Akashi Takenori

Portrait of Akashi Takenori from Utagawa Yoshiiku's Heroes of the Taiheiki

Akashi Takenori (明石 全登, 1566–1618?) was a Japanese samurai of the Azuchi-Momoyama through early Edo periods. Also known as Teruzumi, Zentō, or Naritoyo. Retainer of Ukita Naoie, the major daimyō of Bizen Province. Also known by his court title, Kamon-no-Kami (掃部頭). Takenori also served as a strategist under Naoie's son Ukita Hideie. At the Battle of Sekigahara, he fought bravely against Fukushima Masanori. After the Ukita clan had been destroyed in the Battle of Sekigahara, Akashi vanished. At the Siege of Osaka, Akashi entered Osaka castle and he fought against Tokugawa Ieyasu to the last minute. After the castle's fall, he escaped again. He never committed suicide because of his Christian beliefs. Despite being hunted by the forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu, he was not caught; his whereabouts after the battle are unknown.