Shogun First Scene

 

Here is one of the first scenes of the new Shogun series. Whoa! Impressive.

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga and Seminario

 While in Japan, I finally bought Nobunaga to Azuchi Seminario by Mitsumata Junji (1932-2021) at one of Azuchi's museums. It is about 114 pages long describing Nobunaga's relationship with the Catholic missionaries and Azuchi in general.

Nobunaga no tame!

Yamashina Tokitsugu's Grave

 

Earlier this morning while in Kyoto, I visited the grave of Kyoto noble Yamashina Tokitsugu (1507-79). I written posts earlier on his visits to Gifu between (1569-71). He stayed at Zenkoji and Hokkeji while in Gifu. Yamashina Tokitsugu's grave is located at Shojoke-in in Kyoto.

Tenka no tame!

Time to reevaluate?

 

After today's seminar and field trip, is it time to reevaluate my opinions? Today was a humble experience, but came out ahead. In fact, after all the work I have put in researching the Battle of Okehazama, it is starting to pay off. Later in the day, I was given a couple of maps and small documents related to the battle. Right away, I starting thinking is this the correct answer or someone else's opinion, which was both.

Today I stated that I take my students to both the Arimatsu and Toyoake Okehazama Battlefields. It is a must. You have to show both so the students can form their own opinion. It is the same with the primary sources. You must read Ota Gyuichi Shincho-Ko ki, Oze Hoan Shinchoki, and the Bukoyawa in order to fully understand the Battle of Okehazama. I also tell my students to visit the local historians and tour guides and ask questions. The locals know the history as well as the geography. They know better than the national name brand historians. 

As a historian, I always try to be opened minded. You have to. Where Yoshimoto's camp and where he was killed is still debated. What type of attack did Nobunaga use during the Battle of Okehazama. While it is still debated by historians, most will agree it was some form of a surprise attack. Nobunaga's use of the Men of the Fields is still floating out there. Probably the most asked question by local and national alike, is what was Yoshimoto's goal? Kyoto or Owari?  It is still debated to this day and nobody knows the true answer.

Nobunaga no tame!

Daiun-in

 Daiun-in is a Pure Land sect temple that houses the tombstone of Oda Nobunaga and his son Nobutada. It also houses a wooden statue of Nobutada. Daiun-in is located near Maruyama Park in Kyoto. Unfortunately, Daiun-in is mostly closed to the public.

Link: Https://www.daiunin.or.jp/en/

Tenka no tame!

Sakai River

 This is the Sakai River near the Meitetsu Ginan station in Gifu. The river looks calm and has seen its better days. That said, it played a critical role in defeating Oda Nobuhide not once, but twice when he tried to invade Mino in the 1540s. The rivers such as the Sakai and Nagaragawa were untamed and free flowing which made the tides unpredictable. Dosan understood this. He knew when to attack when the tides of the rivers to his advantage. While Nobuhide's army was fleeing from a disastrous defeat, many soldiers died drowning while crossing the river. It must have been a gruesome scene while soldiers were drowning in agony. In the end, the main enemy in Mino was not Saito Dosan, it was the unpredictable rivers.

Nobunaga no tame!