Database: Ukita Naoie

Born in Bizen Province, Ukita Naoie was the son of Ukita Okiie, a local feudal lord. The adventures that surround his life during his youth are known to us only through warrior tales (gunki mono) from the late 17th century and are therefore to be taken with caution. Following the assassination of his grandfather Yoshiie in 1534, Naoie and his father were displaced from their lands and were taken in by the Urakami, the lords of Tenjinzan Castle. After the death of his father in 1536, Ukita Naoie became head of the Ukita clan and served as vassal to Munekage. In 1568 and 1569, he waged war against neighboring lords and, victorious, extended his influence.

In 1569, Ukita Naoie joined forces with Oda Nobunaga and Akamatsu Masahide to rebel against his lord Urakami Munekage. However, Munekage reversed the situation when Akamatsu was defeated by Kuroda Mototaka and his son. Rather than continue to fight alone, Naoie chose to return to the Urakami clan. But Naoie's rebellious streak had not yet ended. He sent spies to disband Munekage's vassals in Mimasaka and Bizen provinces.

Then, in 1573, Naoie attacked Okayama Castle, seizing transport routes and farmland in the area. He renovated the castle and the old route of the San'yō Road, establishing Okayama as the political and economic capital of Bizen. Naoie finally defeated the Urakami in 1577, forcing them to flee to Shikoku. At the time, Naoie controlled Bizen, Mimasaka, and part of Harima province, becoming one of the most powerful lords in the region. When Hideyoshi launched his campaign to conquer the Chūgoku regions, Naoie first allied himself with the Mōri before reversing and entering Hideyoshi's service. In 1581, he died of illness at Okayama Castle.