Database: Kuroda Yoshitaka

Kuroda Yoshitaka, also known by his common name Kanbee or Kanbei, hailed from the province of Harima, where his father presided over Himeji Castle. Esteemed as one of Hideyoshi's most adept strategists and negotiators, Yoshitaka's contributions were pivotal in numerous military campaigns.

During the Chūgoku campaign against the Mōri, Yoshitaka welcomed Hideyoshi to Himeji Castle and subsequently entered his service. In 1578, when Araki Murashige rebelled against Nobunaga, Yoshitaka endeavored, albeit unsuccessfully, to dissuade him, resulting in his house arrest until the following year. In 1580, he ceded Himeji Castle to Hideyoshi, who reciprocated by granting him land in Harima with an income of 10,000 koku of rice. Yoshitaka then participated in several of Hideyoshi's military expeditions, initially in western Honshu, then in Kyushu, and later in Korea, securing multiple victories.

Following Hideyoshi's death, Yoshitaka found himself at odds with Ishida Mitsunari and subsequently aligned with Tokugawa Ieyasu, who bestowed upon him one of his adopted daughters in marriage. Yoshitaka played a crucial role in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and continued to engage in combat in Kyushu. As a reward for his loyalty and service, Ieyasu granted him and his son Nagamasa the province of Chikuzen, thus establishing the Kuroda lineage, future lords of Fukuoka.

Moreover, Kuroda Yoshitaka converted to Christianity in 1585 under the influence of Takayama Ukon. However, when Hideyoshi mandated in 1587 that all his Christian vassals renounce their faith, Yoshitaka complied and adopted the Buddhist name Josui, by which he is frequently known.