Shimazu Yoshihiro

Shimazu Yoshihiro (1535–1619) was the 17th head of the Shimazu clan of Satsuma Domain, famous for his ferocious combat tactics and leadership during the Imjin War and the Battle of Sekigahara.

Satsuma's Fearless General

Known as the "Devil Shimazu" (Oni-Shimazu) by his enemies, Yoshihiro spent his youth consolidating control over Kyushu through brilliant flank attacks and night raids. After Submitting to Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587, the Shimazu clan was integrated into the imperial army system.

Battle of Sacheon (1598)

During the second invasion (Jeongyu Jaeran), Yoshihiro commanded 7,000 Satsuma troops at Sacheon Castle. In November 1598, an allied Joseon-Ming army of nearly 40,000 launched a massive assault on Sacheon. Utilizing heavy matchlock broadsides and counter-charging during a gunpowder explosion in the allied camp, Yoshihiro inflicted catastrophic casualties on the allied forces, establishing his reputation as a master defense tactician.

Noryang Strait and Sekigahara

In December 1598, hearing that Konishi Yukinaga was trapped at Suncheon, Yoshihiro led a relief fleet of 500 warships to rescue him. At the Battle of Noryang, his fleet collided with Admiral Yi Sun-sin and Chen Lin's joint navy in a desperate night clash, losing over 200 ships. Later, at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Yoshihiro executed a legendary frontal breakthrough retreat through Tokugawa Ieyasu's army lines, preserving the independence of Satsuma Domain.