Which daimyo was nicknamed the “One-Eyed Dragon” of northern Japan?

Date Masamune was the daimyo nicknamed the “One-Eyed Dragon” of northern Japan.

Masamune was born in 1567 and became head of the Date clan during the Sengoku period. He expanded his power across parts of the Tōhoku region and became one of the era’s most influential regional lords. His missing right eye, lost after smallpox, contributed to the nickname dokuganryū, usually translated as “One-Eyed Dragon.”

Masamune submitted to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and later served Tokugawa Ieyasu. Under the Tokugawa regime, he ruled the Sendai Domain and founded Sendai Castle. He was also known for cultural patronage and supported a diplomatic mission to Europe led by Hasekura Tsunenaga.

The nickname does not mean Masamune wore an eyepatch in every depiction. Historical portraits and later popular images portray his appearance in different ways.