Maeda Toshimasu (前 田 利益?, 1543? - 1612), better known as Maeda Keiji (前 田慶 次?) Or Keijiro (次郎), was a samurai who lived at the end of the Sangoku era - the beginning of the Edo era. He was born in the village of Arako (now Nakagawa, Nagoya), and by birth was a member of the Takigawa clan. His father was Takigawa Kazumasu, but later he was adopted by Maeda Tosihisa, the elder brother of Maeda Tosiie.
| Maeda Tosimasu | |
|---|---|
| Jap. 前 田 利益 | |
| Years of life | |
| Period | Sengoku Edo |
| Date of Birth | 1543? |
| Date of death | 1612 |
| Family and relatives | |
| Rod | Takigawa |
| Father | Takigawa Kazumas |
Toshimasu served Ode Nobunage , like his uncle. At first he intended to take the reign of the Maeda clan in his own hands, however, when Oda replaced Toshihisa, as head of the family, with Tosiie, Toshihisa lost his status. Probably because of the lost inheritance right, Toshimasu got along so badly with his uncle.
In Kyoto, Toshimasu met Naoe Kanetsugu , the chief vassal of (Karo) Uesugi Kagekatsu , and they became friends. Later Toshimasu agreed to join Kanetsugu during the aggressive campaign of the Uesugi clan to Aizu . During the retreat during this failed campaign, Toshimas was tasked with leading the rearguard. Riding his horse Matsukaze, he rushed into battle, waving his spear-yari , making an impressive impression. Thanks to Toshimas' actions, the Uesugi clan was able to retreat without being dragged into battle.
After that, Toshimasu returned to the capital and devoted himself to arts and literature. Toshimas was not allowed to participate in Toyotomi's campaign on Kyushu due to his wild temper. But when Tokugawa challenged the Uesugi clan in 1600, he joined them again. In the battle against the Mogami clan, he broke through the line of defense of the enemy with just eight comrades. After the Uesugi clan moved to Enezawa, Toshimau stayed with them as an ordinary vassal.
The Toshimasu armor is still on display at the Miyasaka Museum.