My good friend and Okehazama colleague Seishiro Mizuno has a new video on YouTube discussing his views on the Battle of Okehazama. Before I give my opinion on the video, I highly recommend his book Wakaki Nobunaga no Shirarezaru Hansei. It is an excellent book that is full of useful information regarding to the Battle of Okehazama.
Seishiro goes into great detail on the koku (rice production) using the 1598 Taiko Kenchi. Owari Province might have been small in size, but terms of koku, it was extremely prosperous compared to Mikawa, Totomi, or Suruga.
Now I will discuss where I disagree with Seishiro. He mentions that Imagawa Yoshimoto arrived at Odaka Castle on May 18th and retreated back the next day. Yoshimoto arrived at Kutsukake Castle on the 18th. Then he explains Yoshimoto stopped twice while retreating. First at Urushiyama and the second at Takaneyama. Unfortunately this is false. However, if Yoshimoto was originally marching to Odaka Castle on the 19th of May and he stopped at Urushiyama, I can somehow see that happening. He mentioned that Yoshimoto was waiting for Nobunaga to arrive and did not come. Which was true. Takaneyama was the base camp for Matsui Munenobu. A steep hill at 177 feet high Yoshimoto in a palanquin would have been difficult to transport. Kutsukake Castle to Odaka Castle was approximately eight miles. Again, the only way I see Yoshimoto stopping at Urushiyama if was heading to Odaka on the day of the battle. Then again, why would Yoshimoto retreat back to Mikawa if he had the men and the logistics to advance to Kiyosu. It makes no sense.
Unfortunately, there are more questions than answers regarding to the Battle of Okehazama. As for Seishiro Mizuno's video, I highly recommend it. Easy to understand and his views are coming from a local perspective. That is a good thing.
Tenka no tame!
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