Oni Gozen
Oni Gozen (鬼御前) was a Japanese noble lady and Onna-bugeisha from the Sengoku period. She was the wife of Hoashi Akinao (帆足鑑直) the retainer of Ōtomo clan. She was a military commander who actively participated in the Kyushu campaign, helping to repel the Shimazu army from the Ōtomo clan.
Oni Gozen 鬼御前 | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16th-century |
| Died | Unknown |
| Spouse(s) | Hoashi Akinao |
| Children | at least one daughter |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  |
| Unit | Hoashi clan |
| Battles/wars | Kyūshū Campaign |
Her real name is not known, she was nicknamed ''Oni'' (Ogre or Demon) because she proved to be a fierce and brave warrior. She received the honorific suffix ''Gozen'', a Japanese term; that means "young lady" or ''honorable''.
Life
Oni Gozen was the daughter of Kogo Settu no Kami(古後摂津守)[1], there are no details about her early life or her real name. She entered a political marriage with Hoashi Akinao, a samurai warlord. After getting married she becomes a retainer of Otomo Sorin, the leader of the Otomo clan. During the wedding, she gave birth to a daughter who married Mori Gorōzaemon(森五郎左衛門).
According to "Yama no Shiro Kassen no Ki"(山の城合戦之記) written in 1782 by the descendant of Hoashi clan, Oni Gozen was beautiful and dignified woman. Her height was about 175 cm, very tall for Japanese woman at that time.
She was not only skillful martial artist, but also military commannder.[1]
She attacked enemy's camp like the lion hunting a flock of sheep. She defended the castle like the mizuchi burrowing in an abyss.[1]
The people of neighbor province called her Oni Gozen a.k.a. Your Excellency Oni(Ogre or Demon) because of her bravery.[1]
When the mighty army of Shimazu clan approached Ōtomo land during the Kyushu campaign, Oni Gozen pledged herself with a seal of blood on written oath of Kumano shrine to die in battle rather than commit seppuku. Many men and women including the wives and daughters of retainers joined the oath.[2] Her daughter was the wife of Mori Gorōzaemon(森五郎左衛門) who was besieged in Tsunomure Castle(角埋城). Oni Gozen sent a letter to her daughter and ordered not to suicide but fight the enemies.[3] Hijū Castle (日出生城) of Akinao, the husband of Oni Gozen with about 500 men, was attacked by the Shimazu general Ijūin Tadamune(伊集院忠棟) with over 6,000 men. Akinao let Oni Gozen and the small garrison defend the castle and led almost all men to attack Ijūin base by pincer attack. This surprise attack put the enemy route and Tadamune heavily injured.[2] This battle was one of the last battle between Ōtomo and Shimazu before the main army of Toyotomi Hideyoshi came to Kyūshū to relieve Ōtomo and subdue Shimazu.
References
- 垣本,761
- 垣本,761-762
- 垣本,762
Sources
- 垣本言雄. 大分県郷土史料集成: 戦記篇. 下巻 (in Japanese). p. 七六一から七六三. Retrieved 2020-06-28.