Mitsuashi no Kaeru Kouro

 If you visited the Honnoji Museum in Kyoto in the past, you have probably seen the Mitsuashi no Kaeru incense burner. On the eve of the Honnoji Rebellion, legend has it, the Three Legged Frog incense burner croaked to warn Nobunaga the danger that was about to come. Was it true? Who knows. That being said, it is a good story. Nobunaga did own the incense burner and it survived the Honnoji destruction. To see the original incense burner with your own eyes is a real treat. Also at the Honnoji Museum, is various tea cups (chawan) and tea kettle Nobunaga owned. Regarding to the Three Legged Frog incense burner, it played a role in the movie The Legend and the Butterfly. 

Nobunaga no tame!

Higishou

 Nobunaga performed a higishou, a ordeal by fire at Sanno/Hiyoshi Shrine near Kiyosu. The shrine is a short walk from Meitetsu Shin Kiyosu Station. The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (pp. 98-99)

"It was decided to hold an ordeal by fire in front of the Sanno Shrine, in presence of officials and witnesses nominated by both parties involved in the suit. Here was demonstrated how terrible is the Way of Heaven. 

Nobunaga had each side give him its version of what had happened and quickly sized up the situation. His complexion changed. He asked to hear the details regarding the ordeal by fire.

Nobunaga received the blazing-hot axe head onto his hands took three steps, and placed in on its tray. 'Did you see that?' he asked, and had Sasuke put to death."

The Sanno/Hiyoshi Shrine is not far from the Minoji and the Gojo River. It is only about a ten to fifteen minute walk to Kiyosu Castle.

Tenka no tame!