Dengakutsubo

This is an old photo of the Okehazama Battlefield.  Dengakutsubo is supposedly where Yoshimoto made his last stand at the Battle of Okehazama.  The photo was probably taken during the Taisho/Showa Era.  One can notice how rural and virgin the area was.

Other news related to Nobunaga, if one is in Kyoto right now, the Teramachi Honnoji is having a spring treasure display of Nobunaga's last tea ceremony until April 22nd.  I highly recommend this.
Link to Honnoji display:  https://t.co/UmoGMD1R39

Nobunaga no tame!

Old Okehazama Photos

I am slowly working on a picture book on the Battle of Okehazama.  When will the book be finished?  I do not know.  That being said I received some old photos from the Kajino family on Okehazama.  These photos are from Sakakibara Kunihiko Okehazama Kassen Shashin Shu, which was published in 1993.  Mr. Sakakibara has another book on Okehazama, Okehazama Kassen Kenkyu, a book I highly recommend.

The first photo above is the old Okehazama Battlefield Park.  You will notice right away there is not much modern development.  The second photo is Narumi Castle.  The landmark area almost looks completely virgin.  What I like about the photos is that it gives us historians some clues what the battlefield might have looked like before modern development.  It was still extremely rural.

Tenka no tame!

Battle of Inou Seminar

My good friend and Battle of Okehazama colleague Seishiro Mizuno will be hosting a seminar on the Battle of Inou, Nobunaga, Shibata Katsuie, and Suemori Castle.  The seminar will be held on March 2nd, near Nagoya subway station Kamiyashiro at the Meito Cultural Hall.

If you are in the Nagoya area during this time, by all means go to the event.  It is free and you will learn  a lot on young Nobunaga during his pre-Battle of Okehazama days.

Nobunaga no tame!

Old Okehazama Guide

Here is an old Battle of Okehazama guide from the 6th year of Ansei (1859), called as Okehazama Kassen Enki (Kosenjozu).  It seems that this guide was sold just before you arrived at the battlefield.  I do have another link regarding to the Battle of Okehazama as well.

Link: http://www.nagoya-info.jp/nobunaga/nobunaga_kouro/

Tenka no tame!

Happy 2018

Happy 2018 to you all!

As always, every year I like to post a picture of Nobunaga's famous golden skulls display he held on New Year's at Gifu Castle in 1574.  The skulls of Azai Nagamasa, his father Hisamasa, and Asakura Yoshikage.

What does 2018 have in store for us Nobunaga fans? 2017 was Gifu's 450th anniversary.  2018 is another important milestone.  2018 will be the 450th anniversary when Nobunaga marched to Kyoto to help install the 15th and last Ashikaga shogun Yoshiaki.

During the Christmas break, I have been reading Taniguchi Katsuhiro's book on Nobunaga's father, Nobuhide.  It is not that bad and will write a small review soon.  I do highly recommend it.


Nobunaga no tame!

2017 The Year Of Gifu

2017 was a special year for Gifu since it was the 450th anniversary of its founding by Oda Nobunaga.  Here are some things that went on in Gifu during its year long celebration:

• Japan Golf Open held in Gifu with Nobunaga as its symbol
• Water flow and ponds discovered at Gifu Castle Park
• Nohime's room discovered at Gifu Castle Park
• Megalith discovered at Gifu Castle Park, used by Nobunaga
• The highly successful Nobunaga Gallery held in Gifu
• 2017 Gifu Nobunaga Matsuri
• Nobunaga exam held in Gifu
• Nobunaga Gifu Palace tablet used by tourists
• Gifu FC soccer team Oda crest jersey
• Statue of Dota Gozen (Nobunaga's mother) and baby Nobunaga at Kani-shi Gifu
• Numerous Nobunaga Forums held in Gifu throughout the year

There were many more special events related to Nobunaga and Gifu in 2017.  When Nobunaga conquered Mino in 1567, history changed in Japan.  With the help of his Zen monk friend Takugen Shuon, Inoguchi was changed to Gifu (with Chinese) origins along with Nobunaga's Tenka Fubu slogan, Gifu became more prosperous and powerful.  http://otsuke.blogspot.com/2015/09/origins-of-gifu.html  Nobunaga's headquarters in Gifu meant his travel to Kyoto was cut in half, a good thing.

There is an old saying, "He who controls Mino will control Japan."

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga no tame!

Tiger's Mouth at Komaki Castle

There is more archaeological evidence that Komaki's honmaru on the western side had a Tiger's mouth castle structure.  The Honmaru had a southern and eastern entrance and now a western one that was recently discovered.  Nobunaga only stayed at Komaki for four years (1563-7).  That being said, the castle's fortifications used more stone than usual and it was a dry run for Azuchi.

Link: https://t.co/VozpFSlRji

Nobunaga no tame!