Warrior and Daimyo, Ikoma Chikamasa

Ikoma Chikamasa died on this day, March 25, 1603.

Ikoma Chikamasa was a military commander and daimyo from the late Sengoku to the early Edo periods.

Ikoma Chikamasa was born in Tsuchita, part of Kani City, in modern-day Gifu Prefecture in 1526. He is believed to have been a cousin of Oda Nobunaga, however, he would not directly serve the Oda until 1566, when he was aged 40, and even then, not directly under his cousin, but under the command of Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi. He commenced with about 1,000 koku in 1578, when he served Hideyoshi at the time he was lord of Himeji Castle. This increased by 2,000 koku in 1584, and 23,500 koku in 1585. By 1586, his wealth had steadily increased to 60,000 koku in Kariya, Harima Province.