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Shimazu Takahisa

1514 – 1571

Daimyo and fifteenth head of the Shimazu clan

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About Shimazu Takahisa

Lived 1514 – 1571 (aged 57). Shimazu Takahisa was a Japanese samurai.

, a son of Shimazu Tadayoshi, was a daimyō during Japan's Sengoku period. He was the fifteenth head of the Shimazu clan.

Biography In 1514, he is said to have been born in Izaku Castle. On 1526, Takahisa was adopted as the successor to Shimazu Katsuhisa and became head of the clan. He launched a series of campaigns to reclaim three provinces: Satsuma, Osumi, and Hyūga. Takahisa also held a diplomatic relationship with the Ryūkyū Kingdom.

In 1549, he used "Portuguese-derived" firearms to take Kajiki castle.

In 1554, Shimazu Takahisa had to take action against his rebellious kokujin vassals, Ito clan and Kimotsuki clan, at Siege of Iwatsurugi Castle.

In 1570, he relinquished the family head position to Shimazu Yoshihisa. He died in 1571.

Notable retainers Ijuin Tadaaki Tanegashima Tokitaka Niiro Tadamoto

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Daimyo

Family & relationships

Child
Shimazu Iehisa
Child
Shimazu Toshihisa
Child
Shimazu Yoshihiro
Child
Shimazu Yoshihisa

People in Shimazu Takahisa's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Shimazu Takahisa's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Shimazu Takahisa?

daimyo and fifteenth head of the Shimazu clan

When was Shimazu Takahisa born?

Shimazu Takahisa was born on 7 June 1514 in Japan.

When did Shimazu Takahisa die?

Shimazu Takahisa died on 25 July 1571.

What was Shimazu Takahisa's occupation?

Shimazu Takahisa was a samurai.

What nationality was Shimazu Takahisa?

Shimazu Takahisa was Japanese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Shimazu Takahisa

· Wikidata: Q2367308

· DBpedia: Shimazu Takahisa

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Shimazu Takahisa. https://biography.guide/shimazu-takahisa/

MLA: "Shimazu Takahisa." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/shimazu-takahisa/.

Chicago: "Shimazu Takahisa." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/shimazu-takahisa/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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