Yamanaka Yukimori

Yamanaka Yukimori
Portrait of Yamanaka Yukimori, 1886
Native name
山中 幸盛
Nickname(s)Yamanaka Shikanosuke (山中 鹿の介)
Shikasuke (鹿の介)
BornSeptember 20, 1545
Shingukutani, Izumo Province (modern day Yasugi, Shimane)
DiedAugust 20, 1578 (aged 32)
Allegiance Amago clan
Battles/warsSiege of Gassantoda Castle (1569)
Battle of Fubeyama (1570)
Siege of Kōzuki Castle (1578)
ChildrenYamanaka Yukimoto
RelationsYamanaka Mitsuyuki (father)
Nami (mother)
Yamanaka Shikanosuke (Yukimori) by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. When the Amago clan was on the decline, Shikanosuke prayed to the crescent moon for the restoration of their former status, saying, 'I would rather sustain all kinds of troubles myself than see the clan of my lord fall into ruin.
In this Japanese name, the surname is Yamanaka.

Yamanaka Yukimori (山中 幸盛, September 20, 1545 – August 20, 1578), also known as Yamanaka Shikanosuke (山中 鹿の介) or Shikasuke (鹿の介), was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. He served the Amago clan of Izumo Province.[1]

In art, his portraits conventionally show a crescent moon on the front of his helmet;[2] he was born under a harvest moon.[3] The crescent moon ornament he wore on his helmet was a token of good luck.[4]

Biography[edit]

Yamanaka Yukimori was born in 1545. He was the son of Yamanaka Mitsuyuki and Nami. His father died at a young age and his mother was known as being very wise. 

Yukimori's mother, Nami, raised Yukimori on her own. Nami grew hemp in the fields to make clothing for Yukimori while wearing a tattered dress. Meanwhile, she gave clothes, food and shelter to other poor children. These same children appreciated the kindness and, after growing up, cooperated with Yukimori. Nami told Yukimori to share his successes and failures with those who followed him and, after losing in battle, not to let his troops die or hog the praise of a victory for himself. It is said that Yukimori never forgot these lessons.

From his youth, Yukimori served the Amago clan, killing an enemy at the age of eight.  From around the age of ten, he studied the art of mounted archery as well as military tactics and, at the age of thirteen, achieved the feat of taking the head of an enemy soldier.

Yukimori supported the cause of Amago Katsuhisa,[1] against Mori clan in the Siege of Gassantoda Castle (1569), including the Battle of Fubeyama (1570).

In the Siege of Kōzuki Castle (1578), he even tried to get help from the Oda clan. Ultimately, Oda Nobunaga only used him, so the Oda army could march deeper into the Mōri clan's lands. Akechi Mitsuhide and Hashiba Hideyoshi wanted to give him reinforcements, but Nobunaga refused. Therefore, those two generals were forced into concentrating on laying siege to the Mōri and Ukita castles rather than helping Yukimori. Eventually, Yukimori surrendered and his master Katsuhisa committed suicide. Later, Kikkawa Motoharu awarded him with a small castle in Suo. When on the way to the castle, Yukimori was assassinated by the soldiers of Mōri clan.[1]

In popular culture[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Yamanaka Shikanosuke" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 1044.
  2. ^ Baird, Merrily C. (2001). Symbols of Japan: Thematic Motifs in Art and Design, p. 33; excerpt, "The crescent moon, in particular, was believed to have protective powers, and it appeared as a frontispiece element on the helmets of a number of warriors, including Yamanaka Shikanosuke Yukimori"
  3. ^ Turnbull, Stephen R. (2008). The Samurai swordsman : master of war, p. 63.
  4. ^ Walters Art Museum (Baltimore), Tsuki hyakushi by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892); retrieved 2013-5-6.
  5. ^ Kabuki Kool (NHK): Key Kabuki Words (2019 Season)
  6. ^ SPICE（スパイス）｜エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス: 片岡愛之助・中村壱太郎が第一部『神の鳥』への想いを語る　11月歌舞伎座『吉例顔見世大歌舞伎』の画像10/10
  7. ^ Kiss PRESS(キッスプレス): 「第十回永楽館歌舞伎」片岡愛之助さんコメント

Further reading[edit]

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