Japan’s 10 Most Stunning Samurai Warriors
9. Shimazu Yoshihisa (島津義久)
Shimazu Yoshihisa is one of the most successful military commanders to have lived, though he never directly commanded a military battle. Yoshihisa was the 16th leader of the Shimazu clan, having succeeded his father following his death in 1566.
When he took command, he almost immediately began a campaign to unify Kyūshū, the third largest of Japan's four main islands. Under his leadership, his military defeated the Itō, Ōtomo, Ryūzōji, and the Aso clans. It looked as if their military onslaught across Kyūshū couldn't be stopped, but in 1587, Toyotomi Hideyoshi put it to an end.
Hideyoshi's campaign to pacify Kyūshū brought a total of 200,000 men to the island. The Shimazu clan was stopped and their lands divided. Shimazu Yoshihisa shaved his head as a show of surrender, promising to become a monk.
He was brought to Fushimi Castle and was asked how he came so close to unifying the island. "My three younger brothers led by Yoshihiro....fought so well united under the same goal, I never had a chance to show bravery in a battle. I only had to wait in the Kagoshima Castle for news brought by messengers of their victories." Ieyasu honored Shimazu by declaring "This is how a great general should be."