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Saito Yoshitatsu
Saito Yoshitatsu
Great Serpent of Mino
1527-1561 · 享年 34歳
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驚
Three Surprising Facts
其 一
Son of the Viper Who Killed His Father — The Battle of Nagaragawa and the Transformation of the Saito
In the Battle of Nagaragawa in 1556, Saito Yoshitatsu killed his father Dosan. Tradition holds that Yoshitatsu was actually not Dosan's biological son but the son of Toki Yoriyoshi, explaining his hatred for Dosan. After killing his father, Yoshitatsu governed Mino and built a strong system, never allowing Nobunaga's invasions to succeed until his sudden death at age 34 in 1561. It was said 'once in Inabayama Castle, Nobunaga has no chance'—it took Nobunaga 13 more years after Yoshitatsu's death to finally conquer Mino. It is no exaggeration to say Yoshitatsu's death opened the door to Nobunaga's rise.
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深
Go Deeper
生
Full Biography
From birth to death
Born in 1527 as the eldest son of Saito Dosan of Mino (though some accounts question his true paternity). Known for his enormous stature—reportedly over six feet tall. After learning his father planned to disinherit him, he killed his two brothers and defeated Dosan at the Battle of Nagaragawa in 1556, slaying his own father. He then unified Mino and repelled Oda Nobunaga's invasions four times, prompting Nobunaga to declare Mino unassailable. He died of illness in 1561 at age 34. His early death opened the way for Nobunaga's eventual conquest of Mino.
人
Personality
Bold and decisive, favoring direct military force over his father's scheming approach. Possessed the iron will to make the ruthless decision to destroy his own father, while also proving capable in domain administration.
義
Historical Significance
Yoshitatsu's resistance delayed Nobunaga's conquest of Mino until his death. Nobunaga's subsequent capture of the province and renaming of Inabayama Castle as Gifu Castle became a springboard for national unification. Yoshitatsu is remembered as the general who, had he lived, might have stopped Nobunaga entirely.
系
Family Tree
Parents
Father
1494-1556
Saito Dosan
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Called "the Viper of Mino." Killed by Yoshitatsu at Nagaragawa.
本
Self
Saito Yoshitatsu
1527-1561
─ 完 ─
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