce Sengoku-period general known by the nickname "Oni Genba" (Demon Genba). As a general under Shibata Katsuie, he fought fiercely against the forces of Hashiba Hideyoshi at the Battle of Shizugatake (1583). His mother was an elder sister of Shibata Katsuie, making him Katsuie's nephew. His reckless charge in the Battle of Shizugatake led to his downfall, but his valor was feared by friend and foe alike as "Oni Genba."

Morimasa was born into a samurai family in Owari Province and rose to prominence at a young age under Shibata Katsuie. As a senior retainer of Katsuie, whose base was Echizen (present-day Fukui Prefecture), he earned a martial reputation through numerous battles in the Hokuriku region. Because of his fierce fighting style, he was nicknamed "Oni Genba," and his battle style, like that of a raging demon, struck terror into his enemies.

In Tenshō 11 (1583), the Battle of Shizugatake broke out, in which Shibata Katsuie and Hashiba Hideyoshi clashed over the succession following the Honnōji Incident (1582). In this battle, Morimasa achieved a great feat by launching a sudden attack on the Ōiwayama fort, defended by Nakagawa Kiyohide, and capturing it. However, although Katsuie is said to have repeatedly sent messengers urging him to withdraw, Morimasa did not comply and remained at the fort he had seized. This unilateral decision became a fatal error. Hideyoshi counterattacked with a large army aimed at Morimasa's isolated unit, and Morimasa suffered a crushing defeat.

After the defeat at the Battle of Shizugatake, Morimasa was captured while fleeing and handed over to Hideyoshi. It is also said that Hideyoshi, recognizing Morimasa's martial valor, proposed to take him on as a vassal, but Morimasa refused. He was then paraded through the streets of Kyoto and executed. He died at the age of 30. The short yet intense life of this fearsome general, known as "Oni Genba," is passed down through the ages as the ultimate expression of Sengoku-period bushidō.