Mitsuhide Birth and Wife Hiroko

 Here is are two short videos by Owada Tetsuo explaining Akechi Mitsuhide's birth year.  According to Tetsuo, Mitsuhide was probably born in 1528.  His wife Hiroko was from the Tsumaki Family.  Written as Tsumaki, but pronounced Tsumagi.  Her death year was probably in 1581.  The link below provides some evidence for Hiroko's death.

http://47news.jp/localnews/prefectures/kyoto/5110330.html

Tenka no tame!

Kiku Ningyo

 The Kiku (chrysanthemum) dolls are now open for viewing at Gifu Castle Park.  Nobunaga and his wife Nohime, along with his father-in-law Saito Dosan Kiku dolls are displayed for public viewing.

Nobunaga no tame!

10 Year Anniversary

 Big news regarding to the Battle of Okehazama.  Sunday November 1st, there will be a 10 year Arimatsu Okehazama Battlefield statue anniversary celebration.  The Nagoya Busho(Nobunaga will make an appearance) will be there along with other festivities.  Ten years ago, the first Imagawa Yoshimoto statue was erected in Japan.  That has changed since earlier this year, Shizuoka erected their own Yoshimoto statue.  With all the doom and gloom this year, I am excited that things are getting back to normal and people can enjoy themselves again.  The event is hosted by the Arimatsu Okehazama Battlefield Preservation Committee, which I am a member of.  If you are in the area, by all means go.

Tenka no tame!

Sekigahara Museum

 Something a bit different today.  The new Sekigahara Museum is now open to the public.  Owada Tetsuo does a small tour of the museum.  If you are in Gifu Prefecture, spend some time at the Sekigahara Battlefield.  I also want to add, my Sengoku colleague Chris Glenn had a lot to do with this.  He has spent many months preparing and planning for the new museum.

Nobunaga no tame!

New Gifu Castle Discovery

 

There is big news regarding Gifu Castle.  From the recent archeological work being done at Gifu Castle, tile from the western tower was found and believed to be pre Azuchi.  Which means it was built during the time of Nobunaga was at Gifu.  Gifu was Nobunaga's headquarters between 1567-75.

Link: http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/139401

Tenka no tame!

Honkokuji

 Here is a video by Owada Tetsuo explaining the Miyoshi raid on Honkokuji in 1569.  Honkokuji was located in Kyoto and Ashikaga Yoshiaki was also residing there as well.

Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 128)

"On the 4th of the First Month, the Miyoshi Triumvirs together with Saito Uhyoe no Tayu Tatsuoki, Nagai Hayato and others, having recruited ronin from southern parts, surrounded the shogun and his temple residence at Rokujo. Yakushiji Kurozaemon commanded their advance guard.  His soldiers burnt down the neighborhood in front of the gate and were on the point of forcing their way inside the temple."

Rokujo was located at Honkokuji.  Also this was first appearance of Akechi Mitsuhide.

I wrote a post on this last year:Http://otsuke.blogspot.com/2019/11/mitsuhide-in-shincho-ko-ki.html

Nobunaga no tame!

Imai Sokyu

 

Imai Sokyu (1520-93) was a merchant and tea master from Sakai near Osaka.  He is first mentioned in the Shincho-Ko ki in 1568.

Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 123) "The Five Home Provinces and the neighboring provinces had all submitted to Nobunaga's rule.  Matsunaga Danjo presented  Tsukumogami, unparalleled in our country, to Nobunaga, and Imai Sokyu offered the famous tea-leaf jar Matsushima together with the tea caddy called Nasu, which belonged to Joo."

The video above, Owada Tetsuo explains this in great detail.

Tenka no tame!

Saito Dosan Tour Video

 Here is a nice video on landmarks related to Nobunaga's father-in-law Saito Dosan.  The video covers Jozaiji Temple, Sagiyama Castle, and Dosan's grave. All landmarks are located in Gifu and can be covered easily in a day. 

Nobunaga no tame!

Samonji Sword News

 For those who love swords and the Battle of Okehazama, I have news for you.  According to Owada Tetsuo, there will be a replication of the Samonji sword that Imagawa Yoshimoto used during the Battle of Okehazama.  When he was killed, it went into the hands of Oda Nobunaga.  The sword used to be 2 feet 6 inches, but Nobunaga shortened it to 2 feet 2 inches.  It was known that Nobunaga tested the sword many times and it was one of his favorite possessions. 

According to the video, the Samonji sword is due early spring of 2021.  The actual Samonji sword is located at Kenkun Jinja in Kyoto.

Tenka no tame!

Okehazama Video Update

 Here is another video on the Battle of Okehazama.  The video is short and it does not go much into detail in tactics and the like.  It does covers Yoshimoto's logistical castles in Owari Kutsukake, Narumi, and Odaka.  The map will show how Nobunaga countered with Tange, Zenshoji, and Nakajima to block Narumi.  Also Fort Marune and Washizu to block Odaka.  The use of Yoshimoto's palanquin is also mentioned in the video, which is a nice touch.  After Yoshimoto death, the fall of the Imagawa is explained and the rise of Nobunaga to begin with the start of the conquest of Mino.

Nobunaga no tame!

Nobunaga Castle Card

 

Here is something quite interesting.  A card with the list of Nobunaga's castles.  Kiyosu, Komaki, Gifu, and Azuchi.  However, Nagoya was omitted.  Why? A question that needs to answered.

Tenka no tame!

Kunitomo Video

 Here is a nice video on the history of the Kunitomo gun manufacturing company by Owada Tetsuo.  Kunitomo is located in Shiga Prefecture, Nagahama City.  During the Sengoku Era, it was known as Omi Province.  There is a nice museum there and not far away is the Anegawa Battlefield as well.  Tetsuo shows a map around the four minute mark on the route of the matchlock rifle during the Sengoku Era.  Starting at Tanegashima to Negoro to Sakai, and finally to Kunitomo.  I have many posts on Nobunaga and firearms and will remind readers that in 1549, Nobunaga placed an order for 500 rifles from Kunitomo.

I do highly recommend Tanegashima by Olof Lidin for the birth of modern firearms in Japan.

Nobunaga no tame!

Nobunaga and Mitsuhide Magazine

 Here is a new magazine on Nobunaga and Mitsuhide.  It covers castles, battlefields, and of course, the Honnoji Rebellion.  Also, the Battle of Nagashino is covered as well.

Tenka no tame!

1,000 Post

 After nearly fourteen years, number 1000 has now been posted.  I am still going strong and have learned many things over the years by trial and error.

The video above describes Oda Nobuhide's struggles between Imagawa Yoshimoto, the peace between Saito Dosan with the marriage of Nobunaga and Nohime, and Nobunaga's signature "Fujiwara Nobunaga."  From what I understand from the video is that when the document was signed "Nobunaga Fujiwara," it meant that Nobuhide gave Nobunaga control over the Eight Villages of Atsuta.  Interesting for sure.

I do have some new information on the Battle of Okehazama after rereading some books.  For example,  Nobunaga using a double (kagemusha) to create a false sense of security. After all, it was well known right before Nobunaga attacked the Imagawa camp, Yoshimoto and the rest of the army was eating, drinking, and more importantly overconfident with poor military discipline. I plan to write about it along with the source.  Also I am still watching Owada Tetsuo's YouTube channel for new Nobunaga updates.  Thanks for your support and God bless.

Nobunaga no tame!