Career Crises ① Takatora Todo
Six months after the initial concept, I am finally able to post this.
With the concept of [History x Career], the goal is to use this as a reference for our own career development in the modern age.
The commemorative first installment is none other than Takatora Todo, who it is no exaggeration to call the 'God of Job Changing'!!
[Conclusion]
'A samurai cannot call himself a samurai unless he has changed his lord seven times'—the true meaning of this maxim is...
'The duty of a samurai is to serve his lord. A true samurai is one who continues to be trusted even after changing lords seven times.'This is how I interpret it.
※Added on January 10, 2022
A reader pointed out that there is no mention of 'A samurai must...' in official documents. The author, Mr. Komatsu, must have seen some kind of material, but it might be a later invention. (A common occurrence with great figures?)
1. Purpose of the report
・To learn how to approach work and how to shift one's mindset from historical figures.
・To use as a reference for dealing with consultants who cannot adjust to new jobs or departments due to internal transfers.
・To analyze from a career development perspective how Takatora Todo (hereinafter referred to as Takatora), a Sengoku period warlord who served various rulers, dealt with environmental changes, including the true meaning of his maxim, 'A samurai cannot call himself a samurai unless he has changed his lord seven times.'
2. About Takatora's biography
I have summarized Takatora's biography as a warlord in the figure below.
In the first half of his life, he was active as a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (hereinafter referred to as Hideyoshi).
In the second half of his life, he was heavily relied upon by Tokugawa Ieyasu (hereinafter referred to as Ieyasu), and it can be seen that he made many achievements not only on the battlefield but also in castle construction and administration.(Highlighted area).
3. About Takatora's personality and abilities
Takatora is described as a 'master of castle construction' alongside Kato Kiyomasa and Kuroda Kanbei, but because he worked like a vassal of Ieyasu after the deaths of Hideyoshi and Hidenaga, whom he served, his reputation is not high.
It is thought that this is why he is ridiculed as an 'opportunist' or a 'weathercock'.
The following is an excerpt from a related work (Tetsushi Komatsu, 'Changing Lords Seven Times: The Rehabilitation of Takatora Todo').
・Rough and short-tempered, he prided himself on his physical strength and courage. At age 13, he was about 188 cm tall (the average at the time was 155 cm).
・Learned castle construction techniques from Mitsuhiro Kora of the Anoshu guild.
・Served as a mediator for the deep rift between the bureaucratic and military factions within the Toyotomi family.
・Disillusioned by Hideyoshi's way of fighting during the invasion of Korea, which included killing civilians.
・After Sekigahara, his eldest son Takatsugu was given Otsu Castle by Ieyasu, but Takatora moved it to Zeze Castle, which made it easier to control water transport on Lake Biwa. This contributed to the formation of the siege of Osaka and increased Ieyasu's trust in him.
・Osaka and Edo are connected by the Tokaido and Nakasendo roads. Iga, which Takatora was granted, is a key point leading to the Tokaido. Ii Naomasa (one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Tokugawa) was stationed at Hikone, a key point leading to the Nakasendo at the same time, which shows Ieyasu's level of trust.
・Ieyasu expected him to be a model for how even an outsider could be heavily relied upon if they served well.
・Because he was a man who had known hardship, he was compassionate and did not mind having vassals.
・For those who asked to be released from service, he would serve tea, give them swords, and send them off saying, 'Come back anytime.'
・Prohibited ritual suicide (junshi) to protect capable vassals.
・From around 1598, he received lectures on the 'Zizhi Tongjian' from the Confucian scholar Miyake Mōyō and was impressed by Chinese history.
・The Todo domain remained until the end of the Edo period, but during the Boshin War, they suddenly fired cannons at the Shogunate army at Yamazaki and joined the Imperial army.
(He executed the Todo family precept: 'When you must choose between your domain and the Shogunate, choose your domain without hesitation.')
・There is also a maxim: 'If your lord does not notice your efforts even after you have served him day and night for several years, you should take your leave, even if you are a hereditary vassal.'
4. Career analysis
Until his 30s, Takatora was active in land warfare while honing his skills in strategy and castle construction, and he was active in many fields, such as commanding a navy during the invasion of Korea.
Furthermore, from his 40s onwards, he demonstrated his skills in castle construction and domain management, and also held a position akin to a management consultant for the Tokugawa Shogunate as an advisor to Hidetada and Iemitsu.
The questions that arise here are:
1. Why was he able to be active outside of battles?
2. Why was he highly valued by the Tokugawa?
Therefore, I would like to attempt a career analysis while also citing other works featuring Takatora.
(1) Reference: From "Takatora Todo: A Great General Who Grew with the Times" by Genzo Murakami
1. Why was he able to be active outside of battles?
- His sister's husband contributed behind the scenes, such as by collecting provisions.
- He obtained various information through traveling entertainers called 'Hokashi'.
2. Why was he highly valued by the Tokugawa?
- After serving various warlords, he concluded that Ieyasu was the lord he should serve.
- Although he had a debt of gratitude to the Toyotomi, he joined the Tokugawa side in the Siege of Osaka to realize peace in the world.
- He was suitable as an advisor because he excelled in intelligence, military strategy, and tactical planning. These were skills gained from experience rather than academic study, making them highly rare.
(2) Reference: From "Takatora Todo: The Man Loved by Hideyoshi and Ieyasu" by Michihide Hanyu
1. Why was he able to be active outside of battles?
- Awaji-no-kami Ake was skilled in naval warfare, and he received his teachings.
- He practiced his father Takataka's teaching: 'If you receive a favor, repay it with all your heart.'
- He always accompanied several Omi merchants to purchase military supplies.
- He led mining teams and played an active role in siege warfare, such as by collapsing watchtowers.
- During the invasion of Shikoku, he negotiated with the enemy general Tada-zumi Tani and led to a peace agreement with Motochika Chosokabe.
- In 1588, he became the Nagasaki Magistrate by Hideyoshi's order, held 'night talk meetings' to gather information from merchants, and also learned castle construction techniques from the Portuguese.
2. Why was he highly valued by the Tokugawa?
- He had an eye for judging character (Ieyasu's assessment).
- Although he had a dispute with Yoshiaki Kato over who would lead the vanguard during the Korean campaign, he recommended him as his successor for the 400,000 koku Aizu-Wakamatsu domain.
-> He had the judgment to act without being bound by personal feelings (Hidetada's assessment).
- He brought the Iga ninja clans under his wing and was also skilled at gathering information.
(3) Reference: "The Designer of the Edo Period: The Exceptionally Talented Warlord Takatora Todo" by Tatsuo Fujita
1. Why was he able to be active outside of battles?
- He had support from the Isshiki family (a prestigious branch of the Ashikaga family), which was his wife's family.
- He was well-versed in economics, such as by connecting Tsu Castle (a port town) and Iga Ueno Castle with roads to promote development.
- He had a talent for design and vision, such as in castle construction and town planning.
- His method of stacking stone walls was original and had a reputation for being earthquake-resistant.
2. Why was he highly valued by the Tokugawa?
- He added a gate at his own expense during the construction of Ieyasu's residence, which impressed him.
-> At the time, the number of gates was a symbol of authority and was appreciated.
- There were 248 daimyo families abolished during the Edo period (127 tozama, 121 Tokugawa family/fudai).
-> He was highly trusted by the Shogunate as there were no subsequent domain transfers for him.
- Perhaps Imabari Castle was ordered to be built to monitor the Seto Inland Sea.
- Perhaps Tanba Sasayama Castle was built in a short period because there was a rush to surround Osaka Castle.
- The number of castles built or renovated recorded is 23 (Kiyomasa Kato: 12, Kanbei Kuroda: 9), which is outstanding.
- His high level of loyalty is evident in that he prioritized the Shogunate's requests (construction/renovation) over the construction of his own domain's castles.
5. Career Considerations
Based on the background and other information we have looked at so far, I will summarize Takatora's interests, abilities, and values from the perspective of a career consultant.
(1) Interests
- Having lost his older brother who was supposed to inherit the family estate, he likely wanted to rebuild the Todo family as the pillar of the clan.
- The name 'Takatora' was given by reversing 'Takataka' with the hope that he would surpass his father, and this seems to have greatly influenced his actions.
- The flag he used on the battlefield had three white circles on a navy blue background, which is said to be a pun on 'white mochi' (rice cake) and 'shiromochi' (castle holder), expressing Takatora's hunger and strong desire to become a daimyo.
★ Among the 'Schlossberg Theory' concepts, he overcame the event (transition) of his lord's death twice and turned it into a career change. He likely had high empathy for the bereaved families who lost their masters and did not spare any assistance.
(2) Abilities
- A professional warrior (spearman) who fought in his first battle at the Battle of Anegawa at age 15 and experienced the Siege of Osaka.
- He had the flexibility to sense his boss's needs and produce results, as well as the ability to foresee the future.
- He had the sense of an Omi merchant, such as in negotiations and managing expenses.
- For self-growth, he learned from everyone and was greedy for skill improvement.
- He had a high level of understanding of territorial strategy and technology.
★ He shows tendencies of the R-type (realistic/investigative type who likes things related to assembly and repair) and I-type (curious, academic, and independent) in 'Holland's Theory'. ★ He practiced 'assertiveness' from his 20s to his 50s. He also had excellent communication skills that allowed him to appeal his own abilities during interviews when serving a new lord.
(3) Values
- Because the Todo family were local gentry (or 'fallen samurai' to put it negatively), Takatora had a strong attachment to 'favor and service' out of a reactionary longing for the samurai status.
-> On the other hand, until his 20s, he would quickly give up on masters who did not value his work.
- His father Takataka also changed masters between the Takeda, Kyogoku, and Azai, so Takatora had no resistance to moving to other families.
-> Interpreted in a modern way, one can see a tendency toward 'being used to changing jobs' and 'valuing treatment'.
- By studying Chinese history books, he knew the flow from the rise to the fall of nations and understood the change of the era from war to peace.
-> Ieyasu's intention was to create a shogunate for the sake of peace in the world, and Takatora's vision and thoughts of wanting to end the fighting matched this.
★ Among the '8 Decision-Making Styles', he shows tendencies of the impulsive type (not thinking about proceeding systematically) and the intuitive type (utilizing his own experience, etc.).
★ He likely acted by perceiving his connections with merchants who distributed weapons and his skills in castle building as a 'potential market' that could increase his 'labor value' in 'self-marketing'.
6. Summary
- Takatora is a type of warlord who works silently and leaves results, rather than a sycophant or flatterer.
- The fact that he continued to increase his koku (yield) even when his masters changed is proof of his high evaluation.
(3,000 koku -> 10,000 koku -> 20,000 koku -> 70,000 koku -> 200,000 koku -> 230,000 koku -> 320,000 koku)
* By the way, 300,000 koku is on the same scale as the Mito Tokugawa family and the Hikone Ii family, which is exceptional for a tozama daimyo.
- Samurai at the time changed masters easily like mercenaries, and it was not only Takatora who served various rulers of the realm.
- He seems to have had a side that sought some self-discretion from a young age and had a strong sense of responsibility, and he was compatible with emotional and delegating bosses (Hidenaga, Ieyasu, etc.).
- If compared to modern times, he was a highly capable 'by-player' (supporting actor), perhaps working like a manufacturing department manager who could also handle sales.
- He proved that even without experience, one can be active if there is personal effort and support from those around, which encouraged me as well.
最後に、
「武士たるもの七度主君を変えねば武士とは言えぬ」
という格言の真意は、、、、
「武士の本分は、主君に仕えること。
七度主君が変わっても信頼され続けることが
真の武士である」
です。
以上Thank you for reading until the end ♫
7. Reference Materials
○ Takatora Todo ~Wikipedia~
○ Tetsushi Komatsu "Changing Masters Seven Times ~The Rehabilitation of Takatora Todo~"
○ Genzo Murakami "Takatora Todo ~A Great General Who Grew with the Times~"
○ Michihide Hanyu "Takatora Todo ~The Man Whom Hideyoshi and Ieyasu Fell in Love With~"
○ Tatsuo Fujita "The Architect of the Edo Period: The Extraordinary Military Commander Takatora Todo"
#Career #Analysis #TakatoraTodo #Report #History #ToyotomiBrothers
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