2026 Spring Sokenin

 Sokenin, a subtemple of Daitokuji located in Kyoto will hold its spring public exhibition. Open to the public on weekends and national holidays from March 28th to May 6th. Open daily April 25th to May 6th. 

Here at Sokenin, one can see the Nobunaga wooden statue constructed by Kousei. Sokenin also is the home to Nohime, Onabe no Kata, and Nobunaga's daughter Tokuhime's grave. 

The price of admission is 800 yen.

Tenka no tame!

2026 Dosan Matsuri

 The 2026 Gifu Dosan Matsuri will be held on April 4/5. This is a yearly spring festival that celebrates Nobunaga's father-in-law, Saito Dosan.

Nobunaga no tame!

Okehazama Short Video

 This a short video by Owada Tetsuo giving a brief update on the Battle of Okehazama at the Nippon Shiro Matsuri (Japan Castle Festival). The Arimatsu Battle of Okehazama Preservation Committee had a booth at the festival. Owada Tetsuo explains that the Battle of Okehazama is very popular with the masses. There is a 3D video map of the battle.

Tenka no tame!

Kenshoji

 

Earlier this year I made a special visit to Kenshoji, which is located in Kyoto. Kenshoji is the resting place for Nobunaga's illegitimate son, Oda Nobumasa (1554-1647). He was born at Nagoya Castle three years before Nobutada. His mother was Ban Naoko, the younger sister of Ban Naomasa. In 1566, he celebrated his genpuku. Nobumasa did have a wife, Princess Yasuhime, Oda Nobuhiro's daughter. Nobunaga might have been Nobumasa's biological father, but Murai Sadakatsu was his adopted father. In 1585, three years after Nobunaga's death, Nobumasa retired.

Nobunaga no tame!

Gifu Castle Stone Foundation and Stone Wall

 

There has been two new recent discoveries at Gifu Castle. At the moment, the castle undergoing archeological work. Stone foundation and stone walls has been discovered. This video clip is short, but provides the necessary information.

Tenka no tame!

Nohime Sumie Okazu

 The top photo is artwork from Sumie Okazu. This brush artwork of Nohime is beautiful. Nohime (1535-1612) was born at Sagiyamajo (Sagiyama Castle) in Mino. Her father was Saito Dosan and her mother was Omi no Kata. Nohime had several names as well: Sagiyama-dono, Kicho, Kocho, and Azuchi-dono. Here is a passage from The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 58)

"Before long, Hirate Nakazukasa brokered another deal, one calling for Oda Saburo Nobunaga to become Saito Yamashiro Dosan's son-in-law and Dosan's daughter to be welcomed as Nobunaga's bride to Owari Province. As a result, the whole region become peaceful again."

The bottom picture is the ruins of Sagiyama Castle. The birthplace of Nohime and the retirement home of Saito Dosan. Chances are high before Nohime tied the knot with Nobunaga she was briefly married to Toki Yorizumi. As for Nohime, Nobunaga described her as goddess and having a mind of a genius.

Nobunaga no tame!

Tenka Seihitsu

 Earlier in January, I visited the Azuchi Castle Archeological Museum to see some new exhibits. Before I went, I saw this video on YouTube. At first, I thought it was some cheap scripted video. I was mistaken. When I saw the whole video at the museum, I was blown away. It was fantastic way to celebrate the 450th Anniversary of Azuchi Castle. While this is only about a thirty second clip, the actual movie documentary provides clues on why Azuchi Castle was built (Tenka Seihitsu/Peace and Tranquility). The video at the museum includes various floor plans, the unfortunate Azuchi Castle folding screen which is still missing (Vatican probably lost it), why Nobunaga built Azuchi in the first place. Here is an answer to that question: close to the capital (Kyoto) without the daily political bickering while still having control in such matters. 

I have to admit, the video was superb. It is better than the one at Azuchi Nobunaga no Yakata (Luis Frois/Okabe Mataemon (Nobunaga's carpenter)? That is a tough one. Both are extremely well done and informative. At the moment, the Nobunaga no Yakata video just edges out due to the public seeing it more often and you can buy the DVD at the gift shop as well as seeing clips on YouTube. In time, the Azuchi Castle Archeological Museum Tenka Seihitsu video will win the hearts of the Azuchi population.

Tenka no tame!