Ban Naoyuki
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Ban Naoyuki (塙直之?) (1567-May 26, 1615), also known as Ban Danemon (塙団右衛門?) was a samurai of the late Sengoku and early Edo periods.He first served as a retainer of Kato Yoshiakira, one of the "Seven Spears of Shizugatake", who went on to become lord of the Aizu domain, in Mutsu. Danemon served Lord Kato as a gunnery commander (teppo-taisho).
Danemon followed his lord during the invasion of Korea in the 1590s, and for his actions in combat there he was given a stipend of 350 koku. However, at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, he opposed Yoshiakira's orders and subsequently left his service. After that, he served several lords, including Kobayakawa Hideaki, Matsudaira Tadayoshi, and Fukushima Masanori, however, as his former lord Yoshiakira was a hindrance, Danemon became a priest for a time.
He left the priesthood in 1614 to join the Toyotomi clan at the Osaka Winter Campaign in 1614. However, during the next year's Summer Campaign, he was killed in action fighting Asano Nagaakira's forces in Izumi province.
[edit] Reputation
Danemon was said to be an exceptionally fierce warrior, going alone on raids behind enemy lines. His reputation as a warrior soared after a very successful night raid. However, he was also said to be an alcoholic.[citation needed]
