Amago Tsunehisa

Amago Tsunehisa (尼子 経久) was a powerful warlord who gained the hegemony in Chūgoku region, Japan starting as a vassal of the Rokkaku clan. He ruled the domains of Inaba, Hōki, Izumo, Iwami, Oki, Harima, Mimasaka, Bizen, Bitchū, Bingo, and Aki.



He was born to Amago Kiyosada as the eldest son. In 1473, he already acted as the deputy for his father and dealt with the Rokkaku clan on taxation of goods through Amago clan's domain. He succeeded a deputy governor of Izumo province in 1477 and received a letter Kei (経) from the Governor Kyogoku Masatsune's name. He was expelled by the Governor Kyogoku Masatsune in 1484. He came back two years later taking the Rokkaku clan stronghold of Tomidajo with less than hundred of his troop. He gained full control of Izumo in 1508 successfully subjugating powerful regional clans, called Kokujin.

With Ōuchi Yoshioki heading to Kyoto in 1508, he secretly communicated with kokujin all over Chūgoku region to counter the powerful Ōuchi clan. He lost his eldest son and successor Amago Masahisa in 1513 battling Sakurai Masamune but finally succeeded in controlling 11 domains by the 1520s. Samurai in Iwami and Aki who were on the frontline of the battle between Amago and Ōuchi were forced to walk the tight rope and Mōri Motonari who would eventually emerge victorious against both Amago and Ōuchi was one of such samurai.

His late years were troubled by constant internal troubles. In 1532, he was forced to crash Amago Okihisa for revolting at age of 74 and was left without a successor. In 1538, he handed over the Amago clan to Amago Haruhisa and three years later, he died from illness fearing young Haruhisa may be too inexperienced. His burial name is "興国院月叟省心大居士" and is buried in Dokoji of Shimane prefecture.