Kusunoki Masatoki
{{Short description|Japanese samurai (d. 1348)}}
{{family name hatnote|Kusunoki|lang=Japanese}}Kusunoki Masatoki (Japanese: 楠木 正時, died February 4, 1348) was a Japanese samurai lord during the Nanboku-chō period. He was second-in-command during the Battle of Shijōnawate, and died in battle in 1348, along with his older brother, Kusunoki Masatsura.
Life
Masatoki was the second son of Kusunoki Masashige.
On February 4, 1348, the Battle of Shijōnawate began between Kusunoki Masatsura of the Southern Court and Kō no Moronao of the Northern Court. He died in the war with his elder brother, Masatsura. His imina name is unknown, but he is referred to as "Jirō".{{Cite book|title=Dai Nippon Shiryo|publisher=Tokyo Imperial University|year=1912|volume=6|location=Japan|pages=279–330|chapter=11|doi=10.11501/782849|author1=東京大学史料編纂所 |author2=東京帝国大学史料編纂所 }}
This is all that is known about this person from the primary sources, and even his death age is unknown.Fujiwara no, Kinsada (1903). 新編纂図本朝尊卑分脈系譜雑類要集. 11. Japan: Yoshikawa Kobunkan. p. 343. doi:10.11501/991593. As a secondary historical source written around his time, his imina name can be confirmed to be "Masatoki", according to Sonpi Bunmyaku by Tōin Kinsada.{{Cite book|last=Fujiwara no|first=Kinsada|title=新編纂図本朝尊卑分脈系譜雑類要集|publisher=Yoshikawa Kobunkan|year=1903|volume=11|location=Japan|at=Tachibana-uji Keizu|doi=10.11501/991593}}
In addition, in Kanshinji Bunsho, there are two letters dated 1349 and 1350, respectively. According to the documents of Kanshin-ji, these letters were written by Masatoki, but considering the dates, they are believed to have been written by his brother, Masanori.
In 1889, Shijonawate Shrine was established, and Masatoki became one of its worshiped deities. According to the shrine documents, he held the court rank of Senior Fourth Rank.{{Cite web|title=四條畷神社由緒記 - Monumento|url=https://ja.monumen.to/spots/12925|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Monumento|language=ja}} However, it is unknown if this is historically accurate.