Funakoshi Kagenao facts for kids

Funakoshi Kagenao (1540-1611) was an important Japanese samurai leader and tea master. He lived during the Azuchi-Momoyama (1573-1603) and early Edo Periods (1603-1868) in Japan. These were times of big changes and powerful leaders in Japanese history.

Later in his life, Kagenao became a 'hatamoto'. This meant he was a high-ranking samurai who served the Edo Shogunate directly. The Shogunate was the military government of Japan at that time. People often called him 'Funakoshi Gorōemon'. Kagenao was also a skilled tea master. He learned the art of chanoyu, which is the Japanese tea ceremony, from a famous teacher named Furuta Oribe. On March 12, 1606, he received special permission to teach Oribe's tea ceremony style to others.

One lasting part of Kagenao's tea ceremony history is a special type of fabric. It's called ‘Funakoshi Kantō’ 船越間道. This fabric has vertical stripes in blue, gold, and chestnut colors. It is known as a ‘meibutsu-gire’, which means a famous and highly valued fabric. It shows how refined and elegant Kagenao's taste was.

Kagenao's Early Military Life

Kagenao started his career as a military leader. His first important role was leading Shōda Castle in Awaji Province. He served in the navy of a lord named Atagi Fuyuyasu. Fuyuyasu worked for Miyoshi Nagayoshi, who was a key supporter of the Hosokawa Clan.

After Miyoshi Nagayoshi passed away, Kagenao began to serve Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was one of Japan's most powerful warlords. Because of this connection, Kagenao was allowed to keep control of his family's land in 1581. This happened when Toyotomi Hideyoshi took over Awaji.

Serving Toyotomi Hideyoshi

After a major event called the Honnoji Incident in 1582, Kagenao joined Hideyoshi's forces. He fought in important battles like the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583 and the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute in 1584. He was a direct follower of Hideyoshi.

Kagenao was then moved from Awaji to Harima Akashi Domain. There, he was given land that produced 4,000 koku of rice. This was a measure of wealth and power. Later, Kagenao continued to fight for Hideyoshi. He took part in the Siege of Odawara in 1590 and the Japanese Invasions of Korea between 1592 and 1598.

Loyalty to Tokugawa Ieyasu

After Hideyoshi's death, Kagenao was recognized by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu was another powerful leader who would become the first shogun. At Ieyasu's request, Kagenao was given new lands in Settsu and then Kawachi Province.

It was clear that Kagenao supported Ieyasu. He joined Ieyasu's East Army in the very important Battle of Sekigahara. This battle decided who would rule Japan. Because of his bravery and success in this battle, Kagenao was rewarded. He received an additional 1,500 koku of land. He was also officially listed as a hatamoto of the new Edo Shogunate. Funakoshi Kagenao passed away in 1611 when he was 72 years old.