Masatsune Tsuchiya

Masatsune Tsuchiya is the younger brother of Masatsugu Tsuchiya and was among the last retainers of Katsuyori Takeda. Praised even by Oda and Tokugawa sources, Masatsune reportedly fought off a thousand men whilst holding onto a wisteria vine. It was through Masatsune's sacrifice that Katsuyori was able to commit suicide uninterrupted.

Role in Games
In 4, Masatsune appears only in Mt. Tenmoku, being one of the officers that flee alongside Nobuyuki Sanada and Yukimura Sanada after the defeat of Nagashino. In Samurai Warriors 5, he also appears at Nagashino, and is guarding one of the southern garrisons that impede Hideyoshi Hashiba's path. At Mt. Tenmoku, he will attack both Nobukimi Anayama and the Oda forces attempting to take the side path to Iwadono Castle.

In Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada, he is introduced to Masayuki Sanada by Masatsugu shortly before the Nagashino campaign, and is left with the security of the province during Katsuyori's campaigning. Like Masayuki, Masatsune is forced to become his clan's head due to his brother's passing at Shitaragahara, and he continues his duties in defending Kai from increasing attacks from the Oda, Tokugawa, and Hōjō. He is last mentioned to have accompanied Katsuyori to Mt. Tenmoku, where he perished bravely fighting for his lord. Masayuki would personally grieve the demise that the brothers had suffered.

Quotes

 * "Anayama, after all Lord Shingen has done for you, defecting to the enemy is unforgivable... I'll have your head for this!"
 * "My lord... I was unable to protect the Takeda... I beg your forgiveness..."
 * "Master Masayuki, what's the matter? You look so grave, even the peasants will soon be avoiding you."
 * "You are feeling bad for me because of what happened to my brother. Thank you for your concern."
 * "I...I was on the same battlefield, but I could do nothing for him."
 * "...You must not blame yourself. We were all there. There is nothing special about you, Master Masayuki. My brother died serving his lord. That honor belongs to him and him alone... You cannot take that away from him, Master Masayuki."
 * "...Yes. Yes, you're right... I apologize"
 * Masatsune Tsuchiya and Masayuki Sanada: Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada
 * Masatsune Tsuchiya and Masayuki Sanada: Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada

Historical Information
Masatsune was born as the fifth son of Kanamaru Takeyoshi. At a young age, Masatsune could already wield a weapon skillfully, and he participated in Shingen's invasion of Suruga, killing a vassal of Okabe Sadatsuna. Impressed by this, Okabe, who had surrendered to Shingen and worked as a pirate for him, requested to have Masatsune adopted. This request was granted, and Masatsune changed his surname before later inheriting the clan from the childless Sadatsuna. Masatsune would serve Shingen, and later Katsuyori, until the death of his second brother, Tsuchiya Masatsugu during the battle of Shitaragahara. As his brother had no sons as well, Masatsune became the leader of the two clans and would mainly participate in campaigns at the Kantō region.

During the Oda and the Tokugawa's conquest of Kai, Masatsune accompanied Katsuyori to Oyamada Nobushige's Iwadono Castle but were barred from entering and were forced to flee to Tenmokuzan. Masatsune fiercely defended the narrow cliff road leading to Katsuyori by repelling down with a wisteria vine on one hand, and his sword on the other. Masatsune was fabled to have cut down a thousand men in this fashion before his death, and the nearby river where the Oda soldiers were thrown into dyed the water red for the next three days. Through his actions, Katsuyori was able to kill himself without ever being captured, and Masatsune would follow his lord quickly after.

Nobunaga himself was said to have praised Masatsune for his steadfast loyalty until the end, and the Shinchō Kōki mentions that Nobunaga personally called Masatsune's defiant stand as "unparalleled". Masatsune was survived by his son, Shigetora, who had escaped death by hiding himself in a temple and would devote his life to priesthood therafter.