Omido Castle

 Omido Castle was the birthplace of Takenaka Hanbei (1544-79). Located in western Mino, modern day Gifu Prefecture. It was known to be a flatland (hirajiro) type of castle. Hanbei's baptism of fire was at the Battle of Nagaragawa 1556, fighting on the side of Saito Dosan. He replaced his father as the serving commander. Hanbei also had a residence near Gifu Castle at Myoshoji Temple during the time of Nobunaga. Omido Castle is located at Ono Town, Ibi district Gifu Prefecture.

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Okehazama Gunki

 

Earlier this morning I found an old Okehazama document online. Okehazama Zokugunki/ Okehazama Gunki is mixed with prints with documentation of the Battle of Okehazama. The first print is Imagawa Yoshimoto at camp. The second print Yoshimoto is killed at the Battle of Okehazama. The last print: Nobunaga holding the post-battle head viewing ceremony with Maeda Toshiie. Reliable? It is what is it is, a historical propaganda document, but it does provide clues regarding the Battle of Okehazama. I like it since the prints are different from the usual ones found in museums.

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Takakura Musubimiko Jinja

 Believe or not, Takakura Musubimiko Jinja has a special relationship with Nobunaga. Located north from Atsuta Shrine, Nobunaga donated and rebuilt the main hall of the shrine in 1571. It was built Owari zukuri style. Later in the early Edo Era, the Hachisuka family made additional repairs to the shrine. 

Takakura Musubimiko Jinja is about a 25 minute walk from Atsuta Shrine.

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Hairstyles

 

Whoever made this chart is a lifesaver. A lifesaver, because it simply describes and compares Sengoku hairstyles from what you see on the television and the movies, to the portraits itself. The portraits of Nobunaga, Ashikaga Yoshiharu, and Yoshiteru still have some hair on the top. So, which is correct? In my opinion, the option on the right, the one with some hair on the top is correct. Those artists who drew the portraits back in the day had interaction with the people of Sengoku Japan, so they knew how people dressed their clothes and hair.

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Bukoyawa Short Video

 Here is a short video by local historian Seishiro Mizuno on his opinion regarding the Bukoyawa. Unfortunately, he thinks it is a fraudulent document. I highly recommend the Bukoyawa to its rich information relating to the Battle of Okehazama and Sumomata. There is a well-written thesis by David D. Neilson, Society at War: Eyewitness Accounts of Sixteenth Century Japan (University of Oregon) explains the Bukoyawa and the Men of the Fields. To be honest and fair, I do not think Seishiro Mizuno knows or most Japanese historians know about Neilson's work. Also I do not know if his thesis has been translated into Japanese. I have discussed the Bukoyawa with Seishiro Mizuno and explained my opinion. It is not some Showa Era historical novel. 

Neilson (pp.4-5) "Much of what has been produced has been resoundingly negative in its evaluation of the Bukoyawa as a legitimate historical source. Let it suffice at this point to say that although it is not a perfect source, there is still a great deal that can be learned from the Bukoyawa...."

Is the The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga or the Mikawa Monogatari perfect? No. No primary source is perfect. In fact, you will find many irregularities with them.

I agree with Neilson on this statement regarding to the Bukoyawa Neilson (p. 33)

"I have come to the conclusion that much of the reason behind the apparent blacklisting of the Bukoyawa has to do with the way that the documents were released." Historians were caught by surprise were the Bukoyawa appeared in bookstores.

Neilson (pp. 33-34) "Historians can be very protective of their sources and sometimes think of documents as things that, because of their special skills, belongs to them. In this case though, the normal process was sidestepped and the documents were not given to historians for official vetting."

Historians are upset that they did not get their greasy fingers first, that is why the Bukoyawa is blacklisted. Again to be fair, Mizuno and others do not know Neilson's published works. It is not their fault. The blame can go to the national historians and the like since they have a personal vendetta regarding to the Bukoyawa.

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Toll Barriers Continued

 This post continues with Nobunaga's abolition of toll barriers. This time in Ise Province, 1569. The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 137)

" The toll barriers in Ise Province caused a great deal of trouble to travelers coming and going, and Nobunaga therefore abolished them in perpetuity, issuing strict orders that henceforth no tolls be collected there."

As I stated in an earlier post, Nobunaga abolished most of the toll barriers under his control. Some were kept in place. For example, the toll barrier that benefited the Imperial treasury was still in use. As for the normal traveler and merchant, it became safer and cheaper. Once Nobunaga abolished the tolls barriers, economic development rapidly increased.

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Shinpen Okehazama Kassenki

Here is my current summer reading and it is a good one. Shinpen Okehazama Kassenki by Tamiya Atsuteru (1808-71). Written in 1846 (Kouka 3) 286 years after the Battle of Okehazama. Believe or not, the Shinpen Okehazama Kassenki is not that difficult to read and it is full of useful information. Is it perfect? No. That being said, it is a must read for any Battle of Okehazama scholar.

Key points: Brief mention of the Battle of Muraki.

His take on Nobunaga's Atsumori performance is different and radical than the traditional norm. For example, he mentioned that Nobunaga held an eve-of-battle banquet with his retainers performing Atsumori. To tell you the truth, that never happened. I plan to write a separate post on this important subject in the near future.

Yoshimoto's camp: Dengakuhazama. Again, nobody knows the full answer to this. It is still highly debated.

Kutsukake Castle mentioned several times in the manuscript. Including Yanada Masatsuna's reward.

Nobunaga's prayer at Atsuta Shrine. All of Nobunaga's key forts mentioned: Tange, Zenshouji, and Nakajima. The bad weather: heat and rain.

The constant retreating and fighting by the Imagawa army. Mori Shinsuke's finger chewed off by Yoshimoto before being killed. Yoshimoto's palanquin abandoned during battle.

There are many nuggets of information in the manuscript. That being said, there is a lot of side notes and endnotes as well.

I do highly recommend Shinpen Okehazama Kassenki.

Many thanks to Yukio Kajino and the Okehazama Battlefield Preservation Committee for the recommendation.

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Old Okehazama Matsuri Video and Book Review

 On the bottom is a two year Battle of Okehazama Festival Video from Touken. The festival took place at the Toyoake City Battlefield. Near the end of the video, a mock battle takes place. If I had to choose between the Arimatsu or Toyoake City Okehazama festival, Toyoake wins out simply because of the mock battle. I have participated in both. There is nothing wrong with the Arimatsu Okehazama festival. It just does not have the mock battles.

Years ago I wrote a short post on Fumio Watanabe's Okehazama book. It is decent, but it does have some flaws.

Fumio Watanabe Okehazama Kassen no Shinjutsu

Publisher: Ikohousha Year: 2012 Pages: 255

Watanabe's big push: Nobunaga's victory at the Battle of Okehazama was not a chaotic, impromptu dash, but a well calculated strategy combining frontal and flanking maneuvers from Fort Nakajima. Yoshimoto's weakness he stated was not military educated properly compared to Nobunaga and letting his retainers do the job. There is some truth to that. See pages 247-250.

One of the negatives, unfortunately, Fumio Watanabe never visited the battlefield and reaches his conclusions by the use of books and maps. I am assuming after publishing his book, he has visited both battlefields. That being said, his two maps at the end of the book are useful. 

I do think Fumio Watanabe's Okehazama book is a must read for the Battle of Okehazama scholar. It will open your mind a bit. Read it for yourself and then decide. 

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Oda Nobumitsu, Nobunaga, and Kiyosu Video

 This is another fantastic video by local historian Seishiro Mizuno regarding Nobunaga's uncle Nobumitsu and Kiyosu Castle. Nobunaga captured Kiyosu Castle, the Jewel of Owari in 1555 with the help of Nobumitsu. In exchange, Nobumitsu would receive Nagoya Castle. It did happen. However, he was assassinated by one of his retainers Sakai Magohachiro.

Oda Hikogoro (Nobutomo) Oda Magosaburo (Nobumitsu)

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (pp. 74-75)

"On the 20th of the Fourth Month, an ambush was prepared. Should Sakai Daizen come to the southern tower to pay his respects to Magosaburo, he was to be killed by men who lay in wait. Daizen indeed came to the castle, but he sensed something dreadful in the air and immediately took to his heels, not stopping until he reached Suruga Province, where he asked Imagawa Yoshimoto for asylum. Magosaburo, however, forced the deputy military governor, Lord Hikogoro, to commit hara-kiri, seized control of Kiyosu, handed it over to Kazusa no Suke Nobunaga, and moved to Nagoya Castle himself.

On the 26th of the Eleventh Month that same year, Lord Magosaburo died in an unforseen incident. To be sure, the end result was consequent with Lord Kazusa no Suke's good fortune."

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Toll Barriers

 Who ever created this meme is a genius. 

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 167)

"Furthermore, Nobunaga abolished all duties at toll barriers throughout the provinces under his control. The realm was at peace. Travelers could come and go as they pleased, thanks to Nobunaga's benevolence. As for his compassion was exceedingly profound, so did his blessings and his good fortune surpass the ordinary. This was the foundation of his ever-increasing prosperity."

Travel during Sengoku Japan was expensive and dangerous, so abolishing toll barriers was a must. The two biggest losers were powerful monasteries and local barons. Nobunaga wanted to curb their independence and power. Instead, the receipts went to Nobunaga's coffers. Cheaper trade traffic meant cheaper trade, which made higher economic development.

Nobunaga did not abolished all the toll barriers in the areas he controlled. For example, the Yamashina family still controlled some toll barriers and Nobunaga kept the tolls that supported the Imperial treasury. Japonius Tyrannus (p. 136)

Also Nobunaga was not dumb, he knew the most effective way to promote his power was economic prosperity as well as military power.

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Endo Naotsune Grave

 This is Endo Naotsune's grave which is located slightly southeast from Nobunaga's headquarters at the Anegawa Battlefield. Endo Naotsune (1531?-70) served under the Azai and was from Sakata-gun, Omi located in modern day Maibara City. Sugawa Castle was home to the Endo family and Naotsune did have a residence at Odani Castle. During the Battle of Anegawa (1570), Naotsune attacked Nobunaga's headquarters, but he was killed and his head was taken by Takenaka Kyusaku Shigenori (younger brother of Takenaka Hanbei).

As you can see from the middle signboard, Naotsune attacked Nobunaga (who was on his horse), but Takenaka Kyusaku Shigenori saves the day as Naotsune is killed off. The upper photo is the Sugawa landmark and the bottom photo is Naotsune's grave.

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Gifu City Museum of History Reopening

 

Big news from Gifu regarding the history museum. On November 3rd, the Gifu City Museum of History will reopen. This is great news since the museum is the jewel of Gifu Castle Park. I plan to be there since the Gifu Nobunaga Matsui will be held on the first weekend of November. For the Nobunaga or Sengoku Era historian, this museum is extremely important. As for the video, it is in Japanese.

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Seishiro Mizuno Battle of Muraki Video

 Here is another great video by local historian Seishiro Mizuno. I do not agree with everything he has to say, but he makes you think. This video covers Nobunaga's 1554 Battle of Muraki victory. Unfortunately, it came at a cost as many were killed or wounded.

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 73) "A countless number of Nobunaga's pages and other leading retainers were among the casualties, a sight too horrible for the eyes."

"He returned to his field headquarters, where he issued orders regarding this and that while tears of joy streamed down his face."

Nobunaga's key points for victory 

Support from his father-in-law, Saito Dosan. Ando Morinari stationed troops at Shiga and Tabata.

Quick crossing of the sea

Nobunaga's use of firearms 

Leadership 

Imagawa objective 

Strategic: Owari

Operational: Chita Bay

Tactical: Muraki Castle, stepping stone to Owari.

Six years later after Muraki, Nobunaga achieved victory at the Battle of Okehazama.

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Rekishi Kaido August Issue

 The August issue of Rekishi Kaido has been published and out for sale. The magazine's main topic is the mystery about the Honnoji and Nobunaga's retainers. This has to do with the recent Toyotomi Kyodai Honnoji episode.

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What Happened To Oichi After Nagamasa's Death

 Here is an interesting short video by historian Owada Tetsuo discussing Nobunaga's sister Oichi. In 1573, Nobunaga attacked and destroyed Odani Castle. Azai Nagamasa was killed and what happened to Oichi and her children. According to Owada Tetsuo Oichi did not return to Gifu, he is correct on this matter. Owada Tetsuo states that Oichi returned to Nobunaga's younger brother, Oda Nobukane's (1543-1614) Ueno Castle which was located in Ise (modern day Mie Prefecture, Tsu City). However, Owada might be wrong in my opinion. There is evidence that Oichi and her children eventually returned to Owari and stayed with Nobunaga's uncle Oda Nobutsugu(died in 1574) Moriyama Castle. When Oda Nobutsugu was killed in action fighting Ise Nagashima Ikko Ikki in 1574, Oichi and her children returned to Gifu Castle. There is a document by the  name of Keishin-in bun that has information on this subject. However, how reliable, I do not know. My opinion, is Oichi and her children after Azai Nagamasa death, returned to Moriyama Castle in Owari.

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Fort Tatsugahana

 Just before the Battle of Anegawa 1570, Nobunaga set up camp at Fort Tatsugahana. The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 147) "On the 24th, as his forces closed on this castle from all four sides, Lord Nobunaga pitched camp at Tatsugahana. Lord Ieyasu also took the field. He put up camp at the same place." 

As for the month, Sixth Month 24th day. A few days later, the Battle of Anegawa began. Nobunaga would later move his camp slightly northwest, south of Anegawa.

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Toyotomi Kyodai Honnoji

 Here is the upcoming Toyotomi Kyodai Honnoji episode. It looks good, but the best Honnoji scene is from the movie The Legend & Butterfly with Takuya Kimura as Nobunaga. As for reading material in English Brandon C. Schindwolf's Toki wa Ima is highly recommended. As for Akechi Mitsuhide, he was nothing more than a disgruntled employee in my opinion.

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Nobunaga and Nohime Tanabata

 Today is Tanabata Day and here is a card that celebrates it the Nobunaga way. Nobunaga's name is on the right and Nohime's name is on the left. Gifu Castle is written in the middle.

At the moment, I am rereading Fumio Watanabe's Okehazama Kassen no Shinso. It is a great book with a different opinion regarding to the Battle of Okehazama. I plan to write a full report in the near future.

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Nobunaga's Turning Point

 Here is an interesting video short by historian Kaku Kozo. He explains Nobunaga's turning point was his defeat at the Battle of Kanegasaki 1570. Nobunaga was lucky to escape. The betrayal of Azai Nagamasa shook Nobunaga in my opinion. While the Azakura were strong enough to hold their Echizen domain, they were never a threat to become a national power. The Azai on the other hand, controlled Omi and that was the gateway to Kyoto. It was a matter of time that Nobunaga battled it out with the Azai and Asakura at Anegawa 1570. Nobunaga did have help from Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was only a couple of years later Ieyasu's turning point happened at the Battle of Mikatagahara against the Takeda.

I have visited the Anegawa battlefield, but it was decades ago.

As for the Battle of Kanegasaki, see The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (pp. 142-43) Anegawa (pp. 147-48).

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2026 Nobunaga Gion Matsuri Post

 As always, I will post Nobunaga's participation in the Gion Matsuri. He seemed to loved festivals in general. One must remember Nobunaga and Nohime enjoyed the Tsushima Tenno Matsuri decades earlier. The photo above is from the 1870s. Nobunaga's participation was in 1578.

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga (p. 286) " Tiger, Sixth Month, 14th day: Nobunaga watched the Gion Festival. He had told his horse guards and pages that there was no need for bows, spears, halberds, or other hand weapons, so they carried none. After viewing the festival, he gave leave to his live guards and went hawking straight away with about ten pages."

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