Why did you change lords seven times?
Chris Glenn, Spreading Japanese History and Culture
Yoshikuni Inoue, Expressing the Life of a Samurai Through Typography.
We found one question
about Todo Takatora:
Why did he change masters seven times?
Why am I drawn to Todo Takatora?
Todo Takatora was a brave and fierce warrior who distinguished himself in numerous battles. He was also a master castle builder who innovated in his craft.
Furthermore, he played a significant role as a trusted advisor to Tokugawa Ieyasu during Japan's transition from an era of war to one of peace.
Todo Takatora adapted to the changing times and lived his life maximizing his talents.
His strength as a warrior, his creativity in castle building, and his ability to read the times. Takatora, with his diverse talents, was incredibly cool!
Didn't fear change
The reason I was drawn to Todo Takatora was that he was not afraid of change.
He was a man who sought out places where he could utilize his abilities, dared to venture into new environments, and as a result, forged his own future.
I was strongly attracted to that.
Not changing is not always a virtue.
Changing to protect.
Making decisions for the future.
I believe Todo Takatora's way of life poses questions relevant to us living in modern times.
A limited collection featuring a typographic representation of Todo Takatora.
A samurai who chose to keep fighting for survival.
Todo Takatora
was a Sengoku period samurai who rose from being an ashigaru (foot soldier) in the Azai clan
to eventually become a daimyo (feudal lord).
He was known as a master castle builder,
leaving his mark on numerous famous castles such as Iga Ueno Castle, Tsu Castle, Imabari Castle, and Uwajima Castle.
However, there's an unavoidable fact when talking about him:
he changed lords seven times throughout his life.
Why did Takatora
go to such lengths to survive?
To a place where I'm appreciated.
Todo Takatora is known as a master castle builder,
representing the Sengoku period.
However, his talent
was not appreciated from the beginning.
Takatora sought a place where he could demonstrate his abilities,
and a lord who would correctly evaluate his skills.
In an era of continuous warfare,
it was by no means uncommon
for one's master to change.
Amidst this, Takatora
continued to hone his talents,
paving a new path for himself.
And it was then that he met Toyotomi Hidenaga.
Build castles with an eye to the future
Todo Takatora was not only a samurai general,
but also one of the most prominent castle builders of the Sengoku period.
He is said to have been involved in the construction of numerous castles,
including Imabari Castle, Iga Ueno Castle, and the renovation of Edo Castle.
Castles were not built solely for battle.
People lived in them, towns were born, and they were passed down to the next generation.
Takatora looked beyond immediate victories and defeats,
and envisioned the future that lay ahead.
That is why his work
remains in various parts of Japan even four centuries later.
Perhaps what Takatora left behind was not just castles,
but the future itself.
Todo Takatora Typography T-Shirt
Price: Adult 7,920 JPY (incl. tax)
Color: Black/White
Sizes (Adult): S/M/L/XL/XXL
Todo Takatora Typography T-shirt
Price: Kids ¥5,500 (tax included)
Colors: Black / White
Sizes (Kids): 110 / 130 / 150
Todo Takatora Typography Smartphone Case
Price: 5,500 yen (tax included)
Compatible with various iPhone and Android models.
*If you would like a new model not listed, please inquire.
Information on a Special Bus Tour to Sites Associated with Todo Takatora
November 3, 2026 (Tuesday/Holiday) — Date confirmed!
(Sold out, waitlist open)
