A Samurai of Loyalty and Honor Reflected in the Drama “SHŌGUN” — Maeda Toshiie
Profile
Maeda Toshiie was born in 1538 (the 7th year of Tenbun) in Arako, Owari Province—modern-day Nakagawa Ward, Nagoya. He began his career as a page serving Oda Nobunaga and, due to his exceptional skill with the spear, earned the nickname “Mataza of the Spear.” In his youth, Toshiie’s rough and impulsive temperament once led to his dismissal by Nobunaga, but his later military achievements earned forgiveness and reinstatement. He went on to fight alongside Nobunaga in numerous campaigns as a trusted commander.
After the Honnō-ji Incident, Toshiie entered the service of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and distinguished himself in battles such as the campaign against Shibata Katsuie. He was later granted control of Kaga, Noto, and Etchū Provinces—becoming the founder of the prosperous Kaga Domain, famed as “Kaga of One Million Koku.” Following Hideyoshi’s death, Toshiie stood as a mediator between Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Toyotomi faction, seeking peace and avoiding unnecessary conflict despite growing political tension.
Toshiie’s deep and enduring bond with his wife, Matsu (Hoshūin), is legendary. Their devotion to each other is remembered as the ideal samurai marriage—one of loyalty, compassion, and mutual respect—admired even centuries later.
Travel Guide
A journey through the sites associated with Maeda Toshiie is a walk through the history of the Kaga Domain. Must-visit destinations include the Kanazawa Castle ruins, Oyama Shrine—dedicated to Toshiie and Matsu—the Tōkoku-in Temple where Matsu is enshrined, and Toshiie’s gravesite located near Kōdai-ji Temple in Kyoto.
At Kanazawa Castle Park, visitors can admire the beautifully reconstructed stone walls, gates, and turrets originally built by the Maeda clan. The atmosphere of Kanazawa’s castle town still reflects the Maeda family’s enduring values of simplicity, strength, and refined aesthetic taste—an embodiment of samurai culture at its peak.
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