Kajiwara Yasuke ---Another Pirate Hired by Toyotomi Hideyoshi---

      Kumano sea people appeared on the sea between Kii Province and Shikoku as pirates, and stretched their action even into the eastern part of the Seto Inland Sea.  Kumano Pirates sent Wakiya Yoshisuke (1307-1342), a western general of the Southern Court, to Iyo Province in 1342, supported by the sea people of Nushima Island in Awaji Province.  The members of the Kajiwara Family lived in Nushima Island and Takasago in Harima Province.  It is unknown from which Kajiwara Yasuke was from.  After Hideyoshi invaded Awaji Island, Yasuke became subject to him.

     In April, 1583, Hideyoshi ordered Sengoku Hidehisa to start invading Shikoku.  Hidehisa first sailed to Shodoshima Island and then attacked Kioka and Yashima Fortresses in Sanuki Province, Shikoku.  However, he couldn't seize them and retreated to Shodoshima.  He then attacked Hikita Fortress in the east part of Sanuki Province and captured it.  The Chosokabe Clan's rescue corps including Kuwana Chikamitsu (?-1587) re-seized the fortress, and Hidehisa retreated to Shodoshima and Awaji.  He concentrated on keeping naval superiority in the Seto Inland Sea for a while.  Yasuke was mentioned in the documents related to those military operations as a member of naval transportation.