最上義光歴史館

ログイン

メモ　メール　 Q&A　暦　リンク　地図　ウィキ　特集　プラン

●トップページ

■お知らせ

■最上氏と最上義光

■歴史館について

■Material in English

└Saijoki -
　The Mogami Chronicles -

■ご利用案内

└見学の裏ワザ

最上義光歴史館
〒990-0046
山形県山形市大手町1-53
tel 023-625-7101
fax 023-625-7102

（山形市文化振興事業団）

メモ

山野辺義忠の成長期を探る【3】

最上義光の四男山野辺義忠の成長期を探る

【三　石川氏と鮎貝氏の「知行状」】

　本稿の支柱となる二氏宛ての「知行状」と「家系譜」から、義忠の生い立ちを探る貴重な手掛かりを見つけることができる。しかし、その内容に就いての徹底した調査研究は、未だ為されていないのが現状である。「知行状」に登場する聖丸・聖王丸が、それが幼少の頃の義忠だということは、一部の間では是認されてはいた。しかし、それが「知行状」の徹底した解剖には結び付かずに過ごされて来たようだ。先ず、ここに取上げてみよう。

(A)[石川文書](東大史料編纂所影写本)　『山形市史・史料編1』所収

　「楯岡聖丸知行状」
今般楯岡ニ南田之内、知明堰ニ壱万苅之宛行之、於末可被致知行者也、仍如件
　天正廿年二月廿八日　楯岡聖丸(花押なし)
　石川与三右兵衛尉殿
(筆者注、『山形県史』は「聖丸」を「聖王丸」としている)

(B)[鶴岡石川家系譜]
隆重　
天文十五年丙午五月、小野田城ニ生ル、元亀元年家ヲ継ギ時ニ二十五才天正十八年、主家大崎探題家ハ太閤秀吉ノ小田原陣ニ参候セザルヲ以ツテ、領地ヲ没収サレ滅亡セリ、依ツテ同十九年小野田開城、羽州最上楯岡ニ移ル、慶長五年二月卒、

(隆重長男)
隆永　
味袋与惣兵衛、後ニ君袋肥前、曽テ味袋ヲ領ス、味袋ノ地名ハ見エズ、志田郡蟻袋ノコトナラン、父ト共ニ羽州楯岡ニ移リ住シ、最上出羽守義光ノ四男(比治利丸、聖丸、光茂トモ称ス)ニ仕エル、元和七年辛酉羽州山辺ニ没ス、七十才、

(C) [鮎貝氏系図所収文書]　(近津家所蔵)　『山形県史・古代中世史料』所収
「楯岡聖王丸充行状写」
今般楯岡之内、谷地田并知明堰ニ壱萬五千苅之所進之、於末可被知行之也、仍如件
　天正廿年二月廿八日　楯岡聖王丸
(筆者注、『山形市史』は「聖丸」としている)

　先ず石川氏について述べてみよう。天正十九年(1591)の頃、奥州探題大崎氏の滅亡に伴い最上の地へ落ち延びた者達の中に、奥州加美郡宮崎城主の民部少輔隆親(後の笠原織部)がいる。[楯岡笠原文書]によれば、林崎(村山市大字林崎)村まで落ち延びて来たという。その住まいは、「当城主寄の所西柵之内住所賜……右没落之砌り民部エ附添、又追来シ従者家来之面々都合四十四人共従、林崎当之内エ為引取……」とあり、『北村山郡史』も、これを満茂が城西の地を与え住まわせたとして、、これを楯岡城の西柵(現大字楯岡二日町)としている。
　これは林崎の集落の東に位置する櫤山楯跡、三月楯跡の存在から推定すると、当時は楯としての機能は、楯山の楯岡城に移っていたかも知れぬが、西柵はこの両楯に関わる位置に該当するのではなかろうか。(筆者注、この両楯については『中世戦乱の村山・中世の東根』(保角里志著)に詳しい)
　このように、奥州から逃れて来た者達の内、多くの者達が楯岡満茂に仕えたものと思われる。(A)に見える石川与三右兵衛尉とは、(B)の「隆永　味袋与惣兵衛」のことであり、「聖丸、比治利丸」が義忠の幼名であることが、その記述からはっきりしてくるだろう。この「知行状」は、紛れもなく義忠の発給したものである。また(B)は、最上家解体後に庄内に入った酒井家に仕えた、隆永の同族が伝えるものである。
　このように、義忠の幼年期に於ける知行形態の一端を、僅かながら知ることができるが、その宛がわれた領分が、楯岡満茂が占める楯岡地区の内に隣接していたものなのか、また義忠の他の家臣への給与体系が、この楯岡地区の内に、どのような形で存在していたであろうか。
　次に(C)鮎貝氏の記述に目を向けると、その内容は殆ど同じである。その発給年月が同一だということは、未だ五才にも満たない義忠の周辺に於いて、家臣の増強が行われていたのかも知れぬ。これは一方的な推測の域を出ないのではあるが、鮎貝氏もその内の一人であったのだろう。
　鮎貝氏は、置賜の地で永きに渡り威勢を振るった氏族である。摂津守宗信(忠宗)の時に伊達氏に反抗したが破れ、その過程に於いて一族と袂を分かった宗信は最上へ走った。
　『貞山公治家記録』(天正十五年十月条)は、次のようにいう。
……藤太郎(宗信)最上へ早馬ヲ以テ頻ニ加勢ヲ乞ケレトモ一騎モ来ラス、藤太郎籠城不叶シテ、此夜潜ニ城ヲ出テ逃奔ス、鮎貝城ニ於テ逆徒数百人ヲ撃殺ス、藤太郎ハ最上ノ家臣山野辺右衛門在所ニ隠レ居ルト……
　この条に出てくる山野辺右衛門とは、義忠と意識してのことなのか、それとも中世より続いた山野辺氏のこととして記録に止めたのか、義忠の出生の日時から推察すると、この時点に於いては、鮎貝宗信は未だ義忠の家臣ではなかったのではないか。その後、山野辺氏の家臣として再生の道を歩んだ鮎貝氏は、元和八年(1622)最上家解体後は義忠に従い、備前岡山の池田家から水戸の徳川家と移って行った。
　ここに、天保九年(1838)の[楯岡村村方明細帳]がある。慶長五年(1600))頃の楯岡の内に於ける義忠の諸領地を示すものであろうか。

慶長五年山野辺右衛門被下置
　楯岡町
　　大沢川水下
　　大沢川
　城道　　立町
　同断　　横町
　馬場　　宿馬乗

　この幕末の村方明細帳から、義忠の楯岡地区内の諸領地を知ることができるが、これが全てなのかは分からない。二氏の「知行状」に見える知明堰、谷地田などが、楯岡の内の何処にあったものなのかは、今のところ調べは進んでいない。しかし、義忠の諸領地が有ったという事実は証明されるだろう。
　また[最上楯岡元祖記]には、「……元和の楯岡甲斐守光直の所領ヲ一万六千石、ソノ知行地ヲ大石田、湯之沢、井出、櫤山、深堀、楯岡、林崎ノ七ケ村……」としており、これらは天正から文禄にかけての、楯岡満茂時代の諸領地であったとも考えられる。
■執筆:小野未三

前をみる>>こちら
次をみる>>こちら

最上義光歴史館：[メモ/歴史館からのお知らせ]

＜Part1-8＞ Saijoki - The Mogami Chronicles -

The Death of Mitsukane

　　After the battle of Mount Kashiwagi, Lord Yoshiaki summoned Ujiie Owari no Kami and Irago Sōgyū.
　　“We are fortunate indeed that the battle has ended and Terumune has withdrawn,” his lordship said, “but is this not the ideal opportunity for us to press on towards Kaminoyama and put an end to Mitsukane? The Kaminoyama force was badly routed at the battle of Mount Kashiwagi, and the loss of Terumune has them disheartened. They have lost their nerve, and it should be easy enough to take them on now.”
　　Ujiie moved forward and spoke. “Your lordship has spoken truly. However, among Mitsukane’s long-serving vassals are Satomi Kuranosuke, Satomi Minbu, and Satomi Echigo – three warriors well-known for their exceptional valor – and among even the ordinary soldiers there are many who have distinguished themselves with manifold feats of heroism, so we cannot expect to overcome the Kaminoyama garrison easily. If enough time passes, Lord Terumune will undoubtedly come to Mitsukane’s aid once again, and this would complicate things for us. I believe that our best option in this case is to employ a scheme that will allow us to take Mitsukane down without the use of military force. There is a man who can help us carry out such a plan – a priest who is the younger brother of one of my most trusted vassals. He maintains a temple in Kaminoyama and is in the habit of frequenting Kuranosuke and Minbu, and when I have asked him in confidence to tell me about the character of these two men, he says that while the elder brother Kuranosuke is a model of unswerving rectitude, the younger brother Minbu – although certainly possessed of skills in battle the likes of which are seldom seem – is a man more interested in furthering his position in the world. If we approach him with a letter that promises him a generous fiefdom, he should not hesitate to join us, and with Minbu on our side, it will be easy enough to deal with Mitsukane.”
　　“It is a wise plan,” said Lord Yoshiaki upon hearing Ujiie’s proposal. “Let us first use this priest to gauge the interest of the Satomi brothers, and we can dispatch a letter subsequently.”
　　“Owari no Kami has proposed a most excellent strategy,” Sōgyū concurred, “one that should bring us success without overmuch difficulty.” With Sōgyū’s approval, Lord Yoshiaki was all the more convinced of the merits of this plan.
　　With the matter thus settled, Owari no Kami summoned the aforementioned priest. With Sōgyū, he carefully instructed the priest in what he was to do, and then instructed him to proceed to Kaminoyama.
　　As the priest was in the habit of associating with the Satomi brothers on a regular basis, he had come to be on friendly terms with them, and the two brothers would often engage him in conversation. One day, the priest spoke to Kuranosuke as follows:
　　“As you know, my elder brother is in the service of Ujiie Owari no Kami, and yesterday, a messenger arrived with news from him that Lord Yoshiaki intends to make an assault upon Kaminoyama. As this will throw the region into turmoil, he warned that ordinary folk like myself should prepare ourselves for this eventuality. Until now, Mitsukane had always turned to Lord Terumune of Sendai in his hour of need, but with the accord that was struck between Lord Yoshiaki and Lord Terumune after the recent battle of Mount Kashiwagi, there are no longer any allies to help defend Kaminoyama if it comes under attack, and the castle is sure to fall. If this were to happen, it would no doubt mean the end of the Satomi clan as well, which would be a most grievous turn of events. Would it not be wise to make arrangements to avoid such a possibility before the enemy arrives?”
　　Kuranosuke listened closely to the priest’s words. “As you have said, it is true that Lord Yoshiaki has been reconciled with Lord Terumune of Sendai, and we now have no allies to come to our aid. In addition, our castle does not have the capacity to withstand the assault of a large force, and it would no doubt fall in a matter of days. However, it would be most ignoble of a warrior to desert the master his family has served for long generations in an attempt to save his own skin. For me, there is no road left but to prepare to die in defense of my duty.”
　　Realizing that there was little chance of convincing a man such as Kuranosuke to change sides, the priest decided to push the matter no further, instead electing to pay a visit to Minbu at the next possible opportunity. He repeated to Minbu that which he had said to Kuranosuke, but unlike Kuranosuke, Minbu did not hesitate to air his grievances over the situation.
　　“Pitted against the great army of Lord Yoshiaki,” he said, “the small force defending Kaminoyama would fall before the end of a single day. Even if Lord Terumune were still willing to come to our aid, we are a considerable distance from his domain, and there would be little he could do for us in the event of a sudden attack. And now that he has allied himself with Lord Yoshiaki, the downfall of the Kaminoyama clan is surely but a matter of time. What is more, Lord Yoshiaki is renowned as a leader who embodies the three virtues of wisdom, benevolence, and courage, and none of the lords of this region would dare challenge him. Knowing this, I have repeatedly urged Mitsukane to submit to Yoshiaki’s rule, but he has consistently refused to listen. To die in vain for such a master would be a humiliating end, but if I were instead to establish myself as an ally of Lord Yoshiaki – which would allow me to raise the reputation of my family and do honor to my ancestors – there would still be none who called me faithful, but instead a dishonorable man who gave himself to the enemy. This too would be unbearable, and there seems no resolution to the predicament in which I find myself.”
　　Minbu unburdened himself in great detail to the priest, who was pleased at what he heard. “Even if Lord Mitsukane is fated to meet his ruin because he fails to heed your counsel,” the priest said, “the perpetuation of the noble Satomi clan would be a source of comfort to all, including ordinary folk like myself. I hope that you will give your options much careful consideration.” With this, the priest took his leave of Minbu.
　　The priest then made his way to Yamagata, where he met with Ujiie Owari no Kami and recounted all that had passed. Owari no Kami received this news with great pleasure, and, leaving the priest at his home, he went forth with Sōgyū to present himself before Lord Yoshiaki. Given a detailed account of the sentiments of the Satomi brothers, his lordship was in no small measure gratified, and he immediately summoned the priest and presented him with ten silver coins as a preliminary reward.
　　His lordship then penned Minbu a courteous letter in his own hand and entrusted it to the priest, who proceeded with all haste to Minbu’s residence. There he spoke to Minbu, saying, “When I informed Owari no Kami in confidence of the matter of which we spoke recently, Lord Yoshiaki, who has heard tell of your valor in battle, was most pleased, and he bade me immediately bring you a letter written in his own hand.” The priest drew out the scroll containing Lord Yoshiaki’s message and handed it to Minbu, who reverently raised the epistle thrice to his head. He then unrolled the scroll to read the message, which ran as follows:
　　“In response to Mitsukane’s attempted act of treason against myself, I have raised an army to exact vengeance upon him. I do not welcome the thought, however, of the ordinary folk of the region being forced to flee their habitations to avoid a battle, and it was as I was considering my path forward that I came to hear of your true feelings towards Mitsukane, news that I welcome with great pleasure. If you will prove yourself a faithful servant to me by slaying Mitsukane forthwith, I will confer upon you the territory ruled by Mitsukane in its entirety.”
　　Minbu rolled up the letter after he had finished his perusal, and he turned to the priest. “It is you alone I have to thank for acquainting Lord Yoshiaki with that which lies within my heart, and for conveying to me this letter in his lordship’s own hand,” he said, presenting the priest with ten rolls of white cloth as a measure of his gratitude. “I will inform my brother Kuranosuke of what I intend to do,” he continued, “and if he refuses to fall in with me, I will slay him with my sword, and then I will kill Mitsukane. To offer me counsel in this endeavor, I hope that Lord Yoshiaki will see fit to dispatch to my side one of his trusted retainers.”
　　The priest returned to Yamagata with Minbu’s request, to which Lord Yoshiaki readily acquiesced. His lordship summoned Yagashiwa Sagami no Kami, who was the son-in-law of Owari no Kami, and explained to him his commission.
　　“Go forth to Kaminoyama and give Minbu the counsel he requires,” his lordship said. “If Mitsukane should happen to hear of Minbu’s defection and attempt to flee, maintain contact with Minbu, and wherever Mitsukane may go, make sure that you find and kill him. We must not allow your true purpose to come to light before this matter is brought to a successful resolution, so let it be known to your associates that you travel to Kaminoyama to treat your ills in the healing waters of the hot springs there.”
　　Sagami no Kami accepted the assignment given him, and, speaking of the matter only with Owari no Kami, he informed his other family members and associates that he had been granted some time to seek a hot-spring cure for an ailment, so none in Yamagata were aware of the plotting of Minbu.
　　Upon his arrival, Sagami no Kami met with Minbu, and the two men took counsel together. They subsequently summoned Kuranosuke to inform him of what Lord Yoshiaki wished them to do, but upon hearing what they had to say, Kuranosuke grew pale with anger.
　　“You may ask me to accept such a commission, but I, Kuranosuke, have no capacity for such treachery,” he retorted as he rose to his feet. In accordance with the arrangements that had been made to deal with this eventuality, a number of powerful young men quickly emerged from the adjacent chamber, confronting Kuranosuke and slaying him with their swords.
　　“If we are slow to act, Mitsukane may hear of what has happened and attempt to escape. Let us steal into his quarters and kill him tonight.”
　　With the two men in agreement, Minbu summoned a samurai by the name of Satake Heinai, a member of Mitsukane’s personal retinue who had regular access to his master’s home. When privately asked for his assistance, Heinai consented without demur, signing an oath that he would not betray his word. After arranging that he would leave the courtyard garden door unlatched that evening, which would allow Minbu and Sagami no Kami to gain entrance into Mitsukane’s quarters and easily slay their target, Heinai was allowed to return to his post.
　　In the dead of night, the two men slipped into Mitsukane’s residence with their men, and they easily slew the man they had come to kill. When day broke and the news of Mitsukane’s death spread, his personal attendants and other vassals were thrown into confusion. It was then that an envoy arrived with a message from Minbu.
　　“Mitsukane dared to rise in revolt against the Mogami clan, and for this it was decreed by Lord Yoshiaki that he would suffer the punishment of death. Kuranosuke was a party to this treachery, and yesterday, he paid for this with his life. It is fortunate, however, that Yagashiwa Sagami no Kami, an emissary of Lord Yoshiaki, has occasion to be at my residence, and I command that all of you surrender to him without delay. Any who resist will be swiftly put to death.”
　　“What choice do we have?” Mitsukane’s men asked each other, and there was much dissent about what should be done. Yet there was no denying that Mitsukane was dead. Kuranosuke – on whom they had depended for everything – was also slain, and Minbu had turned to the other side. With no one to lead them in battle against the Mogami force or help them defend their castle, the soldiers found themselves left with no choice but to hasten to Minbu’s residence to offer themselves in surrender.
　　The matter thus successfully concluded, Sagami no Kami returned to Yamagata Castle to give Lord Yoshiaki a detailed account of all that had passed. Greatly pleased, his lordship summoned Owari no Kami. “In this most recent affair, you have truly outdone yourself,” his lordship said, rewarding Owari no Kami with an increase in his landholdings.
　　Soon afterwards, Minbu also arrived in Yamagata to express his gratitude to Lord Yoshiaki for the opportunity that had been given him, and he was granted his promised reward of Mitsukane’s estate of 18,000 koku. His lordship then commanded him to, “Return to Kaminoyama without delay, and find Kuranosuke’s children and kill them.”
　　Left with no other recourse, Kuranosuke’s wife went into hiding, with a foster sister to attend to her needs, in a small hamlet of the region, where she placed Kuranosuke’s two-year-old son on her knee and mourned day and night for the fallen father of her child. However, when Minbu returned to Kaminoyama, proclaiming the concealment of Kuranosuke’s son a punishable offense and offering a rich reward to anyone with information as to his whereabouts, Kuranosuke’s wife was forced to flee the region entirely, and she sought refuge at the Anyōji Temple in Narisawa. The head priest there was a warm-hearted man who gallantly agreed to help her in her trouble, and he quietly took the child over the mountains and into Sendai, placing the child in the keeping of some kinsfolk there.
　　The years passed, and the child grew into a man determined to seek vengeance for his father’s death. He stealthily entered Yamagata in an attempt to take Minbu’s life, but when he was foiled by Minbu’s vigilance, he sought to appease his disappointment by slaying a large number of those who had colluded with Minbu in the campaign against his father Kuranosuke. He acquitted himself most exceptionally in this exploit, and was subsequently summoned to the service of Lord Date Masamune, taking part in the Siege of Osaka where he performed several valorous feats befitting an officer of rank. However, he later became embroiled in a legal dispute with some farmers, and dismissing the arbitration of the provincial court as unjust, he left the region of Sendai. He went forth to the Kishū domain, where he took the name Satomi Kanshirō and assumed the position of his new master’s flag commissioner. At the time of this writing, he should be in his seventy-fifth or seventy-sixth year.

――――――――――――――――――――

>>CONTENTS

最上義光歴史館：[メモ/歴史館からのお知らせ]

＜Part1-7＞ Saijoki - The Mogami Chronicles -

The Battle of Mount Kashiwagi

　　Now, also around this same period of time, there was a man named Mitsukane who occupied the region of Kaminoyama. Although married to an aunt of Lord Yoshiaki, he and his lordship were unfavorably disposed towards one another. One day, Mitsukane summoned his retainers Satomi Kuranosuke and Satomi Minbu. “As you know,” he said, “there is bad blood between myself and Yoshiaki. However, Kaminoyama is but a small territory with limited military might, and I cannot hope to challenge Yoshiaki single-handedly. It is for this reason that I have thought of Terumune of the Sendai domain. He is wed to Yoshiaki’s younger sister with two sons, but I have heard it said that he and Yoshiaki are not on good terms and do not associate with each other. If Terumune will lend us his support, I believe that we can defeat Yoshiaki. What is your opinion of this plan?”
　　“Your lordship’s plan is a sound one,” replied the two listening men. “If Lord Terumune will come to our aid with a large force of men, Lord Yoshiaki will undoubtedly lead his own army to Kaminoyama, where the two armies will confront each other. If we have in the meantime stationed our own troops along the mountain ridges and valleys, we can take the enemy by surprise by attacking from unexpected directions, and victory will surely be ours.”
　　Mitsukane was greatly pleased with this response, and he dispatched a messenger to Lord Terumune with the details of his proposal. “Although I myself have long been at odds with Yoshiaki, I have not had the capacity to challenge him alone. If you, Lord Terumune, will join my cause, I will be pleased to lead our forces in battle with a strategy that will propel us to swift victory. This will allow you to obtain the Mogami territories for your own, while I, Mitsukane, ask for but a small corner to claim as my own domain.”
　　Lord Terumune had in fact been privately hoping to find an ally in the Mogami inner circle for some time, and had been exploring ways in which he might take on Yoshiaki. Seeing this development as a fortuitous opportunity to further his plans, he sent a courteous letter to Mitsukane informing him that he would be arriving with his troops presently.
　　However, news of this plot reached the ears of Lord Yoshiaki, and he summoned an elderly warrior named Irago Sōgyū for a consultation.
　　“The branch castle of Narisawa is where the enemy intends to meet us in battle,” said Lord Yoshiaki. “It is my wish that you hasten to Narisawa and join forces with castle lord Narisawa Dōchū to hold the castle. The young garrison soldiers may be impatient to sally forth and do battle, but you are not to let a single one of them beyond the castle perimeter.” So commanded, Irago Sōgyū left for Narisawa Castle.
　　In the meanwhile, Lord Terumune came forth with his large army, and, after convening a war council, proceeded with his men to Karuisawa.
　　There, he summoned a local resident, questioning him in detail about the current situation within Narisawa Castle. It was after this that he spoke with Mitsukane.
　　“Yoshiaki has ordered Dōchū, a long-serving retainer some seventy years of age, to hold the castle, and Sōgyū, who has himself passed his sixtieth year, has been sent to lend him aid. I believe that Yoshiaki has chosen to defend the castle with these two seasoned warriors because he sees the young soldiers of the castle garrison as being inclined to impulsive action, making them vulnerable to enemy ploys and liable to bring defeat upon themselves. For Yoshiaki, this will be a fight upon familiar territory, which will give him the opportunity to hatch all manner of strategy, and I believe that he intends to send his main force to the castle at some unlooked-for moment, allowing those men to unite forces with the castle soldiers in a bid to cut us down. Furthermore, we would do well to remember the folding screen of Takeda Shingen, in the province of Kai, upon which is noted the most celebrated warriors in Japan today. Fourth on this list is the name of Irago Sōgyū, and with a warrior of this caliber holding the castle against us, capturing it will be no easy matter. If the battle goes against us, and if Yoshiaki then arrives with his great legion of soldiers to finish us off from behind, we will surely be doomed.”
　　Mitsukane considered what he had heard, and spoke.
　　“If Yoshiaki would himself come to Kaminoyama, I believed that we could gain the upper hand by concealing our soldiers in the mountains and valleys and ambushing our enemy from unexpected directions. However, Yoshiaki is a cautious man, and will most likely send forth reinforcements to a castle that lies along the route, while himself remaining prudently back. Now, if we had but a small force of men, it might be wise for us to wait for the other side to make the first move, but with a large army of this size, it seems fainthearted for us to spend needless days avoiding battle because we fear the machinations of the enemy. Better that we keep a watchful eye on the castle as we find Yoshiaki’s encampment and assail him there, and once we have triumphed over him, the castle will surely fall on its own.”
　　“Proceed as you see fit,” said Lord Terumune to Mitsukane, “and I will look to you to lead the attack.”
　　Meanwhile, in his own camp, Lord Yoshiaki had also convened a war council with Ujiie Owari no Kami, Nobesawa Noto no Kami, and other kinsmen and vassals.
　　Owari no Kami moved forward to speak. “From what I have gathered,” he said, “it seems that our enemy is mighty in numbers. Moreover, Mitsukane himself will be in command, and it would be unwise for us to venture deep into Kaminoyama to do battle when we have little idea of the enemy’s strategy. The enemy may choose to assail Narisawa Castle, and if this turns into a protracted battle of some five or ten days, this would be to our advantage. By dispatching our reserve army to fight alongside the castle garrison, we could turn the tide of the battle and achieve a quick victory. If the enemy instead decides to blockade the castle and venture hither to give battle, we could shift our camp to the vicinity of Mount Kashiwagi and conceal our soldiers in the woods to launch a surprise attack upon our assailants, another strategy which is sure to bring us success.”
　　Owari no Kami explained both these strategies in clear detail, and when the council elected to proceed with the latter option, the Mogami force marched towards Mount Kashiwagi. Soon afterwards, word arrived that the enemy had blockaded Narisawa Castle and was preparing to march on his lordship’s camp.
　　It was decided that they would await the enemy where they were, with Nobesawa Noto no Kami prepared to lead the vanguard, Ujiie Owari no Kami in charge of the second company, and the remaining men divided into seven units. Meanwhile, Koizumi Kamon and Katō Tarōemon were sent with 200 arquebusiers to lie in ambush on Mount Kashiwagi, under orders to listen for the drum signal that would tell them to fire upon Terumune’s hatamoto guard.
　　After being informed that Lord Terumune had taken up position at the foot of Mount Kashiwagi, Mitsukane led the vanguard in an attack upon Lord Yoshiaki’s encampment, and the initial skirmish between troops of the opposing armies took place in Matsubara. They fought for about an hour, but then both sides pulled back to catch their breath, and it was then that a drum signal sounded from Lord Yoshiaki’s head camp. The soldiers who had been lying in ambush were on their feet in an instant and eagerly rushing down towards the foot of the mountain; there, with the flank of Lord Terumune’s head camp in their sights, they rained a hail of bullets down upon the enemy with their 200 arquebuses. This unexpected attack threw Lord Terumune’s hatamoto retainers into confusion, and the soldiers behind them prepared to flee without any attempt at resistance. Into this melee swooped Nobesawa Noto no Kami, iron baton in hand, with Suda Kojūrō following strongly behind, and Noto no Kami’s men unhesitatingly followed their leader into battle, as did the second company under Ujiie Owari no Kami. Abandoning their battle formations in their eagerness to engage the enemy soldiers, they fought with such raw will and fierce determination that the enemy army was utterly overwhelmed. Soldiers of the van and rear guards fell back in a single mass to flee, only to be pursued and slain by Lord Yoshiaki’s men. So relentless was the Mogami assault that the position of Lord Terumune himself appeared to be in peril, but his long-serving fudai(1) retainers turned back en masse to protect their master, and, with one and then another of them falling in his defense, they finally succeeded in reaching the outermost moat of Kaminoyama Castle.
　　In the midst of these developments, Lord Terumune’s wife also arrived at the castle in a palanquin.
　　“Of late, I had wondered whither you ventured to give battle,” she said to Lord Terumune, “only to learn of this war taking place between brothers.
What manner of behavior is this? When my father, Lord Yoshimori, lay on his deathbed, he summoned you, Lord Terumune, to his side and bade you always behave as a friend to Yoshiaki. In time, your young son, Masamune, will come of age, and if our clans remain bound by the closest of familial ties, the Uesugi and Satake families might ally themselves together and seek to overcome us, but we would still have naught to fear. It was but recently that my father called on the Date family and retainers to respect the wishes of Yoshiaki, and on the Mogami side to consider well how their actions might affect you, Terumune, commanding both sides to give due deliberation to the other – but can it be that you have both so quickly forgotten his words and taken up arms against one another? How shameful! I entreat you to withdraw your army at once. If you will not agree, I beg that you strike me down with your sword and kill me now.” Terumune’s wife wept as she appealed to her husband.
　　In his heart, Terumune had been secretly desirous of someone who would compel him to desist and offer him the opportunity to withdraw his forces, and he welcomed the mediation of his wife. “Speak likewise to Yoshiaki,” he said, returning to Yonezawa before dawn the following day.

――――――――――――――――――――
(1) Retainers whose families had served a lord for many generations

>>CONTENTS

最上義光歴史館：[メモ/歴史館からのお知らせ]

山野辺義忠の成長期を探る【2】

最上義光の四男山野辺義忠の成長期を探る

【二　義忠の略歴を見る】

　先ずは義忠の略歴を、[最上家系](光明寺本)から述べてみよう。

「義忠　号山野辺　天正十六子年生　小字於比治利　後右衛門　号右衛門太夫　元和七(八)年蒙秀忠公御勘気、最上領地被召放　預池田宮内太輔忠雄　幽居于国十三年寛永十酉年依家光公命　預水戸頼房卿　賜一万石　後祝髪道慶　寛文四年十二月十四日卒　于水戸七七才　号良源院」

　次に[最上家系図](宝橦寺本)を見てみよう。

「義忠　山野辺右衛門大夫　従五位　住羽州山野辺　元和八戌年常州中納言扶助　寛文四乙辰卒、良源院殿前監門貞誉松屋道慶大居士　義光四男」

　以上・伝える数ある中から二点を選んでみたが、他の系図書をも含め、その内容には殆ど変わりは見られない。巷の伝えによれば、義忠は義光の四男として天正十六年(1588)、大石田町深堀地区の郷士の娘を母として生れ育ち、楯岡城主楯岡豊前守の庇護を受け育ったという。そして、関ヶ原の戦い後の慶長六年(1601)、山辺城主として大石田深堀地区の人々を引き連れ、山辺村の南部に住まわせたという。義忠の十四才頃のことであろう。
　このように伝えられる義忠の出生の経緯や、これから取り上げていく複数の「知行状」から、聖丸(比治利・義忠)と名乗った幼少の頃の、最上一族としての領分が、楯岡満茂 (後の本城豊前守)の勢力圏内、若しくは隣接した地域に存在していたことが判る。
　楯岡城主の満英が、東根氏滅亡の際に共に死亡したという天正十三年(1585)以後は、その子という満茂が、いずれの勢力圏の内に吸収されて行ったのか。
　[曽根家文書]からの天正九年(1581)前後かと確認される、天童氏宛の楯岡満茂署名の書状から推察すると、既に楯岡地区の支配圏を握っていたのは、満茂であったと考えられる。
■執筆:小野未三

前をみる>>こちら
次をみる>>こちら

最上義光歴史館：[メモ/歴史館からのお知らせ]

山野辺義忠の成長期を探る【1】

最上義光の四男山野辺義忠の成長期を探る

【一　はじめに】

　山辺町にお住まいの、永きに渡り郷土史研究にご尽力なされておられる後藤禮三氏は、山野辺義忠について、次のように述べられておられる。

　「山辺町にとって山野辺義忠公の位置付けは、神様・仏様に次ぐ時代が在ったのではないか。寺社を保護しつゝ精神的に地域を一つにまとめる施策を行い、政治的には地域の課題を的確に促えた施政で、民心の安定を図っている。確かに彼がやったものだという具体策としては、はっきり資料に残されているのは少ないにしても、これほど「名領主」として語り伝えられた方は、そう多くはないのではなかろうか」

　羽州山形の地に、確固たる地位を固めた最上出羽守義光の四男として生れ、慶長五年 (1600)の関ヶ原戦以後の、山辺地方で採った施政が後の世まで語り伝えられ、良き評価を与えてきたようだ。
　義光の亡き後の元和八年(1622)の家内騒動に際しては、一方の旗頭として藩政を担い、幕閣の一部勢力との繋がりを持ちながらも、結局は意に反して藩の解体へと最悪の道を採るのではあったが、その後の義忠の生き方を見ると、水戸徳川家に迎えられ、最上家の旧臣の中では異例の出世を成し遂げている。
　本稿は、その一連の過程を云々するものではない。僅かに伝えられてきた史資料を基に、成長期に限定して、その足跡を探し求めるものである。それは、天正二十年(1592)の一家臣の「知行状」の解明から、義忠の成長期を知る新たな発見として、ここに取り上げ解明に努めるものである。しかし、これらが従来の郷土の諸先輩方のご研究に対し、多分に異を唱えることになろうかと思われるが、ご容赦頂ければ幸いである。
■執筆:小野未三

次をみる>>こちら

最上義光歴史館：[メモ/歴史館からのお知らせ]

＜Part1-6＞ Saijoki - The Mogami Chronicles -

The Fall of Tendo Castle

　　The capture of Yatsunuma Castle increased Lord Yoshiaki’s might considerably, and he now controlled most of the land to the west of the Mogami River.
　　He continued, however, to encounter resistance from the leader of the Tendō clan. “For long years,” the Tendō lord declared, “the eight castles of the Shimosuji region have been allied under the leadership of the Tendō clan – why should we be obliged to bow down to Yoshiaki now?” He then proceeded to fortify his castle and entrench himself within, so that even when Lord Yoshiaki led his great army in an assault on Tendō Castle, he found the castle defended by many accomplished warriors and was prevented from taking it easily. Lord Yoshiaki had his troops retreat a short ways to build a siege castle, and it was there that they spent some days.
　　Now, commanding the Tendō force was a man by the name of Nobesawa Noto no Kami who was, it goes without saying, a constitutionally vigorous and powerful warrior who stood head and shoulders above the rest.
　　There is a story told about Noto no Kami when he was a youth of seventeen or eighteen. A group of warriors, young and old, were gathered together and talking of matters related to the art of battle when a young soldier who was responsible for the ringing of signal bells stepped forward to speak.
　　“As all of you know,” he said, “the gold merchant Kichiji Nobutaka built a shrine in these parts that is called the Ryōsho Gongen Shrine, and contained within this shrine is a large bell that requires the strength of some five or six men to move. Not long ago, there was a group of brawny men who thought to demonstrate their superior muscular prowess by lifting the bell in groups of two or three, but they ultimately failed in the challenge they had set themselves. What think you of this, Lord Noto no Kami? You are reputed to possess great strength, but would you be equal to the task of lifting the bell that I speak of unaided?”
　　Noto no Kami smiled. “If I am indeed able to lift this bell alone, will it be mine to do with as I will?
　　“By all means – feel free to take it for yourself. If you succeed in doing so, we will provide the shrine with another bell,” came the bold response from the group.
　　“In that case, if you would be so kind as to bear witness,” said 　Noto no Kami, and, accompanied by all those present, he made his way to the aforementioned shrine where he grasped the bell and raised it effortlessly, placing it over his head. “It is with many thanks that I accept the gift of this bell,” he said, and it is told that he then took the bell to a place within his domain called Tsuruko, hanging it at an old temple there.
　　Noto no Kami also features in the tale of a certain battle.
　　On this occasion, a great wave of soldiers had poured forth from Tendō Castle, advancing as far as the Senjudō border to do battle, but then quickly turning back. “Make sure that none of the enemy escapes alive,” ordered Lord Yoshiaki when he observed their actions, and his brave young soldiers responded with alacrity. “We will dispatch them with pleasure, your lordship,” they cried as they set upon the enemy at full speed, and the Tendō force turned back in their tracks to face them. Clouds of dust filled the air as the fighting raged for about an hour, but neither side succeeded in gaining the upper hand. It was then that the Mogami troops under the command of Shimura Kurobei and Yagashiwa Sagami no Kami burst forth from the paths between the rice fields to attack the enemy from both flanks. Finding themselves set upon and cut down from all sides, the beleaguered Tendō soldiers broke into a precipitous retreat, but they were pursued by the Mogami army to the castle perimeter, where many of them were slain.
　　When Nobesawa Noto no Kami saw what was happening to his men, he threw open the front gate of the castle and rode out to meet the enemy in single combat.
　　On this day, Noto no Kami was attired in a black-threaded suit of armor worn over chain mail, and he wore an eight-sided hood on his head. He cut a dashing figure astride his palomino steed, wielding the iron baton, a full meter and a half in length, that he always kept upon his person as if it were of no weight at all. Plowing through the ranks of fleeing Mogami soldiers, he plunged unrestrainedly into the midst of the enemy army, swinging his baton left and right and felling all who stood in his path until there were none left willing to confront him head on.
　　Observing this scene was a man by the name of Yasuma who had lived and trained for many years on Mount Haguro, earning a reputation as a powerful warrior. “Those men are taking quite a beating,” he said, “but Noto no Kami is no invincible god. Let me have a try at him, and we’ll see who proves to be the stronger.” With this, he galloped straight out towards his adversary, while Noto no Kami cast a sharp look at the advancing figure. “It appears I have a sole challenger among the many here – does he hasten to me to be struck down by this baton of mine? Very well, let me give him a taste of it.” Closing in on his would-be opponent from the left, Noto no Kami lifted his iron baton straight up in the air and brought it squarely down upon the other man, crushing his head down into his torso and causing his horse to collapse under him. Appalled by the ferocity of this attack, the Mogami troops fled desperately away from Noto no Kami, who now stood, dignified and erect, adjusting the belt of his armor. It was from this retreating mass of Mogami soldiers that a single youth of sixteen or seventeen galloped out to single-handedly challenge Noto no Kami, thrusting his sword threateningly towards the powerful warrior’s hands. Displaying not the slightest bit of emotion, Noto no Kami calmly finished tying his belt and reseated himself upon his horse. It was then that he spoke.
　　“Who are you, and what is your name?”
　　“I am Honma Shichirō, eldest son of Honma Samanosuke, and I am seventeen years of age.”
　　A smile came to Noto no Kami’s lips. “You are a brave young man,” he said. “It would be easy enough to strike you down here and now, but I admire your spirit and will let you live.” With these words, he returned to the castle from whence he had come.
　　Having thus escaped the jaws of certain death, Shichirō made his way back to the Mogami encampment, where he was greeted with the derision of his fellow soldiers. “How could an unseasoned soldier such as yourself ever hope to challenge the likes of Noto no Kami?” they laughed.
　　“Noto no Kami is without doubt an extraordinary warrior,” Shichirō replied, “and I know that my meager abilities could never be a match for his. However, even the strongest man would lose his ability to fight were he to have his arms cut off, and it is thus that I had intended to disable, and then dispatch, my enemy. I was thwarted when he kept his arms close to his body to tie his belt, and I am greatly vexed that my plan came to naught.”
　　“It is said that genius shows itself even from childhood,” said his impressed listeners, “and your noble effort shows this indeed to be so.”
　　It was around the same time that a jesting poem was placed by its anonymous author at a shrine by the wayside.

　　　With no Ariji or Sasahara upon the battlefield
　　　Noto no Kami to Lord Yoshiaki surely would yield

　　This poem made reference to Ariji Tajima and Sasahara Iwami, two senior retainers of Noto no Kami said to be no less valorous than their master.
　　This now brings us back to Lord Yoshiaki’s current assault upon Tendō, where the standoff between the two sides continued, prompting the following discussion between Lord Yoshiaki and Ujiie Owari no Kami.
　　“Nobesawa Noto no Kami is not only a warrior of courage and might,” his lordship said, “but also a skilled military strategist. It will be difficult for us to take Tendō Castle as long as he defends it, so we must convince him to come over to our side and become a general in our armies.”
　　The next several days were spent in an attempt to determine what manner of approach would most appeal to Noto no Kami, and a letter was subsequently dispatched from Lord Yoshiaki.
　　“Although your reputation as a great warrior precedes you,” the letter said, “your actions on the present field of battle have indeed been marvelous to see. Were you to transfer your loyalties to me and join my army, I would give to your son Matagorō one of my own daughters in marriage, and his position would be no less than that of my own heir Shuri no Daibu Yoshiyasu. I swear to honor that which I have promised, and may the gods strike me down if I speak falsely.”
　　This letter, containing Yoshiaki’s personal oath and written in his own hand, was delivered to Noto no Kami, who underwent an immediate change of heart upon perusing its contents.
　　“It is surely through the intervention of the divine god of war that this letter has come to me in his lordship’s own hand,” he reasoned, promptly sending his son Matagorō to Lord Yoshiaki as a hostage with the assurance that he himself would follow shortly afterwards. Lord Yoshiaki looked forward to his arrival with great pleasure, and Noto no Kami did not keep him waiting long. Upon arriving, he first met with Owari no Kami, and then, leaving his sword with his lordship’s bodyguard, he was granted an audience with Lord Yoshiaki himself.
　　His lordship showered Noto no Kami with many warm words and bestowed upon him a sword crafted by one of the famed Ichimonji smiths. Noto no Kami accepted this gift reverently, clearly humbled by the honor that was shown to him. “Is it your wish that I should proceed with the attack today?” he inquired, but Lord Yoshiaki demurred. “Evening has already fallen, so the assault will begin at daybreak tomorrow,” he said, and this decision was conveyed to the whole of the Mogami army.
　　Meanwhile, the Tendō side had become aware of Noto no Kami’s defection. There was evidently great apprehension as to whether the battle could be won without him, for, that very evening and in great haste, the Tendō force abandoned the castle, fleeing towards Sendai. Quite unaware of this, the assembled Mogami forces moved in on the castle the following morning at the hour of the rabbit(1), raising a fierce battle cry as they closed in on three sides, but the castle remained silent and still. The Mogami soldiers tore apart the outer fence and abatis, entering the castle only to discover that the entire garrison had fled during the night, with not a soul remaining behind.
　　This was reported to Lord Yoshiaki, who summoned Noto no Kami. Telling him that, “It is your allegiance to our side that has enabled this swift conquest of Tendō,” his lordship awarded Noto no Kami twice the amount of territory that was customary as a reward, making him the provisional ruler of Tendō.

――――――――――――――――――――
(1) Sunrise, approximately 6 a.m.

>>CONTENTS

最上義光歴史館：[メモ/歴史館からのお知らせ]

■ダウンロード