Kuki Yoshitaka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kuki Yoshitaka
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| 九鬼 嘉隆 | |
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| Lord of Toba Castle | |
| In office 1594–1600 |
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| Preceded by | Kuki Moritaka |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1542 |
| Died | November 17, 1600 (aged 57–58) |
| Children | Kuki Moritaka |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Oda clan Toyotomi clan Western Army |
| Rank | Fleet Commander |
| Commands | Toba Castle |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Nagashima Shima Campaign Battles of Kizugawaguchi Siege of Kanie Kyushu Campaign Siege of Shimoda Korean Campaign Battle of Sekigahara |
Kuki Yoshitaka (九鬼 嘉隆) (born in 1542, died November 17, 1600) was a famous naval commander, like a navy admiral, in Japan during a time called the Sengoku period. This was a period of many wars. He worked for two powerful leaders: first Oda Nobunaga, and then Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Kuki Yoshitaka was also a master of a special martial arts school called Kukishin-ryū, which made him a very skilled fighter.
Contents
Kuki Yoshitaka's Military Career
Kuki Yoshitaka was a very important leader of ships and sailors. He helped powerful warlords win many battles.
Joining Oda Nobunaga
In the 1570s, Kuki Yoshitaka became friends with Oda Nobunaga. He led Nobunaga's navy, helping with attacks on land. These attacks were against a group called the Ikkō-ikki near Ise Bay.
In 1574, Kuki's help was key for Nobunaga. It led to a big victory in his third try to capture the Nagashima fortress.
In 1575, Nobunaga allowed Yoshitaka to take control of Shima Province. This meant other groups who controlled the sea, like the Mukai clan, had to leave.
Battles and Victories
In 1576, Kuki Yoshitaka's fleet was defeated at Kizugawaguchi. The Mōri clan fleet won that battle.
But in 1578, Kuki got his revenge. He won the second Battle of Kizugawaguchi. In this battle, Kuki used special 'iron ships'. These ships were strong enough to stop arrows and musket balls from the Mōri clan's ships.
Working for Toyotomi Hideyoshi
In 1584, Kuki Yoshitaka helped Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He joined Takigawa Kazumasu to attack Kanie Castle. This was part of Hideyoshi's plan to take control of lands in Owari province.
In 1587, Kuki led Hideyoshi's navy in a campaign in Kyūshū. He worked with other famous commanders like Konishi Yukinaga, Wakizaka Yasuharu, and Katō Yoshiaki.
Three years later, in 1590, he helped lead the Siege of Shimoda. This was part of the larger Odawara campaign.
Kuki continued to be the commander of Hideyoshi's fleet. In 1592, he led an invasion of Korea from his main ship, the Nipponmaru. However, he faced a big defeat in the Battle of Myeongryang in 1597.
Kuki Yoshitaka's Final Days
In 1600, a very important battle happened called the Battle of Sekigahara. Kuki Yoshitaka fought on the side of Ishida Mitsunari. But his own son, Kuki Moritaka, joined the other side, led by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
After Tokugawa Ieyasu won the battle, Kuki Yoshitaka's son, Moritaka, was able to get a promise from Ieyasu. This promise meant that Yoshitaka would be safe and not punished.
Sadly, Kuki Yoshitaka took his own life before he heard the good news from his son. It was a tragic end to a great naval commander's life.
See also
In Spanish: Kuki Yoshitaka para niños
