Yoshihi Sagara

Yoshihi Sagara is the eighteenth leader of Sagara clan. His original name was Yorifusa (頼房), but Yoshiteru Ashikaga later gave him the new name of Yoshihi.

Role in Games
Yoshihi is the leader of Sagara clan in Samurai Warriors 3: Empires and Samurai Warriors 4: Empires. His territory has contact with the Shimazu, Ryūzōji and Itō clan.

In Nobunaga no Yabou Taishi, his stats are fairly good, making him a competent daimyo.

Historical Information
Sagara Yoshihi was born to Sagara Haruhiro and was grandson of Sagara Yoshishige. He was born the same day as his step-brother, but as Yoshihi was from Haruhiro's wife instead of concubine, he held a higher social standing. Haruhiro's senior retainers suggested that their lord settle the succession question early by naming Toshihi his heir. Haruhiro agreed, which proved a wise decision, as Haruhiro died in 1555, leaving his twelve year old son to inherit the clan. Fortunately for Yoshihi, his maternal grandfather, Uemura Yorioki helped him run the clan from the background. Following his grandfather's direction, Yoshihi sought peaceful negotiations with their long time enemy, the Aso clan.

In the following year, Yoshihi came of age and began to pursue his family's dream of uniting Ogushi in Setsuna under his control. He assigned Hishikari Shigeto the task of either conquering or allying with Nishihara Nanigashi while Yoshihi fought the Sumoto clan. In 1557, Uemura Yoritaka led a rebellion against Yoshihi, but could only rally his brother and Inadome Chozo to his side. Yoshihi quickly squashed their rebellion, only allowing Yoritaka to return peacefully after they were defeated. Another rebellion took place in 1559, where Yoshihi gained a famous victory over Higashi Naomasa and Marume Yoriyoshi at Usonobaru.

In 1562, Yoshihi made an agreement with Shimazu Takahisa and Hongō Tokihisa to help restore the land of the Kitahara clan to the clan. Fighting on this campaign, his soldiers managed to take Mangata castle and Īno castle. However, in 1563 Yoshihi's uncle wanted to oust the influence of the Shimazu clan, which was on the rise. They cooperated with the Itō clan in their fight against Shimazu at Daimyōjin castle. This battle caused serious deterioration of the relationship between Shimazu and Sagara.

In revenge, the Shimazu invaded the Sagara lands, and Yoshihi had to fight them off at Hazugao Castle. His victory was followed up with another political gain when Ashikaga Yoshiteru granted him use of part of his name and elevated him to rank of journal fourth rank, lower class, a whole rank higher then his father or grandfather held. This rank incensed both the Otomo and Shimazu further, as it put his court rank too close to theirs. Yoshihi was one of the very few warlords to continue sending the Shogunate money, the money they used to keep afloat until entering Oda Nobunaga's protection.

Yoshihi experienced a major setback in 1567, however, when the Shimazu invaded once more. While Yoshihi managed to fight off the initial forces, by 1568 Shimazu Iehisa had managed to capture Oguchi Castle from Yoshihi. This set Yoshihi back tremendously, which he couldn't make back up at the battle of Kizakibara as his Itō allies were crushed prematurely. By 1579, the Shimazu were now at Yoshihi's front door, and he had no choice but to surrender and give his sons as hostages.

Now under the Shimazu, Yoshihi was ordered to attack northern Higo province. Yoshihi saw some gains in his first two assault, but was soon caught in a pincer attack by the Aso clan during a mist filled morning. During the melee, Yoshihi was cut down. When his head was retrieved, Kai Sōun (the Aso commander) mourned his death, having been long time allies before Yoshihi had been forced to submit to the Shimazu.