Makara Naotaka

Makara Naotaka (真柄 直隆) was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, who served the Asakura clan. He was also known as Makara Jūrōzaemon (真柄 十郎左衛門). Makara was famed for his skill with the nodachi. During the 1570 Battle of Anegawa, he served on the front lines, together with his son Naomoto. They supported the Asakura army's retreat from the forces of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu. As the Asakura continued to presently retreat to their original stronghold, Naotaka lost his blade, and after attempting to continue fighting bare-handed, was killed together with his son.

His sword is preserved today at Atsuta Shrine, in Nagoya.