Yoshiharu Horio

Yoshiharu Horio is a samurai and eventual daimyō during the Sengoku Jidai. He joined Hideyoshi Toyotomi early into his career, before his first command at Inabayama. He loyally served Hideyoshi for his master's whole career, making quite a name for himself and being named one of his three chūrō (arbiters).

Role in Games
In Samurai Warriors 4, he is a Oda officer present at the battle of Takamatsu Castle, playing a minor role on its assault.

In addition, he is a minor officer in Taiko Risshiden.

Historical Information
Born to Horio Yasuharu, Yoshiharu did not begin his life counted among the elite samurai. Instread, he and his family served the Iwakura Oda, under Oda Nobuyasu. His first battle was against Oda Nobunaga at Iwakura Castle. However, the branch of the Oda that Yoshiharu fell into ruin, leaving him wondering the land like a ronin. It is said that around this time that Yoshiharu perked Hideyoshi's interest when he wrestled a wild boar unarmed. Hideyoshi recruited Yoshiharu into the Oda clan, this time under Nobunaga.

Yoshiharu proved himself to both Hideyoshi and Nobunaga at the battle of Inabayama in 1567. He led the Oda forces around back pathways to allow the forces to surround the Saitō fortress. For his efforts, he received 100 koku in Omi Province. His continued service eventually netted him a 3,500 koku land in Kuroe, Tamba province.

In 1582, Horio fought in the siege of Bitch Takamatsu Castle. When the battle drew to a close, he served as the coroner for Shimizu Muneharu. In the proceeding battle of Yamasaki, Yoshiharu served on the front lines alongside Hori Hidemasa and Nakamura Kazuuji, where they won great honor. During the melee, Yoshiharu personally killed the opposing samurai Saitō Toshikazu, when said warrior tried to break through their lines.

In subsequent years, he served at the battle of Shizugatake and Sassa Narimasa's rebellion. Alongside Tanaka Yoshimasa, Nakamura Kazuuji, and Yamauchi Kazutoyo, Yoshiharu served under Toyotomi Hidetsugu. For his dutiful service, Yoshiharu regularly had his koku increased, constantly receiving larger lands in different provinces. He eventually settled into Sawayama, Omi with a 40,000 koku piece of land.

Yoshiharu continued to serve Hideyoshi, fighting in the conquest of Kyushu and the siege of Odawara. In the latter battle, his son and heir was slain. To thank him for his service, Hideyoshi awarded him part of Tokugawa Ieyasu's old province, Hamamatsu Castle in Totomi, worth 120,000 koku of crops. He was even permitted to use the Toyotomi name. It was around this time that Hideyoshi made Yoshinaru, Nakamura Kazuuji, and Ikoma Chikamasa chūrō, {although modern scholarship debates whether or not this position existed). When Hideyoshi purged Hidetsugu and his supporters, Horio escaped punishment, having risen above his former superior.

When Hideyoshi died, Yoshiharu served as an arbitrator between Ieyasu and his rivals. Shortly before the battle of Sekigahara, Yoshiharu retired from leading his clan, giving the role to his son, Tadauji. Yoshiharu supported Ieyasu's forces as the battle approached. In August 27, 1600 he killed Kaganoi Shigemochi at a drinking party to avenge Mizuno Tadashige, whom Shigemochi killed at said party in a fit of drunken rage. Since Kaganoi was close to Ishida Mitsunari, these actions worked in a favor of Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, since Yoshiharu himself was injured in the battle against Shigemochi, he could not participate in the battle of Sekigahara.

Nevertheless, for his service, Horio was named a daimyō of Izumo province. Yoshiharu rebuilt and fortified a Toda Castle, a former home of Amago clan, before deciding that a new castle would be more beneficial for economical development of the region, building Matsue Castle. Yoshiharu died in 1611, succeed by grandchild, Tadaharu.

Gallery
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