Sunday, January 3, 2021

Watch and Observe


 It is well known that the elites and some of the masses called Nobunaga the "Fool of Owari" due to his bizarre behavior as a youth.  That being said, it became a strength of his.  Instead of being holed up in studies or participating in boring ceremonies, Nobunaga went on his daily business of falconry, horsemanship, swimming, sumo, and more importantly participating in mock battles.  

The video above is a New Years special with Ken Watanabe as Nobunaga.  It is not the best, but around the six minute mark in the video, you will understand quickly that Nobunaga was no idiot.  In this mock battle, he observed that longer spears was a key to success in certain situations.  Even the Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga has passage on this (p. 58), "If your spear is short, you'll be at a disadvantage no matter what.  So he hed spears made with a shaft of three to three and a half ken (5.4 to 6.3 meters)."

During this time as well Nobunaga knew firearms would be the new weapons to conquer Sengoku Japan.  This can be only achieved by watching, observing, and implementing the tactics and weapons when needed.  One had to be opened minded and no doubt Nobunaga was opened minded when it came to new weapons of war or a free market economy.


Nobunaga no tame!

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