“Sake guzzler” is just one title for Mori Tomonobu. He was a celebrated warrior also. We are standing before the statue of Mori Tomonobu. He was also known as Tahei. He also went by Tahyōe. His official title was Tajima-no-kami.
Mori Tomonobu served the Kuroda clan. He was skilled with the spear. He was a member of the Kuroda Nijuuyonki. That means he was one of the 24 Cavalrymen of the Kuroda clan. He was also a member of Kuroda Hakko. That means he was one of the 8 Tigers of the Kuroda clan. These titles reflect his loyalty and military service. But he is most known as a sake connoisseur.
Let’s travel back to New Year’s of 1569. Mori Tomonobu was on an errand for his lord. His lord was Kuroda Nagamasa. The errand was to the lower town of Fushimi castle. This castle was in the Capital. The Capital is now present-day Kyōto. Fukushima Masanori controlled this area. Nagamasa knew who Tomonobu might meet there. So he forbade him from drinking alcohol. He said do not accept any sake he offers no matter what. Tomonobu promised not to drink any sake.
Tomonobu arrived. Masanori heard about his guest’s arrival. Masanori hurried to meet Tomonobu. Masanori invited him to a drinking party. He wanted to celebrate with a couple of drinks. But Tomonobu humbly refused. He remembered his lord’s command. Masanori tried a few more times. Finally Tomonobu accepted the offer.
Why would Masanori invite Tomonobu to drink? Masanori liked to drink sake a little too much. It was not unusual for him to report to duty drunk. Masanori knew of Tomonobu’s reputation. He knew Tomonobu could consume much sake and not get drunk. Masanori wanted to test this rumor.
Masanori led Tomonobu to his residence. He led him to a room adorned with nice items. A table was set for the sake party. Masanori brought a very large bowl of sake. He said drink this. But Tomonobu refused. He was concerned about the amount of sake. Masanori then made a wager. He would grant Tomonobu anything in the room. That was if he consumed all the sake. Tomonobu declined again.
Masanori became annoyed. He taunted Tomonobu. Masanori said you are disappointing. He added you have no backbone to back up your reputation. Pity goes to Lord Nagamasa. He runs a province of weaklings. These words made Tomonobu furious. Tomonobu grabbed the large bowl. He drank everything straight down. He put the bowl down and exclaimed I’ll have another. The bowl was refilled. He drank everything again. He repeated this several times. Tomonobu maintained his composure. He commented I will now claim my prize. It will be that spear over there. He pointed to a black lacquered spear. It had a grand spearhead with carvings.
This was no ordinary spear. The 106th Emperor Ōgimachi commissioned it. It was rewarded to great military commanders. These included Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki. It also included Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi rewarded Masanori with this spear. That was after achieving great feats in battle. This was the legendary Nihongō. It was about to be lost due to a drinking bet.
Masanori was drunk. But he knew what was at stake. He tried to protest. He pleaded how special the spear was. Tomonobu refused to listen. He remained steadfast on acquiring the Nihongō. Tomonobu stated a warrior does not repeat himself. Masanori complied and handed over the spear. Tomonobu left with his trophy. He showed no signs of intoxication.
Today the Kuroda Bushi is a folklore song of Fukuoka prefecture. Mori Tomonobu’s grave is here. This version is very popular. It is represented in businesses and entertainment. The tale reached a Confucius scholar named Kaibara Ekiken. He was from Fukuoka prefecture. Ekiken saw value in this story. He made it into a song called Kuroda Bushi. It spread throughout Japan. This song is associated with Fukuoka prefecture.
This tale illustrates a different form of battle and wit. Who would guess that having an insatiable gut for alcohol would net a hometown folklore. This statue of Mori Tomonobu stands as a testament to that legacy.