Motosuke Kunishi

Motosuke Kunishi (国司 元相, Kunishi Motosuke) was a both high-ranking vassal and senior of the Mōri Motonari. He served as one of Takamoto Mōri's tutors.

Role in Games
In Samurai Warriors 3 Motosuke fights alongside his lord at the final confrontation with the Oda alliance. He works to protect Muneshige Tachibana from the Oda ambush.

In Chikai no Sanshi, he is one of the important generals of Mōri. In which he first appeared during the battle against Takeda Motoshige. After that, he played a number of important roles and was one of the generals most trusted by Motonari. He retired before battle at Iyo Province and gave Mototake who is his eldest son to take over military works from him.

In addition, he is one of the more important officers in Taiko Risshiden.

Historical Information
Kunishi Motosuke was son of Kunishi Arisuke, and was also known as Sukeroku (助六). In his time of service, he gained the ranks of Ukyō Ryō and Hida no Kami. Like his father before him, he began his career Mōri. One of his first major tasks was to act as tutor for Mōri Takamoto, who he served under in battle. In 1540, he fought at the battle of Koriyama, where he served with distinction. In the following first siege of Gassantoda, he fought bravely, part of the few forces to gain any success.

In 1542, Motosuke assumed the position of head of his clan when his father died. An Amago counteroffensive followed shortly afterwards, leading to desperate fighting that saw Motosuke wounded during their flight. In 1550, when Motonari reorganized his administration, Motosuke was one of the five officers chosen to be bugyō (magistrates). He joined his lord in the assault upon Itsukushima shrine, gaining further recognition for his efforts.

In 1560, Motosuke made a trip to Kyoto to deliver the enthronement fee for the new emperor. Whilst there, he met the Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiteru, gaining a spear license. During the next year's battle, the battle of Matsuyama, Motosuke and Kodama Naritada were first into the castle. In the following years, Motosuke served in a largely administrative role, living until 1592, achieving an age of 100.

Etymology

 * The name Motosuke means "beginning, former time, origin" (元) (moto) and "phase, aspect, countenance, mutually, fellow" (相) (suke).
 * Motosuke's surname Kunishi means "provincial governor" (国司).