毛利忍者 Mori Ninja (Page 132–133) from the book Bessho Rekishi Dokuhon Vol. 72 – Shinobi no Mono 132-nin Data File. Written by 祖田浩一 Sota Kōichi (Writer)
Motonari’s Ninjas Who Turn Enemy Spies into Double Agents
▽ When Attacking Saijō Kagamiyama Castle
毛利元就 Mori Motonari focused heavily on “strategy” and “subterfuge.” Subterfuge means deceiving the opponent. Those who excel at subterfuge win; those who fail lose. He used ninjas like his hands and feet to outwit the enemy, create internal discord, and weaken them. It seems he thought of little else day and night.
It is well known that Motonari sent spies disguised as merchants, yamabushi, or biwa priests to the strongholds of 陶晴賢 Sue Harukata or the 尼子氏 Amago-shi, spreading rumors or gathering intelligence.
As much as Motonari emphasized using spies, he was extraordinarily cautious of enemy spies sent against him.
Once, his retainer 赤川元保 Akagawa Motoyasu said to Motonari,
“尼子晴久 Amago Haruhisa seems to be ill lately.”
Motonari angrily replied,
“Don’t speak of such things lightly. Amago Haruhisa is the opponent I’m about to fight. The ninjas might be spreading such talk to make me let my guard down.”
Motonari attacked 西条鏡山城 Saijō Kagamiyama-jō (Higashihiroshima City) in June of 大永三年 Tai’ei 3 (1523), when he was still under 尼子経久 Amago Tsunehisa, who ordered him to lead the vanguard.
The castle lord was 蔵田備中守房肩 Kurata Bingo-no-kami Fusatomo, allied with 大内義興 Ōuchi Yoshioki.
Starting the attack on June 13, the castle’s defenses were strong, and it didn’t fall easily. Motonari sent ninjas as secret envoys to contact Fusatomo’s uncle, enticing him to betray with promises of retaining his domain in 安塔 Antō and preserving the family name.
Fusatomo’s uncle accepted, rebelling against Fusatomo within the castle. Motonari sent ninjas to support the uncle, and the castle fell on the 28th. Castle lord 蔵田房信 Kurata Fusanobu fought valiantly but, seeing flames rise within and no hope of victory, committed seppuku. Motonari skillfully dismantled the enemy, earning praise from Amago Tsunehisa.
Afterward, Motonari broke the promised conditions to Fusanobu’s uncle and beheaded him.
One of Kurohabaki-gumi’s tasks was intelligence gathering, as this description shows. Members disguised as merchants, yamabushi, or ascetics—professions free to travel the land. Faith was strong then, so religious figures were likely trusted. Or, yamabushi may have been part of Kurohabaki-gumi.
毛利忍者 Mori Ninja (Page 132–133) from the book Bessho Rekishi Dokuhon Vol. 72 – Shinobi no Mono 132-nin Data File. Written by 祖田浩一 Sota Kōichi (Writer)
I could not find much information about this book, who wrote it or the publisher. It looks like it was published as a history book/magazine published monthly.
Being the 72’nd book I guess it has been around for many years, the web site jinbutsu.co.jp is dead so I don’t know much about the publisher.
Published May 2001
228 pages
ISBN-10 : 4404027729
ISBN-13 : 978-4404027726
