Nobunaga Breakfast

 Here is a video explaining the morning breakfast of Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu. The video will show you how to prepare the dish as well as some historical facts of the three unifiers. Nobunaga was know to have a strong taste. He loved country style foods. The video above describes a Nobunaga breakfast of yuzuke/chazuke and yakimiso. Before the Battle of Okehazama, Nobunaga ate several bowls of yuzuke/chazuke.

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 59)

"When passing through the town, he would gnaw away at chestnuts, persimmons, or even melons, completely unembarrassed by the looks people gave him; or he would eat rice cakes while standing in the center of town."

Simple foods packed with flavor and nutrients kept Nobunaga healthy and stable. If you visit the Gifu City Museum of History or the Azuchi Castle museum, they have replica models of what Nobunaga ate on special occasions.

Nobunaga no tame!

2025 Gifu Nobunaga Matsuri News

 Here is some news regarding the 2025 Gifu Nobunaga Matsuri. The festival will be held on November 1st and 2nd. More news will be provided later once it is released to the public.

Tenka no tame!

More Imperial Palace Repairs

In the past I have written posts regarding Nobunaga repairing the Kyoto Imperial Palace. There are several mentioned in The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga. Repairs started in 1569 and ended in 1571. A two year project. I have posted this short passage before and will post again along with a longer one. 

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 132) "The imperial palace was so dilapidated that it has lost its essential character, and Nobunaga ordered it to be repaired. Nichijo Shonin and Murai Minbu were put in charge of the project."

(p. 166-67) "The imperial palace had long been so dilapidated that it lost lost its essential character. Thinking that it would bring blessings, Nobunaga had in a previous year appointed Nichijo Shonin and Murai Minbu no Jo as superintendents of a project to repair it. At length, after three years work the Shishiiden, the Seiryoden, the Naishidokoro, the Shoyosha and various palace quarters were all finished. Lord Nobunaga moreover thought of a plan that would unfailingly provide for the imperial court's income in all times to come. He gave out a loan in rice to the townspeople of Kyoto and ordered that the interest be presented to the court every month. At the same time, Nobunaga also brought the maintenance of the impoverished nobles in order, amply securing their family succession. The satisfaction of all the people of the realm could not have been greater. One could not possibly measure Nobunaga's glory and dignity of his family in our empire."

Nobunaga no tame!

Mizuno Nobuchika's Grave

 Mizuno Nobuchika's Grave at Ryougonj, Kariya (Aichi Prefecture)

After the Battle of Okehazama, Okabe Motonobu surrendered Narumi Castle after Nobunaga's victory. In exchange for Narumi, Nobunaga offered the head of Imagawa Yoshimoto. Okabe Motonobu then headed back to Sunpu. Along the way, he attacked Kariya Castle and killed Mizuno Nobuchika. Motonobu was able to burn the castle, but could not hold it due to lack of logistical and tactical support. Why did Okabe Motonobu attack Kariya? One reason is the Mizuno support for the Oda family. The Mizuno family were allies with the Oda. 

Nobuchika was the son of Mizuno Tadamasa and the brother of Mizuno Nobumoto. He was also known as Mizuno Jurozaemon. Ryougonji is a Zen temple of the Soto sect. If you do visit, you will be impressed how beautiful the temple gardens and the surrounding area are well kept. Also Mizuno Nobumoto's grave is located at Ryougonj.

Tenka no tame!

Kimurajo

 Kimurajo/Jorakujijo was the residence of Kimura Jirozaemon (Takashige). Located in the heart of Azuchi, the landmark is a short walk from JR Azuchi Station. The Kimura family served under the Rokkaku until Nobunaga invaded Omi in 1568. He was also key to the Azuchi Castle construction project. Nobunaga often put Kimura Jirozaemon in charge of several construction projects besides Azuchi Castle. This passage from the The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga, Jirozaemon in charge of building a bridge in 1575 at Seta.

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 232) "At about that time, Nobunaga ordered Yamaoka Mimasaka no Kami and Kimura Jirozaemon to take charge of constructing a bridge at Seta in Omi Province. Timber having been obtained from Mount Jinguji in Wakasa Province and Mount Kutsuki in Omi Province."

As for Kimura Jirozaemon, he had the unfortunate fate seeing Azuchi Castle burn in person in 1582 after Nobunaga's death.

Nobunaga no tame!

Disgusting

 Disgusting news from Nagoya. It seems that the Toyotomi Hideyoshi statue has been vandalized. This is not the first time either. In the past six years or so, the Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu statues has also been vandalized. It is disgusting and immoral. The Big Three or the Trinity: Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu unified Japan after almost more than a century of constant warfare, bloodshed, and chaos. It is extremely sad to see.

Tenka no tame!

Offer Refused

 In 1568, Nobunaga planned to take Yoshiaki to Kyoto, but needed a safe passage through Omi Province. Unfortunately, Rokkaku Jotei refused. Nobunaga even promised Jotei, the position of Governor of Kyoto. Again, he refused. Nobunaga had no choice but to fight his way to the capital.  

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 118)

"On the 7th of the Eighth Month, Nobunaga went to Sawayama in Omi, where he stayed for seven days. He appointed envoys to join Yoshiaki's ambassadors in requesting that Sasaki Sakyo no Daibu Jotei tender hostages to guarantee Yoshiaki's safe passage  to the capital and that he be service  to the kubo. Among the several proposals put forward by these emissaries was Yoshiaki's solid promise that upon achieving his goal, he would appoint Sasaki governor of Kyoto (tenka shoshidai; literally, governor of the realm). These proposals, however, were rejected. So there was nothing to be done about it, and Nobunaga determined that he must in that case take Omi by military means."

Also see Lamers, Japonius Tyrannus (pp. 57-58)

Nobunaga no tame!