Horio Tadaharu facts for kids

Horio Tadaharu, a powerful leader in old Japan.

Horio Tadaharu (堀尾 忠晴; 1596 – 1633) was an important Japanese leader, known as a daimyō, during the Edo period. A daimyō was a powerful feudal lord who ruled a large area of land. Tadaharu was the third leader of the Matsue clan. His father was Horio Tadauji, and his grandfather was Horio Yoshiharu.

Early Life and Family

Horio Tadaharu was born in 1596. He was part of a very important family in Japan. His grandfather, Horio Yoshiharu, was a famous warrior and a close supporter of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Edo period government.

Tadaharu married a woman named Binhime. She was the daughter of Okudaira Iemasa. Binhime was also an adopted daughter of Tokugawa Hidetada, who was the second shogun of Japan. Tadaharu and Binhime had one daughter. She later married Ishikawa Kadokatsu.

Becoming a Leader

In 1604, when Tadaharu was only nine years old, his father, Tadauji, passed away. Because Tadaharu was so young, his grandfather, Yoshiharu, became his regent. This meant Yoshiharu helped rule the clan until Tadaharu was old enough to take full control.

Building Matsue Castle

One of Tadaharu's big achievements was completing Matsue Castle. This impressive castle was built between 1607 and 1611. It became a strong symbol of the Matsue clan's power. The castle still stands today in Matsue, Japan.

Taking Full Control

In 1611, Tadaharu's grandfather, Yoshiharu, died. At this point, Tadaharu was old enough to take full personal leadership of the Matsue clan. He became the official daimyō of the Matsue Domain.

Expanding His Influence

Tadaharu continued to grow his family's power. In 1619, a powerful daimyō named Fukushima Masanori lost his territory. As a result, Horio Tadaharu was given Hiroshima Castle. This castle had belonged to Masanori. Receiving Hiroshima Castle showed how much trust and power Tadaharu had gained.

Legacy and End of the Line

Horio Tadaharu passed away in 1633. With his death, the main line of the Horio clan came to an end. However, a smaller part of the family continued to serve as important helpers to the Matsudaira clan. The Matsudaira clan later took over the rule of the Matsue Domain.

Remembering Tadaharu

Today, you can find a wooden statue of Horio Tadaharu. It is located at the Enjō-ji Temple in Matsue. This statue helps people remember his life and his contributions to Japanese history.