Prince Takanaga

(1310 – 1337) was the second son of Emperor Go-Daigo of Japan, and fought for his father in the Nanboku-chō Wars. Since the characters used to write "Takanaga" can also be read as "Takayoshi", the prince is sometimes known by that name as well.

Appointed "Seitō Shōgun" (Commander-in-Chief of the Defense of the East) in November 1335, he was commissioned along with Nitta Yoshisada to destroy the Northern Court leaders Ashikaga Takauji and Ashikaga Tadayoshi. He fought a number of battles alongside Nitta, and led his own force in besieging Kyoto.

The following year, he was sent along with his brother Tsunenaga to be escorted by Nitta Yoshiaki to Echizen Province where, it was hoped, they could escape the attacks of the Ashikaga. Fleeing the Ashikaga, Nitta brought the Princes away from Yoshino, where the Southern Court of Go-Daigo was based, towards Tsuruga in Echizen. They faced a terrible defeat in the battle of Minatogawa, but survived and eventually made it to the castle of Kanagasaki. In January 1337 the castle came under siege, and by April those inside were reduced to eating horseflesh to survive, and almost resorted to cannibalism before surrendering. Takanaga and Yoshiaki committed suicide before the castle fell.

References

* Sansom, George (1961). "A History of Japan: 1334-1615," Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.