Masatane Hara

Masatane Hara is a retainer of the Takeda and became renowned for being one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen.

He was placed as sixty-first in Nobunaga no Yabou 201X poll for 3-star officers.

Role in Games
In Samurai Warriors series, Masatane serves the Takeda from Kawanakajima to Nagashino, typically serving at the center of the battle. Of particular note, Masatane often rushes Kenshin Uesugi, only to be defeated. At both Suruga and Mimase Pass, Masatane engages the Hōjō forces. At Nagashino, he and Nobutsuna Sanada can be lured into the palisade of the Oda firing line, where they both perish. During Spirit of Sanada, Masatane continues to follow his historical counterpart, appearing during Shingen's campaigns at Kawanakajima, Suruga and Mikatagahara. During Katsuyori's term, however, Masatane was the leader of one of the cavalry commanders ambushed by Nobunaga's musketeers at Shitaragahara and is quickly gunned down after Masatoyo Naitō.

Historical Information
Hara Masatane was first legitmate son of Hara Masatoshi and was a younger relative of Hara Toratane. His clan were related to the Toki clan of Mino Province. Masatane's first historical military service was recorded in 1556, fighting under Shingen, aiding his lord's capture of Shinano Province. In 1561, he served as spy along with Atobe katsusuke, Sone Toranaga and Tsuchiya Masatsugu to keep peace in Ueno Province.

In 1569, Masatane protected Omiya Castle during the battle of Suruga. He kept the Takeda path open and secure during the engagement. He also mediated the surrender of Matsui Munetsune and Asahina Nobuoki. Masatane also served with Yamagata Masakage during the battle against Hōjō at Mimasetoge in 1567. He went on to die in the forefront of the fighting at Nagashino in 1575. His death was recorded in Kōyō Gunkan by Obata Kanbei who is scribe of Tokugawa.