There is some news regarding Komaki Castle. From 4/26 to 6/11 Komaki will be hosting Komaki Castle ishigaki fukugen panel. From the recent archeological work that was done the past few years, Komaki Castle stone use was more than previously thought. In fact, Nobunaga used Komaki Castle as dry run for Azuchi. The Castle was located on an independent hill, like a floating island at the Nobi Plain. Komaki improved Nobunaga's logistics as well as economically. Komaki Castle was Nobunaga's headquarters from 1563-67.
I would to continue on the recent Saito Dosan document Witten in 1552 discussing his concerns on Nobunaga. Here are some questions I am asking at the moment. How did Dosan find out about Nobunaga's behavior? Spies of course. Both Dosan and Nobunaga had spies, so it would not be surprising if that was the case. Letters from Nohime? High possibility. She probably knew Nobunaga was crazy at the same time knew that he was NO idiot. At the moment, we do not know who was Dosan corresponding to. I would sure like to know.
From the document, Dosan was concerned and admired Nobunaga. I find this interesting because the two have not met yet. When they finally met in 1553 at Shotokuji, there is a reason why Dosan hid at an abandoned shack. He wanted to know if the rumors were true about Nobunaga. At first, is was true. Nobunaga was wearing bizarre clothing. However, Nobunaga changed his attire before meeting Dosan. When Dosan finally met Nobunaga in person, he knew his son-in-law was no fool.
I have posted this before, but it is now a good time to review why the two met at Shotokuji in the first place.
Dosan never met Nobunaga in person
To see if Nobunaga was a fool
To find out if Owari was weak enough to invade
To find out if the Saito/Oda alliance was good enough to continue
Everyone know the answer, Nobunaga was no fool and the alliance was solid. As for the document, I think it does show Dosan cared and admired Nobunaga even if he was still green and in the process of unifying Owari. At the same time, he knew his son-in-law was the future probably from contacts with Nohime or others.
Photos copyright from NHK with the exception of the photo of Shotokuji landmark
The photo above is the Shotokuji landmark. Dosan and Nobunaga met at Shotokuji in 1553.
Last night there was a major discovery of a document written by Saito Dosan (Nobunaga's father-in-law/Viper of Mino) in 1552, a year before the meeting at Shotokuji. The subject of the document is about Nobunaga. It shows that Dosan was concerned and cared for Nobunaga. In fact, there are very few documents remain written by Dosan. Also mentioning Nobunaga is rare. So this is a special document.
Since this document was written in 1552, Nobunaga was still young and was in the starting process of unifying Owari. Sure he had some shortcomings, but he was ready for it. When the two finally met in 1553 at Shotokuji, Dosan finally knew Nobunaga was no idiot and he was the chosen one to unify Japan.
The 2024 Arimatsu Matsuri will be held on Battle of Okehazama Day, May 19th. I was able to contact the Kajino family as well as members of the Okehazama Preservation Committee regarding the festival. This is one of most important festivals related to The Battle of Okehazama. The other festival will be held in early June at the Toyoake City Okehazama Battlefield.
The area where Nobunaga's residence at Mushanokoji in Kyoto.
The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (pp. 168-70) Construction began in 1572.
"On the 12th of the Third Month he went directly to Kyoto and took up lodgings in the Myokakuji at Nijo. It was brought to the shogun's attention that since Lord Nobunaga came to the capital so often, it would raise questions if he did not have his own place to stay, and that a vacant lot formerly occupied by a rectory was available at Mushanokoji in Upper Kyoto. So it was proposed that a residence for Nobunaga be built there. The shogun decided that this idea suited him very well, and it was arranged that, acting in his capacity as the public authority, he would issue orders for construction to begin. Nobunaga declined politely several times, but in the end he complied in view of His Lordship's importance insistence. Nobunaga's life guards from the provinces of Owari, Mino, and Omi were exempted from construction duties and did not participate. But with everybody who was anybody in the Home Provinces present in the capital.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on the 24th of the Third Month. Nobunaga first of all had a roofed mid wall built. At each section of the work site, he set up a decorated stage on which boys and youths in all kinds of gorgeous costumes played flutes, stick drums, and hand drums, cheering on those charged with the work, and a good time was had by all. Even under ordinary circumstances people in the capital city are always forming crowds, so from the beginning to the end of the construction work, onlookers high and low, adorned with flowers, stood sleeve by sleeve at the site. The fragrance of their clothes purified the surroundings and perfumed the air. All sorts and every kind of splendid attire could be seen. The realm was at peace, and life was enjoyable again.
Nobunaga appointed Murai Minbu and Shimada Tokoro no Suke as commisssers of works and Ikegami Goroemon as head carpenter."
On May 3rd there will a talk show hosted by Owada Tetsuo. The subject matter will be about the Imagawa family and Shizuoka. I am positive that Owada Tetsuo will have something to say about the Battle of Okehazama and Imagawa Yoshimoto.
There was an incident in 1579 with Nobutada's (Nobunaga's son) pages resulting in death.
The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 309)
"On the first day of the Forth Month, two of Lord Chujo Nobutada's pages, Saji Shintaro and Kanamori Jinshichiro, got into an argument. After running Jinshichiro through with his sword, Shintaro disesmboweled himself. Both men were only about twenty years old. High and low were impressed by the maturity of the deed."
