Wakisaka Yasuharu

Wakisaka Yasuharu (脇坂 安治) (1554 – September 26, 1626), sometimes referred to as Wakizaka Yasuharu, was a daimyō (feudal lord) of Awaji Island who fought under a number of warlords over the course of Japan's Sengoku period.

Biography

Wakisaka originally served Azai Nagamasa but after Azai's downfall in 1573, he attended the Oda clan. As a yoriki of Akechi Mitsuhide a vassal of Oda Nobunaga. He distinguished himself during the assault on Kuroi Castle in 1578 at Tanba Province.

Later, he applied directly to Hashiba Hideyoshi to become his vassal. He later gained more success during Hideyoshi's Chugoku campaigns with assaults on Kanki Castle and Siege of Miki Castle in Harima Province.

In 1581, he took part on Tenshō Iga War; he was one of several generals who led Nobunaga's troops during the Siege of Hijiyama.

The following year In 1582, Akechi betrayed Oda Nobunaga and took his power and lands, but was defeated two weeks later at the Battle of Yamazaki. Wakisaka then joined the victor, Hashiba Hideyoshi, who had become a conspicuous figure as a retainer of Oda Nobunaga.

Following the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583, Wakisaka came to be known as one of the shichi-hon-yari (七本槍), or Seven Spears of Shizugatake.¹ These seven would be among Hideyoshi's most trusted generals, especially in naval combat. Wakisaka was granted the fief of Awaji Island, worth 30,000 , in 1585.