Tsunashige Hōjō

Tsunashige Hōjō is an officer of the Hōjō clan and Ujiyasu's brother-in-law and nephew. As one of the Colored Banner Commanders, he and his men were known for their yellow uniforms and intricate silk banners inscribed with the words "Hachiman Daibosatsu".

Role in Games
Tsunashige appears in the Samurai Warriors as a generic officer for the Hōjō. Samurai Warriors Katana has him be a captive of the Uesugi; the player must help Kotarō overcome various traps to rescue him. In Samurai Warriors 3, Ujiyasu is tasked with leading his adoptive brother to safety after causing an infighting at Kawagoe Castle.

Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence has him play a key role in the Kawagoe Night Raid. One of the requirements needed to trigger this event is to make Tsunashige the castellan of Kawagoe Castle before starting the next phase.

Quotes

 * "Kotarō, we can't lose this one! I'm counting on your protection, O God of the Hōjō."
 * "...I am a demon. I grant only chaos."
 * "You're too grim! We can't hope to win with that spirit! Let me hear your soul! Shout will all your might! Oh—! We're gonna win this!"
 * "(chuckles) A fitting howl for you, dog. But a dog who refuses to listen may not live long."
 * Tsunashige and Kotarō; 100man-nin no Sengoku Musou

Historical Information
Hōjō Tsunashige was born to either Fukushima Masashige or Kushima Kuro of the Imagawa clan. While his exact lineage is not clear, what is clear is his family fell on hard times during the civil strife in the Imagawa over who would lead the clan after Imagawa Ujiteru's death. Tsunashige, who was still a youth at the time, fled to the Hōjō and sheltered with Hōjō Ujitsuna. Ujitsuna grew to value the young man, combining the kanji from Tsunashige's biological father with his own name to create Tsunashige. Tsunashige also married into the Hōjō clan by wedding one of Ujitsuna's daughters, further cementing his connection to the clan. The depth of Ujituna's apprication of Tsunashige is best shown through Ujitsuna granting Tsunashige use of the Hōjō surname. Despite being younger then Tsunashige, Hōjō Tamemasa, Ujitsuna's third son, adopted Tsunashige as heir, as he had none of his own.

Tsunashige proved formidable on the battlefield, helping win early conflicts with the Uesugi clan. In 1537 Tsunashige pulled off a daring night raid against the Uesugi. When Ujitsuna passed in 1541, Hōjō Ujiyasu continued to rely on Tsunashige's skill. In recognition his ability, Ujiyasu made Tsunashige one of his five main vassals, each of whom commanded a fifth of his forces. Tsunashige was was made the yellow banner commander of the Hōjō. When Hōjō Tamemasa died at 22 years old in 1542, Tsunashige assumed command of his adopted father's castle, Tamanawa Castle.

As the Hōjō expanded their power, Tsunashige was placed in charge of Kawagoe Castle in Musashi Province; when the Uesugi and Ashikaga surrounded the sparsely-filled castle, Tsunashige held out against their forces for over half a year. When Ujiyasu was finally able to reach him, Tsunashige sallied out and helped in the route of the Uesugi forces. To reward his nephew and brother-in-law, Ujiyasu appointed Tsunashige the castilian of Kawagoe Castle. During the third battle of Kawanakajima, also known as the battle of Uenohara, Tsunashige led Hōjō reinforcements to pressure the Uesugi forces in the east at Ueda. Hōjō Tsunashige found himself besieged by the Uesugi with his son, Hōjō Ujishige, just a few years later when Uesugi Kenshin launched his Kantō campagin. In 1564, Tsunashige fought in the second battle of Konodai. During the campaign, it was Hōjō Tsunashige's forces that met and defeated the forces under the command of Satomi Yoshihiro.

When Takeda Shingen attacked the Hōjō holdings and laid siege to Odawara, Tsunashige participated in the battle of Mimase Pass, where one of his gunners slew Asari Nobutane, a high ranking officer of the Takeda. During the year 1571, Tsunashige defended Fukuzawa Castle from the Takeda army. Shingen attempted to coerce Tsunashige to surrender via letter attached to an arrow fired over the wall. Tsunashige ignored the scheme and delayed the siege for two months until Shingen's miners broke down the castle walls forced him to retreat. Shortly afterwards, Ujiyasu passed away and Tsunashige chose to enter retirement, allowing Ujishige to take his place while remaining simi-active in his clan's political maneuvers. Tsunashige continued in this arrangement until 1587, when illness claimed his life at the age of 73.

Hōjō Tsunashige took his faith seriously, worshiping Hachiman Daibosatsu, the Shinto god of war and archery, and following all of the rites associated with his war god. He cleansed himself every fifteenth of the month and had Hachiman written on his banners. These actions, combined with his habit of declaring victory before even engaging enemy troops and his reputation for leading virtuous vanguard charges, led some to claim he was a son of Hachiman. Tsunashige utilized this reputation by taking the nickname, Yellow Hachiman, from his banner unit he commanded. In Japanese, this nickname is Jio Hachiman, which sounds similar to Jikihachiman, or I came form/descendant of Hachiman, adding to his legend as being the wargod's embodiment. Tsunashige's yellow standard still exists today, held within the Sanada's treasure vault, as the Takeda seized it in 1571 with the fall of Fukuzawa Castle.

Due to his favored status under Hōjō Ujitsuna, some whispered about that Ujitsuna wanted Tsunashige to succeed him as clan leader, not Ujiyasu (as Ujiyasu possessed a poor reputation in his youth, similar to how Oda Nobunaga was seen in his youth: both were called fools). Despite these murmurs, Ujiyasu seemed to have trusted Tsunashige completely. He even authorized Tsunashige to speak on behalf of the Hōjō, as if Ujiyasu himself were present for negotiations.