Founder of Ise-Tsu domain, master of castle construction
Tōdō Takatora
藤堂高虎
1556 – 1630
Born in Ōmi, Tōdō Takatsugu initially served the Asai clan and Isono Kazumasa before entering the service of Shibata (later Toyotomi) Hideyoshi in 1576. He advanced through military achievements in the Kii campaign and siege of Miki Castle. In 1585, he served as master of castle construction at Hideyoshi's Wakayama Castle, and after the deaths of Hideyoshi and Hidenobu, became a direct retainer of Hideyoshi, receiving 70,000 koku in Iyo Uwa District and beginning construction of Uwajima Castle from 1596. In the Keicho Campaign, he commanded a naval force and defeated the Korean navy at Sinanryō (Ujijinae). At the Battle of Sekigahara, he sided with the eastern forces and received 200,000 koku in Iyo Imabari, where he constructed Imabari Castle. In 1608, he was transferred to Ise and Iga and extensively renovated Tsu Castle and Igaueno Castle, gaining prominence through his involvement in Tokugawa shogunate's great construction projects, including the rebuilding of Edo and Osaka Castles. He established the foundation of Tsu domain with over 320,000 koku and died in Edo in 1630.
Sources 津市「藤堂高虎 略年譜」／津市「津藩祖 藤堂高虎」／宇和島市「国指定 宇和島城」／愛媛県総合教育センター「データベース『えひめの記憶』」／文化庁「文化遺産オンライン：上野城跡」
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Related events
12
1585
Construction of Wakayama Castle and Appointment of Deputy
Took part / involvedAfter Hideyoshi's subjugation of Kii, Hidenaga had Wakayama Castle built on Tora Fushi Mountain under his orders. Tōdō Takatora served as construction magistrate, and after its completion Kuwayama Shigeharu, a retainer of Hidenaga, served as deputy, handling the practical administration of Kii.
Tōdō Takatora Serves in Kii Campaign and Becomes Construction Magistrate
Principal partyAccompanying Hidenaga in the conquest of Kii, Takatori gained military renown and was promoted to 10,000 koku with a 5,400-koku increase, achieving daimyo rank. That same year, as Hidenaga had Wakayama Castle built while becoming lord of Kii, Takatori served as construction magistrate.
1595
Tōdō Takatora Becomes Direct Retainer of Hideyoshi and Commands Iyo
Principal partyWhen his lord's house ended with Hideyasu's death, Takatori entered Mount Kōya, but was summoned by Hideyoshi to enter service and received 70,000 koku at Iyo Uwajima with a 50,000-koku increase, becoming Hideyoshi's direct retainer.
1596
Tōdō Takatora Begins Construction of Uwajima Castle
Principal partyMaking Itajima-Marukushi Castle, which he became lord of in 1595, his main castle, Takatori began full-scale construction work from 1596.
1598
Tōdō Takatora Receives Ōzu as Reward for Imjin War Service
Principal partyFor naval service in destroying enemy ships off Geoje Island together with Wakisaka Yasuharu, Takatori received a 10,000-koku increase at Iyo Ōzu, bringing his total to 80,000 koku.
1600
Month 10
Tōdō Takatora Sides with Eastern Army at Sekigahara and Rules Imabari
Principal partyTakatori fought with the Eastern Army at the Battle of Sekigahara, and for his military service received a 120,000-koku increase, reaching 200,000 koku, and was enfeoffed at Imabari in Iyo Province.
10/21
Battle of Sekigahara
Fought the Otani contingentThe decisive battle in Mino: Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Eastern Army defeats the Western Army.
1601
Tōdō Takatora Completes Uwajima Castle
Principal partyUwajima Castle, which Takatori directed, was completed in 1601. It became his first modern-era castle as a daimyo.
1606
Tōdō Takatora Designs Edo Castle Donjon
Principal partyIn the renovation of Edo Castle, Takatori was involved in designing the donjon and expanding the second and third enclosures. For this service, he received a 20,000-koku increase.
1608
Month 10
Tōdō Takatora Transferred to Ise and Iga
Principal partyBy order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Takatori was transferred from Iyo Imabari to Ise and Iga provinces, commanding a combined total of over 220,000 koku. He entered Iga Ueno Castle in September and Tsu in October.
1615
Month 5
Osaka Summer Campaign
Tokugawa force in the Dōmyōji sectorThe Toyotomi sortied from Osaka Castle, now bereft of its moat, to engage the Tokugawa forces, resulting in collisions in Kawachi. On May 6, Gotō Mototsugu fell at Dōmyōji and Tamateyama, and Kimura Shigenari at Yao and Wakae; on May 8, Osaka Castle fell, Hideyori and Yodo-dono took their own lives, and the Toyotomi main line was extinguished.
5/6
Summer Campaign of Osaka: Clash at Dōmyōji and Yao-Wakae
Tokugawa side; fought the Chōsokabe force at YaoAt Dōmyōji and Tamateyama in Kawachi, Gotō Mototsugu engaged the Tokugawa forces. At Yao and Wakae, Kimura Shigenari and Chōsokabe Morichika also clashed with them. Both Mototsugu and Shigenari fell in battle.
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