On April 20, 1583, the forces of Shibata Katsuie advanced upon Oiwa Mountain in Omi.
Defending the fort was Nakagawa Kiyohide, lord of Ibaraki Castle in Settsu, at the age of 42.
Sakuma Morimasa seized the opportunity to attack the positions around Shizugatake while Hideyoshi moved his troops towards Mino. Oiwa Mountain, positioned at the front, became the first target, where Nakagawa’s forces confronted Morimasa’s army.
In the ensuing battle, Kiyohide lost his life at Oiwa Mountain.
The following day, on the 21st, Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi hurried back to northern Omi to attack the advancing Sakuma forces.
The Shibata army crumbled, and Katsuie retreated to Echizen’s Kitano-sho, where he soon took his own life.
When Hideyoshi emerged victorious at Shizugatake, Kiyohide was no longer there.
Kiyohide was not a retainer who had served Hideyoshi from his youth.
Just five years earlier, he had defended Ibaraki Castle under Araki Murashige and joined Murashige in rebelling against Oda Nobunaga. However, he later distanced himself from Murashige and returned to Nobunaga’s side. After the Incident at Honnoji, he contacted Hideyoshi and fought against Akechi Mitsuhide at Yamazaki.
From the Ikeda clan to Araki Murashige. From Murashige to Oda Nobunaga.
And after Nobunaga’s death, to Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi.
Listing the names alone, he appears to be a samurai who frequently changed masters.
However, in Settsu, where Kiyohide lived, the lords themselves were changing rapidly.
The Miyoshi clan declined, Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga entered, internal conflicts erupted within the Ikeda clan, and Araki Murashige rose to power.
Even Murashige, after becoming a retainer of Nobunaga, eventually rebelled.
Kiyohide was forced to make choices each time.
Nakagawa Kiyohide, Born in Settsu in 1542
Nakagawa Kiyohide was born in 1542, the 11th year of the Tenbun era.
He was commonly known as Seibee. His father is believed to be Nakagawa Shigekiyo.
His birthplace is said to be Nakagawara in Shimogun, Settsu Province, near present-day Nakagawara-cho in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture. Ibaraki City still retains sites associated with Kiyohide.
However, much about Kiyohide’s early life and youth remains unknown.
There are genealogies linking the Nakagawa family to the Settsu Genji, and traditions suggesting his father, Shigekiyo, hailed from the Takayama clan.
This has led to widespread claims of kinship between Takayama Ukon and Kiyohide. There are also stories of a blood relationship with Araki Murashige.
Many of these accounts stem from later genealogies and traditions of the Nakagawa family, making it difficult to trace precise familial connections through contemporary sources.
By the time Kiyohide emerged into the historical spotlight, significant changes were underway in Settsu.
In 1568, the 11th year of the Eiroku era, Oda Nobunaga entered Kyoto with Ashikaga Yoshiaki.
The Miyoshi forces, who held power in the Kinai region, retreated, and in Settsu, Ikeda Katsumasa, Itami Chikahiro, and Wada Koremasa were positioned to support the Nobunaga-Yoshiaki regime.
The young Kiyohide was under Ikeda Katsumasa.
He was not yet the lord of Ibaraki Castle.
The Ikeda Clan’s Internal Conflict—Expelling Katsumasa with Araki Murashige
In the first year of Genki (1570), a conflict erupted within the Ikeda clan.
While Ikeda Katsumasa sided with Nobunaga and Yoshiaki, there were factions within the clan that opposed this alignment.
It was Araki Murashige and his allies who took action.
Nakagawa Kiyohide joined Murashige’s side, and together they expelled Katsumasa from Ikeda Castle. In his place, Ikeda Tomomasa became the head of the clan.
Following this political upheaval, Araki Murashige gained significant influence within the Ikeda clan.
Kiyohide continued to act alongside him.
He was not yet 30 years old.
The following year, a battle occurred that would make Kiyohide’s name well-known in Settsu.
The Battle of Shirai-Kawara—Wada Koremasa Falls in Battle
On August 28, Genki 2 (1571).
Near present-day Koriyama in Ibaraki City, Araki Murashige, Nakagawa Kiyohide, and their forces clashed with Wada Koremasa and his men.
This was the Battle of Shirai-Kawara.
Wada Koremasa, a close associate of Ashikaga Yoshiaki, had been a key figure in controlling Settsu from his base in Takatsuki after Nobunaga’s arrival in Kyoto.
From the perspective of Araki and Nakagawa, he was a commander aligned with Nobunaga and Yoshiaki, much like Ikeda Katsumasa.
The two armies met at Shirai-Kawara, and the battle concluded with a victory for Araki and Nakagawa’s forces.
Wada Koremasa was killed in this battle.
Later records, such as the “Nakagawa Family Chronicle,” attribute Koremasa’s death to Kiyohide.
Kiyohide fought as a prominent commander on Araki Murashige’s side, and this victory marked the beginning of his rise in power.
For the Nakagawa family, Shirai-Kawara became a significant battle.
In the later Okahan domain, Kiyohide’s rise was emphasized, and detailed accounts were preserved in the “Nakagawa Clan Annals.” However, this chronicle, compiled about 200 years after Kiyohide’s death, contains errors regarding the dates of Shirai-Kawara, as pointed out by modern research.
Nevertheless, after Koremasa’s death, Araki Murashige and his allies expanded their influence further in eastern Settsu.
Amidst this, Kiyohide deepened his ties with Ibaraki.
Becoming Lord of Ibaraki Castle under Araki Murashige
Araki Murashige later aligned himself with Oda Nobunaga.
Although Murashige had once fought against Nobunaga and Yoshiaki, by the Tensho era, he had become integrated into the Oda regime, expanding his influence throughout Settsu.
In Tensho 2 (1574), he defeated the Itami clan and captured Itami Castle.
This later became known as Arioka Castle.
Kiyohide continued to follow Murashige.
According to the current records of Ibaraki City, Kiyohide became the lord of Ibaraki Castle around Tensho 5 (1577).
He was then 36 years old.
Having started as a minor commander under the Ikeda clan, Kiyohide had risen to the position of a castle lord in about seven years.
Ibaraki was strategically located near the route from Kyoto to the western provinces, connecting with both Takatsuki and Arioka.
In Takatsuki was Takayama Ukon. In Ibaraki was Nakagawa Kiyohide.
And to the west, in Arioka Castle, was Araki Murashige.
For Murashige, Kiyohide and Ukon were key commanders supporting the eastern front.
Their relationship crumbled just a year later.
In 1578, Araki Murashige Defies Nobunaga
In the autumn of 1578, Araki Murashige turned against Oda Nobunaga.
At that time, Nobunaga had dispatched Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi to Harima to continue the conflict with the Mori clan.
If Murashige, located in Settsu between Kyoto and Harima, became an enemy, it would significantly impact the battles in the western regions.
Upon learning of Murashige’s rebellion, Nobunaga did not immediately launch a full-scale attack.
Akechi Mitsuhide and Hashiba Hideyoshi attempted to persuade Murashige to come to Azuchi.
The “Diary of Tachiiri Sakyonosuke Nyudo Ryusai” contains an intriguing account.
Murashige set out from Arioka Castle for Azuchi but was stopped in Ibaraki by Kiyohide.
It is recorded that Kiyohide advised Murashige that if he went to Azuchi, he would be forced to commit seppuku, and that it would be better to fight in Settsu instead, prompting Murashige to return to Arioka.
At this point, Kiyohide was not merely a reluctant participant in Murashige’s rebellion but was actively involved as a key figure on Murashige’s side.
Kiyohide of Ibaraki Castle also turned against Nobunaga.
Takayama Ukon Defects First
A major issue for Murashige’s side was Takatsuki Castle and Ibaraki Castle.
If Nobunaga’s forces seized these two castles east of Arioka Castle, Murashige would be isolated.
Thus, Nobunaga’s side first sought to detach Takayama Ukon from Murashige.
There were also issues concerning Christianity with Ukon, and persuasion was attempted through missionaries like Organtino.
Ultimately, Ukon opened Takatsuki Castle and switched to Nobunaga’s side.
Losing Takatsuki made it difficult for Kiyohide at Ibaraki Castle, which was situated to the west.
The Oda army had already entered Settsu.
Would they fight alongside Murashige at Arioka to the end, or return to Nobunaga?
Kiyohide chose the latter.
November 24th—Nakagawa Kiyohide Returns to Nobunaga
On November 24th, 1578, Kiyohide returned to Nobunaga.
The “Diary of Tachiiri Sakyonosuke Nyudo Ryusai” also notes, “Nakagawa Sebei returned on the 24th.”
This date is not merely a later legend.
With both Takayama Ukon and Kiyohide leaving, Araki Murashige lost key strongholds in eastern Settsu.
Here, Kiyohide parted ways with Murashige, with whom he had long been allied.
They had fought together against Wada Koremasa at Shirai Kawahara, and Kiyohide had followed Murashige in submitting to Nobunaga. Even when the rebellion began, he initially stayed with Murashige.
He severed that relationship on November 24th.
What Kiyohide said on that day is not recorded.
The Nakagawa family and retainers remained at Ibaraki Castle.
The neighboring Takatsuki had already moved to Nobunaga’s side.
The scale of the Oda army besieging Arioka Castle was substantial.
Kiyohide opened the castle and chose a path to preserve the Nakagawa family.
The Fate Awaiting Those Left at Arioka Castle
Araki Murashige continued his resistance at Arioka Castle.
By 1579, Murashige himself had slipped out of the castle and moved to Amagasaki.
Left behind at Arioka were his retainers, their families, and the people within the castle.
Nobunaga ordered severe punishment.
Murashige’s family, including his wife and children, along with many retainers’ families, were executed.
Kiyohide had returned to Nobunaga the previous year.
As a result, both Ibaraki Castle and the Nakagawa family were spared.
It’s uncertain what might have happened if Kiyohide had fought alongside Murashige until the end.
However, considering the fate of those left at Arioka Castle, it’s clear that the decision made in November 1578 was crucial for the survival of the Nakagawa family.
Subsequently, Kiyohide joined the assault on Arioka Castle as part of Nobunaga’s forces.
He had switched sides to attack Murashige, who had been his ally just weeks before.
In the turbulent times of Settsu, allegiances shifted that swiftly.
Kiyohide Remains as Nobunaga’s Retainer
Having parted ways with Murashige, Kiyohide was neither executed nor stripped of his rank.
He continued to use Ibaraki Castle as his base, acting as a retainer of Nobunaga.
In the spring of 1582, he also participated in Nobunaga’s campaign against the Takeda clan.
Around the same time, his relationship with Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi deepened.
Hideyoshi was engaged in battle with the Mori clan in the Chugoku region.
There had been correspondence between Kiyohide and Hideyoshi even before the Incident at Honnoji.
Particularly noteworthy is a pledge from Hideyoshi dated June 5, 1580.
It states, “Henceforth, we shall establish a brotherly pact.”
This implies the formation of a brotherly contract.
It doesn’t mean Kiyohide and Hideyoshi were literally “brothers.” It was a term used by samurai of the Sengoku period to strengthen their ties.
Nevertheless, it indicates that Hideyoshi did not regard Kiyohide as just another warrior.
On April 23, 1582, Hideyoshi sent another letter to Kiyohide from Bitchu, where he was fighting the Mori clan.
Hideyoshi congratulated him on the fall of the Takeda clan, praised Kiyohide for joining Nobunaga’s expedition, and shared news of his own battle situation in Bitchu.
Even before the Incident at Honnoji, a communication channel between the two had already been established.
The Incident at Honnoji—Kiyohide Contacts Hideyoshi
On June 2, 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide attacked Honnoji.
Oda Nobunaga took his own life, and his heir, Nobutada, also perished at Nijo Palace.
Kiyohide was in Ibaraki, close to Kyoto.
Meanwhile, Hideyoshi was still besieging Takamatsu Castle in Bitchu.
After Nobunaga’s death, the samurai in the Kinai region were not in a position to quickly decide their stance.
Kyoto was under Mitsuhide’s control.
Shibata Katsuie was in the Hokuriku region.
Niwa Nagahide, Ikeda Tsuneoki, and Oda Nobutaka were also present.
It was uncertain how quickly Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi could return from the Chugoku region.
Amidst this uncertainty, Kiyohide communicated with Hideyoshi.
A letter dated June 5 from Hideyoshi to Kiyohide still exists.
In it, Hideyoshi acknowledged receiving a letter from Kiyohide, conveying that “Nobunaga and Nobutada have safely escaped.”
In reality, both had already died.
Hideyoshi sent Kiyohide information that was contrary to the facts.
It is believed that this was to prevent more generals from defecting to Mitsuhide’s side and to maintain support in the Kinai region until Hideyoshi’s return.
Kiyohide received this letter and sent a reply back to Hideyoshi.
“I’ll ride through the night if necessary”—Hideyoshi’s Letter on June 10
On June 10, Hideyoshi sent another letter to Kiyohide.
In it, he noted receiving Kiyohide’s reply stating “nothing has changed in that area.”
Furthermore, Kiyohide seemed to have informed Hideyoshi about the possibility of Akechi Mitsuhide moving towards Settsu and Kawachi.
Hideyoshi responded that if Mitsuhide were to head in that direction, he would rush there, even in the middle of the night.
He also mentioned the movements of Takayama Ukon, Niwa Nagahide, and Ikeda Tsuneoki, urging Kiyohide to deploy troops.
It had only been eight days since the Incident at Honnoji.
Kiyohide gathered information in Ibaraki and sent it to Hideyoshi.
As Hideyoshi returned from the west, he kept Kiyohide informed of his position and the movements of surrounding generals.
Immediately after Nobunaga’s fall, the two were already preparing for the next battle.
On June 11, Kiyohide joined forces with Hideyoshi’s army.
Then, on the 13th, they fought Akechi Mitsuhide at Yamazaki.
The Battle of Yamazaki—Fighting Alongside Takayama Ukon Once More
On June 13, 1582, the forces of Hashiba Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide clashed around Yamazaki.
Kiyohide joined Hideyoshi’s side along with Takayama Ukon and others.
According to materials from Ibaraki City, Kiyohide and Ukon are introduced as generals who led the vanguard of Hideyoshi’s army.
These two appeared together on multiple occasions.
Under Araki Murashige, Kiyohide defended Ibaraki while Ukon guarded Takatsuki.
When Murashige rebelled against Nobunaga, Ukon was the first to leave, followed by Kiyohide.
The Battle of Yamazaki ended in victory for Hideyoshi.
Mitsuhide was defeated and soon perished.
It was only 11 days since Nobunaga’s death.
This victory significantly boosted Hideyoshi’s prominence within the Oda clan.
“That monkey already thinks he’s the ruler of the land”
After the Battle of Yamazaki, a particular anecdote about Kiyohide remains.
Hideyoshi called out to Kiyohide, “Sebei, well done.”
In response, Kiyohide, loud enough for Hideyoshi to hear, reportedly said,
“That monkey already thinks he’s the ruler of the land.”
This conversation cannot be confirmed by contemporary sources.
It is an anecdote passed down through later generations.
Nevertheless, it is an interesting story that illustrates the relationship between Hideyoshi and Kiyohide.
The two were said to have formed a “brotherly pact,” and Kiyohide frequently communicated with Hideyoshi even immediately after the Incident at Honnoji.
He was likely seen not just as a vassal who simply bowed to his lord, but as a warrior with a long-standing relationship.
Even after the victory at Yamazaki, Kiyohide remained on Hideyoshi’s side.
The next opponent they would face was even more formidable than Akechi Mitsuhide.
Conflict with Shibata Katsuie—Kiyohide Chooses Hideyoshi
During the Incident at Honnoji, not only Nobunaga but also his heir, Nobutada, perished.
This raised the question within the Oda clan of who would take the central role next.
Nobunaga’s sons, Nobukatsu and Nobutaka, were present.
There was also his grandson, Sanboshi.
Among the retainers, Shibata Katsuie, Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, Niwa Nagahide, and Ikeda Tsuneoki held significant power.
After the Kiyosu Conference, the rivalry between Hideyoshi and Katsuie intensified.
Katsuie was a prominent retainer of the Oda clan, entrusted with the Hokuriku region.
Hideyoshi, having defeated Mitsuhide at Yamazaki, was rapidly expanding his influence in the Kinai region.
Kiyohide sided with Hideyoshi.
His alliance with Hideyoshi was not newly formed after the Incident at Honnoji.
They had already been on friendly terms for several years and had fought together at Yamazaki.
Continuing in that vein, Kiyohide entered the conflict with Shibata Katsuie.
In the spring of 1583, the two armies faced off in northern Omi.
Oiwake Mountain—Kiyohide’s Final Stronghold
Hideyoshi’s forces constructed fortifications in the mountains surrounding Lake Yogo.
Kiyohide was stationed at Mount Oiwa.
Nearby, Takayama Ukon had taken position at Mount Iwasaki.
Once again, the two found themselves side by side.
In April, Hideyoshi moved his forces towards Mino to deal with Oda Nobutaka.
Seeing this as an opportunity was Shibata Katsuie’s faction.
Sakuma Morimasa launched an attack.
Morimasa advanced into northern Omi, striking at Hideyoshi’s front lines.
The first major assault was directed at Nakagawa Kiyohide’s position on Mount Oiwa.
April 20: Sakuma Morimasa Attacks Mount Oiwa
April 20, 1583.
Sakuma Morimasa’s forces descended upon Mount Oiwa.
Kiyohide defended the fort valiantly.
The “Dai Nihon Shiryo” records the events of that day as follows:
“Shibata Katsuie’s general, Sakuma Morimasa, attacked Hashiba Hideyoshi’s general, Nakagawa Kiyohide, at Mount Oiwa in Omi. Kiyohide fought bravely and perished.”
Such is the summary.
The detailed course of the battle varies among sources.
According to later Nakagawa family records, there is a story that Kiyohide was advised to retreat but chose to remain at Mount Oiwa.
What is certain is that the attack by Morimasa’s forces led to the fall of Mount Oiwa, where Kiyohide met his end.
Takayama Ukon withdrew and survived.
Kiyohide did not retreat. He was 42 years old.
Twelve years had passed since the Battle of Shirai Kawara.
It had only been about six years since he became the lord of Ibaraki Castle.
Sakuma Morimasa, Who Defeated Kiyohide, Soon Retreats
After capturing Mount Oiwa, Sakuma Morimasa advanced further.
The attack itself was a success.
However, Shibata Katsuie is said to have advised Morimasa not to advance too far and to return.
Morimasa did not withdraw immediately.
Then Hideyoshi returned.
Rushing back from Mino to northern Omi, Hideyoshi launched an attack on Shibata’s advancing forces on the 21st.
The Sakuma forces crumbled.
The entire Shibata army began to retreat, and Katsuie withdrew to Kitano-sho in Echizen.
Subsequently, Kitano-sho Castle was surrounded by Hideyoshi’s forces, and Katsuie committed suicide alongside his wife, Oichi.
Sakuma Morimasa, who had defeated Kiyohide, was captured while fleeing and was executed.
The day after Kiyohide’s victory at Oiwayama, the tide of the battle completely turned.
Kiyohide never witnessed this reversal.
He died at Oiwayama without seeing Hideyoshi’s victory or Katsuie’s downfall.
“Nakagawa too now crosses the Sanzu River”
A farewell poem is attributed to Kiyohide:
“Nakagawa too now crosses the Sanzu River
Let me sink into the same depths.”
This poem cleverly plays on his surname “Nakagawa” and the Sanzu River.
After Kiyohide’s death, the Nakagawa family compiled the achievements of their ancestors, preserving many anecdotes.
Even after Kiyohide’s death, the Nakagawa family endured
After Kiyohide’s death, his eldest son Hidemasa inherited the family estate.
Hideyoshi did not dismantle the Nakagawa family.
Hidemasa later moved to Miki in Harima, expanding his domain.
During the Bunroku Campaign, he crossed to Korea but died in 1592 at the young age of 25.
The Nakagawa family faced another crisis of losing its head.
It was Hidetoshi, Hidemasa’s younger brother, who succeeded the family.
It is said that although there were circumstances that could have led to the family’s confiscation, Hideyoshi allowed Hidetoshi to inherit due to Kiyohide’s loyalty.
The relationship between Kiyohide and Hideyoshi continued to support the Nakagawa family even after Kiyohide’s death.
Hidetoshi later moved to Bungooka.
This was the Oka Domain, centered around present-day Taketa City in Oita Prefecture.
The Nakagawa family served as lords of the Oka Domain throughout the Edo period, continuing until the Meiji Restoration.
Even though Kiyohide’s life ended at Oiwayama, the Nakagawa family did not.
Ikeda, Murashige, Nobunaga, Hideyoshi—What did Kiyohide protect?
Following the life of Nakagawa Kiyohide, one sees his allegiance shift multiple times.
In his youth, he served Ikeda Katsumasa.
Eventually, he joined Araki Murashige in ousting Katsumasa.
He defeated Wada Koremasa at Shirai River and became lord of Ibaraki Castle under Murashige.
When Murashige rebelled against Nobunaga, Kiyohide initially joined the uprising.
However, as Takayama Ukon defected and Oda forces approached, he left Murashige on November 24, 1578.
Remaining as a retainer of Nobunaga, he communicated with Hideyoshi when the Incident at Honnoji occurred.
After defeating Mitsuhide at Yamazaki, the following year he turned his attention to the conflict with Shibata Katsuie.
When you lay it all out, it seems as though Kiyohide was constantly changing his allegiance.
However, over the roughly 15 years from Kiyohide’s youth to the Battle of Shizugatake, the political landscape in Settsu was overturned multiple times.
Ikeda Katsumasa was expelled from his own household.
Araki Murashige went from being an enemy of Nobunaga to his vassal, and then became his enemy once more.
Oda Nobunaga died suddenly at Honnoji.
Each time, Kiyohide had no choice but to choose a new position.
Yet, throughout all these changes, the Nakagawa family endured.
When he parted ways with Murashige and when Nobunaga died, Kiyohide took action.
In Kiyohide’s eyes, he likely saw his path in following Hideyoshi.
And so, at the Battle of Shizugatake, he fell at Oiwake Mountain.
Sakuma Morimasa, who had captured Oiwake Mountain, was forced to retreat the next day.
Shibata Katsuie also met his end a few days later.
The final choice Kiyohide made to side with Hideyoshi proved victorious.
Kiyohide, who desperately sought a way to survive the turbulent times and continued to fight, ultimately discerned the next ruler of the land. By sacrificing himself for Hideyoshi at the Battle of Shizugatake, he inadvertently secured the future of the Nakagawa family for posterity.
For those interested in learning more about the tumultuous Sengoku period in Settsu, where figures like Nakagawa Kiyohide, Takayama Ukon, and Araki Murashige clashed, we recommend ‘The Upheaval in Sengoku Settsu: Takayama Ukon and Nakagawa Kiyohide.’ This book offers a comprehensive look at Kiyohide, not just at Shizugatake, but as a local lord in Settsu.
