Yamanaka Yukimori

Yamanaka Shikanosuke (Yukimori) by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. When the Amago clan was on the decline, Shikanosuke prayed to the crescent moon for the restoration of their former status, saying, 'I would rather sustain all kinds of troubles myself than see the clan of my lord fall into ruin.

, also known as Yamanaka Shikanosuke (山中 鹿の介) or Shikasuke (鹿の介), was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. He served the Amago clan of Izumo Province.

In art, his portraits conventionally show a crescent moon on the front of his helmet; he was born under a harvest moon. The crescent moon ornament he wore on his helmet was a token of good luck.

Biography Yamanaka Yukimori was born in 1545. He was the son of Yamanaka Mitsuyuki and Nami. His father died at a young age and his mother was known as being very wise.

Yukimori's mother, Nami, raised Yukimori on her own. Nami grew hemp in the fields to make clothing for Yukimori while wearing a tattered dress. Meanwhile, she gave clothes, food and shelter to other poor children. These same children appreciated the kindness and, after growing up, cooperated with Yukimori. Nami told Yukimori to share his successes and failures with those who followed him and, after losing in battle, not to let his troops die or hog the praise of a victory for himself. It is said that Yukimori never forgot these lessons.

From his youth, Yukimori served the Amago clan, killing an enemy at the age of eight. From around the age of ten, he studied the art of mounted archery as well as military tactics and, at the age of thirteen, achieved the feat of taking the head of an enemy soldier.

Yukimori supported the cause of Amago Katsuhisa,