Rusu Masakage

Who was Rusu Masakage?

Rusu Masakage was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period through Azuchi-Momoyama period. Served as a retainer of the Date clan Masakage was the uncle of the famous Date Masamune.

Masakage, or as he was first known, Rokurō, was the son of Date Harumune. He was later adopted by Rusu Akimune, head of the Rusu clan which governed Miyagi district. In 1568, he married the daughter of Kurokawa Sama-no-Kami Haruuji, lord of the Kurokawa district. Masakage contributed very highly to the Date clan by defending it from many oppositions. He was also involved in the succession dispute. Masakage was extremely close to Masamune, as one of his top subordinates, bringing him to many victories. The greatest victory he brought to Masamune was in the campaign against Ōshū.