Ogasawara Ujioki
Encyclopedia
also known as , was a Japanese samurai
of the Sengoku period
, who served the Imagawa clan
. Ujioki was the eldest son of Ogasawara Haruyoshi and cousin to Ogasawara Nagatoki
, the shugo
of Shinano Province
. He ruled Takatenjin Castle and was also entrusted with Mabusezuka Castle, and supported the Imagawa clan during its expansion westward. After Imagawa Yoshimoto
's death at the Battle of Okehazama
, Ujioki sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu
, and assisted in Ieyasu's campaign against the Imagawa. He took over Mabusezuka and left Takatenjin to his son Ogasawara Nagatada
, but died a year later of unknown circumstances.
Ujioki was part of the senior branch of the Ogasawara.
The Ogasawara clan
originated in 12th century Shinano province
. They claim descent from Takeda Yoshikiyo and as part of the Seiwa-Genji. The great grand-son of Yoshikiyo, Nagakiyo
, was the first to take the name Ogasawara. The area controlled by the senior branch of his descendants grew to encompass the entire province of Shinano. Nagakiyo's grandson, Ogawawara Hidemasa (1569–1615), served Ieyasu; and in 1590, Hidemasa received Koga Domain
(20,000 koku) in Shimōsa province. In 1601, Ieyasu transferred Hidemasa to Iida Domain (50,000 koku) in Shinano; then, in 1613, he was able to return to the home of his forebears, Fukashi Castle
(80,000 koku), now known as Matsumoto Castle
.
This senior branch of the fudai Ogasawara from the beginning were daimyō
at Fukashi; then, in 1617, the daimyō was transferred to Akashi Domain
in Harima province
(120,000 koku). In the years spanning 1632 through 1868, the descendants of this branch of the Ogasawara were daimyō at Kokura Domain
(150,000 koku) in Buzen province
; and Ujioki's descendants would be part of this line.
The Ogasawara would prosper during the years of Tokugawa shogunate
. During the Edo period, the Ogasawara were identified as one of the fudai
or insider daimyō clans which were hereditary vassels or allies of the Tokdugawa, in contrast with the tozama
or outsider clans.
The heads of fudai Ogasawara clan branches would be ennobled in the Meiji period
.
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
of the Sengoku period
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...
, who served the Imagawa clan
Imagawa clan
The was a Japanese clan that claimed descent from Emperor Seiwa . It was a branch of the Minamoto clan by the Ashikaga clan.-Origins:Ashikaga Kuniuji, grandson of Ashikaga Yoshiuji, established himself in the 13th century at Imagawa and took its name.Imagawa Norikuni received from his cousin the...
. Ujioki was the eldest son of Ogasawara Haruyoshi and cousin to Ogasawara Nagatoki
Ogasawara Nagatoki
' was a daimyo of Shinano Province during the Sengoku Period in Japan. In 1542, Shinano Province was invaded by Takeda Shingen, and Ogasawara allied with Murakami Yoshikiyo, Suwa Yorishige, and Kiso Yoshiyasu in an attempt to stop him...
, the shugo
Shugo
was a title, commonly translated as "Governor," given to certain officials in feudal Japan. They were each appointed by the shogun to oversee one or more of the provinces of Japan...
of Shinano Province
Shinano Province
or is an old province of Japan that is now present day Nagano Prefecture.Shinano bordered on Echigo, Etchū, Hida, Kai, Kōzuke, Mikawa, Mino, Musashi, Suruga, and Tōtōmi Provinces...
. He ruled Takatenjin Castle and was also entrusted with Mabusezuka Castle, and supported the Imagawa clan during its expansion westward. After Imagawa Yoshimoto
Imagawa Yoshimoto
was one of the leading daimyo in the Sengoku period Japan. Based in Suruga Province, he was one of the three daimyo that dominated the Tōkaidō region. He was one of the dominant daimyo in Japan for a time, until his death in 1560....
's death at the Battle of Okehazama
Battle of Okehazama
The took place in June 1560. In this battle, Oda Nobunaga defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto and established himself as one of the front-running warlords in the Sengoku period.-Background:...
, Ujioki sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu
Tokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
, and assisted in Ieyasu's campaign against the Imagawa. He took over Mabusezuka and left Takatenjin to his son Ogasawara Nagatada
Ogasawara Nagatada
' , also known as , was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, who served the Imagawa, Tokugawa, and Takeda clans. Nagatada, the son of Ogasawara Ujioki, first served the Imagawa clan together with his father. However, after the death of Imagawa Yoshimoto, he became a Tokugawa retainer, and...
, but died a year later of unknown circumstances.
Ogasawara clan genealogy
The Ogasawara clan
Ogasawara clan
The was a Japanese samurai clan descended from the Seiwa Genji. The Ogasawara acted as shugo of Shinano province in the medieval period The was a Japanese samurai clan descended from the Seiwa Genji. The Ogasawara acted as shugo (governors) of Shinano province in the medieval period The was a...
originated in 12th century Shinano province
Shinano Province
or is an old province of Japan that is now present day Nagano Prefecture.Shinano bordered on Echigo, Etchū, Hida, Kai, Kōzuke, Mikawa, Mino, Musashi, Suruga, and Tōtōmi Provinces...
. They claim descent from Takeda Yoshikiyo and as part of the Seiwa-Genji. The great grand-son of Yoshikiyo, Nagakiyo
Ogasawara Nagakiyo
a retainer of the Japanese clan of Minamoto during the Heian period of Japan. Nagakiyo became rather famous for being the founder of the well known clan of Japan, the Ogasawara. Nagakiyo was born within the prefecture of Yamanashi...
, was the first to take the name Ogasawara. The area controlled by the senior branch of his descendants grew to encompass the entire province of Shinano. Nagakiyo's grandson, Ogawawara Hidemasa (1569–1615), served Ieyasu; and in 1590, Hidemasa received Koga Domain
Koga Domain
The ' was a Japanese domain of the Edo period, located in Shimōsa Province . The first lord of Koga was Ogasawara Hidemasa, who was granted it as a fief following Tokugawa Ieyasu's move to the Kantō region.-List of lords:...
(20,000 koku) in Shimōsa province. In 1601, Ieyasu transferred Hidemasa to Iida Domain (50,000 koku) in Shinano; then, in 1613, he was able to return to the home of his forebears, Fukashi Castle
Matsumoto Castle
, also known as the because of its black exterior, is one of Japan's premier historic castles. It is located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture and is within easy reach of Tokyo by road or rail....
(80,000 koku), now known as Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle
, also known as the because of its black exterior, is one of Japan's premier historic castles. It is located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture and is within easy reach of Tokyo by road or rail....
.
This senior branch of the fudai Ogasawara from the beginning were daimyō
Daimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
at Fukashi; then, in 1617, the daimyō was transferred to Akashi Domain
Akashi Domain
The was a feudal domain of Japan. It occupied Akashi District and surroundings in Harima Province. Fudai and Shimpan daimyo were assigned, and frequently reassigned, to Akashi. The domain had its administrative headquarters at Akashi Castle.Akashi was established in 1617 when Ikeda Mitsumasa was...
in Harima province
Harima 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....
(120,000 koku). In the years spanning 1632 through 1868, the descendants of this branch of the Ogasawara were daimyō at Kokura Domain
Kokura Domain
The ' was a Japanese domain of the Edo period. It was headquartered what is now the city of Kokura, in Kyūshū. In the late Edo period, it was also called "Kawara-han" and then "Toyotsu-han" .-List of lords:...
(150,000 koku) in Buzen province
Buzen Province
was an old province of Japan in northern Kyūshū in the area of Fukuoka Prefecture and Ōita Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Bungo Province. Buzen bordered on Bungo and Chikuzen Provinces....
; and Ujioki's descendants would be part of this line.
The Ogasawara would prosper during the years of Tokugawa shogunate
Tokugawa shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
. During the Edo period, the Ogasawara were identified as one of the fudai
Fudai
was a class of daimyo who were hereditary vassals of the Tokugawa in Edo period Japan. It was primarily the fudai who filled the ranks of the Tokugawa administration.-Origins:...
or insider daimyō clans which were hereditary vassels or allies of the Tokdugawa, in contrast with the tozama
Tozama
A ' was a daimyo who was considered an outsider by the rulers of Japan. The term came into use in the Kamakura period and continued until the end of the Edo period.-Edo period:...
or outsider clans.
The heads of fudai Ogasawara clan branches would be ennobled in the Meiji period
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
.