Ashina Moritaka
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Ashina Moritaka (蘆名盛隆, 1561-1584) Japanese samurai, lord of Kurokawa Castle (Aizu Castle) in the early Sengoku period. 14th generation lord of the Ashina (Sawara) family. Also known as Heitarō (平太郎). Moritaka was born the son of Nikaido Moriyoshi (二階堂盛義), lord of Sukagawa Castle. He was adopted by Ashina Morioki to continue the family line, and as per that arrangement, married Morioki's daughter. After Moritaka's succession however, he, for unknown reasons, became very unpopular amongst his retainers. This had led to his assassination by the hands of Ōba Sanzaemon (大庭三左衛門), with Moritaka passing away at the young age of 24. Ashina Morishige would become Moritaka's successor due to the fact that his own son, Kiōmaru, had died at the young age of 2.
