right|thumb|250px|The Twenty-Four Generals, depicted and identified individually on a hanging scroll painting

The Twenty-Four Generals (武田二十四将, Takeda Nijūshi-shō) were just one of many historically famous groupings of battle commanders from Japan's Sengoku Period. These Twenty-Four were the most trusted companions of Takeda Shingen. A third of them died at the famous Battle of Nagashino in 1575 when they led the Takeda forces against Oda Nobunaga. When Takeda Katsuyori committed suicide in 1582, declaring the end of the Takeda clan, only three of them were still serving under the Takeda.

List

In artwork and other historical sources, there is some variation in the list of names. The specific generals are as follows, according to alphabetic order:

  • Akiyama Nobutomo – Takeda's second in command; granted more autonomy. d. 1575, following second siege of Iwamura Castle
  • Anayama Nobukimi – following Mikatagahara and Nagashino, allied with Tokugawa Ieyasu and aided in defeat of Takeda Katsuyori
  • Hara Masatane – d. Battle of Nagashino 1575
  • Hara Toratane – d. 1564

See also

  • Seven Spears of Shizugatake

References

Further reading

  • Turnbull, Stephen (1998). The Samurai Sourcebook. London: Cassell & Co.
  • British Museum, No. 3 Yamamoto Kansuke Nyudo Dokisai Haruyuki 山本勘助入道道鬼蔡晴幸 / Koetsu yusho den Takeda-ke nijushi-sho 甲越勇將傳武田家廾四將 (Biographies of Heroic Generals of Kai and Echigo Provinces, Twenty-four Generals of the Takeda Clan)
  • Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), Portraits of the Twenty-four Generals of Kai Province (Kôshû nijûshi shô no shôzô)「甲州二十四将之肖像」