遠々洛外
  • 遠々洛外のブログ - Far Beyond the Miyako Blog

Love and war, or another side to the samurai image

30/8/2013

 
PictureSource: jp.wikipedia.com
This post takes as its inspiration a letter (published in Yoshimoto Kenji’s ‘Sengoku Bushō kara no Tegami’ - 戦国武将からの手紙) written by the younger brother of the daimyo of Satsuma province during the Tenbun period, Shimazu Yoshihisa (1533-1611). The brother in question, Shimazu Yoshihiro (1535-1619), was quite renowned for his military abilities, as he spent a great deal of his life engaged in warfare, from his first battle at the siege of Iwatsurugi castle in Ōsumi province, through to the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Over the course of 45 years, he was involved in no less than 52 battles and skirmishes, and played quite a pivotal role during the invasion of the Chŏsen peninsula. It was at the Battle of Sacheon River (the 3rd month of the 9th year of Keichō, or 1598) that Yoshihiro, with an army of several thousand troops, fought and defeated a much larger Ming army under the command of Jin Yiyuan (董一元), resulting in the taking of 38,707 heads (according to contemporary Japanese records). At the Battle of Sekigahara, it was Yoshihiro who led the frontal assault against the Tokugawa forces, which allowed the remnants of the Western Army to retreat without suffering further loss. Thereafter Yoshihiro was confined to his residence on Sakurajima, but eventually received a pardon from the Tokugawa. (146)

These military exploits make the following letter that Yoshihiro sent to his wife, Saishō, all the more interesting, as they reveal a side of warriors in the Sengoku era that are rarely given prominence – that is, their concern for others, and their capacity for tenderness. The letter itself was written on the 19th day of the 3rd month of Tenshō 19 (or 1591), when Yoshihiro was fifty seven years old. While Saishō’s exact age is unknown, she was of comparable age to Yoshihiro, and so it is quite touching that although many years had passed, the affection that Yoshihiro felt towards his wife did not diminish but grew stronger (154);

“Your letter dated for the 26th of the latter half of the first month has only just arrived. I am relieved to know that nothing untoward appears to have happened where you are either.

As I have said previously, recently the grey hairs on my head have increased so that it looks as though snow has piled upon it, wrinkles have formed deep crevices on my face that look like a series of rolling waves, and when I look at my face in a mirror in the morning, I find it hard to do so even though it is my face. Were I to meet you, you would be quite surprised at my appearance and how much I have aged. I look like a completely different person.

It is often said that the rapidity by which time passes is difficult to bear, yet I wait for the time when I may take the road home. Time really does move slowly, damn it.

Mataichirō (Shimazu Hisayasu) occasionally visits you, doesn’t he? I’d like to know details about this.

It is essential that Matahachirō (Shimazu Tadatsune, later Iehisa) be encouraged to perform his public duties.

Are Chōman (Shimazu Tadakiyo) and Go Ryō Nin (the youngest daughter in the Shimazu household) both behaving themselves?

At any rate Go Ryō Nin is unique, isn’t she? (having been born when Saishō was comparatively old by early modern standards)

It is right that we do not refrain from giving thanks to the gods and Buddha for all things.

In order to ensure that Ōshinoji (possibly the child of Taishinsai and Shimazu Tadachika’s son Tomohisa), Sanmi (possibly the child of Sanmi Nyūdō and Itō Yoshisuke’s son, Suketaka) Toyama Fūfu (the daughter of Toyama Ōkurabō and Niiro Tadatomo), Tōgō Oba (possibly the wet nurse to Tōgō Shigetora) and other women of the household to not neglect their duties, I want you to listen to what they say, and gather useful information about them.

3rd month, 19th day

                                                                                                                             Yoshihiro

To Lady Saishō

(P.S: I saw you in my dreams again tonight. To think that we would meet here….

If you happen to have any good news, no matter how many times you’ve told it, I’d be happy if you could write it down for me.

Could you also ask Matahachirō to practice his prose and other studies?

I hope that Chōman has already started his education. I think it would be good to ask Lord Monseki (Shōrenin Monseki Sonchō Hōshinnō) to lend some textbooks to Chōman.

I’ve heard that Mataichirō is getting along well with his wife. I would be overjoyed if, by the light of the moon and stars, the relationship is subsequently blessed. As for advice, I’d be grateful if you could choose the right time to speak to the couple about this.

Also, please tell my elder brother Yoshihisa in Kagoshima and my daughter Oyachi in Hiramatsu that all is well with me.

Best wishes to you in all things). (156-157)



Comments are closed.

    Author

    This is a blog maintained by Greg Pampling in order to complement his webpage, Pre-Modern Japanese Resources.  All posts are attributable to Mr Pampling alone, and reflect his personal opinion on various aspects of Japanese history and politics (among other things).

    弊ブログをご覧になって頂きまして誠に有難うございます。グレッグ・パンプリングと申します。このブログに記載されている記事は全て我の個人的な意見であり、日本の歴史、又は政治状態、色々な話題について触れています。

    Categories

    All
    Disasters 災害
    Edo Period 江戸時代
    Japan Australia Relations 日豪関係
    Japanese Politics 日本の政治
    Japan Korea Relations 日韓関係
    Kamakura Period 鎌倉時代
    Meiji Period 明治時代
    Miscellaneous 雑学
    Muromachi Period 室町時代
    Regional Politics 地域の政治
    Regional Politics 地域の政治
    Second World War 太平洋戦争
    Sengoku Period 戦国時代

    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    August 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    July 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

    RSS Feed

© 2023 www.farbeyondthemiyako.com. All Rights Reserved.