Nagahama domainIt was built solely to monitor the Toyotomi family.

The Nagahama domain was a domain that existed for only a few years, with Nagahama Castle, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, serving as the domain office.
It was built to monitor the Toyotomi family after Toyotomi Hideyoshi passed away.
Let us explain what kind of domain the Nagahama domain was, which lasted for just one generation.

Nagahama was Toyotomi Hideyoshi's first territory

Nagahama is land that was granted to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who at the time called himself ``Kinoshita Tokichiro'', from Oda Nobunaga for his military exploits in the Battle of Odari Castle. When Hideyoshi became a feudal lord who owned a castle, he took the name Hashiba Hideyoshi. Nagahama is also the hometown of Ishida Mitsunari.

After Hideyoshi took over the country, Katsutoyo, a nephew of Katsuie Shibata, became the lord of Nagahama Castle, but he surrendered to Hideyoshi at the Battle of Shizugatake, and his successor, Kazutoyo Yamauchi, became the lord of the castle, but due to the Tensho earthquake, Nagahama Castle was lost. Tragedy occurred when the castle collapsed and a child died after being crushed under it.

After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Nagahama domain was established, and Naito Nobunari and Nobumasa, father and son, were invited as the castle owners. Nobunari Naito is said to be the illegitimate son of Hirotada Matsudaira and the half-brother of Ieyasu Tokugawa, and as a senior vassal of Ieyasu Tokugawa, he has been through numerous battles with him since the age of 13.
He became the lord of Nagahama Castle in 1606. He changed his land and took over 40,000 koku of Omi Province. It is said that this transfer was due to Ieyasu handing over the post of shogun to Hidetada Tokugawa and retiring to Sunpu Castle. While Ieyasu was away, Nobunari Naito was in charge of Sunpu Castle. This episode alone shows that Ieyasu trusted Nobunari.

It is believed that the Nagahama domain was created to keep an eye on the Toyotomi family, and Ieyasu made his most trusted blood relative and senior vassal the first lord of the domain.
Nobunari Naito passed away at the age of 68 at Nagahama Castle on July 24, 1612.
The eldest son, Nobumasa Naito, became the second lord of the domain, but after the end of the Osaka Siege in 1615, he moved to Takatsuki, Settsu Province, and then moved to Fushimi Castle, where he became the first Osaka Castle lord. became.

The Takatsuki clan was the territory of the Christian feudal lord Takayama Ukon, who did not give up on his progress even after the ban on Christianity was issued in Japan, and was finally exiled and ended his life in Manila, Philippines.
In other words, the Takatsuki clan was a place where there was a high possibility that Christians still remained due to the influence of the feudal lord. It is possible that Ieyasu was aiming to wipe out the Christian profession by making Nobumasa Naito, a trusted vassal and blood relative, the lord of the domain.

With the demise of the Toyotomi family, the Nagahama domain lost its significance and was abolished. Nagahama Castle was also demolished and its materials were used as building materials for Hikone Castle.

Nagahama domain summary

Nagahama Castle frequently appears in dramas and movies depicting Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the castle ruins are still visited by many history buffs. However, in the Edo period, Nagahama Castle was demolished and the Nagahama domain was abolished. Looking back on its history, you can't help but feel the rise and fall.