Top 5 Greatest Samurai Last Stands
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- čas přidán 9. 06. 2024
- In this video we will look to examine 5 legendary last stands throughout samurai history. Ranking them in terms of how significant they really were!
Timestamps:
Intro 0:00
Number 5 1:55
Number 4 3:55
Number 3 6:32
Number 2 8:54
Honorable Mentions 11:41
Number 1 12:21
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Sources:
"Samurai Battles" by Michael Sharpe
"Legends of the Samurai" by Hiroaki Sato
"Osaka 1615: The Last Battle of the Samurai" by Stephen Turnbull
Additional articles found on various figures and events through the Japanese Wiki Corpus.
Music:
"Marshes" from World of Warcraft OST
Artwork and Images:
Classical art, which in most cases can be considered public domain.
Art and images from the Nobunaga's Ambition series.
Art from Osprey Publications.
Other modern artist renditions and photos, if you see your work in this video please contact me so that I can give you proper credit!
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Social Media:
Facebook: / theshogunateyoutube
Twitter: / shogunatethe
Support the channel on Patreon! www.patreon.com/theshogunatey...
#Samurai #History #Japan
UPDATE: I have now made a follow up video in which I discuss MORE epic samurai last stands! czcams.com/video/xixZuVkkVQU/video.html
Original post:
Seeing a number of comments mention Shiroyama, I totally agree I should have mentioned it in this video. However I think I still would have put it only with the honorable mentions. Shiroyama is interesting because although it gets labeled often as the "last stand of the samurai" the situation is much more murky being that the samurai class had officially been abolished by that point and that it was really a conflict of rebellious former samurai fighting other pro-new government former samurai (on top of the fact that you can also argue that the samurai actually continued on anyway within the new Imperial Japanese aristocracy). So should I have mentioned it still? Absolutely, that was a goof on my part for not at least adding a mention of it in the video. But would I have still put it in my top 5? probably not the more I think about it. Remember these are my own thoughts, you are totally allowed to disagree with me! And who knows, I may reconsider my rankings one day and do a redux!
That would actually be an interesting topic to cover in the future
Shiroyama immortalized Okubo Toshimichi as a historical biggest villain even more so than Yoritomo and the Hojo clan but I think Okubo deserves some leniency from the public. First, Saigo Takamori’s cause that led to the conflict with the imperial government wasn’t that “honorable”. What happened in China and Korea in world war 2 were simply what Saigo wanted to happen. Second, if Yoritomo got a free pass for being a great administrative shogun at his time, then Okubo deserves that as well because thanks to his participation in Iwakura mission, he turned Japan into a first world country that we enjoy today. Third, speaking of leniency, thanks to Japan is still being an imperial government (and could potentially be this way forever), Japanese historians will NEVER demonize the emperor Meiji for his orchestration of Seinan war. It’s either “he’s just a figurehead” or “Okubo manipulated him into doing it” (like in the movie Last Samurai).
Overall, I think Okubo is a very interesting figure. He deserves to be categorized as Japan’s historical “antihero”.
I really think you should have put Torii Mototada in the top five, as without his sacrifice, Japanese history would have looked quite different.
Honorable mentions to the Early Hojo defenders of Kamakura dying to the bizarre advance of the rebel Nitta Yoshisada
The battle of Shiroyama is so influental for todays view of the general public towards Samurai-Culture, it really should have been on the list. I know, historians and experts and you, abd somehow also me, see ot differently, I feel like Saiga Takamari as the last Samurai is too well known to not mention his last stand.
Sanada Yukimura's last stand was the perfect way to end the sengoku period. Going out with a bang and with honor
The very moment I got this notification, I instantly knew Yukimura's name would appear. Truly, a symbol of bravery and courage. The world told Sanada Nobushige (Yukimura) to move, and he replied "No, you move."
I got the exact same feeling. However, I feel Torii Mototada’s sacrifice should have been in the top 5, as without his sacrifice, Japanese history would have undoubtedly changed greatly.
This channel is waaaaaaaay underrated!
Emperor Go Daigo completely disregarded Masashige's military expertise and ignored his sound strategic advice, it seems he didn't quite understand the military tactics of the time... Masashige's end is epic and heroic, but also sad and frustrating at the same time.
Losing your capital is a very serious decision. From many perspectives it's as good as admitting defeat. In some cases it worked but it's not an easy choice to make.
As you always do, you give these last stand stories life. I'm partial to the last stands, where the warriors died fighting rather fighting till the loss is inevitable, and then committing seppuku. I understand the why's, but going down swinging in battle, seems to be more fitting of a true last stand.
Three come to mind
Magara Naotaka at the battle of Anegawa, he used a nodachi on horseback covering the Adakura retreat.
Baba Nobuharu at Nagashino, he needs no introduction he covered the Takeda retreat.
Natsume Yoshinobu at Mikatagahara, he covered Ieyasu's retreat.
In each case their lord survived the battle, making their sacrifice successful.
Personally, I would like to rank Toyohisa Shimazu and Moriatsu Choujuin.
Without them at the Battle of Sekigahara, Shimazu Yoshihiro's daring retreat would have failed.
Making these top lists must be hard because like you said, there are so many to choose from. I’m glad you gave honorable mention to Torii Mototada!
I would have included Saigo Takamori's last stand and Siege of Osaka in the list. Both are dramatic last stands that mark the ends of eras.
I came here because I saw the follow up just a bit ago, and I'm very happy that several stories from Heike Monogatari made it in here. I've been fascinated with that story for years as it's the first great samurai epic that warriors for centuries after looked to for inspiration and began trends and traditions that are still with us almost a millennia later.
In the Taiga drama from 2 years ago "The 13 lords of Kamakura" the Dan no ura battle was really well done. The look of shock and sadness on the faces of the Minamoto and Hojo as Antoku was lead to his fatal jump was heartbreaking.
“13 Lords of Shogun” is a better taiga drama than “Dou Suru Ieyasu” and it’s not even close. The plot, the protagonist, the soundtrack and the complexity are so much much superior.
@@nont18411 Agree 100%. Dou suru was a disaster Basically everything about it sucked with exception of Keiko Kitagawa as Chacha
@@jeffreysams3348 Keiko-san is the best part of the show. What I hate the most is the depiction of Ieyasu. Like they tried sooooo damn hard to make him a hero. He got to go to heaven (in the same episode that he killed Hideyori, Chacha and 8 year old Kunimatsu) with his dead first wife and son (whom he murdered) and enjoyed the modern Tokyo (which only exist because Tokugawa shogunate was overthrown). What an unhinged ending.
@@nont18411i enjoy when Taiga dramas depict Ieyasu as crafty and cunning, yet also patient and a great leader
@@sukitron5415 He is simply the Tywin Lannister of Japanese history. Dou Suru just turned a Tywin like him into Jon Snow. That’s why I hate it.
I knew Benkei would be on here. He literally stood on a bridge like Gandalf and said, "You shall not pass!"
While I wouldn't take anything out of this list, I would add Shiroyama to the honorable mentions list. I still agree with every single choice, including the honorable mentions, though. This video was brilliantly done!
I feel Tori Mototada should have actually been on the list instead of an honorable mention. It could be argued that his sacrifice actually impacted the course of history itself and led his lord Tokugawa Ieyasu to win at Sekigahara.
I feel fortunate to have studied Kendo/Kenjitsu. To hold a forged steel blade that's razor sharp is an honor. To learn how to cut with it is a test in concentration. To do kata with both swords is a testament to a person's resolve. I miss training and practicing. I had to stop because I started having balance issues and began to trip and stumbled. I was lucky it didn't happen when I had my blade drawn. I was diagnosed with MS so foot movement is a struggle but I still practice in my head and practice drawing and cutting along with all the cuts.
I know it's not the same but you can use light bokuto to still train in some way. Less dangerous and you will still have the feeling of a swordsman.
I am sorry the MS has prevented you from continuing your skill. I myself developed brain cancer which has since spread throughout my body, and prevented me from continuing the finer arts I used to work at. For a long time I could hardly use a paint brush at which I had used for so long prior.
Luckily with countless hours of exercise some stability in my body has returned and I have returned to painting but do not have the accuracy or skill I used to. I hope one day perhaps you can find out a way around your issue. Fighting more intelligently is always an option to defeat such internal foes ;)
Another awesome video as expected
Just stumbled upon your channel and I must say, love your content. Keep it up!
I like to think that all these samurai knew exactly what was coming and embraced it as much as they could.
I love the idea of heading towards certain death and thinking 'yeah let's do it'
We can see the influence of Benkei not only in the standing death of Whitebeard in one piece but also whitebeards choice of weapon in that of the naginata. Very interesting.
Thanks for the list
I love this Channel, hugs from Brazil bro, thanks for de vídeo.
My back piece is taira no Tomomori, his anchor and heikegane crabs, my favorite kabuki play and most metal dude ever
cant get enough, please keep making content
The first time I watched Kwaidan and the scene featuring the battle of Dan No Ura with the biwa made me really interested in the history of these wars. I had liked the sound of biwa, but understanding what they were talking about made it very interesting. Why surrender when boat anchors are available?
Great video thank you 👍🏻
Tokugawa Ieyasu: Sanada Yukimura, you are a brave and tough warrior! Why not jump ship and pledge fealty to me? I shall grant you everything that you desire, no matter how big or small it is!
Sanada Yukimura: I refuse to have my integrity compromised just for the sake of cheap thrills! I shall sacrifice my life for everything that I believe in!
Sanada Yukimura launches a last ditch effort to put an end to Tokugawa Ieyasu's life but as fate would have it, Sanada Yukimura meets his untimely demise.
Tokugawa Ieyasu: Such magnificent valor! May the deeds of the valiant Sanada Yukimura be remembered by all future generations forever.
The music in the background is from wow swamps. One of my favorite themes from the game. Nice taste!
I knew I was hearing something so familiar!
Can tell from the tittle this video gonna be sick
Hi Nick, what a great video. There was one name I was surprised at not being mentioned. Yamamoto Kansuke. One of Takeda Shingen's legendary 24 generals and his death at the 4th battle at Kanawakajima.
Absolutely!
minamoyo no yorimasa has always amazed me how he started the epic sepuku trend
I know the video focused more on individual samurai than a group of them but the final stand at the battle of Shiroyama instantly comes to mind for me. That wasn't just the last stand of those samurai or of their clan but of the entire samurai class and that era of Japanese history.
I’ve always been fascinated by Jerome Asakusa and the Shimabara Rebellion in general (as I am with virtually any intertwining and/or clash of Eastern and Western ideals). Would have loved to see it make the list, but given your criteria, I understand the reasons. Really enjoyed this video, nevertheless. 🙇♂️🍻
Awesome
Another great one is the last stand of Magara Naotaka and his son at the end of the battle of Anegawa. Their willingness to volunteer as a delaying force to buy time for the retreating Asakura and subsequent last stand against the Oda is admirable to say the least. After he had fought to exhaustion he would be offered a place in Nobunaga’s army, refuse that offer, and die loyal to the Asakura.
I love the music. All I can say is “wow.”
Fuccck Yeah some sick Samurai Goatness🗿🗡🔥💯
Pre-video prediction:
- Benkei's bridge
- Sanada Yukimura's Sanadamaru
- Last stand of the Takeda clan
- Last stand at Honnoji
Will come back to check after I watch
Fascinating
So friggin epic!
I really just came to this video to make sure Benkei was at number 1. Was not disappointed.
Really nice video this was a good topic. Question do you ever get stories or the mythology confused because that happens to me quite often. I think it's because I watched so much history of many different cultures I can't keep it straight sometimes.
The line does get blurred a bit at times but I think that's normal
@@TheShogunate Yeah that's what I was thinking. I don't know if you watch any other history or you just focus on the Japanese because of your Channel. I have a lot of history, mythology & biographies I watch but sometimes I get the majority of people crossed up with someone else.
Interesting 😎 👌
forgot where I read about Go-Daigo, but would love to see videos about that period
Number 4 is reimagined in Nioh 2.. you fight on the side of Yoshitsune and battle the leader of the Tiara clan who’s become a Japanese yokai demon in his desperation to win the battle and war
They even feature a unique enemy called the Bakegani which is based on the legend of those same crabs you mentioned.
So, the legendary "historically accurate giant enemy crab" is actually historically accurate. What a world we live in.
The similarities between Benkei and the Norwegian Viking at the Battle of Stamford Bridge are striking.
14:20 Sooooo funny thing... I saw this image and was listening to the story in the background. I realized something. Because of this tale, there's an actual Yugioh card called Armed Samurai - Ben Kei. He too has arrows sticking out of his body just like the image predicted here.
Superheavy Samurai - Ben Kei
@@Steiveplays I get that, but in terms of how the cards looks according to the account of the battle, Armed Samurai - Ben Kei better fits the description.
Benkei, along Miyamoto Musashi and Minamoto Yoshitsune, are my favourite samurais of all times.
Each meaning one thing, Benkei the fearlessness and the will power to stand, even after defeat and death, Miyamoto Musashi for his relentless pursuit of strategy and dominion over himself, and Yoshitsune for his powerful of character, a man so great that his story and legends are still being passed onto the newer generations, thousands of years after he passed.
Cool recommendations!
Find it neat / oddly poetic how the actual last stand of the Samurai as a class was in Ezo and not even on the mainland. Do wish that period was covered more in media and how the class become a fuel for Japanese military nationalism.
I had not really heard of number 5 and 4 although they were cool in there own way, 3 onwards were people I have known about my fav being Yukimura/Nobushige Sanada I have eard of Kusonoki's last stand and Benkei's last stands but for me Yukimura's is best, another great video.
Thank you for this vedio and you can make part 2 of it for all the same stands you not mentioned in it Thank you again
I'm strongly considering it!!
@@TheShogunate can you please do the Meji era
Hey Shogunate! Just wondering if you saw the 'Kubi' film about Nobunaga's betrayal yet, and if you plan to review it?
Great content as always.
I really want to see it!! But right now I'm not sure how to watch it where I live.
@@TheShogunate
Most of the main characters in that movie were insane.
Especially Nobunaga.
And Yasuke...
I’m surprised Shiroyama wasn’t mentioned. It was definitely an epic last stand.
"Real men die standing"-Benkei...probably.
I would disagree for number 1, to me it is a battle that was not mentioned here but that had great impact to Japan as a whole - Shiroyama.
Where not only the last of the Samurai class were killed and with their the old Japan ended, but their last stand influenced nation so much that Bushido became the new standard for the nation as a whole and not just a single class. Influencing Japan to such a level that the military took control of the country in the 20's and started the wars of conquest that were so brutal that they ended up in only wartime nuclear weapons use.
So you can say Shiroyama not only influenced Japan but the world as well. Definitely number 1 for me.
It’s the nature of time…
Oda nobunaga at siege of honnoyi should be at top 5
Helll yeahhh
I knew i had heard that backround music before, its from WoW 😂
Is... Isnt the song in the intro from like Wetlands in world of Warcraft?
I definitely knew Yukimura and Yoshiteru's names would appear in this list, and I agree with their positions in your top n_n I would have also included as an honorable mention Matsunaga Hisahide's suicide with a freaking BOMB and even destroying the Hiragumo, a tea kettle Nobunaga wanted. Saying Hisahide was defiant would be an understatement. I actually wrote once a story (in my native Spanish) about Hisahide and Nobunaga, and from Hisahide's point of view, including his last stand.
I consider Yukimura's last stand as the most epic one, and it's probably the one in which the disadvantaged one actually had, although briefly, a huge possibility of success, so much that there are even the rumors you have told here. I wrote a fantasy novel about my country's history and I was able to include Yukimura and his final moments here, and I went with the theory that he actually killed Ieyasu, but the Tokugawa had a kagemusha and hide his death inmediately XD XD
And Yoshiteru's last stand is huge way to go. Stabbing his castle with multiple swords in floors and walls, running through aisles and corridors while grabbing said swords to kill his enemies and discarding them only to grab a new sword. No wonder the videogame Sengoku BASARA 4 Sumeragi took this episode as their Yoshiteru own version's ultimate technique.
dope
Saigo Takamori’s last stand deserves a top five spot tbh
Benkei is truly my personal favorite alongside Yukimura...
I mean, Benkei not only held off the number enemies long enough for his master to end his life through Seppuku but even when he was riddled with arrows, Benkei literally lives up to the Gandalf remark "You shall not pass" to the point even after he died.
And as for Yukimura, I believe he reminded Ieyasu of the kind of terror he had probably felt at Mikatagahara since from what I remembered about this, Ieyasu had commissioned a portrait after barely escaping the pursuit of the Takeda Cavalry and it was a defeat which changed him from a 'brash fool' to a man who wouldn't put down either his helmet or sword until victory in battle was absolutely certain.
Plus...I feel sorry for Yukimura since he almost had Ieyasu but was unable to claim the retired Shogun's life due to facing a wall of Tokugawa Spears and Horsemen.
Benkei's last stand is always my favorite. I was obsessed with learning about him a few years ago and the entire story of him and Yoshitsune is incredible.
Ben Kei also said the magic quote to Yoshitsune
“With great power, comes great responsibility.”
Although I'm an Ieyasu fan, i'm highly respected Yukimura who fought bravely and fearless in an disadvantaged battle.
Shimizu Muneharu is also a great example of loyalty and self sacrifice. He committed sepuku in the middle of the artificial lake, that hideyoshi created, at Takamatsu. Mori clan gave him up, but he sacrificed himself to save his comrades in the castle
i personally think that you shouldn't have included benkei since he is believed to be just a fairytale and that you should have included Torii mototada instead so my list would be 5 Torri mototata 4 yorimasa 3 would be the naval battle at dan no ura 2 would be yukimora and one would be honnoji incident. but a great video anyway
Have you heard of the theory that Minamoto Yoshitsune and Genghis Khan were the same person? Might be an interesting video to develop
Say, do you think Yukimura managed to wound Ieyasu in the last battle as some sources say?
I'm not really in the mood for this at the moment, but there's one story I read many, many years ago. This one guy stood on a bridge with a naginata and held off an army single-handedly for a good long while. Can't remember time period or who was involved, but it's stuck in my head for forty or fifty years.
That is Musashibou Benkei.
Actually, the bridge corresponding to the anecdote was not yet built in the time when Benkei and Yoshitsune were alive.
I think that the battle of Tenmokuzan (1582) should be there as a special mention because it was the last stand of the once mighty Takeda clan. It seems to be that even the members of Oda clan respected the fighting spirit of the doomed Takeda clan. It is certain that Sanada Yukimura and the rest of the Sanada clan knew about this event because it did put the future of the Sanada clan in jeopardy.
I considered it!
@@TheShogunateyes the Takeda story is tragic from a most powerful clan to many of the vassals leaving them to their fate. Understandably everyone was thinking of the safety of their own family as the Oda engulfed the territory. Can't help think what the last days of Katsuyori must have been like and what they went through abandoned by all but his household.
@@TheShogunateI can't find the translation of the last stand and account by Nun Rikei do you have this?. Can you please make a video on this if possible.
The takeda last stand at tenmokuzan
'Till the dawn,
They hold on,
Only fourty are left at the end.
Dude who died standing on his feet is a G💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
9:10
That is genius.
Can't wait for the new TV show shugun
Battle of Kawanakajima (4th?), Yamamoto Kansuke seems like an honorable mention.
Those Taira people jumped into the ocean because they didn’t want to get captured and tortured horribly.
So, everyone always talks about how seppuku is all about honorable deaths. But I think they started off for a much more practical reason.
I think it would be safe to assume torture was as common in Japan as it was everywhere else in the world. So slicing one's belly open might be painful, but not nearly as much as weeks of torture at your enemy's hands. Plus, you would always have a second to take you head off to end your suffering quickly.
What I find interesting how this became so ritualized and an important practise for the Samurai. Was it such an important ritual during earlier eras like the Sengoku or was it one of those things that the more philosophical Samurai developed during the Edo era?
It’s only “honorable” when it’s in the period of Feudal Japan.
But when the Japan reached its modern era, it became depressing and horrifying. Just look at the civilians mass suicide at Saipan to avoid being captured by American troops in world war 2 or the ongoing suicide epidemic in Japan.
@@nont18411 I don't disagree there. The imperial Japanese leadership glorified the practise to manipulate their people into throwing their lives away. Had the US never developed the A-bomb, the Japanese leadership planned for all their people to go out dying. They were training little girls to stab American soldiers with spears or run up to them with grenades.
@@nont18411
Japan's suicide rate in recent years has been lower than that of the U.S.
Seppuku started out as a mostly practical thing for the reasons you mentioned. Torture was a common thing to happen to you if you survived and were captured after battle. Also yes it became more ritualistic as time went on as seppuku only became a form of enforced capital punishment on large scale in the Edo period.
I was honestly pretty shocked that the battle of shiroyama with Saigo takamori wasn’t on this list
I’m surprised you didn’t put the battle of Toba-Fushimi where the Shinsengumi and the pro-shogunate forces fought to the very end against the imperialist army.
Minamoto no Tametomo committed seppuku a decade before Yorimasa, and it's also recorded.
Who was the strongest clan in the Kyushu region?
For the grace for the might of my lord.
Another mentionable last stand was Ottani yoshitsugu
Tom cruise nuff said 🤣
The Battle of Toba-Fushimi...
Many learn how to live. Few learn how to die.
This question is unrelated to the video.. and it's about a topic u made 3 years ago.. topic about Shinobi.. one quick question.. does the historical writings did not existed in sengoku period is because of secrecy?? Spy tend to hold a lot of info.. so maybe no writings means they actually done something a lot more worse than historical evidence??. given every single era.. spy punishment usually not light.. and being toture is basically normal if caught.. and also.. there is no historical writings in whose being killed by a Shinobi.. but.. does Shinobi killed each other in recon mission?? How does Shinobi network works?? Do the hub of Shinobi share all info?? Or every single clan have their own Shinobi hub?? It requires a lot of manpower I presume.. which if I'm not mistaken.. correct me if I'm wrong.. sengoku period does have high death rate.. how do u make a hub if u don't have enough people?? It would make sense if they all share the same hub.. but it became pointless for espionage if all info can juz being review in hub like a freaking newspaper.. these are question that I'm wondering while I was watching ur video few minutes ago.. do enlightened me with quick reply or a new video on Shinobi info hub..
Edit: and also.. samurai are famous for being really cruel.. if Shinobi is basically samurai with espionage skill.. would u agree the fighting in espionage in that era is brutal?? I mean even in military branch.. commandos have the highest mission difficulty.. if we compare that.. maybe they are not that different from fake ninja.. except the real one are more immoral and brutal than samurais.. it's my humble speculation.. do humor me a good historical video.. 😊
alll in nioh 2 i believe
Nothing like some Un'goro crater music with Samurai last stands.
No Saigō Takamori?
Musashi?
Top ten samurai victories in feudal Japan 🤤🤤🤤😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🗾💮👹👹⛩️🪷
I agree with the list but IMO yukimura last stand could be 1st because it almost led to a perfect counter-attack, the man was trully Legendary...
I Figured Yukimura at Osaka Castle Charging in at Ieyasu Like Leroy Jenkins: YUUUKIIIMURRAAAA SAANADAAaaaa
The complete unwillingness to accept defeat. And imagine a life and world afterwards. Is a trait of Japanese warrior culture. That is as horrifying, as it is heroic.
Imagine holding the most legendary last stand in Japan's history only for the guy you're protecting to commit suicide
🗿👍
I love how they skipped the Nobunaga period and how his era brought the ashigaru (“peasants”) together through loyalty. But of course that’s not important in the 1500’s🤦🏻♂️