Ryūzōji Takanobu

Ryūzōji Takanobu (龍造寺 隆信, March 24, 1529 – May 4, 1584) was a Japanese daimyō in Hizen Province during the Sengoku period.^[1] Takanobu was the head of the Ryūzōji clan.^[2]

Ryūzōji Takanobu
龍造寺隆信
Portrait of Ryūzōji Takanobu
Head of Ryūzōji clan
In office 1548–1584
Preceded by	Ryûzôji Chikaie
Succeeded by	Ryūzōji Masaie
Personal details
Born	March 24, 1529
Died	May 4, 1584(1584-05-04) (aged 55) Battle of Okitanawate
Nationality	Japanese
Children	Ryūzōji Masaie, Egami Ietane, Gotō Ienobu
Parent	Ryûzôji Chikaie (father)
Relatives	Ryūzōji Naganobu (brother) Ryūzōji Nobuchika (brother)
Military service
Allegiance	Ryūzōji clan Shōni clan
Commands	Suko Castle
Battles/wars	Siege of Saga Castle (1554) Battle of Imayama (1570) Siege of Suko Castle (1574) Hizen Campaign (1578) Battle of Okitanawate (1584)

In this Japanese name, the surname is Ryūzōji.

Biography

Takanobu was the grandson of Ryūzōji Iekane (1454-1546). His father was Ryûzôji Chikaie and his mother was Keigin-ni.^[3]

Ryūzōji Takanobu is known for expanding his clan's holdings. He took land from the Shōni clan. In 1578, Takanobu conquered almost all of Hizen Province.^[2] The following year, the Ryūzōji clan advanced to Chikuzen and Buzen.^[2] In 1580, Takanobu retired in Suko castle but he retained the real power until his death.^[4]

In 1584, Ryūzōji retainer Arima Harunobu split from the clan.^[2] Seizing upon this opportunity, several of the local small clans in the Shimabara Peninsula also rose up in arms. Takanobu personally led an army of around 30,000 against the Shimazu-Arima, but was killed in the Battle of Okitanawate by Shimazu Iehisa's army.^[2][3]

Ryūzōji Masaie (1556–1607) was the son of Takanobu.^[5] Following Takanobu's death, Ryūzōji domain was taken over by Takanobu's chief retainer Nabeshima Naoshige.^[6]