Yūki Chikamitsu

Yūki Chikamitsu was a warrior of the late Kamakura to early Nanboku-chō period and a member of the Shirakawa Yūki clan. His year of birth is unknown. He is said to have died on the 11th day of the 1st month, Kenmu 3 / Engen 1 (1336). He was the second son of Yūki Munehiro of the Shirakawa Yūki clan, and his elder brother was Chikatomo. His common name was Kurō.

Genkō Incident

In 1331 (Genkō 1) he served on the Bakufu's side in the attack on the Shimo-Akasaka Castle held by Kusunoki Masashige. In 1333 (Genkō 3) he also took part on the Bakufu's side in the Battle of Kami-Akasaka Castle.

Overthrow of the Bakufu and Service to Takauji

He then joined Ashikaga Takauji and took part in the attack on the Rokuhara Tandai. Some accounts hold that he turned against the Bakufu together with his father on Emperor Go-Daigo's order.

Kenmu Government

Under the Kenmu government he served as an official of the Onshō-sho (Board of Rewards), the Zōso Kessaijo (Board of Petitions), and the Kubo-dokoro. He was counted together with Chigusa Tadaaki, Kusunoki Masashige and Nawa Nagatoshi as the "Three Trees and One Grass," and was the first of them to die.

Death

When Ashikaga Takauji defeated the imperial forces at Hakone and Takenoshita and entered the capital, Chikamitsu pretended to surrender in order to try to assassinate Takauji. His scheme was seen through. According to the Taiheiki, when he was received by Ōtomo Sadanori, Sadanori rebuked him: "As a man who has surrendered, why do you not take off your armor?" Chikamitsu cut Sadanori down, but was himself struck down by Ashikaga soldiers who swarmed around him. According to the Baishō-ron, he wounded Sadanori seriously, but was killed in the counterattack and his head was taken. Some accounts hold that his target was not Takauji but Sadanori, who had switched sides.