Funakoshi Kagenao

Funakoshi Kagenao 船越景直
Born	1540
Died	1611
Other names	Gorōemon
Known for	Hatamoto to the Edo Shogunate. Tea Master in Oribe's style of warrior tea. Associated tea masters: Furuta Oribe, Asano Yoshinaga, Kobori Enshū, Ueda Sōko

Funakoshi Kagenao 船越景直 (1540-1611) was a Japanese military commander and tea master of the Azuchi-Momoyama (1573-1603) and early Edo Periods (1603-1868) of Japan.[1] In his later years he served as a ‘hatamoto’ samurai in direct service of the Edo Shogunate. He was commonly called ‘Funakoshi Gorōemon’.[2] Kagenao was also a tea master who practised chanoyu under the tutelage of Furuta Oribe.[3] He received ‘full-transmission’ (kaiden) of Oribe's teachings on 12 March 1606. Part of Kagenao's chanoyu legacy is the ‘Funakoshi Kantō’ 船越間道 type of vertical striped fabric.[4] The blue, gold and chestnut pattern is classed as a ‘meibutsu-gire’ (famed fabric) and endures as an example of highly sophisticated taste.

Kagenao's first major title was head of Awaji Shōda Castle, holding it in the service of Atagi Fuyuyasu’s navy.[5] Fuyuyasu served Miyoshi Nagayoshi, a senior vassal of the Hosokawa Clan. After the death of Miyoshi Nagayoshi, Kagenao served Oda Nobunaga, and this affiliation contributed to Kagenao being permitted to rule his inherited territory (honryo-ando) in 1581 when Hashiba Hideyoshi captured Awaji. After the Honnoji Incident (1582), Kagenao participated in the Battle of Shizugatake (1583) and the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute (1584) as a direct vassal of Hideyoshi. He was transferred from Awaji to Harima Akashi Domain, where he received a fief of 4,000 koku. Thereafter, Kagenao fought for Hideyoshi in the Siege of Odawara (1590) and the Japanese Invasions of Korea (1592-98).

After Hideyoshi's death, Kagenao was reinstated by Tokugawa Ieyasu and awarded fiefs in Settsu, and then Kawachi Provinces at the request of Ieyasu.[6] Needless to say, Kagenao sided with Ieyasu's East Army in the Battle of Sekigahara. Due to his military achievements in the battle, Kagenao was awarded a further 1,500 koku to his fief and listed as a hatamoto of the Edo Shogunate. Kagenao died in 1611 at the age of 72.

References

1. Sadō Daijiten, Kadogawa Shoten, 茶道大辞典、角川書店、2002, ISBN 4-04-022601-1 (Japanese)
2. Sadō Daijiten, Kadogawa Shoten, 茶道大辞典、角川書店、2002, ISBN 4-04-022601-1 (Japanese)
3. Sadō Daijiten, Kadogawa Shoten, 茶道大辞典、角川書店、2002, ISBN 4-04-022601-1 (Japanese)
4. Sadō Daijiten, Kadogawa Shoten, 茶道大辞典、角川書店、2002, ISBN 4-04-022601-1 (Japanese)
5. Sadō Daijiten, Kadogawa Shoten, 茶道大辞典、角川書店、2002, ISBN 4-04-022601-1 (Japanese)
6. Sadō Daijiten, Kadogawa Shoten, 茶道大辞典、角川書店、2002, ISBN 4-04-022601-1 (Japanese)