Crane Offering

 

Nobunaga offers a crane for inspection. This incident took place early 1578.

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 280)

"On the 10th of the First Month, Nobunaga offered a crane, one caught by his falcon, for His Majesty's inspection in the imperial palace. It was immediately put before the sovereign, who was impressed and not a little pleased. Nobunaga presented another crane caught by his own falcon to Lord Konoe. The next day, Lord Konoe made a ceremonial visit to Azuchi to express his gratitude for the gift."

Tenka no tame!

Nobunaga's 2nd Daughter

 

 

Late last year I was able to visit Nobunaga's 2nd daughter's grave at Hyakumanben Chionji in Kyoto. She was born (1558/61-1641) and was married to Gamo Ujisato (1556-95). Her birth mother is still unknown and also her name as well. She was known as Fuyuhime (Princess winter). That being said, she was married during the winter of 1569 and it was misinterpreted as Princess winter. She passed away in 1641 in the Sagano area of Kyoto. She was also known as Soouin.

Tenka no tame!

2025

 

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Happy New Year! As always, we celebrate it Nobunaga style. You know, the golden lacquered skulls that were displayed at Gifu Castle in 1574. The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 204)

"Item The head of Asakura Sakyo no Daibu Yoshikage. Item The head of Azai Shimotsuke. Item The head of Azai Bizen.

These had been taken by Nobunaga the previous year in the North. The banquet began when the aforesaid three skulls, lacquered and gilt, were brought out on white wooden dinner trays as a relisto the sake."

Heads of Asakura Yoshikage, Azai Nagamasa, and Azai Hisamasa.

Nobunaga no tame!

New Nijo Palace

 Late in 1579, Nobunaga was at the New Nijo Palace to offer gifts.

Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 350)

"On the 18th of the Twelfth Month, after dark, Lord Nobunaga presented himself at the New Nijo Palace and offered gold and silver, rolls of cloth, and countless other presents for the inspection of His Imperial Highness. On the following day, the 19th, he departed the capital and returned to Azuchi through the rains that lasted all day. Much, much celebrated."

Tenka no tame!

2024 Awards

 Here are the 2024 Awards.

Book: Shincho-Ko ki Kubimaki to Okehazama no Tatakai by Obata Taizo

Historian: Volunteers Circle at Gifu City Museum of History 

I will focus on the volunteer group on this post. The volunteers who spend their free time at the museum do a fantastic job making sure guests can experience wearing 16th century clothing. It is extremely popular with the locals as well as the tourists. The photo above is a replica of Nobunaga's Owari no utsuke costume. I have worn this garment many times and you really feel you have traveled back to the time of Nobunaga. Also the volunteers do an excellent job teaching guests the village life of Gifu during the time to Nobunaga and Saito Dosan.

Nobunaga no tame!

Hawking in Mikawa

 

This post explains Nobunaga's falconry in Mikawa and his gift to Hideyoshi, a tea kettle.

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 276)

"On the 10th of the Twelfth Month, Nobunaga set out to go hawking at Kira in Mikawa Province. Hashiba Chikuzen was due in Azuchi a few days later, and Nobunaga decided to give him the tea kettle named Otogoze as a reward for having newly reduced Tajima and Harima to obedience. Nobunaga brought the tea kettle out before his departure. 'Give it Chikuzen,' he ordered. 'as soon as he gets here.' It was a gracious gesture."

Tenka no tame!

Sakura Nakamura Castle

 

Sakura Nakamura Castle was held by the Yamaguchi family during the 1550s when Nobunaga was trying to unify Owari. The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 64) "Having put his son Kurojiro in charge of Narumi Castle, Yamaguchi built a fort and bastions at Kasadera and installed the five [Suruga] captains Kazurayama, Okabe Gorobyoe, Miura Sama no Suke, Iinoo Buzen no Kami, and Azai Koshiro in these fortifications. Yamaguchi Sama no Suke, the father, then fortified the settlement of Nakamura and entrenched himself there." 

Now Nakamura may have been located in the Sakura area, Sakura Nakamura Castle.

Nobunaga no tame!