Otani Yoshitsugu

Since the Edo era, Otani is known as the heroic and talented friend of Isis Mitsunari. It was believed that they had been familiar from childhood and appreciated justice and integrity in each other. Probably everyone already rubbed their eyes on that famous case with a tea ceremony in Osaka Castle, which took place in 1587. Yoshitsugu, already suffering from leprosy, drank from the cup that everyone was passing to each other, and drops of pus fell from his lips into tea. According to the rules of the ceremony, the cup should have been passed on, but everyone refused to accept it. When she reached Mitsunari, he drank everything to the bottom, not even bending his face from disgust and noted that the tea was very tasty. Yoshitsugu was moved by the gesture of his friend, and, as they say, this is what prompted Otani to decide to take the side of the Western Coalition. In addition, there is an opinion that these two had a romantic relationship, which explained such a strong bond, and it was this tea party that started the novel. If the notorious ceremony at least had real witnesses who described it (Kamiya So: tan, Tsuda Sogyu), then with close friendship everything is not so simple - this is a debatable question. In principle, for accuracy, the whole biography of Otani is a debatable question ... Sources of the Edo period describe him as a respected and talented vassal from his youth, but there are no sensible data about him in historical reports. It’s impossible to say exactly who his father was. Some sources refer to Otani Yosifus - the vassal of Toyotomi, others - to Otani Morihar - the vassal of the Otomo clan, because they lived at about the same time and had the same clan name. The origin of both candidates for paternity is unknown; all that remains of them is a few documents and their names. (+ Some sources attribute to him even a distant relationship with Tyra’s home) It is often said that Yoshitsugu was born in Omi province: his mother served at Kitamandokoro’s court - that’s how Yoshitsugu entered favor with Toyotomi. However, if you are still inclined to believe that Moriharu was his father, this will completely distort Otani's story: it would happen that Yoshitsugu joined Hideyoshi, having separated from the Otomo family, and being already well over twenty. Since very little is known about both Otani families, the first meeting between Yoshitsugu and Taiko will remain a mystery.

Gaps in the sources about Otani’s biography have provided us with an abyss of twenty or even thirty years, filled only with tales and gossip. Among those who question his relationship with Mitsunari, the question remains whether they served Hideyoshi from an early age. Usually they say that Yoshitsugu was a year older than Mitsunari, but even here there are disputes related to the fact that his origin is foggy - they say that he could be much older and much younger than his friend. It is ignorance of the exact date of his birth that creates a contradiction with the story that Mitsunari was a lover - the romanticization of their friendship was due to the fact that they were of the same age - and this adds mystery to Yoshitsugu’s personality. It got to the point that some began to speak out that there was no friendship at all between them. Proponents of some hypotheses even say that Otani died of illness a year before Sekigahara. Disputes between historians on the subject of this friendship are ongoing to this day. Yoshitsugu was not officially married, but was the father of three sons and one daughter. His second son died with him in Sekigahar, the two remaining either fell in defense of Osaka Castle and Toyotomi's heir, or did not participate in the war at all. The daughter of Yoshitsugu was the wife of Sanada Nobushige. (According to other sources, she was not a daughter, but a pupil) There is also a beautiful story that the concubine Yoshitsugu followed him to Sekigaharu and lost her mind from grief after his death. And yet - although this rumor was not confirmed by anything, some argue that Tsuda Sutezo from Byakkotai was one of his descendants.

There is a theory that the genus Otani comes from Shiga Prefecture, in the province of Iga. In addition, this genus was a vassal for a long time in relation to the Otomo clan, and according to the genealogical dictionary - comes from Tyra Sadamori. About youth Otani Yoshitsugu there is absolutely no exact data. According to the Osaka documentation, he was accepted into the Toyotomi service on the advice of Ishida, in the second year of Tensho. (1574), with 700 others taking the vassal oath to the genus Toyotomi. After that, he commanded a cavalry in Harim (1577-1578) for some time, and participated in the capture of Mika's castle. In April 1583, Tensho's 11 year old, at the age of 24, he participated in the Battle of Shizugatake. If you believe the records, it is already mentioned inseparably from Mitsunari, and it was said that the "Otani Katsuramatsu" distinguished himself in the battle. At the age of 13, Tensho (1585) Toyotomi appointed Otani to the post of judicial officer, then Yoshitsugu was replaced by a clan mon. Since then, Otani has been among Toyotomi’s associates and has dealt with many state and bureaucratic issues. The "incurable disease," which is discussed later in documents, historians often define as leprosy. However, it was more likely that it was syphilis. The first mention of Yoshitsugu disease dates back to the 14th year of Tensho (1586), he was 27 years old. There is a popular version that he wore a white shawl, which covered both his head and face, but it is refuted by his correspondence with Sanada, which says that he has a white face, but not mutilated by leprosy. By 1588, after the conquest of Kyushu, Otani was given the castle of Tsuruga, then he participated in the battle of Komaki and the Korean campaign. But the disease progresses and according to some reports in 1597 he no longer leaves his lot.

Names and Titles

If you accept the version that Yoshitsugu was the son of Yoshifusa, his child's name was Katsuramatsu (桂 松). Before his birth, Yoshifusa cursed his failure because he did not have a male heir. One day, his wife decided to pray in front of the Hachiman Daibosatsu Shrine in their destiny. While she passionately prayed to give her husband a son, a pine tree fell in front of the sanctuary. The woman plucked several needles from her and ate for good luck. And she really gave birth to her first son. That’s why the second kanji in the name of the child became “pine”.

His first official title was Heima (平 馬), which was given to him in the early years of service. According to one version, it was given to him for the fact that Yoshitsugu led the cavalry in Harima, according to another - for his service in Mika's castle. A few years later, temple inscriptions already captured his title as Kinosuke or Norinosuke (ск 之 介). They also argue about whether he changed his name to Otani Gyobu (大谷 刑部) or Otani Yoshitaka (大谷 吉隆). Gyobu - respectively, indicates a connection with the Minamoto family, or simply the high position of Yoshitsugu. (The first is doubtful, given the version of kinship with Tyra). As for Yoshitaki, this is most likely fiction or clumsy spelling of kanji.

When Yoshitsugu fell ill with leprosy, everyone said that his face had become deathly pale, for which he was nicknamed Hakuto: - White face (白頭). Some legends note that this nickname could have been caused by the fact that he hid his face behind a white mask - which was typical for patients with this ailment.

Toyotomi Service

Yoshitsugu's career beginning is unknown, but most likely he became Hideyoshi's vassal in the low rank of kosyo or Yoriki Mitsunari became the middle or end of the 1570s. (Either about 15 years old, or about 20 years old). Many historians are inclined to believe that he was among the approximately 700 people who joined Toyotomi after the Honnoji Incident. He joined Kato Toranosuke, Fukushima Itimatsu, and other kosyos who took Nagahama Castle from Shibata Katsutoyo, Shibata Katsuie's nephew. Legend says the enthusiastic Hideyoshi spoke of Otani as follows: “Give me a million soldiers, but I would love to watch him lead them”

After the Battle of Shizugatake, Yoshitsugu is said to have joined Toyotomi's troops. If you discard all the unhistorical tales and particles “would” and “say that” - you can still tear out certain facts of Otani’s biography. One point of view claims that he was the one who used his mind to convince Katsutoyo to surrender without a fight. Although another story claims that he bravely fought on the front line and accomplished many feats thanks to his excellent lance of the spear. It is known that Hitotsuyanagi Kaki claimed that Hideyoshi expressed great praise to both Yoshitsugu and Mitsunari, especially noting Otani: "Otani Katsuramatsu was beautiful from his very first attack." However, this replica is not reflected in any historical text, therefore it can be attributed to fiction.

What is known for sure is that Yoshitsugu served under the title Gyobu-shoyu (junior punishment adviser) in 1585. By that time, Yoshitsugu had already joined the Hideyoshi elite and close associates. According to an official document by Uno Mondo Nikki, written as reports for Kennjo, Yoshitsugu and Mitsunari were among the people who accompanied Hideyoshi to the Ariman onsen in September of that year and sat with him in the same source.

A few years later, Yoshitsugu got a serious illness. There is a fairly well-known story about how he fell ill with leprosy. In 1586, during his stay in Osaka, excitement arose, and Yoshitsugu set off on his own to crush him. In the name of Hideyoshi, he chopped a thousand people, but their dirty blood and pieces of entrails somehow got into his body through wounds, and infected him.

Uno Mondo Nikki and Tamon-In Nikki, usually considered diary entries by a monk named Eishun, give a softer interpretation of the cause of Yoshitsugu's disease. They convey rumors that Yoshitsugu was trying to get the blood of the inhabitants of the city - it was a method that was believed to treat illnesses. In addition, there are versions that he was sick since Shizugatake, but the symptoms did not appear until this time. There was no detailed description of the symptoms of his illness in historical documents, but people generally thought it was leprosy — according to stories from the Edo period — or syphilis — another explanation for Otani getting infected through blood or other bodily fluids.

From now on, the story of Yoshitsugu differs according to two main principles. Saifuku-ji Enkinsei, a historical text that is now being critically examined for its credibility, claims that Yoshitsugu, along with Mitsunari, went to Kyushu in 1587 and helped him lead the 12,000th unit without much difficulty. In 1588, Mori Terumoto in his diary notes that there was an escort of three people with Mitsunari who gave him advice. Although the names of these people were not indicated, it is perfectly acceptable to ascribe to Yoshitsugu a presence in Kyushu at that moment. As a reward, Otani received 50 thousand koku and became a daimyo at Tsuruga Castle. As the head of the province, he divided 10 thousand coca between the local vassals of Toyotomi. He then went to Mitsunari in Odawara and is said to be present at Axis Castle, although the details of his involvement in both conflicts are unclear. When Hideyoshi ordered once again to suppress the unrest in Kii province, Yoshitsugu was one of those who took part in this and brought closer the defeat of Akita Sanesue. In addition, they claim that he followed Mitsunari during the suppression of various uprisings, participated in the fortification of Fushimi castle, and even in the Korean campaign. In further conflicts, Yoshitsugu earned respect for his accomplishments with the navy; he was even called the "peerless pearl of the sea."

Yoshitsugu returned from Korea as a celebrated hero and was warmly received by Hideyoshi in Osaka. Then a modified version of the famous story of tea drinking appears. Only in this chronicle does it say that tea with pus was not drunk by Mitsunari, but Toyotomi himself! Moreover, the latter at the same time noted that he was ready to accept even such tea from the hands of a worthy vassal, and it would be exquisite for him. Then, according to history, Yoshitsugu cried for the first time in his adult life and henceforth swore allegiance to the Toyotomi clan in gratitude.

Not so popular, but more reasonable story says that Yoshitsugu already by that time was bedridden by an illness. Rokuon-in Tiroku, attributed to be the diary of a monk from Kinkaku-ji, says that the disease progressed so much that Yoshitsugu could no longer leave his residence for five to six years. His body was unable to bear the hardships of a long journey, and this meant that he could not take part in the Korean campaign and celebrate victory in it - that is, in this state he would not be present at the admiring flowers in Daigo. However, it is said here that in 1598 he nevertheless left his inheritance in order to attend Hideyoshi's son, Toyotomi Hideyori, at the genpuku.

Sekigahara

After Hideyoshi's death, Yoshitsugu planned to enter into an alliance with Tokugawa Ieyasu - as it says in Ietada Nikki. In 1599, Yoshitsugu gathered his people and advanced with the Tokugawa troops to Tarui Castle. According to Keicho Kenmonshui, Mitsunari was at his castle in Sawayama at that time, and invited Yoshitsugu to his inheritance. Despite the fact that by this time Otani was already blind due to illness, he was unpleasantly surprised that the armed soldiers of Isis were waiting for him there - and harbored a silent curse on Mitsunari. Mitsunari introduced him to his vassal, Shime Kiyoki, who changed Otani's views on the Western army, but Yoshitsugu wanted to stay on the side of Ieyasu, because he was sure that Mitsunari would be defeated. Nevertheless, for one reason or another, Mitsunari managed to persuade Yoshitsugu to break the alliance and join the Western Coalition. It was also said that Ieyasu was delighted with Yoshitsugu's talents and was ready to offer that 12 thousand koku only for his service. The news of the sudden change of side of Yoshitsugu really surprised him.

As to why Otani changed his initial decision - it remains a mystery to this day. No one knew why Yoshitsugu did this because there were few records of this. There were many stories about this, but they all had no reliance on historical facts.

Of course, the most popular script developed during the Edo period, and it was based on a bond of friendship. According to this version, Yoshitsugu only thought about joining Ieyasu, but Mitsunari asked him to support the West three times. And although Otani knew that this would be a failure, he could not cast aside his connection with Isis and therefore, together with his sons, entered the Western Coalition. But another story says that the wife of Sanada Masayuki was held hostage by the Western Coalition. Connected with the Sanada family by ties of kinship, he was forced to agree to an alliance for the safety of this woman. According to another version, Otani was on his knives with Ukita Hideye, and wanted to join Ieyasu, just to not run into him. Upon learning of this, Mitsunari acted as a mediator in the reconciliation of both parties, which made Yoshitsugu support him.

Whatever the reason, Yoshitsugu has long fought on the side of the Toyotomi clan. Rumor had it that he misinformed Maeda Toshinagu about the danger in Asinawate, which led to the battle and defeat of Niva Nagashige (although this is also not confirmed historically). His other deeds before Sekigahara were not clearly known, but it was said that he hinted to Mitsunari that he should move his main headquarters the night before the battle. Otani brought only 600 people to Sekigaharu. With him were three of his vassals: Hitatsuka Tamehiro with 900 people, his son, Yoshikatsu with about 2500 and Kinoshita Yoritsugu with 1000 (total 5000 people). According to Sekigahara Gunka Taisei, Yoshitsugu was aware of Hideaki 's plans to betray Mitsunari, but was powerless to somehow prevent this betrayal. Regrouping his troops in such a way as to observe the movements of Kobayakawa, he did this only to take a hit, and to prevent his allies from suffering from the betrayal he had guessed.

As soon as Kobayakawa’s 15,000th army descended from the mountain to the West, Yoshitsugu’s troops became a barrier, trying to stop their advance. Since Otani gathered an elite army, at first it turned out that he even had superiority - 370 killed at Kobayakawa, while Otani had only 180. However, Todo Takatori's army attacked Yoshitsugu from the flank. Ietada Nikki says that the fourth son of Kiyoki, Shima Kiyomasa, tried to kill Taketora with one blow. But Kiyomasu was killed by a general in the Eastern Army, Takagi Heizaburo. When a rumor about Kiyomasa’s fate swept through Otani’s army, his defense shook from both flanks, and his numerical superiority took its toll. Completely shattered, Yoshitsugu lost his position and is said to have committed suicide. (However, on the Sekigahara gravestone, it is recorded as Yoshitaka - the machinations of enemies, not otherwise)

There are two interesting points of view about the last moments of his life - although both of them remain in question. Keicho Ninjuki says that Yoshitsugu could not move himself, so he arrived at Sekigahara in a palanquin. As the battle with Kobayakawa continued, he ordered his vassal, Yuas Gosuke, to report back to him when the battle was lost. Otani heard his people scream many times that they had lost, but Gosuke insisted that things could still change. When Yuasa admitted that they were close to total defeat, Yoshitsugu leaned out of his palanquin and cut off his head. Gosuke had previously promised his master that he would hide his head so that it would not go to the enemies, but he died in battle, trying to break through the Takatori troops. Although the same book claims that Otani was riding a horse, and ordered to cut himself across the abdomen as soon as Gosuke gave his word.

Another story is rooted in the Edo period. A certain Tamehiro was the one who reported the sad news to Yoshitsugu that they could not stop Kobayakawa. Regretting his powerlessness, he wrote a poem to his master to support him before he killed himself. It could be translated something like this: "Since it is my duty to leave this world in your name, to meet the unexpected end of your life is even more regrettable." Yoshitsugu appreciated the loyalty in the words of Tamehiro and answered him with his poem: "Even if we swear to follow the covenants of the Six Ways, it will take a long time to meet again in another life." While his answer was sent, Tamehiro was already killed by Kobayakawa soldiers. Yoshitsugu then asked Gosuke to assist him in suicide and hide his head from his enemies. Sitting in a palanquin, Otani opened his stomach crosswise, and Gosuke chopped off his head. Further, this vassal was to bury the head of his master, until death himself overtook him.

One variation on this topic is the story of how Gosuke defended Yoshitsugu's head: he chopped off his own head to distract attention from the remains of his master. The Eastern Coalition mistakenly took the head of Gosuke, but the real head of Otani was never found.

• Otani's court rank is fifth. Not too tall, but not humiliating.
• In 1585, Yoshitsugu received the court title of Gyobu-shoyu and was very proud of it. In the same year, he replaced the clan mon with two crossed falcon feathers with two scarlet butterflies of agehe-cho.
• By 1589, the possessions of Otani were Tsuruga-zo, Nanjo and Imadate (According to the memorial stone in Etizen).
• Otani had a small fleet at his disposal, and maritime trade flourished in his possessions.
• Yoshitsugu was a believer - documentation has been preserved showing that he made donations to the Hachiman Shrine and built a sanctuary in honor of the Toyotomi Korean campaign.
• In the 1590s, Otani bought a good fleet, which caused admiration for Toyotomi.
• There is evidence that Otani was in a warm relationship with both Toyotomi and Tokugawa.
• There is a version that he was familiar with Isis Mitsunari since childhood.
• Before Sekigahara, Otani gave Isis advice to create an alliance with Ukita and Mori. At the same time, he said that Isis suffers from arrogance and lacks tact in dealing with allies.
• The popular version is that Otani still suffered from syphilis - the version is so reinforced that he continued to actively participate in military campaigns. At that time, skin diseases were considered the seal of a curse, even sin, but on the other hand, the suffering from them was a sign of a certain selectivity according to Buddhist philosophy. Otani complained about the condition of his skin and eyes in correspondence with Naoe.
• There is a legend that a suicide before death curses the culprit of such a demise, and the damned will die within three years. It was believed that Yoshitsugu cursed Kobayakawa before his death, and that is why the latter went crazy and died two years after Sekigahara.
• Otani was often said to be a talented strategist, but as a person he was a bastard.

In the literature

Prototype:

• James Clavell , The Shogun novel (1975), is the prototype of Onoshi's daimyo.

Direct character:

• 南 原 幹 雄 『名将 大谷 刑部』 （ 角 川 書店 、 1996 年）
• 野村 敏 雄 『仁 将 - 小説 大谷 吉 継』 （ PHP 研究所 、 1996 年）
• 菅 靖 匡 『小説 大谷 吉 継』 （学 研 Ｍ 文庫 、 2006 年）
• 山 元 泰 生 『大谷 吉 継』 （ 学 陽 書房人物 文庫 、 2009 年）

In television series

• 『 真 田 幸 村 』 （1966 、 演 ： 志 村 喬 ）
• 『 春 の 坂 道 』 （ 1971 年 、 演 ： 土屋 嘉 男 ）
• 『 関 ヶ 原 』 （1981 、 演 ： 高橋 幸 治 ）
• 『 徳 川 家 康 』 （1983 、 演 ： 有 川博 ）
• 『 真 田太平 記 』 （1985 - 1986 、 演 ： 村井 国 夫 ）
• 『 風雲 江 戸 城 怒涛 の 将軍 徳 川 家 光 』 （1988 、 演 ： 波 多 野 博 ）
• 『 徳 川 家 康 』 （1988 、 演 ： 久富 惟 晴 ）
• 『 家 康 が 最 も 恐 れ た 男 真 田 幸 村 』 （1998 、 演 ： 若 林 豪 ）
• 『 葵 徳 川 三代 』 、 2000 年 （演 ： 細 川 俊 之 ）
• 『 戦 国 自衛隊 』 （2006 、 演 ： 六 平直 政 ）
• 『 功名 が 辻 』 （2006 年 、 演 ： 渡 洋 史 ）
• 『 天地 人 』 （2009 、 演 ： 津 田 寛 治 ）
• 『 の ぼ う の 城 』 （2011 、 演 ： 山田 孝 之 ）

In video games

• Yoshitsugu represents one of the armies of the Western Clans in the strategy game Kessen (2000).
• Yoshitsugu, along with several other Japanese generals, was introduced as a game character in the game Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes ( Sengoku Basara 3 ) (2010).
• 『 采 配 の ゆ く え 』 （コ ー エ ー 、 2008 年）
• He was introduced as a game character in the game Samurai Warriors 4 / Sengoku Musou 4 (2014).