Magara Naotaka

Magara Naotaka (真柄 直隆) was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, who served the Asakura clan. He was also known as Magara Jūrōzaemon (真柄 十郎左衛門). Magara was a big man with a height of 7 shaku (210 cm) and was famed for his skill with the ōdachi.

During the 1570 Battle of Anegawa, he served on the front lines, together with his son Naomoto. They supported the Asakura army's retreat from the forces of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu. There is also a report of Naotaka fought in a one on one duel against Honda Tadakatsu. However, The duel was cut short as during their duel, the Asakura army started to retreat. As the Asakura continued to presently retreat to their original stronghold, Naotaka lost his blade. After attempting to continue fighting bare-handed, he was killed together with his son.

Atsuta Shrine owns Tarō tachi (太郎太刀), a ōdachi with a blade length of 221 cm) which is said to be the sword Naotaka used. The historical book Akechi Gunki (明智軍記) states that he used a ōdachi of 7 shaku 8 sun (237 cm), and Asakura Shimatsuki (朝倉始末記) states that he used a ōdachi of about 9 shaku 5 sun (288 cm).