Maeda Toshiie

Grave of Maeda clan at Mount Koya

Maeda Toshiie (前田 利家 Maeda Toshiie; January 15, 1539 - April 27, 1599) was one of the leading generals of Oda Nobunaga. His father was Maeda Toshimasa. He was the fourth of seven brothers. His childhood name was Inuchiyo (犬千代). His preferred weapon was a yari and he was known as "Yari no Mataza", Mataza being his common name.

Born in Owari province, he served Oda Nobunaga from childhood and his loyalty was awarded by being allowed to be the head of the Maeda clan, very unusual for a fourth son with no apparent failures among his elder brothers. In his young days, he was a delinquent just like Nobunaga and dressed in the outlandish style of a kabukimono. It is believed he also became a friend to Kinoshita Tokichiro (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi) in their youth. Just as Hideyoshi was known as Saru or "monkey," it is believed that Toshiie was called Inu or "dog" by Nobunaga. Because of a long-standing belief that a dog and a monkey are never friendly to each other, Toshiie is often depicted as honest and strict, in contrast to Hideyoshi's talkative and easy-going way.

After defeating Asakura, Maeda fought under Shibata Katsuie in the Hokuriku area. He eventually gained a han in Noto Province. After Nobunaga's assassination and Akechi Mitsuhide's defeat by Hideyoshi, he battled Hideyoshi under Shibata's command in the Battle of Shizugatake. After Shibata's defeat, Toshiie worked for Hideyoshi and became one of his leading generals. Before dying in 1598, Hideyoshi named Toshiie to the council of five regents to support Toyotomi Hideyori until he was old enough to take control on his own. However, Toshiie himself was ailing, and could only manage to support Hideyori for only a year before he passed away as well.