Nagamasa Asano

Nagamasa Asano is the adoptive younger brother of Nene. He served under his brother-in-law as one of Hideyoshi's most trusted advisors. When Hideyoshi organized his Five Commissioners (the Go-Bugyō), Nagamasa was one of the five chosen for this post. Samurai Warriors 3 refers him by his earlier name Nagayoshi Asano.

Role in Games
In third title of Samurai Warriors, Nagamasa fights at both Oshi castle and Mitsunari Ishida's Rescue. At Oshi Castle, he defends the southern garrison until the levee is broken, then he moves north, trying to reach the castle in an all out assault. During the assassination attempt on Mitsunari, Nagamasa and his son, Yoshinaga attempt to block the southern route to safety. Nagamasa himself fights Yukimura Sanada in the southeast.

Samurai Warriors 4 has Nagamasa appear at Oshi Castle once more, this time fighting closer towards the castle's main entrance. He fights alongside Terumasa Ikeda and two of the Hōjō officers need rescuing from their combined attack. Samurai Warriors 4-II brings back Mitsunari's rescue, and Nagamasa returns, this time fighting alongside Yoshimasa Tanaka in the south, trying to push east.

In Nobunaga's Ambition, Nagamasa first appeared in Lord of Darkness. His stats are usually favor higher political skill then military capability.

Historical Information
Asano Nagamasa was born to Yasui Shigetsugu, but was adopted by his uncle, Asano Nagakatsu, while he was still a young boy. Part of that adoption included marrying his uncle's second daughter, Chōsei'in (also known as Yaya). Asano Nagakatsu was one of Oda Nobunaga's archers, Asano Nagamasa also served Nobunaga. Because Nagakatsu adopted Kōdai-in (Nene), who in turn married Hideyoshi, Nagamasa was placed under the command of his brother-in-law.

Nagamasa's first recorded battle was against the Azai at Odani Castle. For his contributions, Hideyoshi rewarded him with a 120 koku land in Omi province. Asano Nagamasa accompanied his brother-in-law on his Mōri campaign and also participated in the the Iga campaign Nobunaga led in 1581. When the Oda warlord died, Nagamasa continued to serve Hideyoshi, earning much praise for his service during the battle of Shizugatake. For his years of service, Hideyoshi awarded Nagamasa Ostu Castle, worth 20,000 koku.

In 1585, Hideyoshi established his Five Commissioners council to help manage Kyoto and the economic and political needs of the people. This council included Ishida Mitsunari, Maeda Gen'i, Mashita Nagamori and Natsuka Masaie alongside himself, although none of them held true executive powers. Hideyoshi appointed Nagamasa to conduct a full survey of the lands under his control, both correcting the long out of date taxation regulations and helping establish who ruled over what lands. In particular, Nagamasa ensured the gold and silver mines that Hideyoshi confiscated had their worth evaluated and their contents continued to flow to Hideyoshi's coffers. A side effect of conducting these surveys was Nagamasa gained a good reputation and relationship with of the eastern warlords, including Tokugawa Ieyasu.

When Hideyoshi invaded Kyūshū, Asano Nagamasa joined in the campaign, earning further praise and reward. Nagamasa was made a proper Daimyo, with a koku worth 8 million in Obama, Wasaka Province. During the Odawara campaign, Nagamasa served under Mitsunari and helped capture Oshi Castle. During the Ōshū Punishment, Nagamasa helped bring the conflict to the end and strengthened his relationship with Nanbu Nobunao. Nagamasa also took part in the defeat the Kunohe Rebellion and the uprising of Kasai and Ōsaki.

In 1593, Nagamasa sent soldiers to join the invasion of Korea and inherited 215,000 koku in Kai Province after Katō Mitsuyasu's death in the campaign. Due to his familiarity with the eastern warlords, Asano Nagamasa was ordered to act as intermediary for the eastern province. Most of the warlords accepted his post eagerly, with the exception of Date Masamune, who wrote Hidetoshi a letter filled with accusations of failure to fulfill his duties properly.

When Hideyoshi passed in 1598, Nagamasa found his long standing relationship with Ieyasu far more satisfactory then his relationship with Mitsunari, who led the anti-Ieyasu faction under the still young child of Hideyori. This tension reached dangerous heights when Ieyasu himself had to arrest Nagamasa and Maeda Toshinaga for plotting an assassination attempt. To avoid trouble, Nagamasa entered "retirement" and appointed Yoshinaga as the new head of the Asano. With such political manuvors escaped, Nagamasa supported Ieyasu during the Sekigahara conflict. For his part, Nagamasa accompanied Tokugawa Hidetada's forces during the campaign. For his service, Nagamasa was allowed in live in retirement at Edo. He passed away eleven years later at the age of 65.