Abstract
Igamono who served Hachisuka in Tokushima Domain are described in this article as a case of ninja in Edo era. First, they escaped from Iga during the Tensho Iga War and served Horio who was the lord of Hamamatsu Castle. They belonged to the gun unit and took part in the Osaka no Jin (The Siege of Osaka). After Horio came to an end, they served Ikoma who was the lord of Takamatsu Domain. However, Ikoma also ceased to exist, and they served Hachisuka who was the lord of Tokushima Domain.
In Tokushima Igamono were mainly appointed to “Iga-Yaku” to guard the castle and the residence of a chief retainer.
They also served as guards during Sankin-kotai (the lord travels between Edo and Tokushima). In 1749, they investigated the peasant uprising in Himeji Domain.
The social position of Igamono was called Kachi class and Igamono was permitted to inherit the family status. It was the same as the case of Okayama Domain.
Compared with the ninja of other domains, they had common duties such as guarding the lord and investigating for other domains. On the other hand, there was a big difference in salaries among ninja of each domain.
