Toyotomi Brothers! Episode 22 'Harima Miscalculation' - Harima Campaign in Deep Trouble! Is Hideyoshi Facing a Shocking 'Demotion' Crisis?
Broadcast on June 7, 2026, the Taiga drama Toyotomi Brothers! Episode 22 'Harima Miscalculation' depicted Hashiba Hideyoshi and Koichiro Nagahide struggling with the Harima campaign.
This episode was truly a trial for the Toyotomi brothers.
The battle surrounding Kozuki Castle, the guilt over the people they could not save, and Koichiro's desperate efforts to support his older brother Hideyoshi were all very moving.
As a drama, it can be said that this was an emotional episode where the bond between the brothers deepened.
On the other hand, historically speaking, Hideyoshi was by no means sailing smoothly during this period. In fact, he was facing a crisis so severe that he was on the verge of losing Nobunaga's trust due to the failure of the Harima campaign.
A point I would like to highlight in particular is the defection of Bessho Nagaharu, Lord of Miki Castle. The Bessho clan was originally on the Oda side, but due to Hideyoshi's heavy-handed approach and the conflict between the Oda and Mori clans over Harima, they ultimately turned against Nobunaga.
In this column, while looking back at the content of the drama,
・Why was the Harima campaign a 'major miscalculation'?
・Why did Bessho Nagaharu defect?
・Was Hideyoshi really in danger of a 'demotion'?
・Traces left by Koichiro at Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
I will explain these four points in an easy-to-understand manner from the perspective of a history-loving writer.
1578: The Harima campaign is a series of major crises
In reality, Harima in 1578 (Tensho 6) was in a very unstable situation.
This year was a series of major crises for Hideyoshi in the Harima campaign.
・February: Bessho Nagaharu of Miki Castle defects from the Oda side
・July: Kozuki Castle falls to the Mori side
・July: Takeda Castle, where Koichiro Nagahide served as castellan, is also lost
・October: Araki Murashige of Arioka Castle also raises the banner of rebellion against Nobunaga
In other words, the front line in the Harima region was crumbling significantly.
Harima was a place where the forces of Oda and Mori clashed, and the Osaka Hongan-ji Temple was to the east. It was only natural that the local lords were wavering between whether to side with the Oda or the Mori.
Why did Bessho Nagaharu defect?
The defection of Bessho Nagaharu, Lord of Miki Castle, was particularly significant.
Nagaharu was an influential figure who had originally been on Nobunaga's side. So, why did he betray him?
Previously, there was a view that his uncle, Bessho Yasusada, had incited Nagaharu. However, in recent years, a copy of an explanation letter sent by Hideyoshi to Nobunaga has been confirmed, and the situation has become a little clearer.
To summarize the content briefly, Hideyoshi explained the following to Nobunaga:
・He had ordered the destruction of castles within the Bessho family
・However, Kakogawa Castle had not been destroyed
・There was suspicion that Bessho Yasusada and others were colluding with the Mori
・Therefore, he requested additional hostages
・He had planned to build a fort at Aga, but because Nagaharu's behavior was suspicious, he occupied Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
・The delay in reporting was not due to negligence, but because he was assessing the situation in Harima
It is quite a desperate account.
What we can see from this is the possibility that Hideyoshi was dealing with the Bessho family in a rather heavy-handed manner. Demanding they destroy their castle, provide hostages, and setting up camp in a location different from what was promised. It is no wonder that Bessho Nagaharu felt that Hideyoshi was doing whatever he pleased.
Is Hideyoshi facing an unexpected 'demotion' crisis?
While the drama depicted Hideyoshi's weaknesses and suffering, in historical fact, it is possible that Hideyoshi's own high-handed actions invited backlash from the local lords of Harima.
Furthermore, it is also considered that Hideyoshi may have been 'demoted' during this period.
Hideyoshi had been calling himself 'Hashiba Chikuzen-no-kami' since the third year of Tensho, but from the latter half of the sixth year of Tensho, his signatures on documents reverted to 'Hashiba Tokichiro.' It is possible that his evaluation by Nobunaga had dropped due to his failure in governing Harima.
Before becoming the ruler of the nation, Hideyoshi's path was by no means smooth sailing. Rather, he was on the verge of losing Nobunaga's trust and was cornered to the point where he had to desperately justify his actions.
Koichiro Nagahide and the Graffiti at Engyo-ji Temple
What was impressive in this episode of the drama was the scene where Koichiro prays for his older brother. There was also a scene where he carved his name into a pillar at Engyo-ji Temple.
In reality, graffiti such as 'Hashiba Koichiro's retainer Takai Tosuke' and 'Tensho Year 6' remains at Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple.
However, it was not carved by Koichiro himself as in the drama, but by one of Koichiro's retainers.
Even so, it is very interesting that traces of the Toyotomi brothers who fought in Harima remain at the temple to this day.
As a history enthusiast, when I encounter such 'traces left on-site,' the drama and historical facts suddenly connect and become clear.
6. Summary of this episode
Episode 22 was, as a drama, an episode that depicted the bond between the brothers.
However, looking at it from a historical perspective, it was also a crisis episode where Hideyoshi failed significantly in Harima and nearly lost Nobunaga's trust.
Personally, I also wish they had depicted the tragedy of Kozuki Castle and the cold-hearted side of Hideyoshi a bit more directly. Hideyoshi was a person who possessed not only the charm of a 'hitotarashi' (charmer) but also ruthlessness and forcefulness.
How will the Toyotomi brothers overcome this major predicament? From the next episode onwards, I would like to pay attention not only to Hideyoshi's 'light' but also to his 'shadow' side.
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