After today's seminar and field trip, is it time to reevaluate my opinions? Today was a humble experience, but came out ahead. In fact, after all the work I have put in researching the Battle of Okehazama, it is starting to pay off. Later in the day, I was given a couple of maps and small documents related to the battle. Right away, I starting thinking is this the correct answer or someone else's opinion, which was both.
Today I stated that I take my students to both the Arimatsu and Toyoake Okehazama Battlefields. It is a must. You have to show both so the students can form their own opinion. It is the same with the primary sources. You must read Ota Gyuichi Shincho-Ko ki, Oze Hoan Shinchoki, and the Bukoyawa in order to fully understand the Battle of Okehazama. I also tell my students to visit the local historians and tour guides and ask questions. The locals know the history as well as the geography. They know better than the national name brand historians.
As a historian, I always try to be opened minded. You have to. Where Yoshimoto's camp and where he was killed is still debated. What type of attack did Nobunaga use during the Battle of Okehazama. While it is still debated by historians, most will agree it was some form of a surprise attack. Nobunaga's use of the Men of the Fields is still floating out there. Probably the most asked question by local and national alike, is what was Yoshimoto's goal? Kyoto or Owari? It is still debated to this day and nobody knows the true answer.
Nobunaga no tame!
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