Hanato Nyooboftsugu (1124-1186) was a general and ruler of Tsuburu island, who managed to defeat Pula Dynasty forces in battles of Wain-ro (1177) and Katsuryoku (1180). He is considered one of the best commanders in history of Catfish Islands.
Biography
Hanato Nyooboftsugu was born in 1124 on Tsuburu Island in the Catfish Islands. His father, Hanato Nyooboofyasu, was the leader of the Hanato clan. He had three sisters and a brother named Hanato Nyooboofyoshi.
Hanato entered the royal court on Nyubishima at the age of twelve, training under general Doji Oofjimasa. He then began reading Sun Tzu's the Art of War. At 14, he fell in love with courtier named Wanoobe, with whom he had a son named Ietekku three years later. The resulting scandal forced Wanoobe into a monastery, and Hanato Nyoobooftsugu focused on studying tactics and combat.
In 1145, Hanato Nyoobofyasu died, prompting Nyooboftsugu to come to Tsuburu to seize power. He defeated his brother Nyooboofyoshi in a battle. A year later, they signed a peace treaty that resulted in both brothers ruling the island together.
Following the death of Doji Oojifmasa in 1158, Nyoobooftsugu was appointed by King Yuraie as the new general of Noobii. This was an important rank held by three military officers simultaneously, presiding over the council of generals.
Hanato's actions led to the unification of the entire archipelago under the rule of the Ttago clan between 1161 and 1169. During the unification process Nyoobooftsugu managed to become a regent from 1163 to 1164 for young king Lotthu. In 1172, General Setada attempted to oust Hanato from the council of generals, resulting in an armed conflict and a stalemate. Sesada was exiled and subsequently imprisoned on Akamurasaki, where he died sometime between 1175 and 1184.
War broke out between the Catfish Islands and the Pulu Dynasty in 1175. King Lotthu ordered the disbandment of the council of generals and handed over command and reign to his uncle, Ttago Buleji. Although Buleji managed to defeat the Pulu Dynasty's scouts, he soon died of old age, and his men were routed in battle a few days later. Following the regent's death, Hanato Nyoobooftsugu declared himself the new regent and began expanding his army with peasants, ronin (including Buleji's surviving men) and forces of Hanato clan.
Hanato used weapons previously captured by Ttago from reconnaissance troops and ordered their replication. A multitude of decoys were also made to confuse the enemy. Hanato waited for the enemy to land on Nyubishima. The Penguins were forced to approach the interior of the island, where Nyoobooftsugu met them with his army at Wain-ro.
The Penguins were unprepared to use their own weapons. Hanato took advantage of the confusion in the enemy's ranks and sent most of his cavalry against their flank, resulting in his forces' victory.
After the Battle of Wain-ro, Hanato Nyoobooftsugu prepared the defense of the coastal cities. When Pulu forces landed at Katsuryoku in 1180, Hanato defeated them.
Hanato Nyoobooftsugu died in 1186, six years after the Battle of Katsuryoku. He had three sons (one of them illegitimate) and five daughters (three of them illegitimate).