Lady Otsuya Video

 Here is a video on Nobunaga's aunt Lady Otsuya/Otsuya no Kata.  She was known to be a beautiful woman at the time. She was married to Toyama Kagetou, the lord of Iwamura Castle.  When he died, the Takeda attacked Iwamura.  She later married Takeda Shingen's retainer Akiyama Nobutomo.  When Nobunaga attacked Iwamura in 1575, he was ruthless. Akiyama Nobutomo and Lady Otsuya were crucified at the banks of the Nagaragawa River.

Tenka no tame!

Ijin Full Dosan Video

 

Here is the full video Ijin Rirekisho with the main topic on Saito Dosan.  It is not that bad.  There are things that I disagree with.  For example, his father was the oil merchant.  Which is false in my opinion.  It is the new flavor of the month for historians in my opinion.  That being said, it does a great job explaining the struggles between the Toki and Saito as well as the Oda. One other great point is how Dosan made Mino an economic power. This is so important because it made the Saito as well as Mino rich.  The video continues with his relationship with Nobunaga, which was key. After Dosan's death the video correctly states that Nobunaga continued to make Gifu and Mino an economic hub.

Nobunaga no tame!

Ijin Saito Dosan Video

 Here is a short video by Ijin Rirekisho on Saito Dosan.  The video is brief, but it goes into Dosan's rise to power. Also it covers the meeting between Nobunaga and Dosan at Shotokuji 8n 1553.  This is important since Dosan had doubts on meeting Nobunaga. Dosan spied on Nobunaga's procession in an abandoned shack was in horror on what had seen.  Nobunaga wearing tiger/leopard skin hakama along with his rifle squad. Before the meeting Nobunaga changed in to formal attire catching Dosan by surprise.  Dosan knew Nobunaga was no idiot and the Saito/Oda alliance continued.

Tenka no tame!

Full Oda Nobuhide Video

 

Here is the full Oda Nobuhide video by Ijin Rirekisho. After watching the video a couple of times, I was impressed on how informative it was. It was well known that Nobuhide had a lot of economic advantages over his rivals.  His ports of Tsushima and Atsuta made him enough money to wage a war on two fronts.  Fighting the Saito of Mino as well as the Matsudaira/Imagawa.  Unfortunately he bit off more than he can chew.  He did not unify Owari during his lifetime.  If he did, Nobuhide would have been more powerful economically as well as militarily.  He good at diplomacy as well as making political marriages possible.  Something Nobunaga learned from his father and was skilled at it.  Yes, Nobuhide was optimistic, which was needed during the time of war.  He was skilled at song and kemari as well.

Nobuhide also moved around a lot.  However, only in the Owari domain.  Nagoya, Furuwatari, and Suemori.  Nobunaga did too, but he was more expansive.  Nagoya, Kiyosu, Komaki, Gifu, and Azuchi. It seems that Nobunaga learned that money was key to success as well as a formidable army. Nobunaga would create free tax zones, abolition of toll barriers, and promotion of foreign trade.  This made Nobunaga rich and he was able to purchase high quality firearms and ammunition.  I liked the video and learned some new things.

Nobunaga no tame!

Yoshimoto and Okehazama Video

 Here is another video on Imagawa Yoshimoto that will air later this month.  Historian Kaku Kozo again in the video.  The video includes a short history on Yoshimoto.  However, the meat and potatoes in this video is Nobunaga and Okehazama. From what I understand, according to my Okehazama colleague is that the withdrawal attack theory was mentioned.  I have mentioned many times I have disagreed with the withdrawal attack theory due to my own military experience.  It was a frontal surprise attack.  It just makes sense.  That being said, I am open to various opinions. Why?  Everyone has a different opinion and one size DO NOT fit all.  I have found out that Ota Teruo of the Toyoake City Okehazama Battlefield Committee makes an appearance.  These history shows are okay at best.  Mostly for entertainment purposes in my opinion.

Tenka no tame!

Legend and the Butterfly Update

 Legend and the Butterfly movie has even made news in the bi-weekly San Diego Japanese newspaper.  Again, Takuya Kimura will play the role as Nobunaga and Haruka Ayase as Nohime.  I have high expectations for this film.

Nobunaga no tame!

Seishiro Mizuno Okehazama Video II

 Here is part two of the Seishiro Mizuno Okehazama video.

Key points:

Detour Attack (traditional theory)

Frontal attack

Withdraw attack

Due to my own military experience, I believe Nobunaga defeated the Imagawa by using a frontal surprise attack.  It was the only way in my opinion.  Now, the withdrawal attack is the new flavor of the month.  Yoshimoto leaving Odaka and Nobunaga attacking him.  I am not in favor of that theory because it does not make any sense.  That said, it is interesting since it is a different view point.

Tenka no tame!

Another Must Have Book

 Here is another must have book by Thomas Conlan. Samurai and the Warrior Culture of Japan, 471-1877 is a book one must have in their personal library. There is some references related to Nobunaga and Nagashino.  From what I understand, the book is expensive, but it is worth every penny.  You will not be disappointed.

Nobunaga no tame!