Maeda Toshimasu

Maeda Toshimasu (前田 利益; c. 1543 – 1612), better known as Maeda Keiji (前田 慶次) or Keijirō (慶次郎), was a Japanese samurai lord of the Sengoku period through early Edo period. He was the nephew of Maeda Toshiie and Maeda Matsu. In legends and fictions, he is one of the most celebrated kabukimono (samurai gangster) of the time period who is known for his monstrous height and his peerless strength. Toshimasu's horse and companion, Matsukaze, was one of the most famous warhorses in Japan.

Biography

In 1543, Toshimasu was born in the village of Arako (present-day Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya), Toshimasu was born to the Takigawa Clan, originally the son of Takigawa Kazumasu. He was adopted by Maeda Toshihisa, the older brother of Maeda Toshiie. Toshimasu served under Oda Nobunaga along with his uncle. Toshimasu was originally intended to inherit Maeda family headship; however, after Oda Nobunaga replaced Toshihisa with Toshiie as Maeda family head, he lost this position. Perhaps because of this loss of inheritance, Toshimasu is well known for quarreling with his uncle.

Keiji's armor can still be seen today at the Miyasaka Museum.¹

In 1581, Toshimasu was under the command of his uncle, and made a reputation for himself through conflicts within Noto Province and was rewarded with 5,000 koku.

In 1584, during the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute, Toshimasu came with Maeda Toshiie's to rescue Suemori Castle when was attacked by Sassa Narimasa.

When Maeda Toshihisa died in 1587, Toshimasu sent his son into the Maeda family's service. Keiji was barred from Toyotomi's Kyushu Campaign for his wild ways.