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Ikeda Terumasa
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Ikeda Terumasa
The Western Shogun Who Built Himeji Castle
1565-1613 · 享年 48歳
N O T Y E T M E T
Visit Himeji Castle to meet them
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驚
Three Surprising Facts
其 一
Vanguard at Sekigahara — Ikeda Terumasa's Military Achievements at the Decisive Battle
Ikeda Terumasa, son-in-law of Tokugawa Ieyasu, participated in the Eastern forces at Sekigahara (1600) and played a key role, fighting fiercely against Ukita Hideie's forces. His military achievements earned him Harima-Himeji at 520,000 koku after the battle—a domain so vast he was called 'the Shogun of the West.' Terumasa undertook a major reconstruction of Himeji Castle (1601-09), creating the basic structure of the White Heron Castle as it stands today. Himeji Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Terumasa's architectural achievement continues to captivate visitors 400 years later.
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生
Full Biography
From birth to death
Born in 1565 as the second son of Ikeda Tsuneoki, a senior Oda retainer. He inherited leadership after his father and elder brother were killed at Komaki-Nagakute in 1584. After serving Hideyoshi, he joined Tokugawa's Eastern army at Sekigahara and later married Ieyasu's daughter Tokuhime, serving as Ieyasu's son-in-law and guardian of the west. Rewarded with 520,000 koku in Harima, he took Himeji as his base and spent nine years from 1601 rebuilding Himeji Castle—the White Heron Castle now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Called "the Western Shogun," he died of illness in 1613 at age 49.
人
Personality
An outstanding daimyo combining martial valor and political skill. Trusted by Ieyasu to anchor the western domains. He had the leadership to realize grand projects like the Himeji Castle reconstruction that demonstrated both authority and power.
義
Historical Significance
Himeji Castle—the "White Heron Castle"—is Japan's most iconic castle, inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1993. Terumasa's legacy endures as the defining symbol of Himeji City.
系
Family Tree
Parents
Father
1536-1584
Ikeda Tsuneoki
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Senior Oda retainer, killed at Komaki-Nagakute.
本
Self
Ikeda Terumasa
1565-1613
─ 完 ─
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