Ii Naomasa

Ii Naomasa, born on March fourth, fifteen sixty-one, was a distinguished Japanese samurai general and military personnel during the tumultuous Sengoku period. He served under the prominent daimyō and later shōgun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and took command of the clan following the death of Ii Naotora. His strategic prowess and leadership were instrumental in the clan's success during this era.

In the mid-1570s, Ii Naomasa joined the Tokugawa clan, quickly ascending through the ranks. His reputation soared after the pivotal Battle of Komaki and Nagakute, where he earned recognition as one of the Four Guardians of the Tokugawa, alongside notable figures such as Honda Tadakatsu, Sakakibara Yasumasa, and Sakai Tadatsugu. His military acumen was further demonstrated when he became the master of a significant holding in Ōmi Province after the decisive Battle of Sekigahara in sixteen hundred.

In addition to his military achievements, Ii Naomasa held the office of Hyōbu-daifū within the Imperial Japan ministries. He was also renowned for his command over the elite Red Guards (赤備え), known as akazonae, who had previously served the Takeda clan. His leadership and tactical skills made him a formidable figure in Japanese history.