Zu'anji

**Zu'anji** [ずあんじ; early 1400s - 1438], also known as Zu'annataro, was a Summui *onirutaro* of modern-day Zōhai Prefecture who sought to unite the three major *oniru* (districts) of Daizō under a single allegiance. His aim was to gather a great force in order to overthrow King Chūo and become the new ruler of the Summui Kingdom; however, he was never successful.

## Biography

Zu'anji was born sometime between 1403 and 1406 in modern-day Myōri, the son of a locally known merchant named Hafu Zumō who specialised in providing equipment for sailors and fishermen. He cast off his birth name, Hafu Muto, after joining the crew of a trading vessel bound for the south coast of modern-day Uchi Prefecture; from this point on he was known as Zu'anji, roughly translating as '[one] of valiant heart'.

Upon arriving in Uchi, Zu'anji immediately began working as a scribe for the local *taro* Muzainataro; due to his merchant upbringing, he had received a basic education and knew how to read and write. From this point on, Zu'anji gained recognition in the area for his quick wit, skill in calligraphy, and ambitious nature, which eventually led Muzainataro to offer him a place in his personal guard - a position which included the roles of a knight, advisor and defender of the local fortress. During the Battle of Nagimuda Bay in 1424 (a bid to gain more land south of the Muzai *ojii*) Zu'anji was a key player, leading assaults against Nagimuda Castle, and going to personally execute the rival *taro* Yanainataro himself. In the aftermath of the skirmish the Muzainataro himself lost his life from fatal injuries. Due to Muzainataro's young age and the fact that his wife had recently died, there was no heir left behind.

Zu'anji saw an opportunity and took advantage of the chaos that resulted from Muzainataro's death. As the Muzai *ojii* was expanded to include the former Yanai domain, various relatives of Muzainataro (including his brother and uncle) vyed for the title of *taro*, however it could not be settled as to who should be appointed. Zu'anji, who had amassed a large following of faithful men after his heroics during the Battle of Nagimuda, decided to assassinate Muzainataro's living male relatives and take the *taro* office for himself. He was bolstered in this campaign by the fact that most respected, if not admired him, and despite his low merchant background, Zu'anji's confidence and force of will made him difficult to resist.

By 1430, Zu'anji (now known as Zu'annataro) had taken control of five other neighbouring *ojii*, namely one of the largest in southern Fuzai, the Dakan *ojii*. His power continued to grow, until eventually in 1435 he was appointed as *onirutaro* of the Fuzai district, the highest possible office. However, Zu'anji was not satisfied. In 1438, having gathered an army of around 15,000 loyal followers and pledged men, he led an attack on the Royal Palace itself, his goal being to overthrow King Chūo and take the crown for himself.

The conflict, known as the 1438 Palace Battle, lasted for eight days, during which the palace was relentlessly seiged and thousands of men were killed. Although the Royal Guard was in fact outnumbered, they held the defense fast. On the morning of the ninth day, Zu'anji himself was killed by a man named Mura Shōwa, a high-ranking personal guard of the King. After his death Zu'anji's 5,000 or so remaining followers began to scatter, although almost 700 of them were captured during the next few months and executed. The rest fled into hiding or returned home - those who had been *taro* themselves were disgraced, banished, and new *taro* were elected in their stead.