8.The officer, Tokichiro (Tokichiro is the former name of Hideyoshi)

　Tokichiro left Nagoya when he was 14 (1551), and served Gentazaemon Matsushita, the master of Zuda Temple in Hamamatsu, and learned tactics from him. Gentazaemon was the teacher of Yoshimoto Imagawa, too.

　As in the proverb "that the good bird chooses a good branch to stop", Tokichiro planed to serve Nobunaga. The story is written in Bukou-yawa as follows:

　Tokichiro stayed at Ienaga's house in Ikoma mansion in Kori, Owari. He met Koroku there. First, Koroku suspected that Tokichiro might be a spy. Although, Tokichiro didn't look noble and he was short, he was good at martial arts and knew much about military strategies. Koroku trusted him and took him to his mansion in Miyaushiro. Since Tokichiro was very smart, that he could please Nobunaga's concubine, Kitsuno easily. With Kitsuno's recommendation, Tokichiro could enter Nobunaga's government.

　As it is said in Bukou-yawa, Tokichiro stayed at Ikoma mansion to be acquaintance to Nobunaga and worked conscientiously all the time. The wisdom and prompt action of him made Kitsuno to recognize him as a man of promise

　Kitsuno recommended Nobunaga to have Tokichiro as a subordinate, saying, "Please add him to one of your subordinates by all means. He will surely become your good in future". Eventually, he could enter the government, and that was the start of his career as an official.