Kuki Yoshitaka
Kuki Yoshitaka (1542–1600) rose to prominence as a naval commander during the Warring States Period (1467–1600), a time of great military and social upheaval. Kuki originally led a band of pirates, but around 1570 he pledged his fleet’s allegiance to Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582), who was the most powerful of the warlords then vying for control of Japan. In one famous battle, Kuki constructed enormous floating fortresses armored with iron plating, allowing him to blockade and sink the rival fleet from close range.
After Oda’s assassination, Kuki supported Japan’s emerging unifier, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536?–1598), who named Kuki commander of the Toyotomi fleet. Under Toyotomi’s aegis, Kuki built Toba Castle, which was completed in 1594. Today, Shiroyama Park occupies the site where the castle once stood. Visitors can see the remains of the foundation walls and enjoy the commanding view over Toba Bay.
At the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Kuki continued to fight for the Toyotomi side even as his son pledged allegiance to the rival Tokugawa faction. After Tokugawa’s decisive victory, his son obtained a pardon for his father, but it arrived too late; Kuki had already committed ritual suicide. His remains are interred on the island of Toshijima.
