Hayashi Narinaga
Encyclopedia
was a busho during the Sengoku period
, retainer of the Mōri clan
and was koku-jin-ryoshu (Ji-samurai
) of Southern Bingo Province
. He held many jobs including karō
(clan elder) serving Mōri Motonari
(1497–1571) and Môri Mototoshi mostly in dealings with Toyotomi Hideyoshi
. He was also a bugyō
under Mōri Terumoto
. From Hideyoshi he received the title of Hizen-no-kami from him. For sometime he worked as a messenger between Hideyoshi and the Mōri. He was bestowed the 5th court rank, junior grade jugoi (従五位). Narinaga received the character "nari, 就" from his lord Mōri Motonari and "naga, 長" from his father Kikuchi Takenaga. He died at the advanced age of 88 years (89 in Japanese years).
that had ruled Higo-no-kuni for generations during the Muromachi period. Sometime after the fall of the Kikuchi in Hoki he was taken into the Hayashi family and he changed his name. The Kikuchi had been overthrown by the Otomo of Kyūshū.
His father Kikuchi Takenaga came from the Kikuchi family that were the koku-jin-shu (Ji-samurai
) of Hoki Province. Their relationship with the Kikuchi of Higo Province is unclear, but there is a tradition that the father of Takenaga was Kikuchi Takekuni of the Higo line but researchers can see that their lifetimes do not fit. It is more likely that he was a grandson of Takekuni. Certainly the ancestor of the Hayashi clan must have come from Kyūshū to work for the Mōri clan. Some new research has linked the Kikuchi clan descended from Gwisil Jipsa
, a refugee from the ancient Korean kingdom of Paekche.
Kikuchi Otohachi is a famous figure from the Kikuchi family of Hoki. He was well known as a "mosho" a strong busho but was killed by Yamanaka Yukimori. They were retainers of the Yukimatsu clan of Izumo Province who in turn were retainers of the powerful Yamana. The Kikuchi lived at Odaka-jō. Amako Clan attacked and took over. Narinaga and his father join the campaign to secede from the Amago Clan. In 1562 Odaka-jo fell to Mori's general, Sugihara Morishige. After this the Yukimatsu for whom the Kikuchi were retainers left to Bingo-no-kuni and Aki-no-kuni to become retainers of the Mori. Some of the Kikuchi left with them such as Kikuchi Takenaga and it seems it was then that he entered the Hayashi clan. The reason why he changed Family name to Hayashi is not clear. There is a record that Hayashi Yajiro in Kawajiri died in 1552. This Hayashi Family had big power in that area. So, there is a story some say that Takenaga married with one of the daughters of that Hayashi family. Narinaga received the character "nari, 就" from his new lord Mōri Motonari and "naga, 長" from his father Kikuchi Takenaga.
as a karō and Ginzan-bugyo (mining official) at the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
silver mines. He would work at the silver mines until around 1585.
occurred in 1578, when the army of Mori Terumoto
attacked and captured the castle of Kozuki in Harima Province. Terumoto ordered Kobayakawa Takakage
to bring men and he showed up with a force 30,000 strong. Hayashi Narinaga and his first son, Hayashi Motoyoshi (who was 21 at the time), were present at the battle and helped bring down the castle. There is a letter of thanks from Mori Terumoto to Narinaga for the work his son did. Kozuki had been taken by Hashiba Hideyoshi the previous year and entrusted to Amago Katsuhisa. When it fell to the Mori, Amago committed hara-kiri. Amago's loyal and heroic general Yamanaka Shikanosuke Yukimori was captured and killed in the battle.
of Mukaiyama-jō in Gocho-gun, Bingo Province
. He would also become castellan
of Matsuoka-jō in Kozan-cho, Sera-gun, Bingo Province owned by the Matsuoka Clan. In December, 1583 he was ordered by Hideyoshi to work on communications between him and the Mōri. 1584 Narinaga donated a statue of Mori Motonari sitting down to the Choan-ji of Iwami Ginzan. That satue currently resides at the Mori family house in Bofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
and Hizen Province
were neighbors on the island of Kyūshū
.
During the campaign in Chikuzen Province
1586 Hayashi Tosa-no-kami Narinaga won a large victory attacking a castle and Toyotomi Hideyoshi and other daimyo sent him letters of thanks. This means that he was already holding the title of Tosa-no-kami by this time which is an (honorary court office). In 1588 Hayashi Tosa-no-kami is raised to the level where he gets direct orders from Hideyoshi on war strategy in Kyūshū. Either Narinaga was a superior samurai or because he was from the Kikuchi clan
who had extensive knowledge of Kyūshū and was very successful. This may be why Hideyoshi picked him out for the strategy of his campaign.
At this time he was bestowed with the Toyotomi name from him as well. The Toyotomi uji was simultaneously granted to a number of Hideyoshi's chosen allies, who adopted the new uji "豊臣朝臣" (Toyotomi no asomi, courtier of Toyotomi).
visits Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mansion and the Sword Hunt decree is given. It was just a year later in 1591 that Mōri Terumoto was building Hiroshima Castle
.
(Keichō-3, 18th day of the 8th month) - September 18, 1598: Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Taiko died in his Fushimi Castle at the age of 63. 1600 - At this time (after Sekigahara) Matsuoka Castle and Aka Castle was no longer belonging to the Hayashi family. Everyone moved to Hiroshima Castle and Mihara Castle.
(Keichō-10, 7th month, 19th day) - 19 July 1605: died at the age of 89. This means 88 in the Western aging system (in Japan a person is one year old at birth).
He held various titles during his life including Yotsugi, Moku-no-jō (secretary of the Bureau of Carpentry) and Tosa-no-kami. He was finally Hizen-no-kami (肥前守) which was his title at death.
The temple sacred to Hayashi Hizen-no-kami Narinaga is (Mannen-ji), It is located at Kue, Aki Province
. Only the walls and moat of Aka-jō remain. It is considered as either a Yamashirō (mountain castle - it was 480m/57m) or "residence hall" sort of castle. He built Matsuoka-jo and it was handed down to his first son Hayashi Shima-no-kami Motoyoshi when he built and moved to Aka-jo to retire at old age. His son also held the title of Ju-Goi. Motoyoshi died at 52 years old.
he moved to Nuta and changed his name to Ishibashi.
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
, retainer of the Mōri clan
Mori clan
The Mōri clan was a family of daimyō, descended from Ōe no Hiromoto and established themselves in Aki Province. Their name was derived from a shōen in Mōri, Aikō District, Sagami Province. The generation of Hiromoto began to name themselves Mōri.After the Jōkyū War, Mōri was appointed to the jitō...
and was koku-jin-ryoshu (Ji-samurai
Ji-samurai
The ', also known as ', were lords of smaller rural domains in feudal Japan. They often used their relatively small plots of land for intensive and diversified forms of agriculture; the kokujin sought to be as productive and self-sufficient as possible, hoping to gain wealth and power...
) of Southern Bingo Province
Bingo Province
was a province of Japan on the Inland Sea side of western Honshū, comprising what is today the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Bizen and Bitchu Provinces. Bingo bordered Bitchū, Hōki, Izumo, Iwami, and Aki Provinces....
. He held many jobs including karō
KARO
KARO is a radio station licensed to serve Nyssa, Oregon, USA. The station is owned by the Educational Media Foundation.It broadcasts a Contemporary Christian music format as part of the Air 1 network.-History:...
(clan elder) serving Mōri Motonari
Mori Motonari
was a prominent daimyō in the west Chūgoku region of Japan during the Sengoku period of the 16th century.-Early years:Mōri Motonari was born under the name Shojumaru in a small domain of Aki province in 1497. He is said to have been born at Suzuo Castle, his mother's homeland...
(1497–1571) and Môri Mototoshi mostly in dealings with Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
. He was also a bugyō
Bugyo
', often translated as "commissioner" or "magistrate" or "governor," was a title assigned to government officers in pre-modern Japan; other terms would be added to the title to describe more specifically a given commissioner's tasks or jurisdiction....
under Mōri Terumoto
Mori Terumoto
Mōri Terumoto , son of Mōri Takamoto and grandson and successor of the great warlord Mōri Motonari, fought against Toyotomi Hideyoshi but was eventually overcome, participated in the Kyūshū campaign on Hideyoshi's side and built Hiroshima Castle, thus essentially founding Hiroshima.Terumoto was a...
. From Hideyoshi he received the title of Hizen-no-kami from him. For sometime he worked as a messenger between Hideyoshi and the Mōri. He was bestowed the 5th court rank, junior grade jugoi (従五位). Narinaga received the character "nari, 就" from his lord Mōri Motonari and "naga, 長" from his father Kikuchi Takenaga. He died at the advanced age of 88 years (89 in Japanese years).
Early life and background
Hayashi Narinaga was born 1517 in Doi, Kawajiri. It is not part of Mihara in Bingo Province. His birth year is estimated from his age at death. Narinaga died in 1605 at the age of 89 but in Japanese counting an infant is counted as already one year old at birth. During his younger years he was known as Hayashi Saburozaemon Shigesato. His father is named as Kikuchi Takenaga who was adopted into the Hayashi clan as Hayashi Moku-no-jō Michiaki, his mother is unknown. His father's title of Moku-no-jō (secretary of the Bureau of Carpentry) is passed down in the Hayashi clan for a few generations. Takenaga is likely descended from the powerful Kikuchi clanKikuchi clan
The of Higo Province was a powerful daimyo family of Higo, Kyūshū. The Kikuchi lineage was renowned for its valiant service in defense of the emperor and against foreign invaders. The clan first distinguished itself during the Jürchen invasion of northern Kyūshū in 1019...
that had ruled Higo-no-kuni for generations during the Muromachi period. Sometime after the fall of the Kikuchi in Hoki he was taken into the Hayashi family and he changed his name. The Kikuchi had been overthrown by the Otomo of Kyūshū.
His father Kikuchi Takenaga came from the Kikuchi family that were the koku-jin-shu (Ji-samurai
Ji-samurai
The ', also known as ', were lords of smaller rural domains in feudal Japan. They often used their relatively small plots of land for intensive and diversified forms of agriculture; the kokujin sought to be as productive and self-sufficient as possible, hoping to gain wealth and power...
) of Hoki Province. Their relationship with the Kikuchi of Higo Province is unclear, but there is a tradition that the father of Takenaga was Kikuchi Takekuni of the Higo line but researchers can see that their lifetimes do not fit. It is more likely that he was a grandson of Takekuni. Certainly the ancestor of the Hayashi clan must have come from Kyūshū to work for the Mōri clan. Some new research has linked the Kikuchi clan descended from Gwisil Jipsa
Gwisil Jipsa
Gwisil Jipsa , also romanized Kwisil Chipsa, was the son of Gwisil Boksin , a general of Paekche. When Paekche fell in 660 his father tried to save the nation by raising an army and proclaiming Buyeo Pung , the son of the 31st King Uija, as the next king...
, a refugee from the ancient Korean kingdom of Paekche.
Kikuchi Otohachi is a famous figure from the Kikuchi family of Hoki. He was well known as a "mosho" a strong busho but was killed by Yamanaka Yukimori. They were retainers of the Yukimatsu clan of Izumo Province who in turn were retainers of the powerful Yamana. The Kikuchi lived at Odaka-jō. Amako Clan attacked and took over. Narinaga and his father join the campaign to secede from the Amago Clan. In 1562 Odaka-jo fell to Mori's general, Sugihara Morishige. After this the Yukimatsu for whom the Kikuchi were retainers left to Bingo-no-kuni and Aki-no-kuni to become retainers of the Mori. Some of the Kikuchi left with them such as Kikuchi Takenaga and it seems it was then that he entered the Hayashi clan. The reason why he changed Family name to Hayashi is not clear. There is a record that Hayashi Yajiro in Kawajiri died in 1552. This Hayashi Family had big power in that area. So, there is a story some say that Takenaga married with one of the daughters of that Hayashi family. Narinaga received the character "nari, 就" from his new lord Mōri Motonari and "naga, 長" from his father Kikuchi Takenaga.
Retainer of the Mōri
During 1562, after the fall of Odaka-jo Hayashi Narinaga began working for Mōri MotonariMori Motonari
was a prominent daimyō in the west Chūgoku region of Japan during the Sengoku period of the 16th century.-Early years:Mōri Motonari was born under the name Shojumaru in a small domain of Aki province in 1497. He is said to have been born at Suzuo Castle, his mother's homeland...
as a karō and Ginzan-bugyo (mining official) at the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
The was a silver mine in the city of Ōda, Shimane Prefecture, on the main island of Honshū, Japan. It was added to the World Heritage List in 2007.-Mine history:...
silver mines. He would work at the silver mines until around 1585.
Siege of Kozuki Castle
The Siege of Kozuki Castle (Kozuki-jo no Tatakai) in Harima ProvinceHarima Province
or Banshu was a province of Japan in the part of Honshū that is the southwestern part of present-day Hyōgo Prefecture. Harima bordered on Tajima, Tamba, Settsu, Bizen, and Mimasaka Provinces. Its capital was Himeji....
occurred in 1578, when the army of Mori Terumoto
Mori Terumoto
Mōri Terumoto , son of Mōri Takamoto and grandson and successor of the great warlord Mōri Motonari, fought against Toyotomi Hideyoshi but was eventually overcome, participated in the Kyūshū campaign on Hideyoshi's side and built Hiroshima Castle, thus essentially founding Hiroshima.Terumoto was a...
attacked and captured the castle of Kozuki in Harima Province. Terumoto ordered Kobayakawa Takakage
Kobayakawa Takakage
was a samurai retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi during Japan's Sengoku period, and the son of Mōri Motonari. Adopted by the head of the Kobayakawa clan, Takakage took his name, and succeeded his adoptive father to become head of the Kobayakawa clan following his death in 1545.As head of the Kobayakawa...
to bring men and he showed up with a force 30,000 strong. Hayashi Narinaga and his first son, Hayashi Motoyoshi (who was 21 at the time), were present at the battle and helped bring down the castle. There is a letter of thanks from Mori Terumoto to Narinaga for the work his son did. Kozuki had been taken by Hashiba Hideyoshi the previous year and entrusted to Amago Katsuhisa. When it fell to the Mori, Amago committed hara-kiri. Amago's loyal and heroic general Yamanaka Shikanosuke Yukimori was captured and killed in the battle.
Messenger between Hideyoshi and Mōri
After the Incident at Honnō-ji on June 21, 1582, Hashiba Hideyoshi becomes the most powerful man in Japan. His lord awarded for the work he did as the castellanCastellan
A castellan was the governor or captain of a castle. The word stems from the Latin Castellanus, derived from castellum "castle". Also known as a constable.-Duties:...
of Mukaiyama-jō in Gocho-gun, Bingo Province
Bingo Province
was a province of Japan on the Inland Sea side of western Honshū, comprising what is today the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Bizen and Bitchu Provinces. Bingo bordered Bitchū, Hōki, Izumo, Iwami, and Aki Provinces....
. He would also become castellan
Castellan
A castellan was the governor or captain of a castle. The word stems from the Latin Castellanus, derived from castellum "castle". Also known as a constable.-Duties:...
of Matsuoka-jō in Kozan-cho, Sera-gun, Bingo Province owned by the Matsuoka Clan. In December, 1583 he was ordered by Hideyoshi to work on communications between him and the Mōri. 1584 Narinaga donated a statue of Mori Motonari sitting down to the Choan-ji of Iwami Ginzan. That satue currently resides at the Mori family house in Bofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Hideyoshi's Kyūshū Campaign (1586-1587)
Hideyoshi was known as Hashiba Chikuzen no Kami Hideyoshi (羽柴 筑前守 秀吉) earlier in his career while Hayashi Narinaga held the title of Hizen-no-kami. Chikuzen ProvinceChikuzen Province
was an old province of Japan in the area that is today part of Fukuoka Prefecture in Kyūshū. It was sometimes called , with Chikugo Province. Chikuzen bordered Buzen, Bungo, Chikugo, and Hizen Provinces....
and Hizen Province
Hizen Province
was an old province of Japan in the area of Saga and Nagasaki prefectures. It was sometimes called , with Higo Province. Hizen bordered on the provinces of Chikuzen and Chikugo. The province was included in Saikaidō...
were neighbors on the island of Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
.
During the campaign in Chikuzen Province
Chikuzen Province
was an old province of Japan in the area that is today part of Fukuoka Prefecture in Kyūshū. It was sometimes called , with Chikugo Province. Chikuzen bordered Buzen, Bungo, Chikugo, and Hizen Provinces....
1586 Hayashi Tosa-no-kami Narinaga won a large victory attacking a castle and Toyotomi Hideyoshi and other daimyo sent him letters of thanks. This means that he was already holding the title of Tosa-no-kami by this time which is an (honorary court office). In 1588 Hayashi Tosa-no-kami is raised to the level where he gets direct orders from Hideyoshi on war strategy in Kyūshū. Either Narinaga was a superior samurai or because he was from the Kikuchi clan
Kikuchi clan
The of Higo Province was a powerful daimyo family of Higo, Kyūshū. The Kikuchi lineage was renowned for its valiant service in defense of the emperor and against foreign invaders. The clan first distinguished itself during the Jürchen invasion of northern Kyūshū in 1019...
who had extensive knowledge of Kyūshū and was very successful. This may be why Hideyoshi picked him out for the strategy of his campaign.
At this time he was bestowed with the Toyotomi name from him as well. The Toyotomi uji was simultaneously granted to a number of Hideyoshi's chosen allies, who adopted the new uji "豊臣朝臣" (Toyotomi no asomi, courtier of Toyotomi).
Interim years
After the Kyūshū Campaign, (Tenshō-16, 7th month) - July 1588 - ordained with the title "Hizen-no-kami". Interestingly this same month Emperor Go-YōzeiEmperor Go-Yozei
was the 107th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Go-Yōzei's reign spanned the years from 1586 through 1611, corresponding to the transition between the Azuchi-Momoyama period and the Edo period....
visits Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mansion and the Sword Hunt decree is given. It was just a year later in 1591 that Mōri Terumoto was building Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima Castle
', sometimes called ' is a castle in Hiroshima, Japan which was the home of the daimyō of the Hiroshima han . Originally constructed in the 1590s, the castle was destroyed in the atomic bombing in 1945...
.
Hideyoshi's Korean Campaign
In 1592 Hideyoshi ordered his troops to go to the war in Korea. He gave Mōri Terumoto a letter and wrote there that he was worried because his friend Hizen-no-kami was old. During April and December 1592 Narinaga once again served as a messenger between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Mōri. Finally in 1594 Hayashi Hizen-no-kami came back from Hideyoshi's Korean Invasion and quit all his jobs. He asked Mori Terumoto if he could retire and built a castle Aka-jō (赤城跡). He was 78 years old (a late age) when he retired. The reason he worked so long could be because his son, Hayashi Shima-no-kami Motoyoshi received from Mori Terumoto 2,290 koku of land. This was twice as much as what the Hayashi family had received in Hagi-han. This area was known as Morimitsu. Hayashi Gonuemon the great-grandson of Hayashi Narinaga.Retirement and death
(Keichō-2, 9th month) - September 1597: While Hizen-no-kami was residing at Aka-jō he rebuilt Hijiri-jinja (Hijiri shrine) which had burned down. Hijiri-jinja was near Aka-jō and Matsuoka-jō. At the front of the shrine one of the two stone dogs is thought to be donated by him. Hijiri-jinja still remains there today.(Keichō-3, 18th day of the 8th month) - September 18, 1598: Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Taiko died in his Fushimi Castle at the age of 63. 1600 - At this time (after Sekigahara) Matsuoka Castle and Aka Castle was no longer belonging to the Hayashi family. Everyone moved to Hiroshima Castle and Mihara Castle.
(Keichō-10, 7th month, 19th day) - 19 July 1605: died at the age of 89. This means 88 in the Western aging system (in Japan a person is one year old at birth).
He held various titles during his life including Yotsugi, Moku-no-jō (secretary of the Bureau of Carpentry) and Tosa-no-kami. He was finally Hizen-no-kami (肥前守) which was his title at death.
The temple sacred to Hayashi Hizen-no-kami Narinaga is (Mannen-ji), It is located at Kue, Aki Province
Aki Province
or Geishū was a province in the Chūgoku Region of western Honshū, comprising the western part of what is today Hiroshima Prefecture.When Emperor Shōmu ordered two official temples for each province , two temples were founded in Aki Province...
. Only the walls and moat of Aka-jō remain. It is considered as either a Yamashirō (mountain castle - it was 480m/57m) or "residence hall" sort of castle. He built Matsuoka-jo and it was handed down to his first son Hayashi Shima-no-kami Motoyoshi when he built and moved to Aka-jo to retire at old age. His son also held the title of Ju-Goi. Motoyoshi died at 52 years old.
Partners and children
- N.N. (main wife)
- 1st son - Hayashi Shima-no-kami Motoyoshi (林 志摩守 元善, May 1621 - 16 Oct 1708) 1st son
- N.N. (another woman)
- Another son - Hayashi Jirōuemon Nagayoshi (林 長由, ? - ?).
he moved to Nuta and changed his name to Ishibashi.