Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Masamune

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French version

Date Masamune

伊達正宗正宗独眼龍独眼竜
alternative words: Masamune Date, Masamune
keywords: famous person , war lord
related topics: Sengoku period , Toyotomi Hideyoshi , Tokugawa Ieyasu , Hasekura Tsunenaga
related web sites: http://hb2.seikyou.ne.jp/home/fm/
explanation: Born in 1567 in Yonezawa as son of a war lord, Date Terumune. He extended his fief by beating Ashina and Satake clans, but by surrendering to Toyotomi Hideyoshi who came to Odawara's siege, his fief shrunk again to the initial Yonezawa region. By allying with Tokugawa Ieyasu during the battle of Sekigahara, he got the fief of Sendai region. In 1613, he sent a delegation led by Hasekura Tsunenaga to Pope. Having lost one eye, he was nicknamed Dokuganryu (one eyed dragon). He died in 1636.

Masamune

正宗五郎正宗五郎入道正宗
alternative words: Goro Masamune, Goronyudo Masamune, Goro nyudo Masamune
keywords: art , craft , famous person , weapon
related topics: Kamakura period , Oda Nobunaga , Sengoku period , Japanese sword
related web sites: http://www.n-p-s.net/T_Masamune.htm
explanation: Sword smith of the late Kamakura period but few is known about him because sword smiths were not considered as established artists at that period. According to a source, he was a disciple of Kunimitsu and lived at Kamakura. His swords were also called Masamune and characterized by a wide blade and gorgeous wave motifs which would be highly appreciated by war lords of sengoku period such as Oda Nobunaga. Due to its oldness, only some examples have survived until now.