Tsunachika Kaihō

Tsunachika Kaihō was is well known as the three generals of Azai, alongside Akao Kiyotsuna and Amenomori Kiyosada.

The Nobunaga no Yabou 201X poll for 3-star officers puts him in eighty-nine place.

Role in Games
In Samurai Warriors 1, Tsunachika is stationed at Anegawa, towards the center of the fight, charging Hideyoshi Toyotomi. In Samurai Warriors 2, he appears at Kanegasaki among the first wave to try and slay Nobunaga Oda. Tsunachika resumes his role once more at Anegawa, fighitng down the center of the map, striving to keep the Oda and Tokugawa divided. At Odani Castle, Tsunachika defendss the Main Ward, serving as Nagamasa Azai's final defense. In Samurai Warriors 4, he appears with Takatora Tōdō to protect the main camp at Anegawa.

In Kessen III, Tsunachika is one of the generals of the Azai-Asakura coalition and fight at Anegawa. He is attacked from the side by Ieyasu Tokugawa and Tadakatsu Honda.

In the Nobunaga's Ambition series, he is one of the elders who has experience serving Azai Hisamasa.

Trunachika is a character in all 5 series. In Taiko Risshiden III, he plays an important part in the battle at Odani Castle but his master died in the battle. So he decides to serve Oda along with Isono Kazumasa and Naotsune Endō. In Taiko Risshiden V, he serves as a adviser for Azai Nagamasa.

Live Action Performer

 * Nakai Matetsu - Butai Nobunaga no Yabou Taishi Haru no Jin Tenka Fubu ~Kindei no Kubi Hen~

Historical Information
Records on Kaihō Tsunachika are incomplete, making his history hard to pin down. Confusion at to when he served the Azai remains unclear. Tsunachika either served the Azai for three generations or died during his service under Azai Sukemasa, Nagamasa's grandfather. The problem arises from a lack of his full name ever being listed in the Azai records. Tsunachika was also called Zen'emon (善右衛門).

The most commonly history of Tsunachika finds him serving successfully under the Azai, aiding in both military and domestic functions. His skill was great enough that Hashiba Hideyoshi said of Kaihō "Tsunachika is a master in the art of warfare." He participated in the battle of Awegawa, setting up fortifications against the approaching Tokugawa forces.

There are 2 theories about Tsunachika's death. The most popularly accepted end coensides with the belief Tsunachika served under Nagamasa. He was said to have died during the Battle of Odani Castle, taking his own life in seppuku. The second theory claims Tsunachika died much earlier serving Azai Sukemasa. The theory states he attacked Taga Sadataka's house at night, but was killed in the fight. Tsunachika's son (or grandson if the second theory is correct), Kaihō Yūshō, eclipsed his father in fame. This recognition came from his paintings, which both Emperor Go-Yozei and the kampaku, Hideyoshi, patronized.