Ishido Clan

Lore & Background

Ishido Kazunari is one of the five Regents ruling Japan on behalf of the late Taikō's young heir. He is a former peasant turned powerful bushō, and serves as Toranaga's chief rival. He rules from Osaka Castle. The five Regents include Kiyama ukon Sadanaga, a Catholic convert; Sugiyama Josui, descended from a rich clan; and Ohno Harunobu, a once great warrior afflicted with leprosy who became a devout Catholic. The Regents were appointed by the retired Kampaku Nakamura Hidetoshi (later the Taikō) to succeed him until his heir comes of age. Ishido's loyal retainer is Nebara Jozen, an old friend of Yabushige. The faction's opposition to Toranaga is strategic and personal, as Toranaga is a powerful warlord and lord of Kantō, one of the five Regents, and a descendant of the Minowara clan which once ruled Japan as shōguns. Despite their political power at court, the Ishido faction faces the military might of Toranaga, who possesses a brilliant mind for military and political strategy. The conflict between them drives the succession war.

In Their Own Story

Ishido Kazunari, a former peasant who rose to become one of the five Regents, rules from Osaka Castle as Toranaga's chief rival. He commands the loyalty of retainers like Nebara Jozen, an old friend of Yabushige. The Regents' council includes Kiyama ukon Sadanaga, a Catholic convert; Sugiyama Josui, descended from a rich clan; and Ohno Harunobu, a leprous warrior turned devout Catholic. They were appointed by the late Taikō to rule until his heir comes of age.

Reader's Guide

The Ishido faction operates through the Council of Regents, with Ishido Kazunari as one of the five rulers of Japan. Their base of power is Osaka Castle. The faction includes other Regents: Kiyama ukon Sadanaga (a Catholic convert), Sugiyama Josui (from a rich clan), and Ohno Harunobu (a leprous warrior turned Catholic). Their primary rival is Lord Yoshii Toranaga, another of the five Regents, a powerful warlord and descendant of the Minowara clan. Toranaga possesses a brilliant mind for military and political strategy. The Ishido faction relies on political maneuvering at court, but faces Toranaga's military and strategic brilliance. Ultimately, the Ishido faction is defeated in the succession war, as the first season follows the collision between Toranaga and his rivals.

Did You Know?

• Ishido Kazunari is based on the historical figure Ishida Mitsunari (1559–1600).
• Ishido is one of the five Regents ruling Japan on behalf of the late Taikō's young heir.
• Ishido's loyal retainer Nebara Jozen is an old friend of Kashigi Yabushige.
• Ishido rose from being a former peasant to become a powerful bushō.
• The character Ishido Kazunari is played by Takehiro Hira in the series.