11 Facts About Takenaka Shigeharu

Takenaka Shigeharu, who was known as Hanbei, was a Japanese samurai during the Sengoku period of the 16th century.

Takenaka Shigeharu was a chief strategist and adviser of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Takenaka Shigeharu initially served the Saito clan of Mino Province, but later plotted an uprising and took over the Saito clan's Gifu Castle.

In 1556, Shigeharu had his first battle at the Battle of Nagaragawa.

Takenaka Shigeharu allied with Saito Dosan, and replaced his father as the commander in chief against Saito Yoshitatsu.

In 1560, after the death or retirement of Shigemoto, Takenaka Shigeharu succeeded him as head of the family and became the lord of Bodaisan Castle.

In 1561, after the death of Yoshitatsu, Takenaka Shigeharu served Yoshitatsu's son and heir, Saito Tatsuoki, who took over at the age of thirteen.

Later, Takenaka Shigeharu returned the castle to Tatsuoki and went into seclusion.

In 1567, during the Siege of Inabayama Castle, Takenaka Shigeharu then directed the defense against the forces of Oda Nobunaga.

In 1570, Takenaka Shigeharu joined the Oda clan, participating at the Battle of Anegawa in forces led by Ando Morinari, his father in law.

Hideyoshi was so impressed by him that he invited Takenaka Shigeharu to join his forces as a strategist.