Rekishi Gunzo

Earlier this week I received one of the new edition of Rekishi Gunzo's take on Oda Nobunaga.  The one on the right is the one I received in the mail.  It was published in 2010.  The one on the left was published in 2001 and I bought the copy in Japan a few years ago.  There is a major difference between the two.  The new copy on the right is repacked and condensed.  The one on the left has more meat and potatoes.  For example, a list of the Oda history, Nobunaga's relationships, and a list of battles.

While the new copy on the right is only a fraction of the old issue, it does has its perks.  For example, it has a list of museums dedicated to Nobunaga.  Also there is a one page article on Komaki Castle.  The key question is for me:  was it worth it to buy the condensed repacked material in the new issue?  My answer is yes.  Why?  Simply I am a sucker for anything Nobunaga related.  Also I did like the museum listings and the article on Komaki.

Nobunaga no tame!

Nobunaga by Kuniyoshi

Earlier this week I was in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles to see a friend and edit my Okehazama novel in peace.  I was lucky to find 101 Great Samurai Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.  Without hesitation, I bought the book.  This is a color woodblock print of Oda Nobunaga by Kuniyoshi in the Taiheiki Eiyu Den (Heroic Biographies from the Tale of Grand Pacification).  In the print's text, the Battle of Okehazama was mentioned.

Tenka no tame!

Chausuyama

During the Battle of Nagashino 1575 Nobunaga moved his army from Mt. Gokurakuji to Chausuyama.  This was an important tactical move since Nobunaga moved his army to the high point where he can clearly see the entire battlefield.  Chausuyama was 134.5 meters or 441 feet above sea level.  Once the allied Oda/Tokugawa armies shorten the battlefield, the Takeda mounted infantry was at a disadvantage.

Nobunaga no tame!

Portrait and Costume

In May, I was able to visit the Gifu City Museum of History again.  One of my favorite places in Gifu to visit and to do research on Nobunaga and Gifu.  I was fortunate enough to wear a replica of Nobunaga's clothing in Kano Soshu's (Motohide/1551-1601) portrait.  The painting was done in 1583, a year after Nobunaga's death.  As for the portrait, it is located at Chokoji Temple in Toyoda City, Aichi Prefecture.

I must admit, once fully dressed, you can feel the spirit of the Uesama.  You can feel the presence of the Uesama in Gifu, the city he created.  Again, very fortunate and many thanks to the museum staff.

Tenka no tame!

Okehazama Talk Show

There will be a talk show on the Battle of Okehazama next month near Nagoya Station.  Sunday September 6th, is the date the talk show will be held.  The first stage will be hosted by historian Izawa Motohiko.  His theme will be "Sengoku Kassen Saikou"  Sengoku Battles Reconsidered.  I was lucky to meet Mr. Izawa earlier this year at the Toyoake City Okehazama Battlefield.

The second panel will be hosted by several people.  People such as my colleague Chris Glenn, Nagoya Mayor Kawamura, and Mr. Okehazama's son (Izumi Kajino).  The theme for the second panel is about the Battle of Okehazama and Tourism.  The second panel should be interesting since I know Chris and Izumi very well.  Mayor Kawamura will certainly entertain the audience.

As a member of the Arimatsu Okehazama Preservation Committee, I would love to attend.  I want to know what people think about Nobunaga and his victory at the Battle of Okehazama.  Also, what the people's opinions and ideas to promote tourism to the battlefield and how to preserve it.

Nobunaga no tame!