About Mototsugu Gotō
Lived 1565 – 1615 (aged 50). Mototsugu Gotō was a Japanese samurai, bushi and military personnel.
, also well known as , was a samurai of the late Sengoku through early Edo periods. He served Kuroda Yoshitaka but retired from the Kuroda clan after Kuroda Yoshitaku had died. Finally, he served Toyotomi Hideyori and Yodo-dono and was killed at the battle of Dōmyōji during the siege of Osaka in 1615.
His father Gotō Motokuni served Kodera Masamoto. After his father's death, Matabei became a vassal of Kuroda Kanbei.
During the Siege of Osaka, Gotō was one of the most able and fierce generals in Toyotomi Hideyori's Army. He was the chief commander at the battle of Dōmyōji where, severely outnumbered by Date Masamune troops, he held out for reinforcements, which were lost in the fog. Unable to maintain the position without the reinforcements, Mototsugu was harmed by a stray bullet and unable to stand, he committed seppuku. It is said in his kaishaku memoir that he couldn't stop his tears.
After his death, Mototsugu's samurai were easily defeated and his head discovered by enemy forces. History said that his display of valor this day was great enough to shock everyone, allies and enemies: leading his warriors in hit & run tactics, he killed 70 to 80 horse-men by himself. He stopped only because his horse was exhausted and he needed another to continue the fight.
In popular culture Kojiki Taishō Gotō Matabei is a novel by Jirō Osaragi. Goto Mototsugu is a playable character in video game Sengoku Basara 4 (PS3). He appears in Manga " Sengoku Tenshoki ". He appears in Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence Ascension in the battle of Dōmyōji and other battles in the Siege Of Osaka Castle. It is possible to save him and change history.
Family Goto Motokuni (:Ja:後藤基国): Father Goto Motonori (:Ja:後藤基則): Son Goto Motoyoshi (:Ja:後藤基芳): Son
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Important facts
People in Mototsugu Gotō's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Mototsugu Gotō's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mototsugu Gotō?
Japanese warrior
When was Mototsugu Gotō born?
Mototsugu Gotō was born on 5 May 1565.
When did Mototsugu Gotō die?
Mototsugu Gotō died on 2 June 1615.
What was Mototsugu Gotō's occupation?
Mototsugu Gotō was a samurai, bushi and military personnel.
What nationality was Mototsugu Gotō?
Mototsugu Gotō was Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mototsugu Gotō. https://biography.guide/mototsugu-goto/
MLA: "Mototsugu Gotō." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mototsugu-goto/.
Chicago: "Mototsugu Gotō." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mototsugu-goto/.
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