Odaka Castle Update

 I visited Japan earlier this year, but forgot to visit Odaka Castle ruins.  It was a big mistake.  At the moment there is archeological work going at Odaka. My Okehazama colleague Mr. Seishiro Mizuno has written a blog post on the subject. Https://plus.chunichi.co.jp/blog/mizuno/article/233/11009/

Odaka Castle was constructed by Hanai Bitchu no Kami in the years of 1504-21. It measured from east to west approximately 348 feet from north to south 105 feet. The castle consisted of two moats, one outer, and an inner and it was built on a lowland hill. The Hanai and Mizuno families held Odaka in the past before the castle fell in the hands of the Imagawa.

Matsudaira Motoyasu (Tokugawa Ieyasu) brought needed supplies to Odaka during the Battle of Okehazama.  Supplies included 450 bags of rice and 110-150 horses.

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga Exam 2023 Part II

 Here is a one minute video by Owada Tetsuo reminding everyone about the upcoming 2023 Nobunaga exam which will be held on June 4th.  I have written a post on this subject earlier this month, so please check it out.

Link: Https://www.kentei-uketsuke.com/nobunaga/

Nobunaga no tame!

Seishiro Mizuno Okehazama Lecture

 My good friend and Okehazama colleague Seishiro Mizuno will be giving Okehazama lectures later this spring. Lectures will be given at the Meitetsu Culture School. The lecture dates are 4/25, 5/22, and 6/26.  The cost of the lectures will be 6,930 Yen. If you can attend the lectures, by all means, go. It will be well worth it. Earlier this year in February, I was able to meet up with Seishiro Mizuno and we talked about the many unsolved mysteries related to the Battle of Okehazama.

Tenka no tame!

March Rekishi Kaido Issue

 While in Japan earlier this year, I was able to pick up the March issue of Rekishi Kaido at the local bookstore.  The main topic is about the relationship between Oda Nobunaga and his father-in-law, Saito Dosan. As always, it seems Owada Tetsuo has his greasy hands on everything of late (being sarcastic) since he has posted another article in this issue. Various topics include The meeting at Shotokuji in 1553, an article on Nohime, Dosan's rise to power, Nobunaga's conquest of Mino. As an added bonus, there is a short interview with Kimura Takuya on his take on Nobunaga.

Tenka no tame!

2023 Nobunaga Exam

 

Https://www.kentei-uketsuke.com/nobunaga/

There will be a huge Nobunaga exam being held on June 4th, Sunday. There will be two venues, one in Gifu and the other will be in Tokyo.  Also there will be an online exam as well.  From what I have read from the website, the exam can be taken anywhere in the world. There are three types of exams: Beginner, intermediate, and expert. The photo above is a book I bought a few years ago while in Japan. I think this book will be a great study guide for the test. I highly recommend it. As for the application deadline, the date is May 1st. As for myself, I am thinking about it.  Unfortunately, it seems that you have to take the exam on Japan time zone. On the website, they do have some sample questions so you will get a feeling on what the exam will be like.

Nobunaga no tame!

Kawaramachi Gifu

 

Kawaramachi Gifu was a riverside port district for merchants during the time of Saito Dosan and Oda Nobunaga. This was certainly a lively place during the time of Oda Nobunaga. It is only a 10 minute walk from Gifu Castle Park. This district was a cash cow for Nobunaga as it became one of the more important economic areas in Gifu.

Tenka no tame!

Chorakuji

 Chorakuji Temple is unique in its own way.  At Chorakuji, there is the old border between the Imagawa and Oda clan. Mizuno Tatewaki, a retainer of Oda Nobunaga and part of the black cowl unit had his mansion here as well.  Tatewaki was in charge of Fort Tange during the Battle of Okehazama.  Chorakuji is about a five minute walk from Sakura Station on the main Nagoya Meitetsu line.

Nobunaga no tame!

Nohime's Ihatsuzuka Update

 While in Japan earlier this year, I was able to visit Nohime's Ihatsuzuka located in Fudo-cho, Gifu. The locals call it Lady Kicho's/Nohime's hair grave than her actual grave.  One must remember she passed away in 1612 and her grave can be found at Sokenin a subtemple of Daitokiji in Kyoto. 

Now comes some interesting new information.  Late last month, I received Rumi Komonz's 2nd edition revised and expanded Kicho & Nobunaga and it is a must have. Here is a clue that might give us an answer on Nohime's Ihatsuzuka.  Kicho & Nobunaga (p. 236) " `Bury it by the tree, 'I say, tossing my short hair in the wind.  'Lady Nobunaga has now passed. I shall live as an independent woman,' I say literally feeling much lighter weight on my shoulders."

Again, this might give us historians some clues and why Nohime's Ihatsuzuka was built in the first place.  As for Rumi Komonz's 2nd edition of Kicho & Nobunaga, it is a must read and it is much better than the first edition.

Tenka no tame!