This week, we cover the sengoku era history of the Shimazu clan, and their meteoric ascent from minor lords to major ones in the span of a few decades. Plus, the Tokugawa and the Shimazu, the role of sugar in the Shimazu clan’s fortunes, and the invasion of the Ryukyu islands. It’s a packed episode!
Sources
Sansom, George B. A History of Japan, Vol 2. 1334-1615
Turnbull, Stephen. The Samurai Capture a King: Okinawa, 1609.
Turnbull, Stephen. The Samurai: A Military History.
Also, while researching the grounds of some of the castles mentioned in this episode, I came across this fascinating blog that is worth a look.
Images
Shimazu Yoshihiro, the 17th Shimazu family head. Under his generalship, and then his leadership as daimyo, the Shimazu became a major force in Japanese politics.The Battle of Mimigawa (1578). The crushing defeat of the Otomo clan signaled the rise of the Shimazu as major contenders to rule Kyushu.Part of the remnants of the earthworks of Kakuto castle.An armor set which belonged to Shimazu Yoshihiro.The old provinces of Japan. Satsuma province is at the very bottom (no. 63). Neighboring Osumi (64) was occasionally under Shimazu control as well prior to the Sengoku period.Compare this map to the locations of Satsuma and Osumi in the previous one and you can see how far the Shimazu came by 1584.The remnants of Nakijin castle, wiped out in the one major engagement of the Okinawan campaign.The gravestone of Jana Ueekata, the onl Okinawan to refuse to sign the final treaty of subordination.
