English

The First Lord of the Iwakuni Domain    Kikkawa Hiroie（1561～1625）

Kikkawa Hiroie was the first lord of the Iwakuni Domain and a military commander of the Sengoku period through early Edo period.

With the successive deaths of his father Motoharu and his eldest brother Motonaga in 1586 (Tensho 14), he became the head of the Kikkawa clan. He supported and protected the Mori clan thereafter.

Hiroie fought at the Bunroku-Keicho War, often commanded the Mori troops, and contributed to the victories in other battles. Toyotomi Hideyoshi praised him as one of the top seven Japanese warriors who displayed great skills and bravery with a spear in hand during battles.

At the battle of Sekigahara in 1600 (Keicho 5), Hiroie ensured the Mori clan’s survival after negotiating with the Eastern Army.  The Mori granted him the fief of 30,000 koku around Suo Iwakuni .

Hiroie made the government law and worked for prosperity of his domain, which contributed to building up the foundation of the current city of Iwakuni.