Kato Kiyomasa
Japanese Commander / Daimyo (2nd Division Leader)
"A warrior's mind must be sharp, vigilant, and unyielding in preparation."— His philosophy regarding military readiness and castle construction.
Biography
Kato Kiyomasa (1562–1611) was a prominent Japanese daimyo and trusted general under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, famed as one of the 'Seven Spears of Shizugatake'. During the Imjin War, he commanded the 2nd Division of the Japanese invasion army.
Invasion of Joseon and Northern Campaign
In 1592, Kato led 22,000 troops across the Korean Peninsula, rivaling Konishi Yukinaga's 1st Division. He advanced far into northeastern Hamgyong Province, where he captured two Joseon princes (Prince Imhae and Prince Sunhwa).
Tiger Hunting Legend and Rivalry
During his campaign in the northern wilderness of Hamgyong, legend tells that Kato personally fought and killed a tiger with his signature cross-shaped spear. Meanwhile, his intense rivalry with Konishi Yukinaga—a Christian convert who favored diplomatic accommodation—created deep factional friction within the Japanese high command.
The Siege of Ulsan and Later Life
During the 1597 Japanese reinvasion (Chongyu War), Kato built Ulsan Castle but was trapped by a massive joint Joseon-Ming siege. Deprived of water and rations, his forces narrowly survived through extreme hardship. After returning to Japan following Hideyoshi's death, he constructed Kumamoto Castle and later sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara.