Fire at Tsurugi Shrine

 

Some unfortunate news in Fukui regarding the Tsurugi Shrine, the ancestral home of the Oda family.  There was a fire at the shrine.  That being said, fortunately, there were no injuries nor loss of relics.  The Oda family origins are from Echizen, but during the 15th century, the Oda moved to Owari.

Link: Https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/383318 

Nobunaga no tame!

2021 Awards

 

It is that time of year again when I give out the awards.  This year unfortunately will be smaller due to the unusual times.

Historian of the year: Taniguchi Katsuhiro (Posthumous)  He was one of the better historians out there regarding Nobunaga.  Yes, I had issues with him on certain topics such as Okehazama, but agreed with him other such as the Honnoji.  He will be missed.  I have several of his works and the one thing I can tell you is he makes you think.

Book of the year: Oda Nobunaga by Seiji Haji.

Movie of the year: Okehazama Oda Nobunaga Haou no Tanjo Ebizo Ichikawa's role as Nobunaga did enough to make the television movie a success.  Was the movie perfect?  No.  That being said, it did capture the spirit of the battle.  People such as Yanada Masatsuna and the Men of the Fields were included.  Battle scenes were decent enough for a television movie.

Tenka no tame!

Gifu Castle Story Video

 I found this gem this morning on YouTube.  A Japanese man describes in English with Japanese subtitles briefly about Nobunaga and slowly goes into the details regarding Gifu Castle.  Updated computer graphics steals the show.  One can see hoe Gifu Castle and the Palace was a work of art.  With beautiful gardens and waterfalls, Gifu Castle was the crown jewel of Mino.  If there is one drawback, it would be leaving Saito Dosan out.  Dosan left the blueprints and Nobunaga took it the next level.  Easy to understand and follow, this is one of the better videos out there on Gifu Castle.

Nobunaga no tame!

Good Omen?

 Is this a sign of a good omen?  Takuya Kimura is playing the role of Nobunaga in a upcoming movie.  He was last spotted shooting in Kyoto and Hikone.  He has played the role of Nobunaga in the television movie Tenka wo totta baka. In that movie his role as Nobunaga was during his youth.  From what I understand, this is supposed to be a serious movie.  Let's hope so.  I can sick and tired of the love story and comedy crap.  One must remember that the Sengoku Era was brutal and harsh. Warfare was bloodbath back then.  I like what I see in the picture so far.  Takuya looks serious as Nobunaga.

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga and Yamamoto

 Today is the 80th Anniversary of the Japanese naval attack on Pearl Harbor.  Yet, Pearl Harbor has some history regarding to the Battle of Okehazama.  Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and his colleagues referred in their diaries and letters on the attack on Pearl Harbor as their Okehazama.  They knew the importance of a successful surprise attack.  This is why the Battle of Okehazama should be and always be studied.

Nobunaga no tame!

Okehazama Seminar in January

 Local Battle of Okehazama historian Seishiro Mizuno will host a seminar on the Battle on January 26th.  Price is 2,695 yen for the two hour talk.  Wish I could attend since it will certainly informative from the local point of view.

Tenka no tame!

Okada Junichi as Nobunaga

 Okada Junichi will play the role of Nobunaga in the 2023 Taiga drama Dou Suru Ieyasu. He played the role of Kuroda Kanbei, so he has some experience in Taiga drama. He might pull it off in my opinion as Nobunaga.  All depends on the script, costumes, and action.

Nobunaga no tame!

Gifu's Nobunaga's Palace Video

 If you want to know what was Nobunaga's Palace in Gifu was like, this video is for you.  Sure, tge video does have a lot of computer graphics, but it does a great job on what might have been.  Nobunaga's Palace had a Muromachi feel to it. One of the buildings can be mistaken for Ginkakuji.  Beautiful waterfalls and lakes.  Nohime's room was on the 2nd floor and can be described as gorgeous.  The video continues to the summit as it is narrated for Nobunaga and Saito Dosan's point of view.  Again, great video and one of the better out there.

Tenka no tame!

Taniguchi Katsuhiro Passes Away

 Sad news regarding from the history world of Nobunaga.  Famed Nobunaga historian Taniguchi Katsuhiroassed away earlier in the week due to pneumonia.  Some of his noted works include Oda Nobunaga Kashin Jimei Jiten, Oda Nobunaga Kassen Zenroku. I have not met him in person, but have visited to his lectures at least twice.  He will be missed.

Nobunaga no tame!

Hideyoshi`s Residence At Azuchi

 Here is a video by Owada Tetsuo discussing Azuchi Castle.  The subject matter being discussed is Hideyoshi's and Maeda Toshiie's residence at Azuchi.  Tokugawa Ieyasu's residence is also mentioned.  Owada Tetsuo uses several books as references.  Unfortunately, my last visit to Azuchi was in 2019.  Looking forward to returning to Japan as soon as possible.

Tenka no tame!

Oda Imagawa Economics

 

Here is a video by Owada Tetsuo discussing economic policies between the Oda (mainly Nobunaga) and the Imagawa.  For a word of caution, the Imagawa before Yoshimoto was killed at Okehazama was stable.  They had house laws such as Kana Mokuroku Tsuika to help stabilize the economy and the land.  Nobunaga was famously known for his Raku Ichi Raku Za once he conquered Mino in 1567.  I do understand that other families had their own economic policies to promote trade and the flow of money into their provinces.  A nice video overall.

Nobunaga no tame!

2021 Fall Sokenin

 Sokenin, a subtemple of Daitokiji in Kyoto is having their fall viewing.  Only open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until 11/28.  You do have to make a reservation in advance in order to visit Sokenin.  If you are able to visit, you will see a huge wooden statue of Nobunaga, the grave of Nohime, along with several others in the Oda family. 

Link: Http://kyotoshunju.com/?temple=daitokuji-sokenin

Tenka no tame!

Full Movie Fuunji Oda Nobunaga

 Here is the full Fuunji Oda Nobunaga movie which was released in 1959 by Toei.  Nakamura Kinnosuke plays the role of Nobunaga and Kyoko Kagawa the role of Nohime. The movie covers

The death of Oda Nobuhide and Hirate Masahide 

The meeting between Nobunaga and Saito Dosan

The Battle of Okehazama 

Nobunaga no tame!

Takaneyama Landmark Updated

 News regarding to the Battle of Okehazama.  Takaneyama, which was the highest point during the battlefield at 177 feet has been updated.  The landmarks has been renewed and renovated.  Simply beautiful.  During the Battle of Okehazama, Matsui Munenobu (1515-60) of Futamata Castle in Totomi, pitched his army at Takaneyama.  That being said, he was killed along with several hundreds by the Oda army at Okehazama.  Takaneyama is also known as Arimatsu Shrine.  Many thanks to the Arimatsu Okehazama Battlefield Preservation Committee for the photos.

Tenka no tame!

Kubijiken

 

During the time of Nobunaga, the kubijiken (head viewing ceremony) was common after battle.  Women and children would often clean and apply make-up to the decapitated heads.  Nasty and gruesome indeed.  Taking heads was common practice by samurai and foot soldiers to distinguish themselves in battle.

Chris Glenn's Sekigahara (p. 109).

"The head was then cleaned, perfumed, and mounted for inspection and registration back at base camp.  Powdered rice was used to mop up and stop any blood or other fluids leaking from the head.  Women specially trained in the art of arranging the heads were employed for the gruesome task. Unafraid of freshly decapitated heads also blacked the teeth of any head upon order."

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga often mentions many heads taken in battle as well as the name heads of the enemy.

Nobunaga no tame!

2021 Gifu Castle Park Chrysanthemum Doll Festival

 

The 2021 Gifu Castle Park Chrysanthemum Doll Festival has begun.  Nobunaga and Nohime will appear.  Also the Uesama performs Atsumori as Nohime plays the hand drum.  If you are in Gifu this time of year, please by all means visit Gifu Castle Park.

Tenka no tame!

2021 Samurai Ninja Festival

The 2021 Samurai Ninja Festival will be held again this year at Odaka Greens on November 21st.  Odaka Greens is not far from the Odaka Castle ruins as well as the Okehazama Battlefield.  There will be a matchlock rifle demonstration as well as Nobunaga and his friends.

Link: Https://www.samurai-ninja-fes.com

Nobunaga no tame!

Shoryuji Castle Video

 This is a video on Shoryuji Castle narrated by archeologist Mr. Senda.  The video does have English subtitles and it worth the eleven minutes of your time.  Shoryuji is located near Kyoto and Nobunaga ordered Hosokawa Fujitaka to build it.  It quickly became a strong fortress for Fujitaka, but it also became a cultural center as well.  Various nobles from Kyoto would visit Shoryuji.  Mr. Sena points out that Shoryuji did have a castle tower, but it was probably more a cultural one than militaristic one.  Also Hosokawa Tadaoki and Akechi Mitsuhide's daughter (Hosokawa Gracia) was married here.

Tenka no tame!

Takeda Nobutora Movie

 There will be a movie on Takeda Shingen's father Nobutora (1494-1574).  Minority Terada will play the role of Takeda Nobutora.  Nobunaga does make an appearance in the movie.  Watanabe Hiroyuki will play the role of Nobunaga.

Nobunaga no tame!

Brief Okehazama Video

 Here is an eight minute video on the Battle of Okehazama.  The video starts off with Atsumori and it continues from there.

Topics include:

Oda/imagawa conflicts

Narumi/Odaka Castle

Brief description of the battle

Imagawa Ujizane

Matsudaira/Tokugawa name change

The video also does a good job on how big Kutsukake Castle during the Sengoku Era.  I highly suggest one visit the castle ruins.  On a final note, I have recently viewed a video on the Battle of Nagashino by Owada Tetsuo.  I plan to post the video soon once the details are translated.

Tenka no tame!

Saito Family Video

 Here is another video on the Saito and Oda families.  The video covers several topics such as Oda Nobuhide, Oda Nobuyuki, and the conflict between the two sides.  Then it discusses the marriage between Nobunaga and Nohime and the meeting with Saito Dosan at Shotokuji Temple. One key element that people often overlook is the Rokkaku.  It seems that they had some conflict with the Saito and one of the key reasons that Dosan wanted an alliance with Nobunaga so his back was covered just in case things got out of hand between him and the Rokkaku.  The video goes into detail about the chaos in the Oda house and eventually the dispute between Dosan and Yoshitatsu. Again, the main source listed in the video is The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga.

Nobunaga no tame!

Oda Family Video

 Here is a nice short video on the Oda family. The video covers several points.

Origins of the Oda Family

Ise/Yamato Oda families 

Oda Nobuhide

Saito Dosan

Wars against the Imagawa and Saito

Nobuhide's death

Rise of Nobunaga 

The videos does have a reference list and the main source listed was the Shincho-Ko ki (Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga).

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga Well

 There is a well near Inuyama Castle (Aichi Prefecture) that Nobunaga frequently used.  The well water still flows to this day, but it is prohibited to visitors.  Nobunaga used this well to quench his thirst while visiting Inuyama.

Nobunaga no tame!

Odaka Castle Tour

 There will be a walking tour regarding Odaka Castle in early October.  For those who are interested in the Battle of Okehazama, the tour will include Odaka Castle, Fort Washizu, and Fort Marune.

Https://awc.nagoya/tour/entry18.html 

Tenka no tame!

Sumo referees

 

A month or two ago I posted a video on Nobunaga and sumo.  I will post the two referees from the sumo tournament held in summer of 1578.

Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (pp. 291-2).

"Tiger, Eighth Month, 15th day: Nobunaga summoned fifteen hundred sumo wrestlers, beginning with men from all over Omi Province and Kyoto, to Mount Azuchi, where he watched them compete from the Hour of the Dragon (around 8 a.m.) until the Hour of the Bird (around 6 p.m.) The following  were his sumo commissioners: Tsuda Shichibyoe Nobuzumi, Hori Kyutaro, Manami Senchiyo, Murai Sakuemon (Sadanari), Kimura Gengo, Aoji Yoemon, Goto Kisaburo, Fuse Tokuro, Gamo Chuzaburo, Nagata Gyobu no Sho, and Atsuji Magogoro.

The referees were Kinose Zoshun'an and Kinose Tarodayu."

Nobunaga no tame!

Assault on Mt. Mitsukuri

 Normally I usually do not post much on Nobunaga's conquest of Omi, but this short video from King of Zipangu does a good job explaining it. In 1568, Nobunaga attacked southern Omi.  Rokkaku Jotei was in command of Kannonji Castle.

Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 120) "On the 11th, Nobunaga  set up a field camp by the Echi River and conducted  a reconnaissance  on horseback. He decided to bypass the enemy's  minor forts and assault  Kannonji and Mount Mitsukuri, the strongholds held by Sasaki himself and his two sons ( Yoshiharu and Katanaga).  This operation began

On the 12th, when Nobunaga ordered Sakuma Uemon, Kinoshita Tokichiro, Niwa Gorozaemon,  and Azai Shinpachi (Masazumi) to storm the fortress of Mount Mitsukuri.  The battle lasted from the Hour of the Monkey (about 4 p.m.) into the night,  when the castle fell."

Tenka no tame!

New Okehazama Postcards

 

Here are some new Battle of Okehazama postcards from Japan.  The first set includes Fort Washizu, Fort Marune, and Odaka Castle.  The second set below includes the Okehazama Battlefield and Fort Zenshoji.

Nobunaga no tame!

Gifu?

 

Gifu is back in the news again and it now has some controversy.  Did Nobunaga rename Inoguchi to Gifu in 1567 or Gifu was renamed 100 years earlier by the Toki?   It seems that Toki Shigeyori of Zuiryoji has a portrait with Gifu written on it.  Zuiryoji is located in the Gifu Teramachi district, a place I know very well.  Why mention now?  Is there an agenda by someone in the Toki family to keep the legacy alive?  Probably.  Why during the time of Dosan, it was referred to Inoguchi?  No answers to that.  Owada Tetsuo does a great job explaining both sides, the Toki and Nobunaga version.  Fortunately, Nobunaga has the higher ground since it was well known that Takugen Shuon gave Nobunaga three options, Giyou, Gizan, and Gifu.  Nobunaga decided on Gifu due to its Chinese origins.  "Gi" came from the area where the Chou Ruler Wu Wang began his quest to unify China in 12th century B.C. "Fu" came from the birthplace of Confucius.

Owada Tetsuo gives the viewers a word of caution on this subject.  As for myself, it is possible that Toki Shigeyori might have something to do with Gifu.  That being said, it was Nobunaga without a doubt renamed Inoguchi to Gifu in 1567.  In the end, I think Zuiryoji creating some news due to the fact nobody knows where the temple is at or even Teramachi even exists.

Tenka no tame!

Yoshimoto and Hanakura no ran

 Here is a video on Imagawa Yoshimoto and the Hanakura no Ran (1536). If one wants to know the lead up to the Battle of Okehazama and Nobunaga's enemy, Yoshimoto, this video will explain Yoshimoto's upbringing.   It is not that bad and it is easy to understand as well.

Nobunaga no tame!

Nobunaga Sumo Mystery Video

 During the weekend I found a video on Nobunaga and sumo.  It was well known that Nobunaga loved sumo and hosted many bouts throughout his career. The video focuses on the sumo ring and referees.  In 1578 Nobunaga hosted a sumo tournament at Azuchi.  According to the Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga, the referees were Kinose Zoshunan and Kinose Tarodayu.  

Tenka no tame!

Yoshimoto Funeral Video Update

 Here is an update on Imagawa Yoshimoto's funeral.  Owada Tetsuo has a hard copy and shows the audience the documents and how the funeral was performed.  For the Battle of Okehazama fan, historians, and the like, this is a must have.

Nobunaga no tame!

Gifu Nobunaga Festival Cancelled

 Unfortunate sad news from Gifu.  I found out that the 2021 Gifu Nobunaga Matsuri has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to the Wuflu.  I do not understand why since the parade is outside and being outdoors is the best way to avoid being sick.  It does not make any sense at all.  Looking forward to next year.

Tenka no tame!

Ichijodani Video I

 Here is another video on Ichijodani, the home of the Asakura.  The video goes into the fall of the Asakura when Nobunaga attacked Echizen in 1573.  Again, the video shows areas of Ichijodani and its surroundings.  I have to say, the scenery is stunningly beautiful.

Nobunaga no tame!

Nobunaga's Retainers Magazine

 Here is a new magazine I found Nobunaga no Kashin to Mitsuhide tai Hideyoshi. Battles include Okehazama to Yamazaki.  Shibata Katsuie, Mitsuhide, Hideyoshi, Takigawa Kazumasu, and others.

Tenka no tame!

Rekishi Tantei

 

Yesterday, I received an email from the Kajino family regarding a new Okehazama television special.  Rekishi Tantei hosted by NHK will air an episode on the Battle of Okehazama and Nobunaga on September 8th.  From what I understand, the Battle of Okehazama Preservation Committee, historian Owada Tetsuo, and others contributed to the project.  I wonder if the Toyoake City Okehazama added their views as well.  It is nice to see another Okehazama project in the works.  If any more news comes about, I will inform you all.

Hopefully, the travel ban will be lifted soon since I have a lot of work to do regarding to the Battle of Okehazama.  Besides, I miss my family.  

Nobunaga no tame!

Azuchi Art

 From Azuchi Castle.  I love the artwork that resembles of a modern woodblock print of Nobunaga and Azuchi Castle.  The middle has Azuchi Castle with Atsumori in the background and on the left Nobunaga with his fan.  Simply beautiful.

At the moment, I am slowly gathering some information on Oda Toshisada, one of the founders of Kiyosu Castle.  Hopefully, I can post something on him in a week or so.

Tenka no tame!

Ichijodani Video

 This is one of the better videos on the Asakura clan Ichijodani castle.  It was the home of Asakura Yoshikage (1533-73) until Nobunaga put it to the torch in 1573.  The video does a good job explaining how life was like at Ichijodani during the Sengoku Era.  The biggest takeaway from the videos is how narrow the castle town was.  Population was around 10,000?  It continues with the location of the main hall, Yoshikage's wife residence as well as his mother's.  The whole area is an open air museum.  Replica Sengoku buildings gives the visitor what life was like during the Sengoku Era.  The Gifu City Museum of History has something similar on the 2nd floor on what life was like during the time of Nobunaga. As for myself, I have been to Ichijodani many years ago and it was a treat.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is a student of the Sengoku Era.  You will be blown away at its natural beauty and you will learn a lot as well.  Located south of Fukui, it is quite far from town, but well worth the visit.

Nobunaga no tame!

Waiting To Open

 The past year or so I have been waiting for Japan to open.  Many of you as well.  Hopefully, the sooner, the better.  Vaccines are here as well as other treatments, so vaccine the elderly and get on with life.  When the Olympics are over, I think the situation will change and Japan will slowly allow visitors again.  

My primary job in Japan is promoting tourism for the Okehazama Battlefield and I am a member of the Arimatsu Okehazama Battlefield Preservation Committee.  My focus is preserving the battlefield as well as giving tours in English and Japanese (primarily in English).  Besides Okehazama, I do some work in Gifu as well.  I studied and lived in Gifu, so Gifu is my adopted hometown.  There in Gifu, I give tours on Nobunaga, Saito Dosan, and Nohime.  

Now the painful part.  I feel for the students who are trying to get back in.  Again, I was one myself.  These students are the ones who are going out of the way to make sure they learn the language, culture, and customs.  These people will eventually enrich Japan in the future.

Hopefully, I will return later in the year or early next year.  For me, the sooner the better, since there is so much to do at the Okehazama Battlefield.  

Tenka no tame!

Hioki Shrine Video

 Here is a short video on Hioki Shrine located in Nagoya.  During the Battle of Okehazama, Nobunaga visited a few shrines and Hioki was one of them.  Hioki was dedicated to the deity, Ame-no-futodama-no-mikoto. It was one of deities that asked the sun goddess Amaterasu to rejoin the devine. Hioki is located south of Enokihakusan Jinja and north of Atsuta.

Nobunaga no tame!

Nakajima to Okehazama

 

Here is another video on the Battle of Okehazama by historian Owada Tetsuo.  He first holds up one of books on the battle and then discusses what was the route between Fort Nakajima to Okehazama.  Kamagatani was mentioned in the video.  According to local historian Mr. Okehazama (Wataru Kajino), Nobunaga and his army stopped there during the rain storm.  It is also known as the "Nobunaga Slope." At the time of the battle, Kamagatani had a small lake nearby and it was known as Takejiike Pond.

Tetsuo also goes into the two battlefields, Toyoake and Arimatsu.  He tells the viewers that the battle is more expansive than originally thought.  He mentions that if the Imagawa soldiers fleeing to Odaka, Arimatsu is more suitable, as with soldiers fleeing to Kutsukake, Toyoake is the place.

Finally, the video concludes with a mention of the Toyoake City Okehazama Battlefield director Ota Teruo.  I personally met him a few times and have a couple of his published works.  Tetsuo mentions the 689 issue of Rekishi Kenkyu "Okehazama Kassen Imagawa Shiryo Hakken" an article written by Ota Teruo.  At the end Tetsuo holds up a map of Okehazama of year 3 Tenmei (1783).

Tenka no tame!

Okehazama Weather

 It was well known that the day of the Battle of Okehazama was terribly hot.  It was so hot that the barring of the Imagawa soldiers rapidly faded.  A week earlier, Yoshimoto departed Sunpu with his army.  The weather was not known or written down, but it had to decent since the army marched and crossed several rivers with ease.

A link with an article on Okehazama and weather. 

Http://news24.jp/articles/2021/06/11/07888351.html

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 88) "At that very moment there was a cloudburst. Hailstones pelted the enemy in the face, while ours felt the storm in their back."

Imagawa Yoshimoto was not a fit man.  He was short and fat.  During the campaign he rode on a panalquin with armor.  So during the day of battle, he must of been sweating and clothes wet with sweat.  Of course, the wind and rain came which was to Nobunaga's advantage.  After the rain stopped, Nobunaga attacked Yoshimoto's camp.

Nobunaga no tame!

Nobunaga and Ieyasu

 Here is a video by Owada Tetsuo on the relationship between Nobunaga and Ieyasu.  Equals?  In some ways, but the reality was Nobunaga was the dominant and senior part of the twenty year alliance between the two.  Lamers Japonius Tyrannus (p.49) does a good job describing the relationship between the two.  Ieyasu was not a direct vassal of Nobunaga.  He was independently ranked on par with Nobunaga's retainers. That being said he did take orders from Nobunaga directly.  The only time Ieyasu was in command of Oda forces was in late 1572 at the Battle of Mikatagahara.  It ended up as a disaster as Ieyasu barely escaped.  The video goes into details about Nobunaga giving two huge bags of gold in 1574 after failing to help Ieyasu at Takatenjin. In the end, it was Nobunaga who was senior partner in the relationship.

Tenka no tame!

Yoshimoto's Funeral Video

 As I posted earlier, there was a discovery of the document named Tentakuji Denhinko which describes what happened between Yoshimoto's death at Okehazama to his funeral.  Owada Tetsuo has a nice video on this.  He states that once Yoshimoto was killed at Okehazama, Okabe Motonobu, who was the commander of Narumi Castle at the time requested Yoshimoto's head.  Nobunaga agreed and Okabe Motonobu retreated to Sunpu.  With the weather being so hot, Yoshimoto's body was buried at Daisyoji Temple, Ushikubo in Achi Prefecture.  Tetsuo explains the memorial service being performed there as well as the procedures.  Then Tetsuo goes into great detail about Tentakuji, a temple that was abandoned during the Meiji Era.  Near there is Fushunin, a small temple which has a small mausoleum for Yoshimoto.  A memorial service is performed there and afterwards, everyone walks to Rinzaiji, a major temple for the Imagawa.  Tetsuo explains his participation in the services.  Then comes the introduction of the Tentakuji Denhinko and Sekiguchi/Sena Yoshihiro (Ujizumi) 1518-62.  His daughter was known as Princess Sena or later known as Lady Tsukiyama.  She was the wife of Tokugawa Ieyasu.  Sena Yoshihiro then took committed seppuku at Sunpu in 1562.  Owada then mention the document was written in 1563.  He gives some caution as well.  Great video in general.  Again, all in Japanese.

Nobunaga no tame!

Gifu Castle Walls Map

 

If you are in Gifu at the moment, you are in good luck as the Gifu Castle Preservation Committee has a new map.  The new map contains areas where work was being done related to Gifu Castle stone walls.  The map is free.  Cannot wait to return to Japan as soon as possible.  This looks great in my opinion.

Tenka no tame!

Disgruntled Employee

 Today, June 2nd, Nobunaga became a martyr for Japan and its people.  Let's face it.  Akechi Mitsuhide was a talented man, but in the end he was nothing more than a disgruntled employee.  Mitsuhide would have been a nobody if Nobunaga did not hire him.  Yes, he was an outsider, but Nobunaga knew the risks.  If he wanted to unite Japan, risks has to be taken.  Lamers summed it best in his book Japonius Tyrannus (p. 52), 

"Nobunaga's entourage, from Hashiba Hideyoshi to Akechi Mitsuhide, owed their entire careers and everything that they acquired in the course of their careers to Nobunaga, their overlord."

Nobunaga no tame!

Death of Ieyasu

 Statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu located at Sunpu Castle Park in Shizuoka.  Erected in 1973.

June 1st, 1616 Tokugawa Ieyasu passed away.  The founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate almost never happened.  That was until Nobunaga showed up.  You see, even when Takechiyo (young Ieyasu) was a hostage for a brief time for the Oda at Atsuta, he knew Nobunaga was no fool.  Different and difficult, yes. The man from Mikawa was a hostage again this time for the Imagawa when the two families exchanged hostages at Kasadera. Everything changed at the Battle of Okehazama in 1560.

Nobunaga's victory at the Battle of Okehazama resulted in Imagawa Yoshimoto's death, but also gave Ieyasu a chance of freedom.  If Nobunaga was defeated at Okehazama, Ieyasu would have been still a hostage and a minor retainer at best for the Imagawa.  Nobunaga and Ieyasu then had a twenty year alliance, a rarity during the Sengoku Era.  Both respected one another.  The alliance had some challenges, but they both needed each other for the common good.  Nobunaga no doubt was the senior partner in the relationship.  He was more powerful militarily, politically, and economically.  Ieyasu helped Nobunaga at Anegawa in 1570, but in 1572, he was embarrassed at Mikatagahara.  Ieyasu knew he needed Nobunaga in order to survive.  In 1575, they teamed up and shot the Takeda into pieces at Nagashino.  When Nobunaga was betrayed by Mitsuhide in 1582, Ieyasu lost a piece of his soul, a friend he could count on in need.

How Ieyasu died is another story.  Legend has it he got sick eating fish tempura.  However, the meal he ate was during late January, so the theory out the window. He probably died of sort of disease.

Tenka no tame!

Summer Readings

 I found this novel cover on the net earlier this year.  The author is Seiji Haji (1898-1977).  Nobunaga is wearing his yukata with the Oda crest with a rifle in one hand and munching on either a huge rice ball or mochi. I do like the cover of the book.  The story however, might be about Nobunaga's upbringing to Okehazama.  I do not know.  That being said, it looks good.

Nobunaga no tame!

Azuchi Castle Research Update

Https://t.co/j8W36cYtxu

The link above is an update on Azuchi Castle.  It seems there will be work being done on what the castle would have looked like during the time of Nobunaga.  There has been major excavation studies during the Showa and Heisei Era, but now there will be a major study during the new Reiwa Era.  Again, Owada Tetsuo is part of the committee.  For those who have not visited Azuchi Castle ruins, by all means please visit.  This is a must see.  As for myself, I have been to Azuchi many times.  Amazing for sure.

Tenka no tame!

Okehazama Day 2021

 Happy Battle of Okehazama Day 2021!  Here is a short video in Japanese on a the Battle of Okehazama.  Today, I have some new information that has not been discussed unless you ask the local historians of the Okehazama area.  The battle is often known as the Battle of Okehazama, one of Nobunaga's greatest victories in his military career.  However, according to Imagawa Ujizane, the son of Yoshimoto, the battle is known as Narumihara/Narumigahara.  Why?  The commander of Narumi Castle was Okabe Motonobu.  He brought Yoshimoto's head back to Sunpu.  Ujizane did not know the geography of Owari well or possibly not at all.  So Ujizane referred the battle as Narumihara in letter he wrote to Motonobu.  This is clearly from the view of the Imagawa.  It also shows how out of touch Ujizane was.  He was a not that bright to begin with.  Once Yoshimoto was killed at Okehazama, the Imagawa house soon fell into decline.

Nobunaga no tame!

Okehazama Seminar 2021

 On May 29th, there will be a seminar on the Battle of Okehazama held at Nagoya Meitetsu Grand Hotel on the 7th floor.  So far, the event will be held, but can change quickly due to the Wuflu.  

Tenka no tame!

Video Still Holds

 On the eve of the Battle of Okehazama, Mr. Okehazama's (Wataru Kajino) video still holds the test of time.  Although the video is in Japanese, it is pace is slow enough to understand.  One must remember that Mr. Okehazama was a local historian who knew the battlefield and geography better than the national historians who often blabbed nothing but air on television.  Mr. Okehazama was opened minded to new ideas as long as you can back it up with sources.  He was a breath of fresh air for sure.

Watch and learn and you will be surprised you can learn the Battle of Okehazama from a local perspective, not a national one.

Nobunaga no tame!

Departing For Okehazama

 When Nobunaga departed Kiyosu Castle during the Battle of Okehazama, he only had a few hundred men with him at the time.  Five pages were with him.  They were Iwamuro Nagato no Kami, Hasegawa Kyosuke, Sasaki Tohachi, Yamaguchi Hida no Kami, and Kato Yasaburo.  According to Oze Hoan's Shinchoki, Oda Miki no Jo, Kawajiri Hidetaka, Sassa Uchi no Suke, and Yanada Masatsuna was with Nobunaga when he left for the front.  The person who stands out is Yanada Masatsuna because he provided Nobunaga with key intelligence on Yoshimoto's whereabouts.  The question is and still is a mystery to this day, was Masatsuna with Nobunaga when he left Kiyosu Castle early in the morning on May 19th, 1560?  No.  He was not with Nobunaga when he left for the front.  Masatsuna was probably with The Men of the Fields gathering last minute intelligence for Nobunaga.  The others?  Who knows as it is still debated to this day.

Tenka no tame!

Atsumori by Hiroshi Hirata

 

The artwork above is Hiroshi Hirata's version of Atsumori.  Nobunaga in armor is singing and dancing to Atsumori right before he leaves for the from.  Nohime is located on the right side playing the hand drum.  Once can notice how detailed the artwork is.  You can tell the floor of Kiyosu Castle's main hall is made of wood.  The Oda family crest is center left.  This is perfectly sums up Nobunaga's golden hour as he is about to defeat Imagawa Yoshimoto at the Battle of Okehazama.

Nobunaga no tame!

Azuchi Inauguration

 

May 11, is an important day for Nobunaga and Azuchi Castle.  Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga, explains why. (P. 314) "On the 11th of the Fifth Month, the day being propitious, Nobunaga inaugurated the donjon of his castle." This happened in 1579, now the day is somewhat interesting.  According to Izawa Motohiko, the book above, this celebration happened on Nobunaga's birthday. (Izawa pp. 155-6).  It is often accepted that Nobunaga's birthday is May 12th.  For myself, his birthday is either of them depending on your position.  As for Izawa, he backs his theory with strong evidence.

Tenka no tame!

Prelude To Okehazama

 Less than two weeks before Okehazama, Nobunaga and his army invaded Mikawa to fight the Imagawa.  The was nothing more than a skirmish with Nobunaga setting fires to the surrounding areas.  Reality it was guerilla warfare used by Nobunaga.  He did not have the numbers,, nor the resources to fight the Imagawa head on.   What is important is that Nobunaga knew the Imagawa was going to launch a full scale attack on Owari, sooner, not later.  This was the smoking gun. Mikawa Kira is the area Nobunaga and his army fought at.  Nearly the same area where Nobunaga's first baptism of fire took place in 1547.  

As for resources, there is not that much.  The main source is the Okazaki Koki and Okada Masahito's Oda Nobunaga Sogo Jiten.  In Okaka's book, the battle is only mentioned briefly and for good reason, it was short. There is no mention on who participated on both sides with the exception of Nobunaga.  To this date, there are still a lot of unknowns.  For example, how many soldiers on both sides participated, the weapons used, and the dead and wounded.

Nobunaga no tame!

Okehazama Board Game Cover

 

Here is a board game cover related to the Battle of Okehazama. Nobunaga is performing Atsumori and Nohime is playing the hand drum.  I like the cover design to to its aethetics.  That being said, I do not have the game.

Tenka no tame!

Imagawa Yoshimoto Readings

 

May is the Battle of Okehazama month and recently Owada Tetsuo has updated his recommended readings for understanding Imagawa Yoshimoto and the Imagawa family.  He first starts off by telling the audience about the 500th anniversary of Yoshimoto's birth, the new statue in front of JR Shizuoka station, and finally the readings.

The first reading is for kids, students that is.  I think it is a great idea that schools are pushing this.  To understand the people who tried to build or unite Japan during the Sengoku Era.  Some of the books I do have in my personal library that he discusses.  For example, his own book on Yoshimoto and Imagawa-shi Metsubou by Oishi Yasushi.  However, there is one book he shows near the end I would like to have in my library. Imagawa Yoshimoto to Sono Jidai. That book was published earlier this year.  All of the books Owada explains is in Japanese.

Nobunaga no tame!

Nagashino Cards

 New at the Nagashino Museum is gift cards.  On the top is Nobunaga, Ieyasu Hideyoshi, Sakai Tadatsugu, and Honda Tadakatsu.  The bottom represents Takeda Katsuyori, Yamagata Masakage, Naito Masahide, and Baba Nobufusa.

Tenka no tame!

Ieyasu Portrait News

 

Earlier today I watched a video by Owada Tetsuo explaining Tokugawa Ieyasu's famous Mikatagahara portrait.  What is stunning, is that the painting was probably not after Ieyasu's defeat at Mikatagahara, but Nagashino.  Nagashino?  

According to Hara sensei who works at the Tokugawa Bijutsukan in Nagoya, Ieyasu was not wearing tabi (socks) during the portrait.  This is a clue because Mikatagahara was fought during the cold winter.  Owada suggests Nagashino.  Myself, I have no clue because it is not my specialty.  It might be Mikatagahara or later.  A summer event.  Who knows, but Nagashino sounds interesting for sure.  

Hara sensei has a paper published on this study for about a few years now.  So it is nothing new or outlandish.

Nobunaga no tame!

Required Reading

 Recently after the Age of Samurai debacle, many newbies have been commentating on Nobunaga.  Unfortunately, most of the stuff they write or say is mostly false.  In addition to, they have not read any of the sources that are now available in English on the net or college libraries.  For you newbies out there, I will list several sources for you that are required reading so you do not look like a fool.  The sources that I will post are not novels.  Most of them are academic works or chronicles.  

In no order particular:

Lamers, Jersey P. Japonius Tyrannus. Leiden: Hotei Publishing, 2000.

Ota Gyuichi. The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga. Translated by JSA Elisionas and JP Lamers. Leiden:Brill, 2011

Neilson, David D. "Society at War: Eyewitness Accounts of Sixteenth Century Japan." PHD diss., University of Oregon, 2007.

Neilson, David D. Methods of Madness The Last Years of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. 2000.

McMullin, Neil. Buddhism and the State in Sixteenth Century Japan. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984.

Schindewolf, Brandon C. Toki wa Ima. Ohio State University, June 2010.

The Signore, Kunio Tsuji. Translated by Stephen Snyder. Kodansha International. Tokyo, 1989.

Cooper, Michael, SJ. They Came to Japan: An Anthology of European  Reports on Japan, 1543-1640. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1981.

The first five are critical no doubt about it.  Without reading them, you will be left far behind from other colleagues and the like.  Please read all of them.  Trust me.  If you do, you will be more prepared to know Nobunaga better than most.  Again, the sources I have listed are in English.

Tenka no tame!

Sengoku Field Cuisine

Here is a video on what foot soldiers or even samurai might have eaten in the field of battle.  At the start, the person cooks taro stock and makes a rope covered in miso paste. Leftover miso paste is then used to make balls.  The cook has a special place where the foods are dried.  Then the cooks prepares a meal by cooking a few pieces of the rope and then adds dried cooked brown rice.  The result looks like a miso porridge soup.  Foods might have been varied on what they had during the Sengoku Era, but this video gives us historians clues on what they ate on the battlefield.

Nobunaga no tame!

Invasion of Mino After Okehazama

 After Nobunaga's victory at the Battle of Okehazama, he quickly invaded Mino. According to Okaka Masahito's Oda Nobunaga Sogo Jiten (pp. 323-4), Nobunaga attacked Mino not once, but twice during the summer of 1560.  The source that was used in Masahito's book was the Sokenki. The Sokenki also known as the Oda Gunki is a mid Edo Era chronicle that drew much of its work from Oze Hoan Shinchoki. Just be careful when reading it.  If Nobunaga did attack Mino after Okehazama, it was to show Saito Yoshitatsu that he was dead serious to conquer Mino.  Yoshitatsu ended up creating an alliance with the Rokkaku in Southern Omi after Nobunaga's attack.  One must remember that the Rokkaku did send an army to fight with Nobunaga at Okehazama.  If Nobunaga did attack Mino, it was more likely it was a skirmish than a full assault.

Tenka no tame!

Ieyasu's Genpuku

 Here is a video on Sengen Jinja in Shizuoka discussing Tokugawa Ieyasu's genpuku.  Ieyasu's genpuku was held in 1555 at Sengen Jinja.  That same year, Nobunaga took over Kiyosu Castle.  As for Nobunaga's genpuku, his was held in 1546 at Furuwatari Castle.

Nobunaga no tame!

Okehazama Movie Trailer

 Here is the trailer for the Okehazama movie that Fuji TV aired last week.  Better than I expected for a television movie.  The past few days I have rereading my Battle of Okehazama Japanese/English sources and found some new interesting information.  I plan to post them next month.  Also I have found new videos in Japanese on Okehazama, Nobunaga, and the Imagawa family.  Again, I plan to post them in the near future.

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga no Yabou

 

Here is the cover for the new edition of Nobunaga no Yabou/Nobunaga's Ambition. I am not a gamer, but historical video games does have a place in the history world.  It enhances one's perspective.  It is more fictional than factual.  The cover has Nobunaga in the background with Nohime (I presume), along with Azuchi Castle.  

Unfortunately, I received some bad news regarding to Okehazama.  The festival has been cancelled until further notice.  Hopefully, something will be done in the near future and the festival will be held later this year.

Nobunaga no tame!

Foreign Attire

 

Nobunaga was fond of foreign attire and he was not afraid to show it off.  In 1581, Nobunaga wore a hat that caught the attention of everyone.

Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga, (p. 384)

"Then came Nobunaga, wearing a black Southern Barbarian hat. His eyebrows were paintin ink.  Over red court robes, he wore a sleeveless jack of Chinese brocade and chaps of tiger skin."

Tenka no tame!

Better than I thought

 Fuji TV Okehazama movie was better than I thought.  Even with its faults at times.  For example, Senshu Suetada and Sassa Masatsugu were portrayed as commanders at Fort Nakajima.  Actually, it was Kajikawa Takahide who was the commander of Fort Nakajima.  That being said, Sassa and Senshu's heads were presented to Yoshimoto after the failed raid.  Nobunaga was actually pissed when he found out that the two carried out the raid without his blessings.  The movie did a good job on that.

During the beginning of the movie, Nobunaga sings and dances to Atsumori before he leaves for the front.  Nobunaga is in armor, eats, and leaves for Atsuta Shrine with the few troops he has.  The movie goes back and forth between the battle and past events from Nobunaga's life.  I think they pulled it off.  However, I would like to have seen more of Yoshimoto's earlier beginnings.  Just my opinion.  The meeting between Dosan and Nobunaga was one of the better ones out there.  The two best are from the 1959 film Fuunji Nobunaga and Nobunaga King of Zipangu. After the meeting, Nobunaga and his men does a gun salute for Dosan as he departed at the riverbed.  

After Nohime finds out that her father is killed during the Battle of Nagaragawa,she tries to kill herself, but Nobunaga at the last minute saves her.  Then Nobuyuki rebels against Nobunaga, and eventually his is killed.  One scene that always shows up is when Nobuhide takes out his dagger and cuts his hand and wipes young Nobunaga faces with blood to remind him of war.  No doubt it came from King of Zipangu. Nice touch to the film.

Nobunaga is presented the intelligence from Yanada Masatsuna on Yoshimoto's whereabouts.  Then he said right before leaving the fort, "teki wa Okehazama ni ari."  The enemy is at Okehazama.  Hattori Koheita and Mori Shinsuke seem to play a role in the movie, but the gang who they with, who were they?  The Men of the Fields?  If so, why Hachisuka Koroku and Maeno Shoemon did not appear in the film?  The gang was equipped with rifles during the movie.

Now the rainstorm.  Great part was it was violent, historically true.  The lightning was also.  The lightning destroyed the Imagawa outposts and a good part of the camp.  I do not think Yoshimoto had and lookout posts since camp was set up hastily due to the nasty hot weather.  I liked it even thought the movie went a bit overboard on it.  Entertaining for sure.  After the rain stops, shots were fired, and Nobunaga attacks Yoshimoto's camp.  Battle scenes were great.  That being said, not as good as King of Zipangu. I was a bit disappointed that there were few horsemen out there.  Nobunaga and Shibata Katsuie.  Reality, there were more horsemen supporting the ground troops.  Yoshimoto tries to flee but his koshi is shot by Nobunaga.  Hollywood right there.  If you watched closely, the battlefield is more spread out than one thinks.  That is true from the latest historical research.  Due to the dead, the battlefield was more expansive than originally thought.  

Mori Shinsuke's finger is bitten off by Yoshimoto during the movie.  True and liked that part.  Nobunaga eventually kills Yoshimoto, but that part is Hollywood.  It was Mori Shinsuke who took Yoshimoto's head.  As wrote in my last post, there was a lot of blood during the film.  This was a television film, not a theater film.  Surprised and they pulled it off well.  I wish Matsui Munenobu appeared in the film. He was camped at Takaneyama for the Imagawa.  Would have loved to see the raid on the hill.

Overall, Fuji TV pulled it off.  It was so much better than Kirin ga Kuru. Fuji TV went all out without trying to please the younger crowd. Historically accurate.  Yes and no.  You are going to have to accept that some scenes are Hollywood.  Entertaining, absolutely with the great cast in the movie.

Nobunaga no tame!

Here It Is

 Here it is, Fuji TV's Battle of Okehazama.  It is not that bad at all.  There is a lot of flashbacks regarding Nobunaga's youth.  For example, as a young boy engaged in war, sumo, and the like.  His relationship between Takechiyo (Tokugawa Ieyasu) when he was a hostage for the Oda for a brief time, and his relationship between Saito Dosan.  I was surprised on how much blood they used for a television movie, a plus.  That being said, I hated the blabbering during battle.  Fight and stop Fight and stop.  Too much Hollywood garbage.  If you ever watched Nobunaga King of Zipangu Taiga drama, the Battle of Okehazama was lifelike and a continuous flow of the battle.  Ebizo Ichikawa's role as Nobunaga was good.  He the job.  However, his armor did not fit the time of the battle.  The armor he wore looked liked he would wear during the 1570s.  I plan to watch it again so I can write a better opinion on the flick.  Overall, not bad and more importantly, I was entertained.

Tenka no tame!

Friday 26

 This Friday, March 26th Fuji TV will broadcast the Okehazama.  A reminder.

Nobunaga no tame!

Stevie T Is Done

 I have to say this, but Stevie T is done.  When you have amateur historians calling you out on a big mistake that can be easily corrected.  The person who did this video is okay and is more accurate than most historians out there.  It is brief, but does the job of pointing out the mistakes.  

3:04 Nohime is mentioned in the video and a plus.  She is rarely mentioned at all in most documentaries.  Kudos for bringing it up.  For those who want to read up more on Nohime, I suggest Rumi Komonz Kicho & Nobunaga. A novel in English and easy to read.

4:14 Nobunaga's appearance and misinformation.  Glad that the person who did the video mentions Nobunaga's activities in song and dance.  Yes, when Nobunaga was young he dressed and dance as a woman.  That being said, he was extremely masculine.  No doubt about it.  If you read The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga, Nobunaga was actively involved in swimming, falconry, horsemanship, sumo, the art of the bow and rifle, and so on.  I think this was to balance out the usual interpretation of Nobunaga.  I have no problem with it if you include both his crazy youth behavior as well as his true interests.

16:42 This is the most important part of the video, the calling out of Stevie T (Stephen Turbull) on his simple, but important mishap on Okehazama.  No, Hideyoshi did NOT kill Yoshimoto.  The joint effort of Hattori Koheita and Mori Shinsuke did the job.  Shinsuke took Yoshimoto's head.  A huge mistake that would have been easily corrected if one pulled him aside or a simple read of The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga. I am glad he called out Stevie T, because unfortunately most people believe will believe what Stevie said.  It makes me furious because I am one of the members of Arimatsu Okehazama Battlefield Preservation Committee, and my job as a member is not only preserve the battlefield, but explain to people about the battle, the people who participated in it, the tactics, as well as the history.  

Overall, I am happy that someone is calling out all of bs out there.

Tenka no tame!