450th Nagashino Anniversary

 Today is the 450th Anniversary of the Battle of Nagashino. The battle took place in 1575 when Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu shot the Takeda to pieces. The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 226)

"The battle raged from sunrise of the 21st of the Fifth Month to the Hour of the Sheep (around 2 p.m.), the action bearing East by Northeast. The Takeda army attacked in relays, but its soldiers kept being shot down, and its manpower gradually drained away to nothing. Whoever survived gathered around the flag of Takeda Shiro, who realized that the situation was hopeless. All as one tried to flee in the direction of Horaiji. Now Nobunaga's army broke ranks and set off in hot pursuit."

Nobunaga no tame!

Tojo Tsuka

 

The Tojo Tsuka is located near Anjo Castle ruins in Aichi Prefecture. In 1540, Oda Nobuhide attacked Anjo Castle with 3,000 soldiers along with the help of Mizuno Tadamasa (lord of Kariya Castle). During the battle, Anjo Nagaie, lord of Anjo Castle was killed along with several others. One of the killed in action was Tojo Matsudaira Yasutada. The Tojo Tsuka was built were Tojo Matsudaira Yasutada was killed. After Oda Nobuhide's victory, Nobunaga's half-brother Oda Nobuhiro was the new lord of Anjo Castle. 

Tenka no tame!

Ha Castle

 

Ha Castle. The residence of Kato Yorimori/Nobumori Zushonosuke (1514-88). Young Takechiyo (Tokugawa Ieyasu) spent time here as a hostage of the Oda. Ha Castle was located near Atsuta Shrine (Nagoya area). Zushonosuke was the 13th generation of the Atsuta Kato family. His second son Kato Yasaburo (?-1572) was a page of Nobunaga. Yasaburo fame to claim was he was one of the five pages who rode out with Nobunaga when departed Kiyosu Castle for the front (Battle of Okehazama 1560).

Nobunaga no tame!

Special Touken Exhibition

 There will be a special sword exhibition at Touken in Nagoya. Touken will display Nobunaga's younger brother (Oda Nagamasu) sword Uraku Rai Kunimitsu. The exhibition will take place from June 7th to August 31st. I have wrote a post in the past about Oda Nagamasu regarding Shoden Eigen in Kyoto near Kenninji. As for Touken, I have been there myself and it is possibly one of the best museums in Japan. I highly recommend you visiting Touken in Nagoya.

Tenka no tame!

2025 Toyoake City Okehazama Festival

 The 2025 Toyoake City Okehazama Festival will be held on June 7/8. I have participated in the festival a few times. Please go if you have the chance.

Nobunaga no tame!

Kiyosu Minoji

 Earlier this year I had the rare opportunity to walk the Kiyosu Minoji Path. This picture here is the only remaining Kiyosu Minoji Path from the 16th century (Sengoku Era/Nobunaga Era). In short, this Minoji Path was used by Nobunaga when he departed for Atsuta Shrine along with his pages and a few soldiers during the Battle of Okehazama. The photo above has Kiyosu Castle in the middle with the remaining 16th century Kiyosu Minoji Path dead center. One must remember during the time of Nobunaga, Kiyosu Castle did not have a central tower nor stone walls. Kiyosu Castle was surrounded by natural fortifications with a wet moat. Kiyosu Castle to Atsuta Shrine was approximately seven miles.

The Battle of Okehazama Preservation Committee along with myself walked from Kiyosu to Nagoya Castle using the Minoji Path (Edo Era). As for the remaining Nobunaga Era Kiyosu Minoji Path, I felt the presence of Nobunaga as he departed for battle.

Tenka no tame!