Hashiba Hidenaga

The Brains and the Brawn Behind Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Successes

Almost forgotten by the Japanese history books, Hashiba Hidenaga (April 8, 1540 – February 15, 1591) also known at various stages in his life as Kinoshita Koichiro, Hashiba Nagahide, and Toyotomi Hidenaga, was one of the most powerful and influential warlords of the late 1500’s and can be regarded along with General Kuroda Kanbei as both the brains and the brawn behind much of his elder half-brother, Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s successes, often formulating fine tactical plans and fearlessly leading the vanguard in Hideyoshi’s battles. 

Born April 8, 1540 to the same mother as Hideyoshi, but most probably to a different father, Hidenaga was raised in Owari’s Nakamura Village, modern-day Nakamura Ward of Nagoya City. Hideyoshi and his step-father failed to get along well, leading to Hideyoshi leaving the family home to seek his fame and fortune. For that reason, he had very little to do with Hidenaga in his early years