Who was this person?
A Sengoku-period commander who served the Ōtomo of Bungo; his real name was Bekki Akitsura. He supported his lord Ōtomo Sōrin, fighting the Mōri and others, and is said almost never to have lost in his life. He is known for the legend of Raikiri, the sword that cut lightning, handed his castle to his daughter Ginchiyo and took Tachibana Muneshige as his son-in-law.
| Name | Tachibana Dōsetsu (立花道雪) |
|---|---|
| Born–died | 1513 – 1585 |
| Period | Sengoku period |
| Birthplace | Bungo Province |
| Also known as | Bekki Akitsura |
| Main achievements |
|
He was born the son of Bekki Chikaie, who served the Ōtomo of Bungo (Ōita). His name in youth was Bekki Akitsura. He lost his mother as a small child, and his father also died young, so early on he had to shoulder his clan. He was lovingly raised by his stepmother and is said never to have forgotten her kindness.
Though still a boy, he is said to have led troops in his father's place in his first battle and won distinction by taking a castle held by the Ōuchi side. This feat made Akitsura's name known among the Ōtomo retainers. Thereafter he would go out to many battles for his lords, the Ōtomo.
Around this time, legend says, he was struck by lightning while resting under a great tree and cut the lightning with his sword. The sword came to be called Raikiri, "Lightning Cutter." From then on his legs are said to have been disabled, and he reportedly went into battle carried in a palanquin to command his men.
A dispute over the succession broke out in the Ōtomo house (the Nikai-kuzure Incident), and Ōtomo Yoshishige (later Sōrin) succeeded. Akitsura supported Yoshishige and put down later revolts, becoming an indispensable chief retainer protecting the Ōtomo house.
He fought the Mōri of the Chūgoku region over northern Kyūshū, serving as the core of the Ōtomo army in battles such as those for Moji castle. The struggle with the Mōri continued long after. The sight of Akitsura, carried in his palanquin yet at the front urging on his men, is said to have been feared and respected by friend and foe alike.
When his lord Yoshishige took vows and called himself Sōrin, Akitsura too shaved his head and took the name Dōsetsu. The name is said to mean "snow fallen on the road does not move until it melts," expressing his resolve to devote his life to his lord.
Around this time, when Sōrin neglected government for pleasure and his retainers could not even see him, Dōsetsu is said to have brought dancers from the capital, drawing Sōrin to watch, and then sternly admonished him. He was known as a loyal retainer who spoke his mind even to his lord.
He was entrusted with Tachibana castle, a key point in Chikuzen (Fukuoka), and is said to have taken over the Tachibana family name. Thus he came to be called "Tachibana Dōsetsu." Tachibana castle overlooked Hakata, and with it as his base, Dōsetsu strengthened the defence of northern Kyūshū.
Having no son, Dōsetsu handed Tachibana castle and headship of the house to his still very young daughter Ginchiyo. A girl becoming lady of a castle was extremely rare, and it was done with the permission of his lord Sōrin. Dōsetsu acted as Ginchiyo's guardian and continued to defend the castle.
The Ōtomo army suffered a crushing defeat by the Shimazu at the Battle of Mimikawa in Hyūga, losing many chief retainers. Dōsetsu is said to have opposed the campaign. Afterwards, as warrior after warrior abandoned the Ōtomo, Dōsetsu stayed in Chikuzen fighting on and desperately held up the declining house.
He earnestly asked Takahashi Jōun, another great general supporting the Ōtomo, for his eldest son Munetora (later Tachibana Muneshige), and took him as Ginchiyo's husband and heir. Dōsetsu is said to have trained him strictly. Muneshige grew into a commander later praised as "peerless in the west."
While in camp in Chikugo (Fukuoka) fighting warriors who had rebelled against the Ōtomo, he fell ill and died at 72. He is said to have fought countless battles in his life and almost never lost. He is still remembered in Kyūshū as a loyal commander who served the Ōtomo to the very end.
A. A Sengoku-period commander who served the Ōtomo of Bungo; his real name was Bekki Akitsura. He supported his lord Ōtomo Sōrin, fighting the Mōri and others, and is said almost never to have lost in his life. He is known for the legend of Raikiri, the sword that cut lightning, handed his castle to his daughter Ginchiyo and took Tachibana Muneshige as his son-in-law.
A. Period: Sengoku period. Born in 1513, died in 1585.
A. Tachibana Dōsetsu was born in Bungo Province.
A. Legend says that in his youth, while resting under a tree, Dōsetsu was struck by lightning and instantly cut the lightning with his sword, which came to be called Raikiri. He is said to have lost the use of his legs then and afterwards to have commanded in battle from a palanquin.
See also: Wikipedia (ja) / Wikipedia (en) / Wikipedia (fr) / Wikipedia (zh) / Wikidata
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People of the Sengoku/Azuchi-Momoyama period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.