14 Facts About Niwa Nagahide

Niwa Nagahide, known as, his other legal alias was, was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku through Azuchi-Momoyama periods of the 16th century.

Niwa Nagahide served as senior retainer to the Oda clan, and was eventually a daimyo in his own right.

From his youth, Niwa Nagahide served Oda Nobunaga and became one of his senior retainers, he fought in the Battle of Kiyosu Castle against Oda Nobutomo, deputy governor of southern Owari.

Niwa Nagahide stayed by Nobunaga's side when his brother defied him during the Battle of Ino in 1555 and fought in the Battle of Ukino against Oda Nobukata, deputy governor of northern Owari in 1558.

In 1560, Niwa Nagahide had military service during the Battle of Okehazama, but he wasn't a part of the main strike force.

Niwa Nagahide served in the Siege of Ichijodani Castle 1573, in the Battle of Nagashino 1575 against Takeda clan and the Battle of Tedorigawa 1577 under Shibata Katsuie against Uesugi Kenshin.

Niwa Nagahide's participation made him favored by Nobunaga, among many of other deeds.

In 1581, in a military parade held at Kyoto before the eyes of the Emperor as well as foreign missionaries, Niwa Nagahide was given the honor of leading the procession.

In 1582, as Oda Nobutaka's second in command, Niwa Nagahide launched a campaign on Shikoku, but before he made any progress, Nobunaga died during an attack by Akechi Mitsuhide.

Niwa Nagahide abandoned the campaign and turned back to join Hashiba Hideyoshi in avenging Nobunaga's death by killing Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki.

Later, at the subsequent meeting in Kiyosu Castle where the future of the Oda clan was discussed, Niwa Nagahide supported Hideyoshi's position.

In 1583, Niwa Nagahide assisted Hideyoshi at the Battle of Shizugatake and gained Echizen Province and Kaga Province to rule, worth over 1,230,000 koku.

Niwa Nagahide thus became one of the most powerful retainers and daimyo.

Niwa Nagahide donated the sword to the Atsuta shrine, in order to be freed from the curse.