Hatano Hideharu

Who was Hatano Hideharu?

Hatano Hideharu was the eldest son of Hatano Harumichi and the head of Hatano clan.

He was a son of Harumichi, but for an unknown reason, he was adopted as a son by Hatano Motohide. The Hatano clan had, from the time of Hideharu's grandfather Hatano Tanemichi, been retainers to the powerful Miyoshi clan and its leader Miyoshi Nagayoshi. Following tradition Hideharu had been the Miyoshi's retainer as well. The reason that such a minor clan as his had attended the Emperor Ōgimachi's coronation is believed to be due to the influence of Nagayoshi.

Hideharu became independent in 1565 after Nagayoshi died capturing Yagami Castle which Hideharu took as his place of residence.

The Hatano clan's land, however, was situated in the way of Oda Nobunaga's passage to Kyoto and after several battles, Hideharu surrendered to Nobunaga's general Akechi Mitsuhide. In 1576, Hideharu declared independence and turned against Nobunaga. Infuriated, Nobunaga again ordered Mitsuhide to invade Tamba Province, but Hideharu remained in the castle and held together a resistance for three years. The leader of the Hatano Clan's retainers, the Akai clan, Akai Naomasa, also known as Hatano Naomasa, died defending the Hatano stronghold of Kuroi Castle against Akechi Mitsuhide at the start of the resistance in 1576.