Kyakuten no Nihonshi

I bought a book a few weeks ago at the local Japanese Book-Off store here in San Diego. It was sitting there all the time and finally made the decision to buy it. Well, I have to say it will make you think or scratch your head.

Kyakuten no Nihonshi Sengoku Kassen Honto wa Ko Datta, by who else Fujimoto Masayuki. It was printed in 1997. This is important since Fujimoto's Nagashino theory is not new. He made up his mind about it a long time ago. I disagree with him, but I have respect for him since he has since stuck to his guns. I like that. Pages 18-20 deal with the Nagashino gun issue, again he states the 3,000 rifles as fiction. Pages 15-17 deal with the Battle of Okehazama. He discuss Nobunaga's ironclad ships, weapons and armor, the Takeda cavalry, and more.

I have to admit the book will make you think and doubt whether the facts you know are true or false.


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Honnoji Book

I have bought a new Honnoji book for only a few dollars at Book-Off. It was a steal. [Honnoji no Hen] Honto no Nazo motives, by Endo Akira. So far I am enjoying it. The discussion includes Mitsuhide'schakai, the Kyoto Parade in 1581, and other interesting facts. It is a must have book for the fellow who is devout to the Honnoji debate.

The book is moving along on the publishing front. The sooner, the better. Please wait.




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Respect

Even if I disagree with the guy I do have respect. Fujimoto Masayuki's 1,000 rifle Nagashino theory cuts the grain. I have have respect for him since he went out of the mainstream. However, his theory does not convince me at all. Sure, Nobunaga no Sensoo is a great read packed with information, but it still does not convince me. He had to have more than 1,000. I know his theory is gaining ground and good for him. Ieyasu had around 500 guns so the total was more than 1,000. Rejecting all of the other so called "Edo Fiction" works makes me believe he has an agenda. Everybody does. He is not completely wrong on his new theory

I did not use any English sources on my last post. I wanted to display the Japanese sources since they were in question. However, I do suggest you buy and read Fujimoto Masayuki's Nobunaga no Sensoo. His theory is popping up everywhere.


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More on Nagashino and Guns

The more evidence I read that Nobunaga used around 1,000 rifles at the Battle of Nagashino, the more I question it. You have to give Fujimoto Masayuki credit. Nobunaga no Sensoo will make you think. The information is awesome. However, if 1,000 was the amount used in battle, he is dead wrong. Sakai Tatatsugu was given 500 rifles to attack Fort Tobigasu. 1,5000 total? For Fujimoto's sake I think 1,000 were used to shoot down the Takeda army. His theory on 1,000 has increased and gaining acceptance. I can only go so far with the number. If one thinks 1,000 is the answer, they are right to a point. 3,000 for the answer? Again, correct to a point. Okada Masahito's Oda Nobunaga Soogyoo Jiten listed the number 1,000 to unknown, pp. 361-2. Unknown is the best answer since there are so many theories out there.

Kenichi Futaki's Rekishi Documento Nagashino no Tatakai (pocket size book by Gakken 2000) has a lot of information. He listed the Shinchoo-Ko ki as 1,000, but later changed to 3,000.
Nagashino Nikki 3,000 and Ieyasu 500. Toshiie Yawa 3,000 (Nagashino no Tatakai, pp. 108-9).
Futaki has mentioned this as the main problem. You cannot reject all of the information as "Edo Fiction"
Oze Hoan has also listed the number as 3,000 Shinchooki Book 8. His work is being rejected as "Edo fiction" and I do not like that. Scholars still use his work today and I have a copy of his book.

Fujimoto Masayuki's theory is found in books such as
Nobunaga no Sensoo, Fujimoto Masayuki.

Kusano Takumi(Ko) Truth in History (4) Oda Nobunaga, p. 122.

Saigen Nihonshi Magazine 9/23/2001, pp. 4-8. Also see pp. 16-18 for more information.

Kudo Kensaku, Nobunaga wa Honto ni Tensai datta no, pp. 133-6.

Here is one without Fujimoto's work, but with 1,000.
Okamoto Ryoichi (piece was written by Owada Tetsuo) Oda Nobunaga no Subete, pp. 107-9.


With more questions than answers so far I have to assume for now everybody can have their cake and eat it too. Fujimoto Masayuki has lead the charge and his theory is a good one. However, I still think there was more than 1,000. With old war chronicles being thrown out for new age thinking it can bring in new life to the subject. It can also backfire. Okada was right to use the data as unknown since at the moment there is no clear cut answer. To tell you the truth, nobody knows at the present moment.



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Nobunaga Cartoons

Here is a Nobunaga cartoon that I put some life into. It is from www.reki-c.com
They messed up on Nobunaga's date, so I crossed it out and wrote the correct date. Have fun with it. I wish they had one of Nobunaga and Nohime together.



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More on Nobunaga no Sensoo

Earlier this Spring I have bought a book Nobunaga no Sensoo by Fujimoto Masayuki. To tell you the truth after reading some of the material, thank God I bought it! There is tons of information there. Kitsuno of Samurai Archives mentioned that the Battle of Nagashino in 1575 Nobunaga only used around 1000 muskets instead of the standard 3,000. Just look at pp. 193-253. I can see why Nobunaga only had 1,000. Fujimoto has used the Nobunaga Bible, "Shinchoo-Ko ki," and others as resources. To be fair, Nobunaga had more than 1,000 rifles in his army. 10,000 or more, but only brought around 1,000 to battle. It mentioned in Book 8, Chapter 4 that the Takeda army with their mighty cavalry had five units charged the Oda-Tokugawa army. They were shot to pieces. However, along with the cavalry, the foot soldiers came too. This was a long and bloody battle won by Nobunaga and Ieyasu.

In my soon to be published Okehazama book, I did not put any new information by Fujimoto in my book. Why? I will wait until 2010 when it will be the 450 anniversary of the Battle of Okehazama. Fujimoto mentioned in his book he compared Okehazama to the WWII Battle of Guadanacal. Wow! He mentioned that the Japanese army loved to use sneak attacks throughout their history. I will use the information in a later edition. Fujimoto's book is packed with information. A must have.

As regards to my book, it is in the editing process. So far my editor likes it. To tell you the truth, I want the book published now, but need to be calm and wait.




Nobunaga no Tame! Tenka no Tame!

Stationary

Here is some samurai stationary I have found at www.reki-c.com
I have picked out the Nobunaga and Saito Dosan for paper. The link is great. It has many other great historical figures as well. For example, Uesugi Kenshin and Sakamoto Ryoma. The site also has a link for Nobunaga landmarks. Happy for that. The site is in Japanese unfortunately, however, highly useful. Owada Tetsuo has some of his books posted there as well. I love it and will use more often.



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Flower boy's old man

Mori Ranmaru was Nobunaga's greatest page. He was known to be a flower boy. He was pretty. What about his father, Mori Yoshinari? He was born in 1523 and died in 1570. As always, he was from Owari(according to Taniguchi Katsuhiro, he was originally from Mino, Nobunaga no Shineitai, p.215) and helped Nobunaga success at Kiyosu Castle in 1555. However, it was known he served the Saito of Mino as well. He held Usayama Castle in Omi at the time of his death. He died in battle fighting the Asakura and the Azai.



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Armor

I have post a link for samurai armor. A friend from the Samurai Archives Citadel sent to me. Check it out. http://www.yoroi.co.jp/english/english/



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The change

I still agree with Tsumoto Yo's point that Japan would be different if Nobunaga did not perish in 1582. Just before his death, he gave orders for his son Nobutaka to invade Shikoku. Even more bizarre, he already gave provinces away as if he already won the invasion. A key area for shipping and a place for the Oda Navy. Nobunaga was in good terms with the Date in northern Honshu and the Shimazu in southern Kyushu. He did not have to fight them at the moment. The Hojo were an ally by default, war against the Takeda. The Mori were still strong, but not as aggressive in the past. One of the main reasons why he sent Hideyoshi to attack the Mori before his death. The Uesugi were still worthy as well. However, the house was in turmoil after Kenshin's death in 1578. Nobunaga had more geographical and human resources than the Uesugi. It would be a matter of time before they would fall. Nobunaga as shogun? Who knows. Then again, Nobunaga was clearly an independent man who defied all who was against him.




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Nobunaga drawing

I noticed that someone has drawn a portrait of Oda Nobunaga. If you look on my blog on the left side, you will see the portrait. All I know is that the picture is located at Tendo (Tendo City) Shiritsu KyuuHigashiyamamuragun Yakusho Shiryoukan in Yamakata Prefecture. I would like to know who drew the portrait and when.



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Nobunaga Hakken

I know I should be discussing more on Nobunaga and the future. However, I bought a book last week by Akiyama Shun. This one was published in 1997. I do have his best seller, Nobunaga. That is a must have. I enjoyed it very much.

Akiyama Shun. Nobunaga Hakken, Tokyo: Asahi Bunko, 1997. I bought it at a used bookstore here in San Diego. It has a lot of give and take from other writers, most notably, Tsumoto Yo.



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The Future

Here a website that has Nobunaga escaping his death at the Honnoji. I liked it to tell you the truth. Nobunaga lived for ten more years to conquer the world. The translation into English is not that good. However, it was long and very a good read. The best part is near the end where Hideyoshi was put to death. The story shows Nobunaga as a very ambitious man.

Here is the link. http://www.satoshi-nitta.com/nobunaga.htm


More later

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Nohime's Death

The 17th year of the Keicho, July, 9th, 1612, Nohime left this world. May God Bless her soul. Here is a revision of the tomb at Soukenin at Daitokuji in Kyoto.
Yougeindenyoushinmyougendaishi Nobunagakomidai. According to the landmark, it is Nohime baby. I do not want to be on her bad side.

I will bet Nohime is giving Nobunaga a hard time at Azuchi Castle right now. Nobunaga doing the same. Love!

For sake of Nohime today.

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Castle Town in Gifu

This a photo taken at the museum of History at Gifu City. The photo is a free market town in Gifu during Nobunaga's time. I must have spent three hours there. There is a small library containing many books on Oda Nobunaga. Again, time well spent. If you have the urge, you can become a young, Nobunaga, Saito Dosan, Nohime/Oichi, or a Luis Frois.

A good reference book on Nobunaga and Gifu is by Matsuda Ryo.
Nobunaga no Mino kyoraku-shi kenkyu. Gifu: Shin Mino Shi Gakkai, 1976.
I do have part of his book. When I was living in Gifu at the time, I had to make copies.

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What if Nobunaga Escaped from the Honnoji

I just finished reading a novel that had Nobunaga escaping his death at the Honnoji. To tell you the truth, I enjoyed it. Nobunaga fled to Sakai where a Portuguese ship was waiting for him. He ended up going to Europe for a couple of years before returning to Japan. The great novelist Tsumoto Yo mention that if Nobunaga did not perish in 1582, the picture of world history would be different. He is right. The novel made me think very hard. I do believe without doubt, Japan would have been different. What is your opinion. More later.


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Election '08

Here is the Election '08. The next President of the free world will not be Obama nor McCain. It is Oda Nobunaga with his Vice President Takugen Shuon. That is a fact, so deal with it. Nobunaga will save our country like or not. First Lady Nohime. Residence will be at Azuchi Castle. Camp David, Gifu Castle.


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Kunitomo Gun Factory

There has been a discussion online about the 500 rifles Nobunaga purchased in 1549. Others have said he did not buy them, but his father, Nobuhide did. Nobunaga's name is on the document. The only theory I could think of would be Nobuhide bought the guns with his cash, but under Nobunaga's name. I could go along with that theory. Then again, we have made some blockhead purchases when we were young.


May God Bless America this 4th of July. Remember America is ONE NATION UNDER GOD!
May God Bless You All.


Nobunaga no Tame! Tenka no Tame!

Full-timers

On the Samurai-Archives Online Citadel, the hot topic is the ashigaru. I do know this. Around the very early 1570s, Nobunaga's army was almost made up of full-time soldiers. This is important. Where as other warlords did not have the luxury to fight on a day in and day out basis. The word I found to suit this is HeinouBunri. The separation of warrior farmer. His full-time army allowed him gobble up other domains and quickly consume power. Nobunaga started it and then Hideyoshi took over.



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Saito Dosan

Here is the Saito Dosan book I mention to a few at the Samurai-Archives Online Citadel. The book was written by Jiju Dobashi, 1997. It is a must and will shed some light on his relationship with Nobunaga.





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oze hoan

What do you think about Oze Hoan's Shinchooki. I prefer Gyuuichi, the man from Owari. I do have both authors. Chime in.


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