Asano Nagamasa

Who was Asano Nagamasa?

Asano Nagamasa was the brother-in-law of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and one of his chief advisors. Asano also fought for Hideyoshi in a number of campaigns during the Sengoku period of the 16th century of Japan.

Asano accompanied Hideyoshi in his campaign against the Mōri clan, and fought in Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea. He also fought for Hideyoshi against the Hōjō clan in 1590 and captured Iwatsuki and Edo castles.

Asano was also appointed by Hideyoshi to a Commission of Five along with Ishida Mitsunari, Maeda Gen'i, Mashita Nagamori and Natsuka Masaie. Asano held seniority over the Commissioners, who were charged with governing the capital of Kyoto and the Home Provinces or Kinai. A close advisor to Hideyoshi, Asano devised the land survey and a number of other policies enacted under his rule.

In 1598, Hideyoshi's invasions were coming to an end, and Asano was sent to Korea with his fellow Commissioner Ishida Mitsunari to arrange for Japanese withdrawal. Asano was assured by the generals that the war was going well, and that they were on the verge of victory. Ishida disagreed, however, and supported withdrawal from Korea. Returning to Japan, daimyō from across the country became involved in the debate, and the disagreement grew into a major governmental rift. The Go-Bugyō disbanded soon afterwards, having already been replaced by the Council of Five Elders by Hideyoshi before his death.