Muneharu Shimizu

Muneharu Shimizu (清水 宗治, Shimizu Muneharu) is a samurai during the Sengoku period, who served Terumoto Mōri. He is most famous for his final act of loyalty, protecting Bitchū Takamatsu Castle from Hideyoshi Hashiba.

Role in Games
In Samurai Warriors 4, Muneharu serves as a Mōri officer defending Takamatsu Castle. He starts surrounded within his keep by Kanbei and Hideyoshi. Mitsunari Ishida will eventually lead a charge into the castle to kill him. If he should fall, the battle is lost.

In addition, Muneharu is an important officer for Mōri in Taiko Risshiden and Nobunaga no Yabou.

He has a small role in Chikai no Sanshi, in which he appears during the Oda's on attack on Kizugawaguchi, led Katsuie Shibata and Yoshitaka Kuki, and during Hideyoshi Hashiba and Koroku Hachisuka assistance to Shikanosuke Yamanaka. Before Terumoto went to help Yoshiaki Ashikaga in Kyoto, Muneharu warns him to be careful the Oda. Later, when Muneharu learns the news that Hashiba plans to invade Bitchū Takamatsu, he volunteers to protect the castle.

Hideyoshi employs many strategies in his attack the castle, preventing Muneharu unable to save the fortress. Muneharu recognizes it is impossible to escape death, and decides to go to see Terumoto to give a final farewell before committing seppuku in front of Terumoto. Hideyoshi saw Muneharu's courage and sacrifice, being moved by his willingness to die for his cause. Muneharu's death is mourned by his soldiers.

Historical Information
Shimizu Muneharu's childhood name was Saitarō (才太郎) and was also called Chōzaemon (長左衛門) when as an adult. He had familial ties to the Ishikawa clan and submission to the Mimura clan. However, when the Mōri began to take over Bichu Province, Muneharu joined with the Mōri. As reward, he was given charge over Bitchū Takamatsu Castle. It is uncertain if at this time, in 1565, he betrayed his original patron clan or if they all agreed to submit without treachery. Upon joining the Mōri, Muneharu served under Kobatakawa Takakage, who noted Muneharu's loyalty and diligence.

In 1582, Hashiba Hideyoshi was sent by Oda Nobunaga to attack Chūgoku. The newly promoted Oda officer quickly laid siege to Muneharu's castle, who holed himself up and refused to yield. Hideyoshi offered him the chance to surrender Bitchu Province in exchange for his life and the life of his men inside the castle. Muneharu refused, enduring a long siege. He continued to resist even after Hideyoshi flooded the castle, much to his opponent's chagrin. When Oda Nobunaga was slain later that year, Hideyoshi quickly negotiated a temporary alliance with the Mōri to allow him to return and deal with the internal conflict from his lord's murder. Part of the negociation meant Takamatsu Castle, which was very close to falling, remain within the Mōri's possession, including all of the surviving soldiers within the fortress. The only condition required, was for Muneharu to commit seppuku, which he willingly performed to spare his men and lord.

Etymology

 * The name Muneharu means "religion, sect, denomination, main point, origin, essence" (宗) (mune) and "cure" (治) (haru).
 * Muneharu's surname Shimizu means "clear water/pure water, spring water" (清水).