Keiji Maeda

Maeda Toshimasu was a samurai warrior from the Sengoku through the early Edo period. To some, he was known as Maeda Keiji and was born in Arako Village (today’s Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya). He was adopted by Maeda Toshihisa who was the older brother of Maeda Toshiie.

Keiji served under his lord, Oda Nobunaga, together with his uncle. Originally, he was supposed to inherit the headshio of the Maeda family.

However, after Oda replaced him with Toshiie as the family head, Keiji lost the position. Due to this, Keiji was known for constantly quarreling with Toshiie.

Matsukaze

Matsukaze was known as Keiji’s popular steed. Based on legends, he was bred from only the finest horses around. Despite his beauty, Matsukaze refused to have anyone ride on him; eventually, the horse fled. Surprisingly, Keiji was able to tame the wild stallion.

It was said that Keiji’s wild personality may have attracted and complemented Matsukaze’s wild personality as well. Since that time, it was claimed that the two never parted.

Due to his elegance and beauty, Matsukaze became popular and was spoken of in history. Aside from his beauty, it was said that the steed was powerful enough to carry Keiji even as they rode non-stop, for days.

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Battles Fought By Keiji Maeda

Keiji Maeda was under the command of his uncle. He was also known for having a certain conflict with those from the Noto Province. For all his efforts, his lord rewarded him with 5,000 Koku.

In the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute, he rescued Sassa Narimasa during an attack at Suemori Castle. While Keiji Maeda was still in Kyoto, he also befriended Naoe Kanetsugu where the two became close friends. Since Naoe was part of the Uesugi clan’s entourage, Maeda joined his friend in the Aizu invasion.

Unfortunately, their invasion failed, so Keiji was given the position of leading the rear guard for their unit’s retreat. Keiji stormed into battle while riding Matsukaze, while wielding a two-pronged spear which left behind a powerful mark on the enemy. Due to his actions, the Uesugi unit were successful in their retreat.

Valiant Legend

Keiji Maeda was not permitted to join Toyotomi‘s Kyushu campaign because of his errant ways. Instead, he returned to Kyoto and devoted himself to the arts and literature. When the Tokugawa clan challenged the Uesugi, he fought for the Uesugi clan’s army.

In another battle, he was able to run across enemy lines. The battle was against the Mogami clan, where he was able to break their formation accompanied only by eight riders.

His wild ways were highly celebrated by those who admire him. After moving into the Yonezawa Domain, Keiji Maeda remained as a retainer for the Uesugi clan.

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Keiji Maeda Inspiration for Fictional Character

Keiji Maeda is a character in a game called Samurai Warriors. Quite interestingly, he has his counterpart featured in another game.

This game is called Dynasty Warriors, where his counterpart is a character named Lu Bu. Fans of this fictional character even voted for him, giving Keiji the 26th place in Game City’s Sengoku Musou 3: Empires.

Keiji Maeda Role Playing Games

Since Keiji Maeda is known as a wild man on his own merits, he eventually became the inspiration for Samurai warriors in games. He is most at home fighting in the midst of warriors, and begins his career as an officer for Oda Nobunaga at Ise-Nagashima.

He does not approve of his master’s methods and did admit that these were too brutal for his tastes. This was when Keiji Maeda intercepted and save the remaining rebels from getting killed.

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The Desertion

When he accompanied his master to Nagashino he was not that interested about the discussions involving the use of machinery in battle.

Keiji Maeda deserted the Oda ranks wandering through Kyoto seeking fights with other warriors on the streets. Even before the battle in the capital took place, he decided to leave for another journey.

He grew excited upon hearing about his friend’s exploits as he joined the fight between the Uesugi and Hojo clans at Odawara Castle.

Eccentric Spirit Of Keiji Maeda

Having lived his life during the Sengoku period, Maeda Keiji was claimed to be one of the greatest samurai warriors of his time.

When Keiji died, stories claim that Matsukaze ran through a formation of warriors, breaking away, fleeing, and has never been found.

The armor that Keiji Maeda used can be found at the Miyaka Museum. This stands as a testimony to who he was as a warrior.

Image Source: Utagawa Yoshiiku [Public domain]