Azuchi Castle News

I have not done anything regarding Azuchi Castle of late.  To tell you the truth, it has been years since have visited Azuchi.  That said, there is a great article on the web that I found on Azuchi Castle and its Chinese origins.  http://chaari.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/aas-report-5-the-chinese-origins-of-azuchis-tenshu/

I do have Naito Akira's Fukugen Azuchijo and Oda Nobunaga to Azuchijo by Akita Hiroki.  Both books are highly recommended on the study of Azuchi Castle.  Some key points on Azuchi Castle: the massive use of stone, lots of gold used in decoration, and roof-tile as well.  One of the big drawbacks of Azuchi was that it had a stairwell rising up the hill which did not enhance its defense.  By the way, Azuchi Castle ruins is on my agenda next when I am in Japan.

Nobunaga no tame!

2013 Okehazama Festival

It is that time of year again and the 2013 Arimatsu Okehazama Festival will be held on May 19th.  It think is so awesome that the festival is held on the day of the battle.  The festivities will begin around nine in the morning and it will be an all day affair.  Mr. Okehazama (Wataru Kajino) is scheduled to give a lecture on the battle.  If you are thinking about going, his lecture will be well worth it.  He probably knows more than anyone I know about the Battle of Okehazama.  There will be also taiko drums, armor, and many other beautiful events at the festival.

Here is the festival link:http://okehazama.net/modules/osirase/index.php?page=articles&storyid=199

Owari ni hikari wo

Tenka no tame!

Onna Nobunaga I

Earlier this month Onna Nobunaga movie was aired.  It was based on the novel written by Kenichi Sato.  Amami Yuki played the role as Nobunaga.  From what I understand the word on the street was she played the part well.  Uchino Masaaki played Akechi Mitsuhide, Koyuki as Nohime, and Nishida Toshiyuki as Oda Nobuhide.

I did write a post on the novel back in 2008.  http://otsuke.blogspot.com/2008/06/onna-nobunaga.html
The link for the movie is here: http://www.fujitv.co.jp/onna-nobunaga/index.html

I have not seen the movie yet, but excited to watch it when the chance comes.  For a historical fantasy film, this looks interesting.

Owari ni hikari wo.

Nobunaga no tame!

Shobata News

Shobata Castle landmark was in the news recently when the statues of Nobunaga's father and mother along with the baby Uesama was erected near Shobata station.  Nice gesture, but I do not think Shobata Castle was the birthplace of the Uesama.  The only document that backs up Shobata is the Bishukojoushi.  I am more comfortable in stating that Nobunaga was born at Nagoya Castle in 1534.  Earlier this year, I have written a post on this subject:http://www.otsuke.blogspot.com/2013/01/nobunagas-birth-i.html


Owari ni hikari wo

Tenka no tame!

Young Nobunaga

Nobunaga's wild and crazy youth prepared him for the future.  Sounds strange, but it was true.  His free thinking and I do not care attitude made him a man to be feared later in life.

Shincho-Ko ki/The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga by Ota Gyuichi. (Elisonas/Lamers, pp. 58-59)

"Into the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth year of his life, Nobunaga knew no other pastimes but these: He practiced riding every morning and evening.  From the Third to the Ninth Month he swam in the river, which made him an excellent swimmer.  Once when he was a training bout with bamboo spears, he observed: 'if your spear is short, you'll be at a disadvantage no matter what.'  So he made spears with a shaft of three to three and a half ken [5.4 to 6.3 meters].

As for young Nobunaga's manner:  He had on a bathrobe (yukatabira) with its sleeves removed, wore trousers (hanbakama) over it, and carried any number of pouches for flints and that sort of thing around his waist.  He kept his hair straight up like a tea whisk, tied with crimson and fresh-green cords.  He bore a great sword with a vermillion sheath and ordered all the samurai of his retinue to outfit themselves in vermillion.  He employed Ichikawa Daisuke to guide him in archery practice and trained on the harquebus with Hashimoto Ippa as his master.  Hirata Sanmi, whom Nobunaga kept constantly at his side, was his instructor in military science and tactics.  The two of them went also went hawking together."

All that training such as swimming, riding horses, guns, and the bow prepped Nobunaga for the future. One must remember that Nobunaga's early use of guns made him a genius.

Nobunaga no tame!

Owari ni hikari wo.

Nobunaga Walking Tour

There will be a Nobunaga Walking Tour that will be held on April, 21 2013.  According to the link there will be two courses to choose from.  First course is Kiyosu Castle to Atsuta Shrine and the second course is Arimatsu Okehazama Battlefield to Atsuta Shrine.

I would love to experience this myself and it is interesting.  For those who plan to participate, please by all means share your experiences.

Mikawa-Hide has provided the link: http://ameblo.jp/mikawa-hide/entry-11487692979.html


Tenka no tame!

Muraki II

This post will continue to discuss the Battle of Muraki with some military doctrine.

Nobunaga's victory at the Battle of Muraki 1554 was important.  The Imagawa was kept at bay, but still were a powerful army.  Nobunaga knew he did not have an army to have a long war with the Imagawa.  Besides, the province of Owari was still not unified.  Here are some of the key points for Nobunaga's victory.

• Support from his father-in-law Saito Dosan.  This was important.  Dosan sent Ando Morinari along with a thousand soldiers to protect Nagoya so the Kiyosu faction will not attack Nagoya.  Smart move on Nobunaga's part.  If the Kiyosu faction did attack Nagoya while Nobunaga was away, it would have been a war with the Saito, which they did not want in the first place.
• Quick crossing of the sea.  Nobunaga's army quickly crossed the sea in very strong winds.  His army quickly arrived in time to assist Mizuno Nobumoto who was at Ogawa Castle at the time.
• Nobunaga's use of guns.  Nobunaga fired guns along with the possibility of bow and arrows to mow down Muraki Castle.
• Nobunaga's leadership.  His leadership was essential to victory.  Even with high casualty rates, he continued to press forward which the tide turned into his favor.  After the battle, he acknowledge the work of his men.
• Mizuno Nobumoto attacked the east side, which was the main gate.  Oda Nobumitsu (Nobunaga's uncle) attacked the west side, which the rear gate.  Nobunaga personally took responsibility for the south side.

Now for some military doctrine for the Imagawa side.  This is not perfect by any means, but will give you some clues on the goals of the Imagawa army.

Strategic:  Owari.  Imagawa Yoshimoto wanted Owari in his hands for a future launching pad for the Kyoto campaign.
Operational:  Chita Bay.  More opportunities for economic and military shipping.  Ise Bay is close at hand.
Tactical:  Muraki Castle.  A stepping stone into the heart of Owari.

Everything went right for the Imagawa except that in early 1554, Nobunaga's army with the use of guns the defenders of Muraki Castle surrender.  A tactical victory on Nobunaga's part.  However, as history showed, Imagawa Yoshimoto did not give up his quest for Kyoto and Owari.

For those who are interested in traveling to the Toyoake Okehazama Battlfield, Mikawa-hide has a link in Japanese on train fare and the like.  http://ameblo.jp/mikawa-hide/entry-11479123483.html

Owari ni hikari wo

Nobunaga no tame!