Modern Okehazama Print

I found this print on Facebook and if you look closely, it resembles of chemical warfare version of the Battle of Okehazama.  Oda soldiers wearing masks as Yoshimoto is about to be killed.  I like it because it is different and fresh.

Tenka no tame!

Nohime Link

I found a link on Nobunaga's wife Nohime (1535-1612).  The link is brief and it is in Japanese.  It describes her career first as Saito Dosan's daughter, marriage to Nobunaga, and finally her various theories on her death.  With the new recent discovery that she was first married to Toki Yorizumi before going to Oda, I believe that Dosan murdered Yorizumi so his daughter was able to marry Nobunaga since he knew Oda Nobuhide was a major threat to the Saito house.

https://bushoojapan.com/busho/oda/2019/11/21/15046

Nobunaga no tame!

Memories of Mr. Okehazama

Earlier this morning I received news of the passing of local Battle of Okehazama historian Wataru Kajino, who known as Mr.Okehazama.  I have been blessed to known this man.  He knew Okehazama's geography and history better than anybody.  He also studied Nobunaga's career prior to Okehazama.  He was extremely opened minded to different opinions as long you can back it up with facts. 

Example, we argued over Nobunaga's birth place, Shobata or Nagoya Castle.  I stated that Shobata was too close to the border of Mino and dangerous.  Nagoya was safer than Shobata.  I explained to him in military terms and he was impressed.  Finally, he asked me if I had any military experience and I told him I was in the Navy. 

When I told him that if one wants to know the Battle of Okehazama, one must go to both the Arimatsu and Toyoake City battlefields and read Ota Gyuichi's Shincho-ko ki and Oze Hoan's Shinchoki. Again, he was impressed.  He wanted you to explore both sides of the story and then you decide on your own.  He loved free thinking and it also pushed him to work harder.  His father Magosaku had different opinions as well.  He was from the traditional school of the detour surprise attack theory.  Mr.Okehazama knew people have different opinions.  He wanted us to study as much as we can and make up own opinion.

As I ramble on, a funny story I like to share.  Mr. Okehazama fought in China during WW2.  He published a picture book and showed to my dad.  He knew I showed the book to my family.   Mr. Okehazama wanted to know my dad's opinion.  I was somewhat scared because my dad said he looked like little Toj (Tojo). So I told him that you look like Little Tojo in your uniform.  He almost died laughing.  He could not stop. 

One of the first books I received from him was Jimoto no Koro ga Kataru Okehazama Kassen Shimatsuki. This was a book on the Battle of Okehazama on a local point of view.  It was an eye opener for me.  I learned the battle was more complex and how the Kajino, Aoyama, and Nakayama families made Okehazama.  He has done a lot of lectures as well which I was blessed to be a part.  I either sat and listened or I spoke as guest.  I could go on and on by my good friend and colleague.  I miss already.  Mr. Okehazama, you are at different address at the moment.  When we meet in heaven,we will be able to talk about Nobunaga and Okehazama all day.  Love you buddy!

Nobunaga no tame!
Tenka no tame!
Iza Shutsujin!

Shiba Yoshikane' Banishment

Nobunaga banished Shiba Yoshikane (1640-1600) just near or after the unification of Owari.  Nobunaga let him to retire at Kiyosu Castle at the northern watchtower earlier.  Why? Nobunaga knew from the past that his enemies were always trying to work out a deal with someone in the Oda family to betray him.  The Shiba during the time of Nobunaga's rise to power was weak.  Eventually, Shiba Yoshikane tried to work out a deal with other families to oust Nobunaga.  It never work and Yoshikane was banished along with others making Nobunaga the ruler of Owari.

Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 105)
"At the very edge of Owari Province, right by the seaside, lay the residence of Lord Ishibashi.  There Kira, Ishibashi,and Buei agreed among themselves to have Hattori Sakyo no Suke of the Delta bring in Suruga troops by the sea.  But before they could carry out their treacherous plot, a retainer leaked it to Nobunaga, who immediately expelled these noble lords from the province."

Buei=Yoshikane

Nobunaga no tame!

Shigi Castle 1577

In 1577, Nobunaga and his son Nobutada attacked Shigi Castle.  It was a victory for Nobunaga and Nobutada did well in fighting.  In fact, Nobutada's helmet had deer antlers as ornaments.

It seems that Shigi Castle, located between Kawachi and Yamato Provinces (Nara Prefecture) was built in 1536 by Kizawa Nagamasa on the behalf of the Hatakeyama family.  In 1559, it was expanded and repaired by Matsunaga Hisahide who at the time was working for the Miyoshi family.

Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 272)

"On the evening of the 10th of the Tenth Month, having assigned the various routes of attack to Sakuma, Hasiba, Koreto, and Korezumi, Akita Jo no Suke Nobutada stormed Shigi Castle. The assault took place by night.  The defenders put up a fight, but no avail.  Their bows broken and their arrows spent, the Matsunaga set the castle tower alight and perished in the fire."

Tenka no tame!