Japan's Interesting People:Komatsu

This is another edition of *Japan's Interesting People*. This page will cover a Samurai woman who is often referred to as a "warrior princess"; Komatsu.

In Japan, during the Sengoku Jidai, the honor of being a Samurai is usually a "man only" title (so to say), but there are some exceptions. Komatsu (sometimes known as "Ina") is the daughter of famed Samurai Warlord; Tadakatsu Honda, the wife of Nobuyuki Sanada (the brother of Yukimura) and known to protect her husband's domain of Ueda Castle. She is also known to have the intelligence and skills that matches her beauty.

But what was her life like? This is what this page will try to cover.

## Birth and Early Life

Not much is known about Komatsu's early life. But the year she was born was 1573, and because she's (as mentioned before) the daughter of Tadakatsu Honda, she was also taught in the ways of being a female Samurai.

When it comes to Samurai Women, they were trained to protect and defend their family, their clan, and the domain of their father, brother, uncle, husband, you get the point. Though this isn't as exciting as leading troops in battle, the role is just as important as the clan and domain are of the utmost importance.

After the first Battle of Ueda Castle, the Sanada Clan had made a name for themselves, and thus the Honda Clan (including Komatsu) caught their attention and were captivated by their fighting prowess and tactical genius in battle.

## Marriage

When she was just 17, Komatsu was then adopted by Ieyasu Tokugawa, and to ally with the Sanada Clan, he has arranged for her to be married to the eldest son of Masayuki Sanada; Nobuyuki (he was 24 at the time).

Now, just remember, in Sengoku Japan, marriages are less about love and more about forming political and military alliances as clans in Japan are seeking the ultimate prize; being the unchallenged ruler of Japan.

With the alliance of the clans of the Toyotomi and Tokugawa now formed, they faced and defeated the Hojo clan in the east.

## Family Matters

With the defeat of the Hojo, Hideyoshi is on track of becoming Japan's unchallenged ruler. But the marriage between Komatsu and Nobuyuki would soon split the Sanada family apart as Nobuyuki (possibly under the wishes of Komatsu) decide to ally with the Tokugawa clan and with the Sanadas still siding with the other clans still loyal to the Toyotomi. After Hideyoshi died in 1598 and Japan again politically unstable, the Sanadas was also in turmoil, and it'll only get worse as time goes on.

Eventually in the year 1600, sometime before the Battle of Sekigahara, the Sanadas led by Masayuki began to march onto Ueda Castle that Ieyasu granted to Nobuyuki for his allegiance to the Tokugawas.

Honoring her husband's family and domain, she ordered her retainers to dress her in full Samurai Armor so she can confront her father-in-law (as well as her Brother-in-law Yukimura). Masayuki (like any other grandparent would want to do) wanted to see his grandchildren. But Komatsu (ready to fight if necessary) came out of the castle and told her father-in-law

> *"Since we've parted ways in this conflict, and though you're my father-in-law, I can not allow to into the castle."*
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Now the immediate events that happened after that are............fuzzy. Some accounts say that she took an arquebus and fired a warning shot. But whatever happened immediately afterward, eventually Masayuki ordered his forces to retreat, and the Sanadas retreated to Shokaku Temple nearby. Sometime after the incident, Komatsu along with her children visited the temple and thus allowed Masayuki to see Komatsu's children. After that, Masayuki would go on and say about Komatsu.

> *"That is Tadakatsu Honda's daughter for you. A fine maiden who would not falter."*
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Eventually, on October 21, still in the year 1600, the Battle of Sekigahara came, and the Eastern Army would win the battle, and thus Ueda Castle remained the domain of Nobuyuki and Komatsu. Komatsu also handled the daily needs of her in-laws by giving them food and other supplies and even wanted Nobuyuki to convince Tokugawa to spare the lives of the Sanadas.

## Death and legacy

Not as much as known about Komatsu after the Battle of Sekigahara, but she remained the ruler of Ueda Castle along with Nobuyuki, though she would die on March 27, 1620, she was sadly missed not just by her family, but also the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Komatsu does live on through the history of Japan and in some folklore. Even today, Komatsu's name is used in many things across Japan as it was used by cities, Corporations, a College, and even a light armored vehicle for Japan's Self-Defense Force and is still in use today. Komatsu will always live on in Japan as one of the best female Samurai who upheld the honor of her family's domain.

Well, that will be it for this edition of Japan's Interesting People. Don't forget to check out my Games and Movies wikis as well. Until next time, this is JohnnyOTGS signing out.