Asakura clan
Toshiie began his career as a member of the "akahoro-shū" (赤母衣衆), the unit under Oda Nobunaga's personal command. He later became an infantry captain ("ashigaru taishō" 足軽大将) in the Oda army. During his military career, Toshiie made the acquaintance of many important figures, such as Hashiba Hideyoshi, Sassa Narimasa, Niwa Nagahide, Ikeda Tsuneoki, and others. Toshiie also was a lifelong rival of Tokugawa Ieyasu. After defeating the Asakura clan, Maeda fought under Shibata Katsuie in the Hokuriku area.