Kobayakawa Hideaki is probably one of the most infamous figures in Japanese history, mainly remembered for his betrayal at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Yet, he is more of a tragic figure in Japanese history than one would expect, mainly because his life was not his own. He was a figure I used to have no sympathy for until I actually dove into his background and began to understand his life.

I have found conflicting birth years for Kobayakawa Hideaki, the earliest being around 1577, but this fails to line up with the ages given when he was in Korea, which was around fifteen, meaning that the second listed birth year of 1582 seems to be correct.(1) Nevertheless, he was the fifth son to Kinoshita Iesada, who was the brother-in-law to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, making Hideaki his nephew.(2) There is conflicting information regarding where he was born as well, one claiming Bitchū, another stating Ōmi, so it is hard to say which is correct from English sources. We do know that his childhood name was Tatsunosuke.(3)

Hideaki was thrown into the political spectacle of Japanese society of the time from a very young age. In 1585, he was adopted by Hideyoshi and was raised by Lady Nene and by age seven was named one of the successors to the Toyotomi clan. Considering his young age and closeness to Hideyoshi, who was the kampaku at this point, daimyō from all over Japan sought out Hideaki to possibly adopt him. It was around this time that his drinking problem began.(4)

In 1594, Hideaki would be adopted into the Kobayakawa clan by Kobayakawa Takakage, who was sixty-one years of age by this point and had no heirs of his own.(5) Because of this adoption and the birth of Toyotomi Hideyori the year prior, Hideaki was removed from the list of successors to the Toyotomi and his drinking got worse, making him an alcoholic by the tender age of twelve.(6)

Considering when Hideaki was born, he did not have any military experience until the Imjin War and even then, he would serve in the war’s final years. He was sent to Korea as a supreme commander (according to some sources) and some even claim that he fought at the Siege of Ulsan. Primary sources from the age cannot confirm this, but if true, he apparently was responsible for breaking the Korean’s grip on the castle and provided much needed relief. Yet, as a commander, fighting on the frontlines was deemed reckless and he would pay the price for his actions.(7)

Along with his known atrocities toward the women and children in the villages they took over, Hideaki would eventually be recalled back to Japan by Hideyoshi himself. He was stripped of his domains and was sent to Fukui in Echizen. He was about to be executed when Tokugawa Ieyasu stepped in and managed to convince Hideyoshi to let him live. This all happened because of reports that Ishida Mitsunari had written up about Hideaki’s actions in Korea, causing a rift between the men that would affect his decisions when it came to who to side with at Sekigahara. Once Hideyoshi died in September 1598, Hideaki would get his lands reinstated to him via the Council of Five Elders in February 1599, and even increasing his income to 590,000 koku.(8)

When it comes to Sekigahara, it is interesting to note that Hideaki seemed to be with the Western Army in the beginning, for he and his army were present at the Siege of Fushimi Castle. This might have to do with Mitsunari bribing him with the title of kampaku and additional lands around Ōsaka if he were to side with them and the Western Army were to win. Yet, he had been in communication with Ieyasu during this time as well and even leading up to the day of the battle, both sides were not one hundred percent sure where Hideaki stood. His decision would change the course of history.

Both sides were desperate to see what Hideaki would do. After all, he had about 15,600 troops at his command, the second largest numbers for the Western Army.(9) Yet, even about three hours into the battle, the Kobayakawa army did not move despite multiple signals to charge and messengers from Mitsunari begging for him to advance. Legend has it that Ieyasu was getting frustrated with Hideaki’s indecisiveness and ordered for his men to open fire on Mount Matsuo, and he still did not move. Finally, around 12:30PM, Hideaki made his decision and attacked the forces of Ōtani Yoshitsugu, finally siding with the Eastern Army.(10) He would later go on to defeat Ishida Masatsugu, Mitsunari’s father, at the Siege of Sawayama.(11)

The aftermath of Sekigahara for Hideaki can be seen as tragic to some. He was rewarded for his actions at Sekigahara, given the lands once held by Ukita Hideie, but the increase in land and koku could not change public opinion. Ieyasu most likely held Hideaki’s participation at Fushimi Castle against him, which resulted in the death of his childhood friend, Torii Mototada. He was extremely unpopular with the other generals and daimyō as well, which only added to his misery.(12) Much like the year of his birth, there are different dates for his death along with different causes of death. Once source states that he died on January 12, 1602.(13) The most common date, however, looks to be December 1, 1602, but the reasons for his death are interesting.(14)

The most common cause listed is that he drank himself to death and basically went mad after Sekigahara.(15) Another states that it was heart problems related to stress.(16) Yet, the reasons for this madness and stress come from a very paranormal source. According to legend, many state that it was the spirits of Ishida Mitsunari, Ōtani Yoshitsugu, and other Western generals who were seeking revenge for his betrayal from beyond the grave.(17)

Sources

1. “Kobayakawa Hideaki”, Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobayakawa_Hideaki, last accessed 3/2/2023  &  “Kobayakawa Hideaki”, Wikipedia.org (Japan). Hideaki Kobayakawa – Wikipedia, last accessed 3/2/2023
2. Glenn, Chris. The Battle of Sekigahara: The Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai Battle Ever (2021), p. 122
3. Hideaki Kobayakawa – Wikipedia, last accessed 3/2/2023
4. “Kobayakawa Hideaki”, Wikipedia.org (Japan). Hideaki Kobayakawa – Wikipedia, last accessed 3/2/2023
5. “Kobayakawa Takakage”, Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobayakawa_Takakage, last accessed 3/2/2023
6. “Kobayakawa Hideaki”, Wikipedia.org (Japan). Hideaki Kobayakawa – Wikipedia, last accessed 3/2/2023
7. “Kobayakawa Hideaki”, Wikipeida.org (Japan). Hideaki Kobayakawa – Wikipedia, last accessed 3/2/2023
8. “Kobayakawa Hideaki”, Wikipeida.org (Japan). Hideaki Kobayakawa – Wikipedia, last accessed 3/2/2023
9. Glenn, Chris. The Battle of Sekigahara: The Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai Battle Ever (2021), p. 90
10. Glenn, Chris. The Battle of Sekigahara: The Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai Battle Ever (2021), p. 124
11. Glenn, Christ. The Battle of Sekigahara: The Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai Battle Ever (2021), p. 147
12. Chaplin, Danny. Sengoku Jidai: Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu: Three Unifiers of Japan (2018), p. 478
13. “Kobayakawa Hideaki”, Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobayakawa_Hideaki, last accessed 3/2/2023
14. “Kobayakawa Hideaki”, Wikipeida.org (Japan). Hideaki Kobayakawa – Wikipedia, last accessed 3/2/2023  &  Glenn, Chris. The Battle of Sekigahara: The Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Desicive Samurai Battle Ever (2021), p. 187
15. “Kobayakawa Hideaki”, Wikipeida.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobayakawa_Hideaki, last accessed 3/2/2023
16. Glenn, Chris. The Battle of Sekigahara: The Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai Battle Ever (2021), p. 153
17. Glenn, Chris. The Battle of Sekigahata: The Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai Battle Ever (2021), p. 153