島津豊久

Shimazu Toyohisa (1570–1600) achieved immortality in the annals of samurai valor through his actions at the Battle of Sekigahara. The nephew of the great Shimazu Yoshihiro, Toyohisa had already distinguished himself in the Korean campaigns, including the miraculous Satsuma victory at the Battle of Sacheon where Yoshihiro's outnumbered force routed a massive Ming-Korean alliance. At Sekigahara, the Shimazu contingent found itself on the losing Western side and Yoshihiro resolved to escape through the enemy front — the famous 'Shimazu no Noki-guchi,' a breakthrough charge directly through the Tokugawa lines. Toyohisa volunteered to command the rearguard. Again and again he threw himself and his men against the Eastern pursuers, each counterattack buying precious time for Yoshihiro to withdraw. He died in battle at thirty-one, his final stand enabling his uncle's escape. Yoshihiro reached Satsuma safely. Toyohisa's sacrifice became the defining legend of Satsuma warrior culture — the郷中 (gōjū) code of absolute loyalty and fearless self-sacrifice distilled into a single act. He is the protagonist of the manga and anime Drifters, which has brought his legend to a new generation. His swords were the practical Satsuma blades forged in the tradition of Kyushu smiths for warriors who fought in Korea and at Japan's most decisive battle.