Okehazama Nobunaga Statue

Today I received an e-mail from my great Okehazama friend Mr. Yukio Kajino. I was so happy to hear from him and there will be a moon viewing party at the Okehazama battlefield on October 31. I know it is a bit late, but you can take a look at the party on the Okehazama link.

Also If you want to know what the Nobunaga statue will look like next year at the battlefield, here is the link with a nice photo.

http://okehazama.net/modules/osirase/index.php?page=article&storyid=16

Here is the Okehazama link: http://okehazama.net/


Many thanks to Mr. Yukio Kajino and the Okehazama staff.

Owari no utsuke de owaru ka. Tenka wo toru ka.

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga's niece Ogou

There is a book out on Nobunaga's niece Ogou. She was the youngest of Oichi's three daughters. Ogou would later marry Tokugawa Hidetada. This will be a good read leading up for the 2011 Taiga drama.

Oichi's three daughters. Chacha would be Hideysohi's concubine, Ohastu married Kyogoku Takatsugu, and as mention above, Ogou married Tokugawa Hidetada.

The link to the book: http://astore.amazon.co.jp/sengokuwalker-22/detail/4140055707


Nobunaga no tame!

Nobunaga Forum in Gifu Coming November

Gifu will hold a Nobunaga Forum November 21-22. I wish I could be there since Owada Tetsuo and my former professor Matsuda Yukitoshi will be speaking. Tetsuo is the Sengoku king in my book. Nobody better than him.

Here is the link: http://www.city.gifu.lg.jp/c/40124773/40124773.html

This should be a good one and wonder if Dohaland from Samurai Country will attend. Here is a photo from 2001 when I was studying at Gifu University. Professor Matsuda Yukitoshi is next to me. He has taught me so much about Nobunaga and the Sengoku Era. Now he is teaching at Gifu Women's University (Gifu Joshi Daigaku). If anybody knows how I can get in contact with him, let me know ASAP.

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga Book by Frederic P. Miller

There is a new book on Nobunaga by Frederic P. Miller on Amazon. I found out this morning while checking my mail. Does anybody know about this book? The price is steep at $43.00 and do plan to buy the book in the near future.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/6130062370/ref=pe_5050_13419330_snp_dp

Update: I just found out the book is a hoax and a total scam. Do not waste your money on it. For more information: http://forums.samurai-archives.com/viewtopic.php?p=49845#49845



Tenka no tame

Okehazama during the Taisho Era

Here is an old photo of the Okehazama area during the Taisho Era. The photo has a crease due to packing my bags while heading home. The chances are high in my opinion that this is what Okehazama looked like during Nobunaga's time. Nothing but farmland and trees. This photo blew me away. Now I have a picture of what the Battle of Okehazama was like in my head. No matter what people say about the frontal attack, I still say it was surprise attack all the way.


Also there is a link that has some photos taken by Dohaland during the Nagoya Festival. The Nobunaga Zen bento was superb. If anybody who is in the Nagoya area, please try it. It is worth the 1200 Yen price. The miso yakionigiri was the best in my opinion. There is construction going on at Atsuta Shrine at the moment and the fresh smell of new wood is so delicious! Dohaland also took some photos of me at the Nobunaga Victory Wall as well. When I visit Atsuta Shrine, the Nobunaga Victory Wall is the first place to go. The wall is still the original and constructed with mud, lime and grease.

Yes, I do enjoy wearing kimono and it was not a rental. I own a couple of kimono and yukatas in my personal collection.

Many thanks to Dohaland who made the day special.

http://ameblo.jp/samuraicountry/theme-10009144658.html


Nobunaga no tame!

Okehazama Tour

October 4th was a day to remember and a real treat. My friend Dohaland from Samurai Country by accident bumped into Mr. Yukio Kajino during the Nagoya Festival. I met Mr. Kajino at the Okehazama booth and told me he was going to led a walking tour of the Arimatsu Okehazama Battlefield. This was a must and I was in heaven.

The next I arrived at the reception near Arimatsu Station where Mr. Kajino gave me the Okehazama book mention in the last post as gift. I only took a quick peek, but found out right away that the book will be useful. The tour was about to start and around thirty people should up.

Mr. Kajino led the way talking about the battlefield and Okehazama's geography. He also possessed a picture of the area from the Taisho Era and was amazed how Okehazama has changed. The map above was the tour route and the pace was slow.

There were many things that were new to me as I took pictures of various locations. I did not even know when to start. Mr. Kajino continued to give information on the location of the Oda and Imagawa at various times during the battle. To my surprise, the Arimatsu location has the same landmarks as the Toyoake city location, but with Arimatsu more spread out.

I never questioned Mr. Kajino with the touchy issues, just listened and learned. He did ask me to chime in when needed which was nice. I also told him I was more familiar with the Toyoake location than the Arimatsu.

Finally the tour stopped at battlefield where it was closed off for construction. People where still able to shoot some pictures and I did as well. Mr. Kajino explained that the construction is for next year's anniversary event. He also gave a quick glimpse what the Nobunaga statue would look like.

When the tour was finally over, I was asking questions myself. How come I did not know the Arimatsu area better earlier? One reason why is the the Arimatsu's Battlefield landmarks are hidden and hard to find. Mr. Kajino asked me if I could a tour in English next year. I would if I can able to do it. If I was able to do it, then I must spend at least a couple of days where I go on the route again covering everything. Taking notes and more pictures would help as well.

I just soaked up the moment. I was like a kid in the candy store. The book he gave me will be helpful and thank him for it. Before heading back for Nagoya, Mr. Kajino and I discussed briefly about the two battlefield landmarks. I told him both are legit and should be treat as such.

I am grateful for Dohaland and Mr. Kajino's kindness. More later.

Tenka no tame!

More Pictures of Golden Nobunaga in Gifu

Here is two more photos of the Golden Nobunaga statue in front of Gifu Station. The bottom photo explains Nobunaga's relationship with Gifu. The more I look at the statue, I begin to enjoy it more. Nobunaga looks ready to to stake his claim on the Tenka for himself.



Tenka no tame!

New Nobunaga statue in Gifu

This is the new Nobunaga golden statue in front of Gifu Station. I solarized the picture and it turned out freaking awesome. The statue was surprisingly done in good taste. This will be quickly one of favorite Nobunaga statues in no time at all. However, I would to see a statue of Saito Dosan since he was another key player who made Mino strong.

Nobunaga no tame!

Ohehazama Festival and New Friends

I have just returned home from an awesome trip back to Japan. I would like to thank Dohaland from Samurai Country who made the opportunity to meet Mr. Yukio Kanjino (Mr. Okehazama) possible. Dohaland was a great guide to the Nagoya area and it was a pleasure to meet her. We also had the 'Nobunaga Zen" for lunch. It was superb. Dohaland, thank you for your friendship.

Next year will be the 450th anniversary of the Battle of Okehazama. Mr. Kanjino gave a tour of the Okehazama battlefield (Arimatsu location) and it was a good one. He was also very kind to give a book Jimoto no Karo ga Kataru Okehazama Kassen Shimatsuki by Wataru Kanjino. This book is one of best I have seen on Okehazama and ranks it up there with Owada Tetsuo's version.

The Arimatsu Okehazama Battlefield is closed at the moment due to construction. Do not worry. They are getting ready for the big event next year. There will be a statues of Nobunaga and Yoshimoto. As for the Toyoake City location, a festival on a smaller scale.



Check out the Okehazama link: http://okehazama.net/

It looks like the great Sengoku historian Owada Tetsuo will give some sort of lecture on December 6th this year.


Nobunaga no tame! Tenka no tame!