2017 The Year Of Gifu

2017 was a special year for Gifu since it was the 450th anniversary of its founding by Oda Nobunaga.  Here are some things that went on in Gifu during its year long celebration:

• Japan Golf Open held in Gifu with Nobunaga as its symbol
• Water flow and ponds discovered at Gifu Castle Park
• Nohime's room discovered at Gifu Castle Park
• Megalith discovered at Gifu Castle Park, used by Nobunaga
• The highly successful Nobunaga Gallery held in Gifu
• 2017 Gifu Nobunaga Matsuri
• Nobunaga exam held in Gifu
• Nobunaga Gifu Palace tablet used by tourists
• Gifu FC soccer team Oda crest jersey
• Statue of Dota Gozen (Nobunaga's mother) and baby Nobunaga at Kani-shi Gifu
• Numerous Nobunaga Forums held in Gifu throughout the year

There were many more special events related to Nobunaga and Gifu in 2017.  When Nobunaga conquered Mino in 1567, history changed in Japan.  With the help of his Zen monk friend Takugen Shuon, Inoguchi was changed to Gifu (with Chinese) origins along with Nobunaga's Tenka Fubu slogan, Gifu became more prosperous and powerful.  http://otsuke.blogspot.com/2015/09/origins-of-gifu.html  Nobunaga's headquarters in Gifu meant his travel to Kyoto was cut in half, a good thing.

There is an old saying, "He who controls Mino will control Japan."

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga no tame!

Tiger's Mouth at Komaki Castle

There is more archaeological evidence that Komaki's honmaru on the western side had a Tiger's mouth castle structure.  The Honmaru had a southern and eastern entrance and now a western one that was recently discovered.  Nobunaga only stayed at Komaki for four years (1563-7).  That being said, the castle's fortifications used more stone than usual and it was a dry run for Azuchi.

Link: https://t.co/VozpFSlRji

Nobunaga no tame!

Water Flow and Ponds Found at Gifu

According to the recent excavation work done at Gifu Castle Park, Nobunaga's Gifu Palace had artificial water flow and ponds.  Simply beautiful!

https://t.co/ns2dOJcXdO

Nobunaga no tame!

PR Disaster at Nagoya Castle

This weekend at Nagoya Castle was a PR disaster for anyone who a Nobunaga fan.  This new Nobunaga statue which was shown to the public at the Ni no Maru section of the castle was not a true representation of Nobunaga.  Instead, it was an anime figure who is supposed to be Nobunaga from the comic Ikusa no Ko.  This statue belongs at a theme park or restaurant, not a place where Nobunaga lived.  If they wanted to display a young Owari no Utsuke era Nobunaga statue, that would have been easy.  A statue of him wearing his tiger/leopard skin hakama with a sleeveless top, multiple gourds around his waste with his swords armed with a matchlock rifle by his side.  This would have been a more accurate display of Nobunaga during his time at Nagoya, not some lame comic character.

Tenka no tame! 

Nobunaga's Pillow

Here is something that you do not see everyday, a pillow owned by Nobunaga.  The one on the left was used by Nobunaga.  The one on the right was given to Mizuno Torazaemon by Nobunaga.  Both pieces are owned by Sokenji Temple located at the Osu Kannon area in Nagoya.

Nobunaga no tame!