Tuesday, June 3, 2008

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!

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