Jōun Takahashi

Jōun Takahashi is Muneshige's biological father who is fabled to have been one of the greatest warriors to have ever lived in Kyushu. His strength and perilous character were said to have rivaled Dōsetsu Tachibana. The two warriors were allegedly on good terms with one another, but their relationship was said to have soured after Muneshige's adoption. He is best known for his last stand against Shimazu troops at Iwaya Castle.

Role in Games
Jōun is briefly mentioned during Muneshige's first narrative chapter in Samurai Warriors 3. His heroic sacrifice at Iwaya Castle spurs his son to avenge him by joining the Toyotomi forces with Ginchiyo.

Historical Information
Takahashi Jōun was the second son of Yoshihiro Akitada, an Ōtomo family retainer who first served Ōtomo Sōrin's father, Yoshiaki. His mother is not known and nothing within historical records lists her possible family background. His first adult name, Shigetada, was made as a literal combination of Ōtomo Yoshishige and his father's given names.

Jōun's first claim to fame was helping his father and older brother, Shigenobu, subjugate the rebellious Ōtomo retainer, Takahashi Akitane. After five or six grueling years of political and military conflict –which included the direct intervention of the Ryūzōji and Mōri forces, Akitane was stripped of his lands and exiled from Kyushu. His departure would have left an open window of opportunity for the Mōri's navy had the Takahashi family retainers not vehemently voiced their protest to Sōrin. Since Akitane's legitimate heir perished due to illness, Sōrin hastily assigned the position of clan leader to Shigetada. Renamed Takahashi Shigetane, he was given charge of Iwaya and Hōman Castles. His responsibilities were later extended to assist Tachibana Dōsetsu with governing the veteran's post at Chikuzen Province.

Prior to these years of warfare, Jōun was promised to wed Saitō Shigezane's daughter (or younger sister). Akitane's riots had kept them apart, however, so their wedding was postponed until some time after Jōun inherited the Takahashi clan. Once he sought for his bride's hand, the Saitō family was embarrassed to answer his inquiry since she succumbed to smallpox in his absence, and her visage remained scarred from the illness. According to legends and folklore, they even requested that the marriage be dropped. In response to their concerns, Jōun allegedly said, "I did not fall in love with her because of her appearance. I agreed to this engagement because I am attracted to the goodness within her heart. Her face as it is now shall not affect my feelings for her." The marriage was approved by her relatives, and it is said that the two lovers were highly devoted to one another. Jōun took no concubines, and his wife was purportedly worshiped as a pious motherly figure with his retainers.

In 1578, the Ōtomo suffered a heavy loss at Mimikawa, triggering more military conflicts with the Ryūzōji, the Shimazu, and Akizuki Tanezane on three fronts. Jōun was stationed at one of their points of assault, Chikuzen Province, and collaborated with Dōsetsu to fight the invaders back. The general was known for stalling the Akizuki, Harada, and Tsuku clans with his tactics and staunch defenses, allowing neither rival to gain much foothold within the province. He allegedly did so through heavy guerrilla warfare. Alternatively, it has been said that his tactics and bravery were capable of turning the tides of battle. Jōun would feign retreat, arrive at a particular checkpoint, and then launch a devastating ambush on his unwitting foes. In either case, tales of his cunning courageousness began during this time.

It is widely believed that their close working relationship was one of the main reasons why Dōsetsu later asked to adopt Jōun's eldest son, Munetora, in 1581. At first, Jōun protested. The reasons for his hesitation remain unknown yet the myths and legends are varied. One argues that it was because he distrusted Dōsetsu, while another says it was because he was jealous of him. The popular story has Jōun concerned that Dōsetsu would not treat his son as a rightful son or heir to the Tachibana clan. Once he was assured, Jōun agreed to the terms and gave his son a sword as a parting gift.

When Ryūzōji Takanobu was on his last knees against the Shimazu in 1584, Sōrin sought to take advantage of his weakened vanguard by ordering his retainers to retake Chigoku Province. Jōun and Dōsetsu were largely successful in their campaigns, but their situation worsened rapidly when many of the elderly Ōtomo generals perished to illness, leaving an army of untrained soldiers in their wake. Dōsetsu himself became victim to disease in 1585. A portion of the young recruits, who were displeased with their meagerly pay and living expenses, rebelled against their masters. Jōun had to halt his campaign in Chigoku in order to help with subjugation efforts. He and the main leader of these forces, Chikushi Hirokado, agreed to a political marriage between their children to seal a peace treaty.

Most of the praise for Jōun lies within his actions in 1586. The Shimazu assembled an army of approximately 50,000 to demolish the severely weakened Ōtomo, and Jōun stood in their path at Iwaya Castle with a measly army of 763. Despite the hopelessness of his situation and the Shimazu's repeated pleas for his submission, Jōun refused to surrender or retreat. In one such famous exchange, an exasperated Shimazu Tadanaga implored to him, "Why would you continue to disgrace Buddha by wasting yourself away for a heinous Christian lord? Your bravery has been proven tenfold. Surrender!" To which, Jōun replied, "When I pledged my loyalty to my lord, I became a being who would waste away whatever life within me to prevent my lord's bereavement of this world. Without a care for whatever fame or reputation it may grant me. I have such men within my ranks, and the Shimazu have men who feel the same. A samurai who forgets his oath of obligation and fealty is no better than a savage beast."

His words were said to have impressed even the Shimazu army, but it didn't end their conflict. Historians generally agree that by this time, Jōun and his vassals remained at the castle to act as decoys for Tachibana Mountain Castle's safety, where his wife and sons were stationed and awaiting Toyotomi assistance. The defenders were able to stall approximately 27 days due to the Shimazu troop's apparent unwillingness to fight at their fullest and Jōun's defensive tactics. Legends state the grounds of the castle were so drenched in blood that the moats of Iwaya Castle were crimson.

The siege came to a close when Tadanaga and his retainer, Ijuin Tadamune, finally decided to storm the castle with an army of 20,000. The castle defenders were gravely overwhelmed and were to said to have been slaughtered to the last man. Shigetane himself was said to have been heavily wounded before his death, fighting seventeen soldiers before meeting his demise. He died when he was 39 years old. A legend says that the Shimazu's entry was only made possible by bribing an elderly peasant woman –people who Shigetane ordered to be defended– to lead them into Iwaya Castle. She was later said to have been burned alive by the other villagers for her treachery.

When Jōun's head was brought to Tadanaga, he was additionally given a final note written by his foe. It said, "This too is a sign of loyalty. Take it and understand." After reading it, Tadanaga fell out of his seat and openly wept at the sight. He mournfully said, "We have killed a truly magnificent warrior. Master Jōun was a god of war personified. And now there is no one in the land who could match his military accomplishments or his distinguished character. If we were friends, he would have been the best friend I could ever hope to have." Afterwards, his final stand would be heralded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as a metaphoric reason for Muneshige's bravery.