Tachibana Dōsetsu

Tachibana Dōsetsu (立花 道雪, 22 April 1513 – 2 November 1585), born Betsugi Akitsura (戸次鑑連), also as Bekki Akitsura, and Bekki Dōsetsu, was a Japanese samurai during the Sengoku period who served the Ōtomo clan. A member of the Bekki clan, he was the father of Tachibana Ginchiyo and the adopted father of Tachibana Muneshige.

He was known as one of the wisest Ōtomo retainers and was remembered for his stance against Christianity in the Ōtomo's domain. Dōsetsu was accounted as one of the Sanshuku of the Ōtomo clan, together with Usuki Akisumi and Yoshihiro Akimasa.

Tachibana Dōsetsu's military career is mostly known for his being in 37 military campaigns and more than 100 engagements of smaller scale, despite half of his lower body being paralyzed, including the Battle of Tatarahama, and the brilliant defense of Kurume city.

As a subject of mythical legends and for his personal battle prowess, Dōsetsu earned nicknames such as Hachiman incarnation (弓矢八幡), Thunder god's incarnation (摩利支天の化身), God of war from Kyushu (九州の軍神), and Dōsetsu the ogre (鬼道雪).

Dōsetsu died from illness during a military campaign in Chikugo Province in 1585. His daughter Ginchiyo succeeded him as the Tachibana clan head not too long after.