Yamanaka "Shikanosuke" Yukimori, the medieval samurai who was dedicated his life for his master

There was a great samurai in Chugoku region in Japanese medieval history.
Yamanaka "Shikanosuke" Yukimori (1545-1578) was a warlord of daimyo Amako family in Izumo province (the east part of current Shimane prefecture).

His origin and the first half of his life was not confirmed, but according to legends, he had joined military action since he was very young, and he have defeated enemies.
Shikanosuke succeeded in battles he joined, however in 1567, Amako family was ruined by daimyo Mouri family of Aki province (the western part of current Hiroshima).
The head of Amako family Amako Yoshihisa was captured and kept under Mouri family as a guest.
Shikanosuke lost his master, and became a ronin (unemployed samurai).

However, Shikanosuke didn't give up his fight against Mouri family.
He went to Kyoto and contacted Amako Katsuhisa, who was one of Amako clan.
Katsuhisa had been left Izumo before the corruption of his family, and was a monk that time in Kyoto.
Shikanosuke made Katsuhisa as his new master, and took Katsuhisa with him to fight against Mouri.

They went back to Chugoku region and started their military action.
Shikanosuke succeeded in a series of battles against Mouri family.
He was not only skillful in hand-to-hand combat but also good at strategy.
He made local samurais to join his side one by one.
Moreover he kept contact with enemies of Mouri such as Otomo (the daimyo of north parts of Kyushu region) and Yamana (the daimyo of Chugoku region) family and tried to attack Mouri with them.
Temporary, even he took most of area of Izumo back to his hand.

It was unfortunate that Yamana left their side and made an agreement with Mouri.
The event broke the military balance in Chugoku and Shikanosuke lost his power.
He left Chugoku temporary, then joined the family of Oda Nobunaga in Kyoto.
Since after that he and his master Katsuhisa have fought as warlords of Oda family.

They stayed in Kozuki castle in Harima province (the western part of current Hyogo).
They battled in siege to Mouri, but finally they had to surrender to their long time enemy.
Shikanosuke and Katsuhisa were captured.
Katsuhisa chose Harakiri (a traditional way of suicide) soon after their lost.
After the death of his master, Shikanosuke was murdered by Mouri.
His long-standing battle was finally over.
He dedicated his whole life for the family of his masters.
The spirit of Shikanosuke has been respected by many people.

Here is one more curious fact.
According to Kounoike family, the famous wealthy merchant in Osaka at the Edo period, their ancestor was Shikanosuke.
Kounoike family have succeeded in business and got a huge prosperity.
Even nowadays, we can see the name of Kounoike in many Japanese companies.