Kayō Watanabe

Kayō Watanabe is a vassal of Mōri Motonari. His hard work and ultimate self-sacrifice eventually earned enough respect from Motonari that his lord ensured the Watanabe clan would endure long after his death.

Roles in Games
In Chikai no Sanshi, He only took part in First Battle of Gassantoda because Ōuchi army falls into the trap of the Amago army, is the reason for defeat. Not even Motonari, a partner of Ōuchi was in trouble because there is no way to retreat. Kayō and Kobayakawa Masahira therefore volunteered to open the retreating path to Motonari. Motonari is concerned about Kayō and Masahira, but they say that don't worry and fought against Amago army until both died in the battle. When Motonari had safely escaped, so ordered Fukuhara Sadatoshi to search Kayō and Masahira but Sadatoshi does not take long to search and came to report the bad news that they both died in battle. When Motonari knew it, so even crying and told his followers that "If not, Kayō and Masahira sacrifice life for us, we are all dead"

Historical Information
Watanabe Kayō was descended from Watanabe no Tsuna and was the son of Watanabe Suguru. His clan orginally served the Mōri, but lost their place when Kayō was a small child. His father joined Aiō Mototsuna, Mōri Motonari's younger brother, in rebellion and had to flee with his family when they failed. The young Watanabe Kayō stayed under the protection of Yamauchi Naomichi.

When Motonari wanted to court the favor of the Yamauchi clan in 1534, Naomichi required Motonari to accept back Watanabe Kayō. Motonari reluctantly accepted him back alongside his clan.

During the siege of Koriyama, Watanabe Kayō defended against the forces under the command of Amago Masahisa. Despite being greatly outnumbered, Kayō managed to hold out, maintaining his barricade. He succeeded by using a surprise attack, routing his foes.

In 1542, the Mōri joined the Ouchi in attacking Gassantoda, and Watanabe Kayō joined the fray. However, the battle went poorly for their combined forces. Unable to secure the castle, Mōri Motonari was forced to retreat once the Ouchi fled. The Mōri forces held the rearguard, getting cornered at Yamabuki Castle. To keep Mōri Motonari and Takamoto from killing themselves to avoid capture, Watanabe Kayō led six other samurai in Motonari's armor, drawing the Amago forces onto themselves to let the rest escape. Motonari elevated the Wwatanabe clan when he returned to Aki, ensuring their prosperity out of gradititude for Kayō's sacrifice.