Toyotomi Regime: One of the Five Great Elders, founder of Kaga domain
Maeda Toshiie
前田利家
birth year unknown – 1599
A warlord who served under Nobunaga as part of Shibata Katsuie's northwestern forces after the suppression of the Ikkō Uprising in Echizen, then followed Hideyoshi through the Battle of Shizugatake and came to rule Kaga, Noto, and Etchū. In 1584, he sided with Hideyoshi and relieved Notosue Matsushiro Castle when it was attacked by Sassa Narimasa of Etchū, a victory that is said to have led to his later acquisition of the Kaga million-koku domain. At the 1590 Siege of Odawara, he mobilized the northern forces, and at the 1592 Korean campaign, he remained with Hideyoshi at Nagoya in Hizen, supervising gold and silver leaf production in Nanao and Kanazawa, thereby becoming involved in northern Hokuriku's industries. His daughter Yoshihime married Ukita Hideie as Hideyoshi's adopted daughter, linking the Maeda, Ukita, and Toyotomi families. After Hideyoshi's death, he served as one of the Five Great Elders supporting the young Hideyori until his own death in 1599.
Sources 石川県立美術館「前田利家とその時代」／前田土佐守家資料館「歴代当主の紹介」／金沢市立安江金箔工芸館「金沢と金箔」／石川県「赤蔵山・末森城跡」／福井市立郷土歴史博物館「柴田勝家―北庄に掛けた夢とプライド」
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1575
Month 8
The Suppression of the Echizen Ikkō-ikki
After the suppression, one of the 'Three Men of Fuchū' who governed the Fuchū districtsAfter the fall of the Asakura, the Ikkō-ikki had effectively ruled Echizen Province. Nobunaga's army crushed it with a two-pronged assault through Kinome Pass and Sugitsu. Afterward, Shibata Katsuie received eight districts of Echizen, while Maeda Toshiie, Sassa Narimasa, and Fuwa Mitsuji — the 'Three Men of Fuchū' — were granted the two Fuchū districts.
1582
4/3
Shibata Katsuie and the Oda Army Besiege Uozu Castle
Took part / involvedShibata Katsuie, Maeda Toshiie, Sassa Narimasa, and other Oda commanders surrounded Uozu Castle, a key Uesugi stronghold. The siege lasted about eighty days.
6/22
Fall of Uozu Castle
Took part / involvedAn Oda coalition led by Shibata Katsuie, Maeda Toshiie, and Sassa Narimasa captured Uozu Castle from the Uesugi side. The Oda forces withdrew after learning of the Honnō-ji Incident.
1583
6/11
Battle of Shizugatake
Left the Katsuie lineThe decisive clash between Hashiba Hideyoshi and Shibata Katsuie over Nobunaga’s succession. After a long standoff across Lake Yogo, Sakuma Morimasa’s surprise attack set the battle in motion, and Katsuie took his own life at his home castle of Kitanosho.
6/14
Fall of Kitanoshō Castle
Joined the attack on Kitanosho for HideyoshiAfter retreating from Shizugatake, Shibata Katsuie was attacked by Hashiba forces at Kitanoshō Castle and took his own life with Lady Oichi.
1584
Month 3
Komaki and Nagakute Campaign
Commander on the Hashiba side in HokurikuHashiba Hideyoshi fought Oda Nobukatsu and Tokugawa Ieyasu in Owari. While the armies sat facing each other at Komakiyama and Gakuden, a Hashiba column swung towards Mikawa and was destroyed at Nagakute. Ieyasu won the field; Hideyoshi won the settlement by making a separate peace with Nobukatsu.
1588
Autumn
Takayama Ukon Moves to Kanazawa
Related figureAfter being stripped of his domain by the Bateren edict, Takayama moved to Kanazawa at the invitation of Maeda Toshiie, where he served as a guest general of the Maeda clan, utilizing his castle-building expertise.
1590
6/23
Fall of Hachiōji Castle
Took part / involvedToyotomi's northern army under commanders including Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu attacked Hachiōji Castle and captured it in one day.
1598
8/18
Death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Daimyo who guarded Hideyori as one of the Five EldersToyotomi Hideyoshi died at Fushimi Castle, destabilizing the council system established to support the young Hideyori.
1599
3/3
Death of Maeda Toshiie
One of the Five Elders; died in OsakaMaeda Toshiie, a senior regent who had counterbalanced Tokugawa Ieyasu, died in Osaka, weakening the balance within the Toyotomi government.
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