Part 178

Learn about Muneshige's honorable stand at Sekigahara and Kobayakawa Hideaki's pivotal betrayal in Nioh 3.

Muneshige

Muneshige is a warrior whose valor is said to have the backing of the gods of lightning, making him Dossetsu's equal. He was forced into a difficult stand by the northward advance of the Shimazu clan but turned the tide when Hideyoshi arrived to take the island of Kyushu. Later, his reputation as the most honorable and bravest warrior in the west led to his recruitment as a direct advisor to Hideyoshi.

Muneshige's Guardian Spirit is a male Raiken, the mate of his wife Ginchiyo's Raiken Guardian Spirit. Muneshige and Ginchiyo are deeply devoted to each other. While Muneshige was away on a campaign, Ginchiyo fell ill and lost the ability to bear children. Muneshige realized this but said nothing, leading to a new distance and awkwardness in their relationship.

Muneshige is a master of the Taisha school of swordmanship and skilled in several schools of archery. He also partakes in many arts, including the tea ceremony, calligraphy, incense, linked poetry, the Noh theater, and the flute. He was said to sculpt images of the Buddha and craft his own bows. Both Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu thought highly of him.

At the Battle of Sekigahara, Muneshige was invited to join the Tokugawa side but, due to his strong sense of loyalty, fought alongside Ishida. He laid siege to Otsu Castle in Omi province but was forced to retreat after the Ishida side's loss at the main battle. At that time, he met Shimazu Yoshihiro, the killer of his father, at a port in Osaka. When his advisors urged him to exact vengeance, he replied, "Slaughtering a defeated enemy is not honorable for a warrior." Instead, he offered his services as a protector, accompanying Yoshihiro back to Kyushu and forming new bonds of friendship.

Kobayakawa Hideaki

Kobayakawa Hideaki is a general under the Toyotomi clan and the leader of the Chugoku-based Kobayakawa clan. He was born into Hideyoshi's family and was considered for his successor before Hideyori's birth. He was adopted by Kobayakawa Takakage and inherited his position. His early rise made him arrogant, and other generals consider him inexperienced.

Hideaki proved his valor in his first campaign after coming of age, catching the eye of veterans. However, he was treated poorly, including having half of his land taken away. This bred anger and resentment, and his fondness for drink and luxury worsened.

Hideaki acts arrogantly but fears others will see through his act and look down on him, lacking confidence. He tends to rely on superiors' conscience and goodwill and cannot abandon all humanity. He seeks more power but finds acquiescence meaningless. He views the world coldly and his desire to oppose everything grows stronger.

Although Hideaki began the Battle of Sekigahara on the Osaka side, he secretly contacted the Tokugawa camp and switched allegiances. The size of his forces meant his betrayal sparked similar reversals in the Osaka camp, deciding the battle's outcome. Afterwards, Hideaki was rewarded with significant land increases but died suddenly two years later, with speculation rife that he had been cursed by Otani Yoshitsugu for his betrayal.

Torii Mototada

Torii Mototada, also known as "Hikoemon," was a general under the Tokugawa clan. An older leader who knew Ieyasu since he was a boy, his loyalty and earnest service were praised as the epitome of the Mikawa samurai ideal. His role in Tokugawa's army was to lead a unit accompanying Ieyasu himself. Mototada distinguished himself in both defensive and offensive actions.