Saturday, April 25, 2026

Owada T Anegawa Video


 Last night I saw a video analysis of the Battle of Anegawa by Owada Tetsuo. Believe or not, the Toyotomi kyodai drama version of the Battle of Anegawa was not that bad at all. Of course, the Nobunaga King of Zipangu has the best version of the Battle of Anegawa. Unfortunately, most of the Sengoku Era battles that are aired today are cheap and tame. 

Owada Tetsuo explains the background of the Battle of Anegawa with Nobunaga attacking Yokoyama Castle. Not after that, the Battle of Anegawa begins. Depending where the Oda/Azai Tokugawa/Asakura troops were placed, the battle had a different name. Owada T explains this in the video. The area where the Oda and the Azai armies fought was known as the Battle of Nomura. The area were the Tokugawa and Asakura armies fought was known as the Battle of Mitamura.


Nobunaga no tame!

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Nobunaga Honnoji Portrait



 This is the Oda Nobunaga portrait located at the Honnoji Museum in Kyoto. If you look closely, the portrait of Nobunaga does not include a beard or mustache. Nobunaga is wearing a noushi/ naoshi. This was everyday attire worn by emperors, crown princes, Imperial princes, and court nobles. There was no color or pattern restrictions. As for the portrait itself, it was probably painted in late Azuchi/Momoyama or early Edo Era.


Tenka no tame!

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

2026 Nagashino Matsuri


 I love the smell of gunpowder in the morning! The 2026 Nagashino Matsuri will be held on May 5th. If you have the chance to go, by all means go. There will large teppo squad firing off their guns for the general public. A chance to meet Nobunaga and his friends as well.


Nobunaga no tame!

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Nishino Fudo




 The Nishino Fudo Shrine is located in Fudo-cho, Gifu City. Nishino Fudo is located near Nohime's Ihatsutsuka. Nobunaga moved Nishino Fudo to its current location. The four heavenly kings of Gifu Inaba Zenkoji, Oguma Jizo, Nishino Fudo, and Mieji Kannon protect the Gifu area. Inside the Nishino Fudo Shrine is a portrait of Nobunaga's wife Nohime. She is with a dog and the painting is to believed from the Showa Era by the name of Yoshiko. Nishino Fudo is a rare gem related to Nobunaga and Nohime. Let's keep it that way.

Tenka no tame!

Saturday, April 11, 2026

2026 Spring Sokenin Update





 I was fortunate enough to visit Daitokuji's subtemple Sokenin this weekend. It was a beautiful day wasxable to visit Nohime and Nobunaga's grave. Sokenin houses the Nobunaga wooden statue constructed by Kousei. Unfortunately, photography is strictly prohibited. If you want a photograph of the statue, I suggest you buy the Sokenin Nobunaga wooden statue postcard for 200 yen. The staff working at Sokenin were friendly and professional. They do offer English material if you cannot understand Japanese. I plan to make one more visit in the near future.


Nobunaga no tame!

Monday, April 6, 2026

Nanban Mochi Update


 Earlier this year I was able to try the Nanban Mochi. The Nanban Mochi was probably Nobunaga's last request for sweets. I was able to buy a packet of these delicious sweets at Kameya Yoshinaga in Kyoto. The texture of the sweet was chewy. I wrote a short post regarding to the Nanban Mochi last December. The sweet consists of wheat flour, brown sugar, and kudzu starch. Mixed with water, kneaded, and steamed. As for the mochi itself, it was not overly sweet. It goes well with a bowl of matcha. While eating the mochi and drinking the matcha tea, you did feel as if you were in the era of Nobunaga.


Tenka no tame!

Friday, April 3, 2026

Azuchi Miyuki no Ma


 This is an AI video explaining Azuchi Castle and Miyuki no Ma (3:35-5:00 minute mark). The Miyuki no Ma was hall built below the castle tower. Built for the emperor's visit to Azuchi, Miyuki no Ma was similar to Seiryoden of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Recent excavations reveal 119 foundation stones were discovered. It was also built on stilts. Unfortunately, Nobunaga was killed before the emperor made a visit to Azuchi. If the emperor did visit Azuchi while Nobunaga was alive, it would have been a truly unique event.


Nobunaga no tame!