Watanabe ( and other variantsSee #Miscellaneous) is a

Japanese surname Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

derived from the noble and samurai Watanabe clan, a branch of the

Minamoto clan was a Aristocracy (class), noble surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan upon members of the Imperial House of Japan, imperial family who were excluded from the List of emperors of Japan, line of succession and demoted into the ranks of Nobili ...

, descending from the

Emperor Saga was the 52nd emperor of Japan, Emperor Saga, Saganoyamanoe Imperial Mausoleum, Imperial Household Agency according to the traditional order of succession. Saga's reign lasted from 809 to 823. Traditional narrative Saga was the second son of ...

(786-842), the 52nd

Emperor of Japan The emperor of Japan is the hereditary monarch and head of state of Japan. The emperor is defined by the Constitution of Japan as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, his position deriving from "the will of ...

, and refers to a location called 'Watanabe no tsu' which was settled by the Watanabe clan, who took the name of the place. It was located in the medieval period near the mouth of the Yodogawa River in Settsu Province, in present-day city of

Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...

Kishiwada Castle Kishiwada Osaka pref Japan02s5

History

Origin

The surname Watanabe comes from the Watanabe clan founded by

Watanabe no Tsuna (953–1025) was a Japanese samurai of the Heian period and a companion in arms of Minamoto no Yorimitsu (also known as Raikō), one of the earliest samurai to be famed for his military exploits in a number of tales and legends. Watanabe no T ...

(953-1025), of the Saga Genji branch of the

, and his official name was Minamoto no Tsuna. He established the Watanabe branch of the Minamoto clan, taking the name from his stronghold at Watanabe no tsu, a

port A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manch ...

on the

Yodogawa River The , also called the Seta River (瀬田川 ''Seta-gawa'') and the Uji River (宇治川 ''Uji-gawa'') at portions of its route, is the principal river in Osaka Prefecture on Honshu, Japan. The source of the river is Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefectur ...

Settsu Province was a province of Japan, which today comprises the southeastern part of Hyōgo Prefecture and the northern part of Osaka Prefecture. It was also referred to as or . Osaka and Osaka Castle were the main center of the province. Most of Settsu's ...

, and in 1020 he was appointed Tango no Kami (Governor of

Tango Province was a Provinces of Japan, province of Japan in the area of northern Kyoto Prefecture. Tango bordered on Tanba Province, Tanba to the south, Tajima Province, Tajima to the west, and Wakasa Province, Wakasa to the east. Its abbreviated form name ...

). He was the son of Minamoto no Atsuru (933-953), married to a daughter of the '' Chinjufu-shōgun'' (Commander in chief of the defense of the north)

Minamoto no Mitsunaka was a Japanese samurai and court official of the Heian period. He served as '' Chinjufu-shōgun'' and acting governor of Settsu Province''.'' His association with the Fujiwara clan made him one of the wealthiest and most powerful courtiers of hi ...

(912-997); he was the grandson of Minamoto no Tsuko (891-942), Musashi no Kami (Governor of Musashi province); was the great-grandson of Minamoto no Noboru (848-918), Dainagon (Chief Councilor of State); great-great-grandson of

Minamoto no Tōru was a Japanese poet and statesman. He was born the son of Emperor Saga and a member of the Saga Genji clan. He is sometimes mentioned as the model for Hikaru Genji in important Japanese literary classic ''The Tale of Genji''. Under his title ...

(822-895), Sadaijin (Minister of the Left); and was the great-great-great-grandson of the

(786-842), the 52nd

. He was the stepgrandson of the Chinjufu-shōgun

, a descendant of the

Emperor Seiwa was the 56th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 清和天皇 (56)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Seiwa's reign spanned the years from 858 through 876. Traditional narrative Seiwa was the fourth ...

(850-881), and having lost his father the year of his birth, he was adopted by Minamoto no Atsushi, a descendant of the

Emperor Ninmyō was the 54th emperor of Japan, Emperor Ninmyō, Fukakusa Imperial Mausoleum, Imperial Household Agency according to the traditional order of succession. Ninmyō's reign lasted from 833 to 850, during the Heian period. Traditional narrative Nin ...

(808-850), and son in law of Mitsunaka. He was companion in arms to his stepuncle

Minamoto no Yorimitsu , also known as Minamoto no Raikō, was a Japanese samurai of the Heian period, who served the regents of the Fujiwara clan along with his brother Yorinobu, taking the violent measures the Fujiwara were themselves unable to take. He is one of t ...

(944–1021), son of Mitsunaka; and is famous for his military exploits in a number of tales and legends. He is known as one of

the Four Guardian Kings ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The' ...

(Shitennō) of Yorimitsu, referring to the Buddhist

Four Heavenly Kings The Four Heavenly Kings are four Buddhism, Buddhist gods or Deva (Buddhism), ''devas'', each of whom is believed to watch over one cardinal direction of the world. The Hall of Four Heavenly Kings is a standard component of Chinese Buddhism, Ch ...

Heian period to the Genpei war

Watanabe no Den, great-grandson of Tsuna, received from the

Emperor Shirakawa was the 72nd emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 白河天皇 (72)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087. Genealogy Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum T ...

(1053-1129) the hereditary title of Shokan (Governing officer) of the huge Oe no Mikuriya estate, and in Kyoto he inherited the military charges of Takiguchi no musha (Takiguchi warriors Guards of the Imperial Palace), as well as Emonfu (Government office of the Outer Palace Gate Guards) and Hyoefu (Administrative office of Middle Palace Guards). Dominating Settsu Province as a focal area of maritime transportation in medieval Japan, the Watanabe family spread its influence widely. Their descendants settled in other areas, including

Kyushu is the third-largest island of Japan's Japanese archipelago, four main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands (i.e. excluding Okinawa Island, Okinawa and the other Ryukyu Islands, Ryukyu (''Nansei'') Ryukyu Islands, Islands ...

. Watanabe Hisashi (1064-1148 or 1154), also called Minamoto no Hisashi, great-grandson of Tsuna, was appointed Kebiishi (Chief of the police and justice), received the title of Shokan (Governing officer) of Uno no Mikuriya estate in Matsuura (Hizen province, in Kyushu) and called himself Matsuura Hisashi. He ruled the County of Matsuura, the province of Iki, and a part of Sonogi district, and is the ancestor of the Matsuura Watanabe branch, Lords of Hirado castle. The priest Mongaku Shōnin who urged

Minamoto no Yoritomo was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, ruling from 1192 until 1199, also the first ruling shogun in the history of Japan.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Minamoto no Yoriie" in . He was the husband of Hōjō Masako ...

(1147–1199) to start a war against the

Taira The was one of the four most important clans that dominated Japanese politics during the Heian period of Japanese history – the others being the Minamoto, the Fujiwara, and the Tachibana. The clan is divided into four major groups, named ...

, and who managed to get a letter from the Emperor

Go-Shirakawa was the 77th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His de jure reign spanned the years from Heian period, 1155 through 1158, though arguably he effectively maintained imperial power for almost thirty-seven years thro ...

(1127–1192) to Yoritomo, requesting that he set up an army and liberate the country from the tyranny of the Taira, which enabled the Minamoto clan to take up arms, was the son of Watanabe no Endo Mochito. During the

Hōgen rebellion The was a short civil war fought in order to resolve a dispute about Japanese Imperial succession. The dispute was also about the degree of control exercised by the Fujiwara clan who had become hereditary Imperial regents during the Heian p ...

(1156), and the

Genpei War The was a national civil war between the Taira clan, Taira and Minamoto clan, Minamoto clans during the late Heian period of Japan. It resulted in the downfall of the Taira and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto no Yori ...

(1180–1185), the Watanabe sided with

Minamoto no Yorimasa was a Japanese poet, aristocrat and samurai lord. His poetry appeared in various anthologies. He served eight different emperors in his long career, holding posts such as ''hyōgo no kami'' (head of the arsenal). As a general, he led the Mina ...

(1106–1180), until his death at the Battle of Uji, then with

. At the Battle of Uji (1180), the opening battle of the

, the Watanabe clan formed with the warrior monks of Miidera Temple most of the Minamoto clan army. The

Heike Monogatari is an epic account compiled prior to 1330 of the struggle between the Taira clan and Minamoto clan for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War (1180–1185). It has been translated into English at least five times. ...

describes some of the Watanabe samurai present at this battle : * Watanabe Choshichi Tonō : "He was attired that day in a samurai clothing of light green, and body armour ornamented with cherry blossoms on a yellow ground, and wore a sword with mounts of red copper; in his quiver he carried twenty four arrows feathered with white and under his arm was a bow lacquered in black and bound with red bands". * Watanabe no Kiō : "clad in a brocaded hunting suit profusely embroidered with chrysanthemums, and wearing a general's armour of scarlet; its name was Kisenaga, and it had been a treasured heirloom for many generations. On his head was a helmet shining with silver stars, and a splendid sword hung at his side. In his quiver were twenty four arrows barred with black on their white feathers, not to speak of the special arrow, feathered with a hawk's wing, always carried by the Imperial Guards of the Takiguchi. His bow was a 'shigeto' of black lacquer with red binding. He rode on (the horse named) Nanryo, while one of his servants followed with a remount and another bore his shield under his arm". Both were killed in battle. Were also present that day from the Watanabe clan : Minamoto no Sazuku, Minamoto no Tsuranu, Watanabe Habuku, Minamoto no Okoru, and others, who fought to death and were killed fighting against the Taira. The Watanabe had a powerful navy, and in 1185 they sent their navy ships to support the Minamoto cause. In February 1185, the Minamoto army of

Minamoto no Yoshitsune was a commander of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian period, Heian and early Kamakura period, Kamakura periods. During the Genpei War, he led a series of battles that toppled the Ise-Heishi branch of the Taira clan, helping his half-br ...

, brother of Yoritomo, stayed at Watanabe no tsu, in the lands of the Watanabe clan, to rest, gather troops, army provisions, and prepare a fleet of ships for the raid in Shikoku. At the

Battle of Yashima Battle of Yashima (屋島の戦い) was one of the battles of the Genpei War on March 22, 1185, in the Heian period. It occurred in Sanuki Province (Shikoku), which is now Takamatsu, Kagawa. Background Following a long string of defeats, th ...

(March 1185) the Watanabe horsemen proved to be decisive, and due to the fall of Yashima, the Taira clan lost their bases in Shikoku. At the

Battle of Dan-no-ura A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force c ...

(April 1185), when the Dowager Empress Kenrei-mon-In, daughter of

Taira no Kiyomori was a military leader and '' kugyō'' of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan. Early life Kiyomori was born in Japan, in 1118 as the first son of Taira ...

, tried to drown herself, she was pulled out by the samurai Watanabe no Mutsuru.

Kamakura to Muromachi periods

After the Genpei war, the Matsuura Watanabe received the additional titles of Gokenin (Direct Retainer of the Shogunate), and of

Jitō were medieval territory stewards in Japan, especially in the Kamakura and Muromachi shogunates. Appointed by the shōgun, ''jitō'' managed manors, including national holdings governed by the '' kokushi'' or provincial governor. There were als ...

(Military Governor). During the Mongol invasions (1274 and 1281), the Matsuura Watanabe fought fiercely to repel the invaders. Sashibo, the Soryo (Heir) of the Matsuura Watanabe and his cousin Yamashiro Kai, from the Yamashiro Watanabe branch descending from Oi, sixth son of Watanabe Hisashi, were killed in battle fighting against the Mongols. The Kamachi were direct descendants of Minamoto no Noboru (848-918), like their cousins of the Watanabe clan, and had the titles of Shokan (Governing officer) of Kanzaki no shō estate (Hizen province), of Gokenin, of Jitō (Military Governor) of the County of Mizuma (Chikugo province), and held the court rank of Kizoku (Officer). Minamoto no Hisanao, son of Watanabe Hisashi, was 'Uhyoe no jo' (Officer of the guards of the Middle Palace), and owner of Mikuriya no shō estate. After the

Jōkyū War , also known as the Jōkyū Disturbance or the Jōkyū Rebellion, was fought in Japan between the forces of Retired Emperor Go-Toba and those of the Hōjō clan, regents of the Kamakura shogunate, whom the retired emperor was trying to overthro ...

(1221), Hisanao's son, Minamoto no Sanen, was adopted by the Kamachi as their son in law to succeed their estates and titles; he changed his name to Kamachi, and was the founder of the Kamachi Watanabe branch, Lords of Kamachi castle. At the time of the Mongol invasions, Morohisa went to the front as a member of the Matsuura Watanabe clan. In 1235, the Watanabe clan received from the

Kamakura shogunate The was the feudal military government of Japan during the Kamakura period from 1185 to 1333. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005)"''Kamakura-jidai''"in ''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 459. The Kamakura shogunate was established by Minamoto no Yori ...

the responsibility of overseeing large shipments of tax and tributes due the shogunate from the provinces of western and central Japan Watanabe Tohru

During the period of the Northern and Southern Courts (1336-1392), the Matsuura Watanabe sided with the Northern Court, and fought at the Battle of Chikugogawa (1359). The Kamachi Watanabe sided with the Southern Court, and Takehisa was killed at the Battle of Tatarahama (1336). Watanabe Mochi, descendant of Watanabe no Tsuna, rendered distinguished military service to the Shogun

Ashikaga Takauji also known as Minamoto no Takauji was the founder and first ''shōgun'' of the Ashikaga shogunate."Ashikaga Takauji" in ''Encyclopædia Britannica, The New Encyclopædia Britannica''. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 15th edn., 1992, Vol. ...

(1305-1358), and was granted the title of

(Military Governor) of Yamada no shō territory (Bingo Province). He is the ancestor of the Yamada Watanabe branch, Lords of Ichijoyama castle, who owned the whole area of the Peninsula of Numakuma. During the

Ōnin War The , also known as the Upheaval of Ōnin and Ōnin-Bunmei war, was a civil war that lasted from 1467 to 1477, during the Muromachi period in Japan. ''Ōnin'' refers to the Japanese era name, Japanese era during which the war started; the war ende ...

(1467-1477), they sided with the Eastern camp. They were treated by the Ashikaga Shoguns as equal to a

Shugo , commonly translated as ' ilitarygovernor', 'protector', or 'constable', was a title given to certain officials in feudal Japan. They were each appointed by the shogun to oversee one or more of the provinces of Japan. The position gave way to th ...

(Governor of province), and were allowed to use the 'Shirokasabukuro' and 'Mosen kuraoi' seals allowed only to the Shugo in the Muromachi period.

Sengoku period

Kishiwada Castle Kishiwada Osaka pref Japan04s3

During the 16th century wars, the following Watanabe samurai distinguished themselves : * Watanabe Tōru († 1543), also called Kayo, descendant of the Matsuura Watanabe, was the son of Watanabe Suguru († 1524), Lord of Nagamiyama castle, and was a General of Mōri Motonari. In 1540, at the Battle of Yoshida-Koriyama, he was the Commander of a detached force, attacked a much larger army and defeated Amago Sanehisa's army. In 1543, at the Battle of Gassan-Toda, he was killed in a fierce battle in place of Motonari. After that the Mōri clan continued to give important posts to the Watanabe family, and the Watanabe clan members were honored at the head of the Choshu Mōri Domain's New Year's Kachu-kaiki ceremony for generations. * Watanabe Hajime (1534-1612), son of Watanabe Tōru, fought at the Battle of Kanbe (1548), against the Hiraga clan of Takayatozaki castle (1551), against the Miya clan of Takiyama castle (1552), at Miyajima (1555) and Moji (1561). In 1586, he took part in the invasion of Kyushu, and in 1588, he went to Kyoto with Mōri Terumoto, and received from

Toyotomi Hideyoshi , otherwise known as and , was a Japanese samurai and ''daimyō'' (feudal lord) of the late Sengoku period, Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods and regarded as the second "Great Unifier" of Japan.Richard Holmes, The World Atlas of Warfare: ...

the title of Hida no kami (Governor of Hida Province). He is listed as one of the eighteen Generals of the Mōri. * Watanabe Tadasu († 1615) was a descendant of the Matsuura Watanabe, and a retainer of the Toyotomi clan. He took a part in the

Battle of Dōmyōji On June 5, 1615, the Eastern Army of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Osaka Army of Toyotomi Hideyori clashed in battle at Dōmyōji (道明寺の戦い; Dōmyōji no tatakai), Osaka. This battle was one of Japan's major historical battles between sam ...

(1615), in the

Battle of Tennōji The was fought on 3 June, 1615 between the forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyori. Tokugawa was besieging Osaka, and Hideyori had planned a counterattack. Both sides were plagued by mistakes until Hideyori's side finally fell. He pr ...

(1615), and died at the Siege of Osaka castle (1615). * Watanabe Motoharu, of the Yamada Watanabe branch,

(Military Governor) of Yamada, Lord of Ichijoyama castle, was a direct retainer of the Shogun

Ashikaga Yoshiaki "Ashikaga Yoshiaki" in '' The New Encyclopædia Britannica''. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 15th edn., 1992, Vol. 1, p. 625. was the 15th and final ''shōgun'' of the Ashikaga shogunate in Japan who reigned from 1568 to 1573 when he ...

(1537-1597). At the Battle of Sekigahara, he fought against Tokugawa Ieyasu. After that his family was deprived of their fiefs. * The Matsuura Watanabe of Izumi, were

Shugodai were officials during feudal Japan. Shugodai were representatives of provincial shugo when the shugo could not virtually exercise his power, being often away from his province. Unlike shugo, who were appointed from the central power of the sa ...

(vice-Governors) of Izumi province and Lords of

Kishiwada Castle is a Japanese castle located in the city of Kishiwada, Osaka, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. At the end of the Edo period, Kishiwada Castle was home to the Okabe clan, ''daimyō'' of Kishiwada Domain. The Honmaru Garden of the castle is ...

. In 1527, they were involved in the administration of Izumi province as Shugodai, and in 1548 they sided with the

Miyoshi clan is a Japanese family descended from Emperor Seiwa (850–880) and the Minamoto clan (Seiwa-Genji). They are a cadet branch of the Ogasawara clan and the Takeda clan. At the beginning of the 14th century AD, settled in Shikoku. His eighth ge ...

. However when Magohachiro succeeded his father, he was still a child, and the Miyoshi while recognizing his position, sent their troops in Kishiwada Castle to protect the young lord. In 1562, Tora became Lord of Kishiwada with the aid of the Miyoshi army, but the Lordship changed again to his cousin Magohachiro, also called Hikaru, who later became Hizen no kami (Governor of Hizen Province). In 1585, Munekiyo with Nakamura Kazuuji and 8,000 men were besieged by 30,000 men (Battle of Kishiwada), and the castle was rebuilt as the base of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's conquest of Kishu. For his military achievement, Munekiyo was given additional territories and transferred to Ise Province. Hisanobu, also called Hideto, was Lord of Ise Iyo castle, Iyo no Kami (Governor of Iyo province), and the General of the gun division of Toyotomi Hideyoshi; during the Sekigahara campaign, he was killed at the Battle of Anotsu (1600). At the

Battle of Sekigahara The Battle of Sekigahara (Shinjitai: ; Kyūjitai: , Hepburn romanization: ''Sekigahara no Tatakai'') was an important battle in Japan which occurred on October 21, 1600 (Keichō 5, 15th day of the 9th month) in what is now Gifu Prefecture, ...

(1600), they sided against the Tokugawa, and were deprived of their fiefs. *

Watanabe Moritsuna (1542–1620) or Watanabe Hanzō, nicknamed , was a Japanese samurai of the Watanabe clan, who served the Tokugawa clan under Tokugawa Ieyasu and later served as a hatamoto and then a daimyo to the Tokugawa shogunate. He is one of the Toku ...

(1542–1620), descended from the Matsuura Watanabe, through Watanabe Yasushi, grandson of Matsuura Hisashi, great-grandson of Watanabe no Tsuna. His ancestors were direct retainers of the Ashikaga Shoguns, and later moved to Mikawa province, thence they were called the Mikawa Watanabe branch. He joined

Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa Ieyasu (born Matsudaira Takechiyo; 31 January 1543 – 1 June 1616) was the founder and first ''shōgun'' of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, which ruled from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was the third of the three "Gr ...

in 1557, and fought at the Battles of Yawata (1562), Anegawa (1570), Mikatagahara (1573), Nagashino (1575), Komaki and Nagakute (1584), and the

Siege of Osaka A siege () . is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition, or by well-prepared assault. Siege warfare (also called siegecrafts or poliorcetics) is a form of constant, low-intensity conflict charact ...

(1614-1615). He is listed as one of the sixteen Generals of Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the Lord of Terabe castle, General of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), and is the ancestor of the Hakata Watanabe branch, Lords of Hakata, and the Hanzo Watanabe branch, Lords of Terabe, and Hida no Kami (Governors of Hida province).

Edo period to the Meiji Restoration

Besides the mainstream of Watanabe, the Matsuura branch, had the title of ''

Daimyō were powerful Japanese magnates, feudal lords who, from the 10th century to the early Meiji era, Meiji period in the middle 19th century, ruled most of Japan from their vast hereditary land holdings. They were subordinate to the shogun and no ...

'' (Grand feudal Lords) of

Hirado Domain 270px, Matsura Akira, final daimyo of Hirado Domain was a Japanese domain of the Edo period. It was centered around Hirado Castle in what is now the city of Hirado, Nagasaki and was ruled by the ''tozama daimyō'' Matsura clan for all of it ...

(

Hizen Province was an old provinces of Japan, old province of Japan in the area of the Saga Prefecture, Saga and Nagasaki Prefecture, Nagasaki prefectures. It was sometimes called , with Higo Province. Hizen bordered on the provinces of Chikuzen Province, Ch ...

) until 1868, were the most famous and flourished branch, and had a revenue of 61,700 koku. The territories of the Lords of Hirado included the Province of Iki (with the County of Iki (11 villages), and the County of Ishida (11 villages)); in the Province of Hizen : the County of Matsuura (47 villages), and 7 villages in the County of Sonogi. The Matsuura Watanabe of Hirado Shinden, ''Daimyō'' of Hirado Shinden Domain (Hizen Province) until 1868, descending from the fourth Lord of Hirado, was given 10,000 koku, and established a branch domain. The Hakata Watanabe branch, were ''Daimyō'' (Grand feudal Lords) of Hakata Domain (

Izumi Province :''The characters ''泉州'' are also used for the name of the Chinese city of Quanzhou''. was a Provinces of Japan, province of Japan in the area of southern Osaka Prefecture. It bordered on Kii Province, Kii to the south, Yamato Province, Ya ...

) until the

Meiji Restoration The , referred to at the time as the , and also known as the Meiji Renovation, Revolution, Regeneration, Reform, or Renewal, was a political event that restored Imperial House of Japan, imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. Althoug ...

(1868), had a revenue of 13,500 koku, and descend from Watanabe Yoshitsuna (1611-1668), who was appointed Sobayonin (Grand Chamberlain) by Tokugawa Ietsuna (1651–1680), the 4th Tokugawa Shogun, and was the grandson of Moritsuna. The territories of the Lords of Hakata included in the Province of Izumi : 12 villages in the County of Otori, 4 villages in the County of Izumi; in the Province of Kawachi : 5 villages in the County of Furuichi, 5 villages in the County of Shiki, and 2 villages in the County of Tanboku; in the Province of Omi : 1 village in the County of Kurita, 2 villages in the County of Yasu, 2 villages in the County of Gamo, and 6 villages in the County of Takashima. The Hanzo Watanabe branch, descending from Watanabe Shigetsuna (1574-1648), son of Moritsuna, were lords of Terabe estate, Hida no Kami (Governors of Hida province), Karō (Chief retainers) of the

Owari Tokugawa The is a branch of the Tokugawa clan, and it is the seniormost house of the '' Gosanke'' ("three honourable houses of the Tokugawa").Ōmura (

) were ranked among the Peers after 1868. The Watanabe of Suwa (

Shinano Province or is an old province of Japan that is now Nagano Prefecture. Shinano bordered Echigo, Etchū, Hida, Kai, Kōzuke, Mikawa, Mino, Musashi, Suruga, and Tōtōmi Provinces. The ancient capital was located near modern-day Matsumoto, whi ...

) were also raised to the Peerage after 1868. Several Watanabe samurai had the title of Taishin (Grand)

Hatamoto A was a high ranking samurai in the direct service of the Tokugawa shogunate of feudal Japan. While all three of the Shōgun, shogunates in History of Japan, Japanese history had official retainers, in the two preceding ones, they were referred ...

(Guardians of the Banner), the last rank before Daimyo, direct retainers of the Shogunate, high ranking samurai, and senior retainers of the Tokugawa Shoguns and their principal branches, like the descendants of : * Watanabe Terutsuna, Noto no Kami (Governor of Noto province), and Taishin Hatamoto with a revenue of 6,000 koku. * Watanabe Zonosuke, a Taishin Hatamoto. * Watanabe Shinzaemon, younger brother of Moritsuna, and ancestor of the Shinzaemon Watanabe branch, senior retainers of the Owari Tokugawa. His descendant, Watanabe Aritsuna (1820-1868), was the Commander of the Owari Tokugawa army; he fought at the first Choshu war (1864), the second Choshu war (1865), and was killed in 1868. * Watanabe Tozutsuna,

Karō were top-ranking samurai officials and advisors in service to the ''daimyōs'' of feudal Japan. Overview In the Edo period, the policy of ''sankin-kōtai'' (alternate attendance) required each ''daimyō'' to place a ''karō'' in Edo and anothe ...

(Chief retainer) of the Tayasu Tokugawa, and of the Hitotsubashi Tokugawa. * Watanabe Naotsuna, Wakasa no Kami (Governor of Wakasa province), had a revenue of 8,000 koku, and was the founder of the Wakasa Watanabe branch, Karō (Chief retainers) of the Kishū Tokugawa.

Gallery

Image:HiradoCastle1.jpg, Hirado Castle Image:平戸城見奏櫓.JPG, Hirado Castle : Observation tower Image:平戸城地蔵坂櫓.JPG, Hirado Castle : Jizosaka tower Image:平戸城北虎口門.JPG, Hirado Castle : North Tiger Gate Image:HiradoCastle2.jpg, Hirado Castle stands on an island off

Kyūshū is the third-largest island of Japan's four main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands (i.e. excluding Okinawa and the other Ryukyu (''Nansei'') Islands). In the past, it has been known as , and . The historical regio ...

. Image:Hirado Castle air.jpg, Aerial photo of Hirado Castle Image:Kishiwada Castle Kishiwada Osaka pref Japan10n.jpg, Honmaru Gate of Kishiwada Castle (there were a total of 15 gates) Image:Kishiwadaj3.jpg, Kishiwada Castle

Miscellaneous

, means ‘to cross over a river’. Even by the standards of

Japanese name in modern times consist of a family name (surname) followed by a given name. Japanese names are usually written in kanji, where the pronunciation follows a special set of rules. Because parents when naming children, and foreigners when adoptin ...

s, there is an unusual degree of variation in the second kanji used to write Watanabe, with at least 51 recorded variants including the common , and . According to the 'Japanese Family Names and Family Crests', the surname Watanabe is a toponymic surname (and never an occupational surname). In Japan, there are very few occupational surnames, and unlike in several european countries, in Japan, occupational surnames are the exceptions. The surname Watanabe is not considered one of these very few occupational exceptions. A basic translation of the name of the original village 渡辺 is ‘to cross over a river’, and sometimes people mistakenly write that the Watanabe are 'river crossers' which is incorrect. The location called 'Watanabe no tsu' was located between Tenmabashi Station and Tenjinbashi Station, in the present day Osaka City. Watanabe no Tsuna took charge of Zama jinja Temple, also called

Ikasuri Shrine Ikasuri Shrine (坐摩神社, ''Ikasuri jinja'', also known as ''Zama jinja'') is a major Shinto shrine located in central Osaka, Japan. Its annual festival is on April 22. In the former modern system of ranked Shinto shrines it was an imperial ...

. The hereditary ''guji'' (chief priest) of the temple were descending from Watanabe Kaoru, descendant of Watanabe no Tsuna. The original site of the shrine was different from the current one, and the main hall was in the place where Watanabe no tsu used to be. Toyotomi Hideyoshi relocated to its current location near Nishiyokoborikawa River, at the address 3 Watanabe, 4-chome Watanabe, Kyutaromachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka City. It is the fifth most common Japanese surname. In the context of the Japanese economy, Mrs. Watanabe is a generic name for housewives who deal in

foreign exchange The foreign exchange market (forex, FX, or currency market) is a global decentralized or over-the-counter (OTC) market for the trading of currencies. This market determines foreign exchange rates for every currency. By trading volume, it i ...

People with the surname

A

*, Japanese badminton player *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese composer *, Japanese animator *, Japanese special effects art director *, better known as

Fujinishiki Fujinishiki Akira (born Akira Watanabe, also known as Akira Ichimiya, 18 March 1937 – 17 December 2003) was a sumo wrestler from Kōfu, Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Yamanashi, Japan. His highest rank was ''komusubi,'' which he held o ...

, Japanese sumo wrestler *, Japanese motocross racer *, Japanese Scouting leader *, Japanese shogi player *, Japanese model, actress and singer *, Japanese sprint canoeist *, Japanese politician *, Japanese actor *, Japanese actor *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese murder victim *, Japanese anime director *, Japanese actress

C

*, Japanese screenwriter *, vocalist with the Japanese band

NaNa Nana, Na Na or NANA may refer to: People * Nana (given name), including a list of people and characters with the given name * Nana (surname), including a list of people and characters with the surname * Nana (chief) (died 1896), Mimbreño Ap ...

*, Japanese supercentenarian *

Corinne Watanabe Corinne Kaoru Amemiya Watanabe (born August 1, 1950) is an American judge from the state of Hawaii. Watanabe was the first female Attorney General of Hawaii from 1985 until 1986. Early life and education Watanabe was born in Wahiawa, Hawaii, on ...

(born 1950), American judge

D

*, Japanese footballer *, Japanese video game writer *, Japanese actor *, Japanese long jumper

E

*, Japanese figure skater *, Japanese actress

G

Gedde Watanabe Gary "Gedde" Watanabe (; born June 26, 1955) is an American actor. He is known for voicing the character of Ling in the animated film ''Mulan'' (1998) and its sequel ''Mulan II'' (2004), as well as playing Long Duk Dong in the film ''Sixteen Can ...

(born 1955), American actor and comedian *

Graham Watanabe Graham Watanabe (born March 19, 1982) is an American snowboarder who has competed since 1996. He won three events in snowboardcross between 2004 and 2009. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Watanabe finished 31st in the snowboard cross event ...

(born 1982), American snowboarder *

Greg Watanabe Greg Watanabe (born November 8, 1967) is an American actor known for his role in ''Watch Over Me''. He also appears in the independent films, Philip Kan Gotanda's ''Life Tastes Good'', '' Only the Brave'' and ''Americanese''. He is a founding membe ...

(born 1967), American actor

H

Hajime Watanabe (disambiguation) Hajime Watanabe may refer to: * Hajime Watanabe (animator) (born 1957), animator * Watanabe Hajime (samurai), samurai of Feudal Japan {{hndis, Watanabe, Hajime ...

, multiple people * Haruto Watanabe (渡辺温斗, 2004), Member of Treasure, K-Pop group from YG Entertainment *, Japanese singer *, Japanese ice hockey player *, Japanese artistic gymnast *, Japanese politician *, Japanese film director *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese sprint canoeist *, Japanese politician *, Japanese shogi player *, Japanese animation director *, Japanese equestrian *, Japanese photographer *, Japanese weightlifter *, Japanese actor *, Japanese baseball player and manager *, Japanese photographer *, Japanese motorcycle racer

I

*, Japanese footballer *, Japanese swimmer

J

*, Japanese handball player *, Japanese boxer and yakuza *

Jolene Watanabe Jolene Watanabe (August 31, 1968 – June 22, 2019) was an American international tennis player. She competed in the Australian Open The Australian Open (stylized ΛO) is a tennis tournament organised by Tennis Australia annually at Melb ...

(born 1968), American tennis player * José Watanabe (1946–2007), Peruvian poet *, Japanese general *, Japanese actor *, Japanese architect *, Japanese writer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese boxer *, Japanese fashion designer

K

*, Japanese engineer *, Japanese swimmer *, Japanese photographer *, Japanese writer * Kathy Watanabe, American politician *, President of Toyota Motor Corporation *, Japanese boxer *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese painter, scholar and statesman *, Japanese boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist *, Japanese footballer *

Kazuki Watanabe (disambiguation) Kazuki Watanabe may refer to: * Kazuki Watanabe (musician) (1981–2000), Japanese musician with the band Raphael * Kazuki Watanabe (swimmer), Japanese swimmer * Kazuki Watanabe (motorcyclist) (born 1990), Grand Prix motorcycle racer from Ja ...

*, Japanese Roman Catholic nun, educator and writer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese motorcycle racer *, Japanese musician *, Japanese long-distance runner *, Japanese sport shooter *, Japanese cyclist *, Japanese swimmer *, Japanese amateur astronomer and discoverer of minor planets *, Japanese scholar and translator *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese speed skater *, Japanese actor * Kiiko Watanabe, Japanese table tennis player *, Japanese-Filipino judoka *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese tennis player *, Japanese badminton player *, Japanese actress and television personality *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese field hockey player *

Kozo Watanabe (disambiguation) Kozo Watanabe may refer to: * Kozo Watanabe (engineer) (born 1942), Japanese automotive engineer for Nissan * Kōzō Watanabe (Democratic Party politician) (1932–2020), Japanese politician * Kōzō Watanabe (Liberal Democratic Party politician)< ...

, multiple people *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese politician

L

*, Japanese beauty pageant winner

M

*, Japanese actress *

Makoto Watanabe (disambiguation) Makoto Watanabe may refer to: * , Grand Chamberlain of Japan in 1996, Chief of Protocol of Ministry of Foreign Affairs * Makoto Watanabe, pilot of Japan Airlines Flight 907, involved in the 2001 Japan Airlines mid-air incident * Makoto Watanabe (art ...

, multiple people * Makoto Sei Watanabe (born 1952), Japanese architect *, Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor *, Japanese shogi player *, Japanese singer *, Japanese singer, actress and television personality *, Japanese shogi player *

Masaki Watanabe Masaki Watanabe (渡辺正毅, 1911 – 15 October 1995) was a Japanese orthopedic surgeon, sometimes called the "founder of modern arthroscopy". Watanabe developed the first practical arthroscope. Watanabe was born in Nagano and graduated ...

(1911–1995), Japanese orthopedic surgeon *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese manga artist *, Japanese communist *, Japanese general *, Japanese footballer and manager *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese chemist *, Japanese politician *, Japanese singer, actress and idol *, Japanese journalist and media scholar *, Japanese sprinter *, Japanese composer *, Japanese politician *, Japanese musician and actress *, Japanese businessman and politician *, Japanese judoka *, Japanese idol and singer *, Japanese actor *, Japanese voice actress *, Japanese actress *, Japanese singer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese singer, actress and idol *, president of the International Gymnastics Federation *, Japanese samurai *, Japanese War Criminal

N

*, Japanese singer * Naoko Watanabe (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese actress and comedian *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese actress and model *, Japanese actress *, Japanese ice dancer

O

*, Japanese writer *, Japanese sport wrestler

R

*, Japanese idol and model *, Japanese idol and model * Ryo Watanabe (disambiguation), multiple people *, Japanese pink film actress *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer

S

Sadao Watanabe (disambiguation) Sadao Watanabe may refer to: * Sadao Watanabe (artist) (1913–1996), Japanese Christian stencil artist *Sadao Watanabe (musician) is a Japanese jazz musician who plays alto saxophone and sopranino saxophone. He is known for his bossa nova reco ...

, multiple people *, Japanese gymnast *, Japanese squash player *, Japanese theoretical physicist *, Japanese beach volleyball player *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese anime director and voice actor *, Japanese anime director, screenwriter and producer *, Japanese mathematician *, Japanese academic and writer *, Japanese politician * Shōtei Watanabe (1851–1918), Japanese painter *, Japanese printmaker *, Japanese politician *, Japanese actor *

Shunji Watanabe Shunji Watanabe (born 1938) is the founder of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate. Watanabe was born in Japan in 1938, and commenced training in Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karate in 1955 under the tutelage of that systems founder, Kōri Hisataka. ...

(born 1938), Japanese karateka *, Japanese baseball player *, Japanese volleyball player *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese sprinter *, Japanese engineer and mathematician *, Japanese footballer and manager * Sylvia Watanabe, American writer

T

*, Japanese politician *, Japanese computer engineer *, Japanese manga artist *, Japanese professional wrestler best known as Evil *, Japanese sprinter *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese politician *, Japanese anime director *, Japanese Nordic combined skier *, Japanese table tennis player *, Japanese musician and composer *

Takeshi Watanabe (disambiguation) Takeshi Watanabe may refer to: *Takeshi Watanabe (bureaucrat) Viscount was a Japanese bureaucrat and the first President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He was in office from 24 November 1966 to 24 November 1972. Watanabe was born in Toky ...

, multiple people *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese mountain climber *, Japanese ski jumper *, Japanese badminton player *

Terrance Watanabe Terrance Watanabe is an American businessman and high roller who inherited Oriental Trading Company, a direct merchant of value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, toys and novelties and school supplies founded by his father Harry Watanabe. T ...

(born 1957), American businessman and high roller *, Japanese actor * Tokutarō Watanabe, Japanese businessman *, Japanese politician *, Japanese musician and composer *, Japanese golfer *, Japanese samurai *, Japanese businessman *, Japanese actor and television personality *, Japanese footballer

Y

*, Japanese footballer *, Japanese sport wrestler *, Japanese anthropologist *, Japanese opera singer *, Japanese artist *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese manga artist, illustrator and animator *, Japanese politician *, alleged yakuza *, Japanese photographer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese voice actress, actress and singer *

Yuichi Watanabe Yuichi Watanabe is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He competed in Shooto's Lightweight division and was the inaugural Shooto Lightweight Champion defeating Kazuhiro Kusayanagi. As a pro wrestler he competes for Real J ...

, Japanese mixed martial artist *, Japanese speed skater *, Japanese businessman and writer *, Japanese women's footballer *, Japanese basketball player *, Japanese badminton player *, Japanese figure skater

Fictional characters

*Akari Watanabe, the female protagonist from '' More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers'' *Cameron Watanabe, the Green Samurai Ranger from ''

Power Rangers Ninja Storm ''Power Rangers Ninja Storm'' is a television series and the eleventh season of the ''Power Rangers'' franchise, based on the 26th Super Sentai series '' Ninpu Sentai Hurricaneger''. The season marked a series of firsts in the franchise, being ...

'' *Eva Watanabe, a character that dies in '' Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan'' *, a character in the anime series ''Star Driver'' *Kanji Watanabe, the central character in

Akira Kurosawa was a Japanese filmmaker who List of works by Akira Kurosawa, directed 30 feature films in a career spanning six decades. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers in the History of film, history of cinema ...

's 1952 film ''

Ikiru is a 1952 Japanese tragedy film directed by Akira Kurosawa from a screenplay co-written with Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni. The film examines the struggles of a terminally ill Tokyo bureaucrat (played by Takashi Shimura) and his final quest ...

'' *, a character in the light novel series ''

The Irregular at Magic High School is a Japanese web novel series by Tsutomu Satō (author), Tsutomu Satō. It was published on Shōsetsuka ni Narō, a web novel website, from October 2008 to March 2011. Satō reached a deal with Dengeki Bunko and began releasing his w ...

'' * Kimi Watanabe Finster, Chuckie's stepsister from ''

Rugrats ''Rugrats'' is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The series focuses on a group of toddlers, most prominently Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil, and their day-to-d ...

'' *Mia Watanabe, the Pink Ranger from ''

Power Rangers Samurai ''Power Rangers Samurai'' is the eighteenth season of the children's television series ''Power Rangers'', which is based on the Japanese ''Super Sentai Series''. The season was the first to be produced by Saban Capital Group, SCG Power Rangers, a ...

'' *, a character in the manga series ''The Prince of Tennis'' *, a character in the manga series '' The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior'' *Terry Watanabe, a character from ''

'' *Toru Watanabe, the protagonist of

Haruki Murakami is a Japanese writer. His novels, essays, and short stories have been best-sellers in Japan and internationally, with his work translated into 50 languages and having sold millions of copies outside Japan. He has received numerous awards for hi ...

's 1987 novel Norwegian Wood *, a character in the media franchise ''

Love Live! Sunshine!! is a Japanese multimedia project co-developed by ASCII Media Works' ''Dengeki G's Magazine'', music label Lantis, and animation studio Sunrise. The project is the second series of the ''Love Live!'' franchise and is a spin-off sequel of '' ...

'' *Ryo Watanabe (リョウワタナベ), the boss character in the 2007 racing game Need for Speed: ProStreet

Notes

References

{{surname Japanese-language surnames Minamoto clan ja:渡辺氏