Samurai-archives

The package has been sent and Samurai-archives has received it. One of the poeople who runs the webpage knows a publisher. I am going with that publisher, I hope. The cover page will be changed. He suggested I go with another. I am fine with that. When I sent the old manuscript last year. I did not know I made some blotches. This time it is a lot smoother. As you know the title of the book is Okehazama 1560. I have been to the battlefield many times. the one located in Toyoake City about seven and the one in Midori-ku, once.

Over the weekend I made a poll and anyone can vote. Nobunaga's greatest victories. if you see something that is not there. Let me know. I also put the word out on Citadel online as well.

Nobunaga no Tame! Tenka no Tame!

Kiyosu kassenki

I am looking to see if anybody has a copy of the Kiyosu kassenki. According to Lamers it was written published in 1923.

'Kiyosu kassenki'. In Zoku Gunsho ruiju,XX.A. Tokyo: Zoku Gunsho Ruiju Kanseikai, 1923.

I have another book. Senran no Nihonshi [Kassen to Jinbutsu] 9 Tenka Fubu Tokyo: 1988.
According to the book on page 156, it listed the Kiyosu kassenki author as unknown.

If anybody has any information about it or has a copy, let me know right away.

Nobunaga no Tame!

What if...

What if Nobunaga was defeated heavily at Akatsuka and Kayatsu in 1552? The chances of Nobunaga unifying the Oda house would have been slim. Owari would have been different. I do agree with Cody with the Imagawa factor. The Oda house would have been so weak that the Imagawa would have played a major role in Owari. I think the Oda house would do anything to save their own rear ends. Just as the Imagawa made the Matsudaira bend, the Oda would have to the same.

Three golden rules in Sengoku Japan.
1) Fight your way to the top
2) Have an alliance with an equal partner
3) Submit to a higher authority

I think the Oda would have to submit to the Imagawa. Yoshimoto had Mikawa and Owari would have been a key province for many reasons. Could Nobunaga have any support from his father-in-law, the Viper of Mino Saito Dosan? Who knows. Maybe. Up in the air. It would only be year later where the two would finally meet at Shoutokuji in Tonda (1553).

Instead Nobunaga triumphed at the Battle of Akatsuka and Kayatsu. The two battles would be key to unifying Owari and the Oda clan. With the murder of Shiba Yoshimune the Owari shugo in 1554 by Oda Nobutomo and Sakai Daizen paved the way for Nobunaga taking Kiyosu Castle in 1555. It did several things. Oda Nobutomo was killed and the Nobunaga was the sole commander of the Kiyosu Castle which was the home base of the Oda Kiyosu branch. Also Kiyosu Castle would be the area where Nobunaga could attack the Oda Iwakura branch. Four years later 1559, Nobunaga finally was the sole ruler of Owari when he attack and destroyed Iwakura Castle. The Oda Iwakura branch was gone and Nobunaga finally united the Oda family and Owari.

It would not have been possible without the victories of Akatsuka and Kayastu in 1552.



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Swords

The Japan Times newspaper online has front page news on samurai swords. According to the article swords displays in Tokyo is rare. If I was in Japan right now, I am there. No matter what era of the samurai age you like Sengoku or Edo, it must be a treat to see. Also I have posted a link to the Tsurugi Shrine. It is in Japanese. Please read the article. It is worth it.





Nobunaga no Tame!

Question of the week

Here is something to think about. What if Nobunaga lost both battles Akatsuaka and Kayatsu in 1552? Nobunaga's plans to unite Owari would have been different. Billy Cody has an interesting theory. "Had Nobunaga been defeated with his aid (Imagawa Yoshimoto), there is little doubt that Imagawa would have incorporated the Oda territory into that of his own, or at the very least would have been able to influence internal matters there considerably." p. 156. I will respond later.

Cody, Billy J. Hyoe Murakami and Thomas J. Harper (ed)., Great Historical Figures of Japan. "Unifiers of Japan Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu," Tokyo: Japan Cultural Institute, 1978.

I did not put that sort of information in my book Okehazama 1560. The reason why is I wanted to explain Nobunaga's victories with an outnumbered army. He was able to win with less.

Nobunaga no Tame!

Nohime's homyo

I think found the translation on Nohime's homyo (deceased Buddhist name).

Okada Masahito's Oda Nobunaga Soogyoo Jiten, pp.161-2. Hopefully the translation is correct. If not please let me know. It goes something like this:

Yougeindenibumyougentaishikyou.

Toady is the day Onabe no kata passed away. June 25th, 1612. My God bless her soul.



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Publisher

I found a publisher through the Samurai-Archives. The price is much cheaper. So I plan to send my manuscript to Mr. Christopher West to read it again since it was rewritten. Right after that I plan to get it published through his friend. The sooner the better. It took me years to write Okehazama 1560. It is a story that must be told. It was Nobunaga's greatest hour. Also I am working on my second book at the moment. A picture book on Okehazama. By the way, do anyone have any stories to share traveling to Japan and visiting Nobunaga's battlefields, castles, and landmarks? Photos, books, and movies too.



Nobunaga no Tame!

Azuchi-dono

I have more information on Nohime. Three years after the Honnoji Rebellion and Nobunaga's death. One of his sons gave money to Nohime. According to the Oda Nobukatsu Bugenchou, Okazaki-dono (Gotoku) received 700 kamon, Okata-dono sama (Nobunaga's mother) 640 Kamon, and Azuchi-dono (Nohime) 600 Kamon. Okada Masahito, Oda Nobunaga Soogyoo Jiten, pp.159-60. As I said yesterday, the photo I put up of the blog was Nohime's. If I can translate it right or somone can correct me on it, I believe her death name was Youkain-dono or Yougein-dono. If you look at Onabe no kata's name. It was different. Pages162 and 167.

I did go the website www.kanda-zatsugaku.com/060825/0825.htm Not bad and I have seen more of the information before. It is worth a look. It is in Japanese. Also I posted Anthony Bryants's page as well. It is posted on my links. Great website as well. There is more information at Rekishi Gunzo, Gekishin Oda Nobunaga by Gakken, p. 143


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Onabe no kata

I know there is a mystery about Nohime's death. Onabe no kata's grave is at the same place as Nohime's Soukenin Temple at Daitokuji. Onabe no kata died a few weeks earlier. She passed away on June 25, 1612. As for the grave mount picture I posted earlier. It is Nohime's. God bless her.

More information please read Okada Masahito's Oda Nobunaga Soogyoo Jiten, pp. 165-7.



Nobunaga no Tame!

Movie

Here is the page with the two movies. Let me know if anybody has seen them or know where to buy them.


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Nobunaga movies

This photo of Nobunaga and Nohime's wedding day. The photo is from the NHK drama Kunitori Monogatari which was broadcast in 1973. Has anybody seen the series?

Also I found two movies produced in 1959 on young Nobunaga.

Shikihi no Nobunaga, Daiei 1959 and
Fuuunji Oda Nobunaga (Soldier of Fortune Oda Nobunaga) Toei 1959. Again, I ask the question, has anybody seen the movie? If you have and/or know where I can purchase them. Let me know right away.

Here we go again on the Nohime question. Look at Rekishi Gunzoo series, Gekishin Oda Nobunaga, by Gakken 2001. p. 143. The article was written by Okada Masahito. He believes that Nohime or known as Azuchi-dono later in life passed away on July 9th, 1612.

At least you know Kitsuno died tragically in 1566.

Nobunaga no Tame!

More on Nohime

The Sengoku Zenshi book on page 625 listed Nohime's death on July 9th, 1612. She passed away almost thirty years after Nobunaga.

Sengoku Zenshi, Kodansha, 1995. ISBN 4-06-206016-7.

The more evidence I look at, it appeared that Nohime died in 1612. Next week I hope to continue on the Honnoji Rebellion.

Tenka no Tame!

Soukenin

Nohime's grave can be found at Soukenin, a subtemple of Daitokuji in Kyoto. Soukenin is closed for most of the year, except during the Fall. I recommend it. It has a statue of Nobunaga inside the place. I tried to take a photo, but no pictures were allowed. The graveyard was different. I was able to take many photos. The lady was at the temple was kind. I was given a personal tour and she too, was a Nobunaga fan. I do believe that Nohime died on July, 9th, 1612 17th year of Keicho at the age of seventy-eight years of age.

I received an e-mail from Samurai Archives about my manuscript that needs to be published. I was rubbish my first copy. The newly rewritten one is better. I think Nobunaga would like it.



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Publish

I found that my book Okehazama 1560 can be published for around $1,500 by Rosedog. I am looking for any donations or help in finding another publisher. Today, just translated some Kinsei and Raku-Ichi Raku-Za Seisatsu by Nobunaga the years 1567-8. The Kinsei was in Kyoto 1568 and the free trade well that one is easy, 1567, in good ol' Gifu.


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Imagawa resources

Someone on the Samurai Archives online citadel needed some books or information on the Imagawa family. I have two in my personal library and used them in my bibliography in my book, Okehazama 1560.

Both are by Owada Tetsuo and are in Japanese.

Imagawa Yoshimoto no Subete. Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ourai Sha, 1994.
Imagawa Yoshimoto. Kyoto: Mineruboa Shooboo, 2004.


Nobunaga no Tame!

The Nobunaga Bible

The Shinchoo-Koo ki, by Ota Gyuuichi is the Nobunaga Bible. It is a must for any Nobunaga fan or scholar. The one above is located in Kyoto at Takeisao Shrine or also known as Kenkun Jinja. The shrine also possess the sword Samonji which Nobunaga took as a war prize in the Battle of Okehazama in 1560. Why is Gyuuchi's book is preferable? The answer is simple. He knew the Nobunaga well and fought with him. He also comes from Nobunaga's Owari domain as well. Jeroen Lamers, Japonius Tyrannus, is the English standard. There is a huge difference from the two. Gyuuichi explained and wrote more on Nobunaga's battles which I liked. More blood and guts.

As for the Shinchoo-Koo ki, the modern version is good as well. I have two copies in my personal library. Ota Gyuuichi. Shinchoo-Ko ki. Translated by Sakakiyama Jun. Tokyo: Kyooikusha, 1980. I have one copy myself while studying in Japan and the other my teacher gave to me as a going away gift.


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Dota Gozen's grave

Nobunaga's mother's grave is located at ShiTennoji (temple grounds), Mie Prefecture, Tsu City. The final resting place for Dota Gozen.


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Where was Dota Gozen

Where was Nobunaga's mother at during the Honnoji Rebellion? According to Okada Masahito, she was staying at Azuchi Castle. The same goes for Nobunaga's concubine, Onabe no kata. The three:Nohime, Dota Gozen, and Onabe no kata received the news around ten in the morning. Then the Gamo family helped the remaining Oda family to escape to Hino. As for Dota Gozen, she was known as Okata-dono sama, later on in life. She passed away on January 7th, 1594. You can looked on pp. 144, 398-9, and 400-1. Okada Masahito, Oda Nobunaga Soogyoo Jiten. I find the book very useful and easy to read, Japanese based. It would be days later where Azuchi was burnt to ashes.

If you are looking for answers to hard questions, look at the Samurai Citadel block on the Samurai Archives web page. There are some answers that make my head shake and some are right on the mark.

Nobunaga no Tame!

Where was Nohime during the Honnoji Rebellion

While Nobunaga persihed at the Honnoji in Kyoto, where was Nohime? Nobunaga's lovely wife stayed put at Azuchi Castle. When Nobunaga left for Kyoto late May, Gamo Katahide was the man in charge of Azuchi. When he heard the new of Nobunaga's death, he had to act fast. He told his son, Ujisato, to escort Nobunaga's family to safety. He took the family to Hino, which was located in Omi Province(Shiga Prefecture). Highly possible that Nohime was taken to Hino Castle. Again, there are rumors that she died with Nobunaga at the Honnoji Rebellion, but the theory does not match. She passed away, July 9th, 1612.

Okada Masahito's, Oda Nobunaga Soogyoo Jiten, has a lot of information. Look at pages 155-62, 233-4, 387, and 397-8.


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The deed

Here is the deed that Saito Dosan wrote before his death at the Battle of Nagaragawa in1556 modern day Gifu City. Dosan must have known that the possibilities of him surviving were slim. This was a good way to go out. The last thing Dosan wanted was for Yoshitatsu to have the deed. Dosan knew right after his meeting with Nobunaga in 1553 that he was no fool. He knew Nobunaga was rare and the one of the few who can survive in the hellish Sengoku Era. He trusted Nobunaga and it was one of the key reasons why he wrote the deed to Mino for his son-in-law.

Unfortunately, I can only translated a few lines. The few passages goes:

To my heart content, I give Oda Kami no suke Nobunaga Mino.
Present Nobunaga transfer documents to him.

Saito Yamashiro
Koji 2 April 19th, Dosan

It is loosely translated and I am looking for someone who can do the job. There is more, but I am trying to put the pieces together. I think Saito Dosan would have proud that Nobunaga did take over Mino in 1567 and made it even better. To what I know and not completely certain is the document is in two area. One is in Kyoto, located at Myoukakuji Temple and the other is in the Osaka Castle Tenshukaku.


Nobunaga no Tame!

Honnoji: Luis Frois version

Here is Luis Frois's version of the Honnoji Rebellion.

"As our church in Miyako is situated only a street away from the place where Nobunaga was staying, some Christians came out just as I was vesting to say early Mass, and told me to wait because there was commotion in front of the palace and it seemed to be something serious as fighting had broken out there. We at once began to hear musket shots and see flames. After this another report came, and we learned that it had not been a brawl but that Akechi had turned traitor and eneny of Nobunaga and had him surrounded. When Akechi's men reached the palace gates, they at once entered as nobody was there to resist them becausethere had been no suspicion of their treachery. Nobunaga had just washed his hands and face and was drying himself with a towel when they found him and forthwith shot him in the side with an arrow. Pulling the arrow out, he came out carring a naginata, a weapon with a long blade made after the fashion of a scythe. He fought for some time, but after receiving a shot in the arm he retreted into his chamber and shut the doors.
Some say that he cut his belly, while others believe that he set fire to the palace and perished in the flames. What we do know, however, is that of this man, who made everyone tremble not only at the sound of his voice but even mention of his name, there did not remain even a small hair which was not reduced to dust and ashes."

Well there you have it from Luis Frois. Here was there in Kyoto where the rebellion took place. It did not do a god job on Nobunaga's last fight. It seemed that Nobunaga wimped out. That is a complete lie! He fought with bravery and to the last. I have heared he had been shot before fighting. Then again, he killed many before he took his own life. No mention of his use of the bow and arrow. Could it be that Luis Frois can leave some key data out since Nobunaga was killed? Who knows. More later.


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Onna Nobunaga

Here is the book Onna Nobunaga, by Kenichi Sato. A Senkogu Jidai novel covering Oda Nobunaga as a female? I never heard of that before. The only reason I can think of was that Nobunaga was a pretty boy, but had fine taste in beatiful ladies. You have to remeber he was a ladies man. Still I think the novel is worth a read. Now, I have heard stories that Uesugi Kenshin was a female. I do not buy that theory at all. Two things Kenshin loved: War and Drinking. It was love of booze that killed. His liver gave out on him. Last year's NHK drama Furin Kazan, the person who played Uesugi Kenshin character was a male. At first I did not know it was a male or female. To tell you the truth, the actor who played Uesugi Kenshin looked like a female. I hated that. Gackt, you lose!

I have not forgotten about blogging more on the Honnoji Rebellion. Zenhi ni Oboyasu(Shigata ga nai) Cannot be helped.

Nobunaga no Tame!

Gifu's Honnoji play

I fortunate enough to see Nobunaga and the Honnoji Rebellion play in Gifu right before my student visa expired Fall of 2001. The play was located just near the banks of the Nagahara River. I loved it! The play started with young Nobunaga to his death. If there was one part I would change, it would be Nohime. She was put in the Honnoji Rebellion battle scence and she was killed by the Akechi army. Nohime was at Azuchi Castle at the time and she died on July, 9th, 1612. It did a good job of Nobunaga treating Akechi Mitsuhide as dog meat. The play was outside and a clear night. I have to admit, I was in tears when Nobunaga was killed.

By the way, I also bought Kenichi Sato's Onna Nobunaga. As anybody read it so far or even heard of it. If you have, please reply. I going to start reading tonight.


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The new man

I will write on why Nobunaga was a new man for Japan. There are several reasons why. It started when he was born in 1534 at Nagoya Castle. When his was constantly change because of his actions, Nobuhide must of known his son was rare. It all goes back when he was a young country boy playing with his friends. Whether it mock battles with his friends or sumo it prepared him for the future. When he first saw guns that were vastly superior from the Chinese garbage ones, he needed them now not later. He knew guns would change warfare and was not afraid to use them. Nobunaga knew the economics of the times had to change for the better when he was walking into town. High taxes killed the economy. He knew low taxes created revenue and stimulated the economy. He was able to do these thing because he was not a man bound by tradition. For example, when he was able to meet his father-in-law at Shoutokuj Temple Nobunaga was in rags and showed off his guns and long spears. He scared the living hell out of his father-in-law before changing into proper clothes. Saito Dosan knew Nobunaga was a rare bird and could survive in a hellish Sengoku world. When he took the last Ashikaga shougun to Kyoto in 1568, he had respect for the title, but was not bound to it. Why? Yoshiaki was weak and a coward. Nobunaga knew if he took a position in government, he would be a subordinate. No way in hell he wanted that. His independence would create friction between the two and finally ran Yoshiaki out of town in 1573. His victories at Okehazama (1560) and Nagashino (1575) changed Sengoku warfare forever. Okehazama proved that military exploitation did not mean victory. Intelligence did. When he rewarded Yanada Masatsuna with cash and real estate, it changed everything. One man made a difference in the battle. Guns proved to be a big player in Nagashino. Nobunaga's tactics were futuristic. He had to do something different since the loss at Mita ga hara in 1572. The result made the Takeda on the defense. He was able to do it since he was not a man bound by tradition. Since he was not a man bound by tradition, he was able to change Inoguchi to Gifu with the help of his friend Takugen Shuon. There is some proof that Osaka might have been changed to Nobunagaberg if he did not perish in 1582. It sounds strange, but he was open to new ideas from Europe. He knew the earth was round, Europe was big, and quickly found out the barbarians had some toys he wanted. Just look at the armor. Armor changed and Nobunaga took it a step forward. When he built Azuchi Castle, it was not built for only military purpose. It was built to be a cultural, economic, and political center. Azuchi was the place where court nobles paid there respects to Nobunaga. It was built near Kyoto, but far away from the political slime. Azuchi laid the ground work for other castles as well. Osaka, Himeiji, and Edo. If Nobunaga did not perish in 1582, Azuchi would rival Kyoto in culture, economics, and politics. He was able to do all of that since he was a man not bound by tradition. There are many more that made Nobunaga a new man for Japan. One of my favorites is the Kyoto parade in 1581. The parade showed the Emperor and the court who was the real man in charge. Nobunaga. The public loved it. He was able to enjoy festivals and parades since he was not a man bound by tradition. In all, he was the perfect self-made man from Owari. His independence would be the real reason why he almost unified Japan into one and why Japanese people still admire the man today. There are many more reasons and will write them later.

Nobunaga no Tame!

Photos of Honnoji and Nijo Palace

Here are some photos of the Honnoji landmark and Nijo Palace landmark. The Honnoji landmark is located near Horikawa-dori in Kyoto. This was the area where the Honnoji Rebellion took place. The photos in the midle and top left is the modern Honnoji located in Teramachi in Kyoto. The photo to the left is the old Nijo Palace. This is not the Nijo Castle which was built by the Tokugawa shogunate. The popular Kyoto tourist attraction is still a must see. Highly recommend it.
Today is the day Nobunaga died. His short temper was a strength of his, but this time it cost him his life. He was truly caught off guard and did not expect anything to go wrong. Nobunaga's death was a big blow to Japanese warfare. If he lived for another ten or more years who knows what he could come up with. I do know this, Japan would have been a very different country. His futuristic thinking would have given his enemies the chills. Many people do not know Nobunaga was a builder as well. For example, Nijo Palace and Azuchi Castle. Osaka Castle and Edo Castle would not have been built if Azuchi Castle was not constructed. The same for Himeiji as well. The tea utensils that were burnt to ashes during the rebellion destroyed Nobunaga's legacy. It was known the utensils were rare. It was by the stroke of God Mitsuhide did not live long after Nobunaga's death since he was killed by a farmer retreating from his defeat at the Battle of Yamasaki which was won by Nobunaga's trusty friend, Hideyoshi.

Nobunaga no Tame! Tenka no Tame!

The enemy is at the Honnoji!

June 2nd, 1582 was a day in infamy. Akechi Mitsuhide, Japan's version of Benedict Arnold, betrayed Oda Nobunaga. Mitsuhide cried out, "The enemy is at the Honnoji!" The early morning of June 2nd, Nobunaga heard some odd noises, but quickly found out, Satan was coming. Nobunaga yelled, "Treason!" and "Who is the traitor?" Nobunaga's loyal page, Mori Ranmaru yelled, "Akechi Mitsuhide!" Nobunaga grabbed his bow and started to fight. If he was going to die, he was going out with a bang. After killing many Akechi soldiers with the bow, it snapped. he took a spear and fought to the death. Once the Honnoji Temple was in flames, he took his own life. Mitsuhide did not have any luck in finding the body. Nobunaga would never let that happen. Nobunaga fought with valor. He told the women to flee at once. "The women are not my concern, get out of here!"
The Honnoji Temple, a Hokke (Lotus) temple, was Nobunaga's new Kyoto lodging. He held a tea ceremony for various Kyoto nobles. The temple had a deep moat, but did not matter. The Oda forces were only around 2,000 and the Akechi forces were around 13,000. No match!
Why did Akechi Mitsuhide revolt in the first place?

• Power?
• Nobunaga treated Mitsuhide as an outsider (Which was true)
  
• Did not receive rewards?
• Always insulted by Nobunaga
• The murder of his mother? (still debated)
• Nobunaga jealous of Mistuhide's poetic talent?

Not only Nobunaga perished, but his talented son, Nobutada took his own life as well at Nijo Palace in Kyoto. I will have more on Nobunaga's death. Included will be Luis Frois's account, references, and photos.

Tenka No Tame!