Bessho Nagaharu facts for kids
Bessho Nagaharu (1558 – February 2, 1580) was a Japanese daimyō, a powerful warlord, during the Sengoku period. This was a time in Japan when many different warlords fought for control. Nagaharu was the oldest son of Bessho Yasuharu.
Choosing Sides in a War
In 1578, a very powerful leader named Oda Nobunaga wanted his allies to attack the Mōri clan. Bessho Nagaharu almost joined forces with Oda Nobunaga.
However, Nagaharu heard that a general named Hashiba Hideyoshi would lead Nobunaga's army. Nagaharu did not respect Hideyoshi because he came from a humble background. Because of this, Nagaharu changed his mind. He decided to go against Oda Nobunaga. Instead, he joined forces with Hatano Hideharu from Tanba province.
The Siege of Miki Castle
Bessho Nagaharu prepared for battle at his home, Miki Castle. Soon, Hideyoshi's army, following Nobunaga's orders, surrounded Miki Castle. This was known as the Siege of Miki.
At first, the siege did not go well for Hideyoshi. Another warlord, Araki Murashige, rebelled against Nobunaga. Also, the Mōri clan sent help to Nagaharu. With this support, Nagaharu was able to fight off Oda's army.
A Difficult Choice
In 1579, Hideyoshi returned to Miki Castle. This time, he did not attack directly. Instead, he surrounded smaller castles nearby, like Kamiyoshi Castle and Sigata Castle. His plan was to stop the Mōri clan from sending food and supplies to Miki Castle.
This strategy worked. Soon, the people inside Miki Castle started to run out of food. By 1580, there was no hope of getting more help from the Mōri clan. To save the lives of his soldiers and the people in Miki Castle, Nagaharu made a very hard choice. He performed seppuku, which means he took his own life. This act allowed his soldiers and the castle's people to be spared.
Related Pages
- Miki Castle[Category:16th-century Japanese people]]
See also
In Spanish: Bessho Nagaharu para niños
