Saikoji

 About little over a year ago I visited Saikoji. Saikoji is a Jodo temple. It is also the home of a beautiful Nobunaga memorial tower (kuyouto). Saikoji is located in Omi Hachiman. Saikoji can be reached by a 15 minute walk from JR Omi Hachiman Station. 

Tenka no tame!

Noh and Toll Barriers

 In 1568, Nobunaga marched to Kyoto with his army to install Ashikaga Yoshiaki as shogun. Yoshiaki wanted Nobunaga to play the hand drum, but he refused. Nobunaga's independence was necessary to his success. 

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 126)

"Yoshiaki wanted Nobunaga to play the hand drum, but he declined. The stick drum was played by Okura Jinsuke, small drum buy Kanze Hikoemon, and the flute by Ito Sojuro.

The fith play was Kureha, and that was the end of the Noh. Nobunaga gave souvenirs to the entire troupe, down to the wigmakers. After that, on the one hand for the sake of the realm, on the other because he felt compassion for the travelers coming and going, Nobunaga had all the toll collection at barriers, numerous in the provinces he ruled, put to a stop. Noble and mean in town and country, all were gratified. They reverence Nobunaga for his beneficence."

Nobunaga no tame!

2nd Azuchi Nobunaga Kentei

 The 2nd Azuchi Nobunaga Kentei will be held on November 29th. Time: 10:30-12:00. Owada Tetsuo gives a brief explanation on the kentei (certification examination). The examination coincides with the 450th Anniversary of the construction of Azuchi Castle.

Tenka no tame!

Azuchi Castle by Okazu

 Sumie artist Okazu has done it again. This time, Azuchi Castle. Perfect for Azuchi Castle 450th Anniversary.

Nobunaga no tame!

A Gift From Nobunaga

 Big news regarding Nobunaga and Hachisuka Koroku. It seems that Nobunaga gave a short sword by Bizen Osafune Sukesada to Hachisuka Koroku for his efforts while in Harima Province. The sword is now housed at the Tokushima Castle Museum for its fall exhibition. The sword probably came from a retainer who served under the Asakura.

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 370)

"Uno Minbu, who had entrenched himself in Shiso District, Harima Province, made off on the 5th of the Sixth Month in the middle of the night. When Kinoshita Heidayu (alias Araki Shigekata) and Hachisuka Koroku (Iemasa) went after him in pursuit, some of his loyal samurai retraced their steps to put up a fight. In clashes that ensued here and there, several dozen of them, warriors of standing, were killed."

Nobunaga no tame!

Nohime, Kicho, and Kocho

 Here is an update on Nobunaga's wife Nohime name. In my previous post regarding the subject matter Kicho appears in the Mino no Kuni Shokyuki. Nohime (EhonTaikoki) Kocho (Bukoyawa). The photo above is Nishigaya Yasuhiro Kosho Oda Nobunaga Jiten (p. 239), providing Nohime's name Kocho in the Bukoyawa. Again, Nohime had several names during her lifetime.

Nobunaga no tame!

2026 Kiyosu Nobunaga Matsuri

 It is that time of year when fall festivals are everywhere in Japan. Kiyosu is no different. The 2026 Kiyosu Nobunaga Matsuri will be held this Sunday, Oct 11th. The time 9 am to 4:30 pm. 

Tenka no tame!