2025 Dosan Matsuri

 

The 2025 Gifu Saito Dosan Matsuri will be held next month. April 5/6 are the days the festival will be held in downtown Gifu.

Tenka no tame!

Moriyama Castle Update

 

Last year I made a visit to the Moriyama Castle landmark. During the time of Nobunaga, Moriyama Castle was in the hands of Nobunaga's uncle Oda Nobumitsu. If history is correct, he became the lord if the castle in 1535. Located near the Yada River in Owari Province, it measured between 167 by 190 feet. It was known as a hirayamajo or plain and mountain castle. I will not go into the Moriyama Kuzure incident. Moriyama before Nobumitsu became the lord was in the possession of the Matsudaira family. When Moriyama Castle was built and who constructed it is still unknown today.

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 60) "Lord Bingo's younger brother, Lord Magosaburo (Nobumitsu), was truly outstanding exemplar of the profession of Arms. His residential castle was in a place called Moriyama."

Nobunaga no tame!

Makinoshima and Uji River

 

In 1573, Nobunaga banished Shugun Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Makinoshima was his last stronghold. Short passage from The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 187)

"On the 16th of the Seventh Month, Nobunaga headed for Makinoshima and pitched camp at Mount Yanagi above Gokasho. He gave immediate orders to cross the Uji River and take Makinoshima. The famous Uji River lived up to its reputation--it was a frightful, vast expanse of swirling and surging water. To make an assault crossing here would clearly be no easy matter, and Nobunaga's men viewed that prospect with dread. But Nobunaga showed no sign of irresolution, saying that if they hesitated, then he would go first. Now his men had to do it. Nobunaga ordered that they should cross the river divided in two groups. That being the case, the first group, following the ancient example, crossed the river upstream, to the northeast of the Byodoin, where once Kajiwara and Sasaki Shiro had competed for the honor being the first to cross."

Tenka no tame!

Atsuta Public Off-limits Notice

 

Finally there is an English translation to Nobunaga's Public Off-limits Notice to the Eight Villages of Atsuta. The document recognizes and protects the rights of territory of Atsuta Shrine. Issued by Nobunaga in 1549, it was signed as Fujiwara Nobunaga. This post will not go into the family name debate (Inbe, Taira, Fujiwara).

Regulations for the Eight Villages of Atsuta 

1) As personal taxes are being collected for the construction of Atsuta Shrine, donations of national tax and donations to other domains are to be suspended.

2) In the event of any miscreants appearing, they may be punished without filing a report.

3) Following the precedent of Atsuta Shrine, do not question the friend, foe of other domains, servants, elderly people, children, women, or anything entrusted to them. Furthermore, do not report any misconduct on the road to those entering or leaving the Shrine.

4) Report and investigation of the envoys to Atsuta Shrine is to be made within three days. If difficulties arise after this, a reprimanded envoy is to be sent. 

5) Regarding the storage of rice bags, it is permitted to transfer them to the Shrine using the previous seal. If anyone violates these articles they will be punished immediately (by Nobunaga).

November 1549 Fujiwara Nobunaga (signature)

It is not the best translation, in fact there might be some errors. That being said, this will do for now.

Nobunaga no tame!

2025 Spring Sokenin

 Later this month, Daitokuji's Sokenin will host their yearly spring exhibition. I have personally visited Sokenin numerous times and it is worth it. When at Sokenin, I always visited the graves of Nobunaga, Nohime, and Onabe no Kata. The main hall also houses a wooden statue of Nobunaga. Constructed by Kousei in 1583, this statue is probably one of the best in my opinion. For example, this passage from Daitokuji: The Visual Cultures of a Zen Monastery by Gregory P.A. Levine is all you need to know (p. 58) "In 1855, a pilgrim commented, 'Its eyes gleam with the power of one who seizcontrol of all under heaven and give one the feeling of being spontaneously pierced through.'" The wooden statue was returned to Sokenin in 1961.

As for the exhibition, here is the dates: March 29th-May 6th. Price of admission: 800 yen.

Tenka no tame!

Shinnyoin

 

Last year I was able to visit Shinnyoin, a small temple in Kyoto. This Nichiren sect temple has a relationship with Nobunaga and shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Founded in the Sengoku Era, but burned down shortly afterward, it seems that Nobunaga ordered the construction of the temple for Yoshiaki. Its present location is from the Showa Era. As for the garden, in 1961, it was reconstructed by Shigemori Mirei. This dry rock garden (karesansui) resembles fish scaled-like stones expressing water flow. The garden is based on the Miyakorinsen Meisho Zue, a guide to Kyoto gardens published in the late Edo Era. Unfortunately, Shinnyoin is only open a few times a year, also the garden is extremely small and no photography allowed. That being said, Shinnyoin is a hidden gem. A beautiful garden that has a historical relationship with Nobunaga and Yoshiaki.

Nobunaga no tame!