前田 利家 まえだ としいえ Maeda Toshiie 1538 - 1599 Appearances: Sengoku Musou (2Moushouden), Sengoku BASARA (1,2) Maeda Toshiie was born as 犬千代 Inuchiyo and was one of seven children birthed to 前田利昌 Maeda Toshimasa. He was an esteemed general under the Oda in his younger years and faithfully served Hideyoshi until both his and the former's dying day. He was rumored to have been a master of the Yari, or Japanese Spear, and was nicknamed 槍の又左 Yari no Mataza (Mataza of the Spear). He was also known as 又左衛門 Matazaemon.　 Toshiie had started his prolific career as a loyal soldier under the Oda, and was fairly close to Nobunaga. However, Toshiie was dismissed and banned from the Oda ranks after a rumored dispute between him and nother retainer, where he supposedly drew his blade on the man. In either a final effort to prove his worth to Nobunaga or just to help the Oda, Toshiie quickly took up arms to fight in the Battle of 桶狭間 Okehazama, where he proved himself and was quickly admitted back into the Oda ranks. Toshiie quickly rose up in rank, becoming an esteemed member and close associate to many great warriors, such as Shibata Katsuie, Akechi Mitsuhide, and the then young Kinoshita Tokichiro (who would go on to become Toyotomi Hideyoshi). Just as Hideyoshi was called 猿 Saru (monkey) by fellow generals, including Nobunaga, Toshiie was called 犬 Inu (dog). Toshiie participated in such great battles like 手取川 Tedorigawa (Where he was aiding Shibata Katsuie) and 姉川 Anegawa. After the Revolt of Honnoji, where Nobunaga was successfully assassinated by Akechi Mitsuhide in a Coup, Toshiie's already strained relationship with Mitsuhide caused him to be in full support of Hideyoshi. During the Battle of Shizugatake, Toshiie was originally in full support of Katsuie, but after some careful thinking and words from his old monkey friend, he switched allegiances and joined the Toyotomi army, and as a result received Kaga province. He went on to serve in the Siege of Odawara and continued his support for Hideyoshi in 小牧長久手の戦い Battle of Komaki-Nagakute, and became an esteemed member of Hideyoshi's council. Before Hideyoshi died, he named Toshiie as one of the 豊臣五大老 Toyotomi Godairou (Toyotomi Five Regents whom were responsible for wathing the land until Hideyoshi's son came of age) besides Ieyasu, 宇喜多秀家 Ukita Hideie, 毛利輝元 Mouri Terumoto and 上杉景勝 Uesugi Kagekatsu. Aside from becoming a regent, Hideyoshi granted his old friend the title of Hideyori's guardian. Sadly, Toshiie died a mere one year later due to illness. Biography created by: Hondam