If a survey asking "Who is your favorite historical figure?" were conducted in Japan, Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) would likely be one of the top contenders. He was a samurai warlord who played a prominent role during Japan's Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods. Even today, Nobunaga remains a charismatic figure. He frequently appears as a compelling character in movies, TV dramas, and historical novels. His presence extends to popular manga series, where he continues to captivate audiences. In this article, we delve into the life of this unparalleled icon of Japanese history, exploring his achievements, personality, family crest, and famous quotes.
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The Life of Oda Nobunaga: His Youth, Achievements, and Final Days
Oda Nobunaga was born nearly 500 years ago, in 1534, in Owari Province (modern-day Aichi Prefecture) as the son of Oda Nobuhide. His life, which ended in 1582, can be divided into three key stages: Youth, Achievements in Life, and Final Days.
Nobunaga's Youth: Why He Was Called a "Fool"
Stories of Nobunaga’s younger years are preserved in Shinchō-kōki, a historical account written by Ota Gyuichi, a vassal who served Nobunaga closely. According to this source, young Nobunaga had a penchant for unusual clothing and exhibited what could be described as “unbecoming behavior,” as illustrated by the following passage (pages 56–58):
When passing through the streets, he would eat chestnuts and persimmons without hesitation, even biting into gourds. He would stand in the middle of the town eating rice cakes, lean on others, and cling to their shoulders as he walked. In those days, when society valued proper etiquette, people had no choice but to call him a 'fool.' (Shinchō-kōki: A Primary Historical Source of the Sengoku Warlord by Hirohiro Wada, Chuokoron-Shinsha, 2018)
It’s clear that Nobunaga’s bold and unrestrained behavior stood out, especially in a time when strict decorum was expected. Considering this, it’s no surprise that onlookers labeled him as a "fool."
Nobunaga’s Major Achievements: The Battle of Okehazama, The Overthrow of the Muromachi Shogunate, and The Battle of Nagashino
After the death of his father, Nobuhide, in 1552, Nobunaga succeeded as head of the Oda clan. In 1560, Imagawa Yoshimoto, a powerful warlord ruling Suruga (present-day Shizuoka Prefecture), Totomi (also Shizuoka), and Mikawa (Aichi Prefecture), launched an invasion into Owari Province. Nobunaga’s forces, though outnumbered, ambushed the Imagawa army, which was resting on a small hill called Mount Okehazama. The Oda forces successfully struck down Yoshimoto and took his head. This decisive victory on May 19, 1560, known as the Battle of Okehazama, catapulted Nobunaga’s name into nationwide prominence.
In 1568, Nobunaga accompanied Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Kyoto. Yoshiaki was a member of the Ashikaga family, which had produced the 12th and 13th Shoguns of the Muromachi Shogunate. Dissatisfied with his cousin Yoshihide becoming the 14th Shogun, Yoshiaki sought support from powerful daimyo to claim the position for himself. With Nobunaga's backing, Yoshiaki became the 15th Shogun, but Nobunaga effectively wielded real political power through the Shogunate. In 1573, after defeating Yoshiaki in battle, Nobunaga ousted him from Kyoto, effectively ending the Muromachi Shogunate.
In 1575, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who would later establish the Edo Shogunate, sought Nobunaga’s help when one of his castles came under siege. Nobunaga responded by employing an innovative strategy: he constructed triple fortifications and divided his firearm troops into three groups, creating a three-line volley firing system. This tactic decisively defeated the enemy cavalry forces in what became known as the Battle of Nagashino.
*This section is primarily based on pages 22–25 of Oda Nobunaga: A Warlord Who Raced Through the Sengoku Era (Minerva Japanese Historical Biography Series), supervised by Tetsuo Owada, written by Keisuke Nishimoto, and illustrated by Katsuya Hirose, Minerva Shobo, 2010.
Nobunaga’s Final Days: The Incident at Honnoji
Despite his unstoppable rise, Nobunaga’s remarkable life came to an abrupt end when he was forced to take his own life. This event is known as the "Incident at Honnoji."
In 1582, Nobunaga was en route to Bitchu Province (present-day Okayama Prefecture) to attack the Mori clan, who controlled the Chugoku region. On his way, he stopped at Honnoji Temple in Kyoto. However, he was betrayed by one of his retainers, Akechi Mitsuhide, and compelled to end his life there (Oda Nobunaga: A Warlord Who Raced Through the Sengoku Era, p. 25). The exact reason for Mitsuhide’s betrayal remains shrouded in mystery, described as one of "the greatest mysteries in Japanese history" (Akechi Mitsuhide and the Incident at Honnoji, Daimon Watanabe, Chikuma Shobo, 2019, p. 7).
As the term "mystery" suggests, Mitsuhide and the "Incident at Honnoji" have long been topics of debate among historians. While this article will not delve further into this topic, those interested may want to explore books about the "Incident at Honnoji" available at libraries or bookstores.
What Happened After the Incident: The Chugoku Withdrawal and the Battle of Yamazaki
Although Mitsuhide successfully defeated Nobunaga in the "Incident at Honnoji," his subsequent path was anything but fortunate. At the time, one of Nobunaga’s key generals, Hashiba Hideyoshi (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi), was engaged in battle with the Mori clan. Upon learning of Nobunaga’s death, Hideyoshi quickly withdrew his forces from the Chugoku region and headed toward Kyoto in what became known as the "Chugoku Withdrawal."
Hideyoshi’s army clashed with Mitsuhide’s forces at Yamazaki (present-day Oyamazaki, Kyoto Prefecture) in what is known as the Battle of Yamazaki. Mitsuhide was defeated and fled, only to be killed by farmers during his retreat (Akechi Mitsuhide and the Incident at Honnoji, pp. 253–274). Nobunaga’s dream of unifying Japan was carried forward by Hideyoshi in the years that followed (Oda Nobunaga: A Warlord Who Raced Through the Sengoku Era, p. 25).
Nobunaga’s Character: Insights from Frois’ Records
Let’s return to Nobunaga himself. Descriptions of Nobunaga’s character have been preserved through the writings of Luís Fróis (1532–1597), a Jesuit missionary who had close ties with Nobunaga. Below is an excerpt from Fróis’ observations of Nobunaga, which provide a detailed account of his traits:
He was of average height, with a slender build, little facial hair, and a remarkably clear voice. He had a strong inclination toward warfare, diligently trained in military tactics, and possessed a deep sense of honor. He was strict in his pursuit of justice and did not forgive insults made against him. In certain matters, he showed kindness and compassion. His sleep was short, and he rose early. He was not greedy, kept his decisions secret, and was highly skilled in military strategy. He was often quick-tempered but not habitually so. He seldom, or almost never, heeded the advice of his retainers and was held in great awe by all. He abstained from alcohol, was moderate in eating, and was extremely straightforward in dealing with others. He was proud of his views and looked down on all other lords of Japan, speaking to them as though they were his subordinates. People obeyed him as if he were an absolute monarch. (Recollections of Oda Nobunaga: From Frois' "History of Japan," edited and translated by Takaichi Matsuda and Momota Kawasaki, Chuo Koronsha, 1973, pp. 2–3).
Nobunaga’s image as an "absolute monarch" seems to resonate with how he is portrayed in modern films and TV dramas. However, some of the details about his life might come as a surprise. For instance, considering the audacity and boldness of his achievements, the fact that he had a slender physique and abstained from alcohol seems unexpected. Do these descriptions align with the image of Nobunaga you’ve imagined?
Family Crests Used by Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga is known to have used seven different family crests during his lifetime. Let’s briefly explore the origins of each crest:
Oda Mokko: Known as "the representative crest of the Oda family," this was given to Nobunaga’s father, Nobuhide, by his lord.
- Ageha-cho (Swallowtail Butterfly): A crest originally used by Taira no Kiyomori, symbolizing the Oda family’s claim of descent from the Taira clan.
- Go-san no Kiri (Paulownia with Five and Three Flowers): According to The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga, Nobunaga received this crest as a reward for supporting Ashikaga Yoshiaki in becoming the shogun when he marched to Kyoto.
- Maru-ni-Futatsu Hikiryo (Circle with Two Horizontal Stripes): A crest of the Ashikaga clan, given to Nobunaga by Yoshiaki. It was considered a "symbol of the Ashikaga family’s reverence and prosperity."
- Eiraku Tsuho Coin: Featuring the design of a coin that circulated from the Muromachi to early Edo periods, this crest was adopted by Nobunaga to signify his focus on a monetary economy. It was often used on Oda family banners.
- Muji (Character for 'Nothing'): Depicting the single character "Mu," it represents a state of being free from worldly desires or distractions.
- Sixteen-Petal Chrysanthemum: An honorable crest granted to Nobunaga by Emperor Ogimachi.
Oda Nobunaga’s Famous Words
Among the quotes attributed to Oda Nobunaga, one particularly well-known phrase often comes to mind:
Life lasts but fifty years. Compared to the realm of heaven, it is nothing but a fleeting dream or illusion. No one lives forever once born. (Kazutoshi Hando, Famous Words of Japanese History, Heibonsha, 2010, p. 120).
This reflects the idea that human life, at most fifty years, is ephemeral like a dream or illusion, especially when compared to the celestial realm. Death is inevitable for all who are born. Interestingly, this quote originates from Atsumori, a Kohwakamai performance (a genre of performing arts focusing on samurai tales). Nobunaga is said to have performed Atsumori the night before the Battle of Okehazama, just before heading into battle (Oda Nobunaga: A Warlord Who Raced Through the Sengoku Era, pp. 23, 31).
Tourist Spots Related to Oda Nobunaga in Japan
So far, we’ve explored various aspects of Oda Nobunaga’s life, including his achievements and personality. To conclude, here are two destinations linked to Nobunaga that you can visit today. If this article has sparked your interest in Nobunaga, why not walk in his footsteps and experience these historical sites for yourself?onality. Finally, I would like to introduce two places related to the city that can be visited today. If you are interested in Nobunaga after reading this article, or if you want to step on the land associated with Nobunaga with your own feet, you can definitely trace Nobunaga's life there.
Azuchi Castle (Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture)
The first spot to introduce is Azuchi Castle, a fortress built by Nobunaga. Although the castle structure itself no longer exists, there is a museum in the area dedicated to the history and legacy of Azuchi Castle.
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Honnoji Temple (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)
Another place tied to Nobunaga is Honnoji Temple, where he met his end. However, the current location of Honnoji Temple is different from where the Incident at Honnoji actually occurred. A monument now marks the original site of the incident.
At the present-day Honnoji Temple, you’ll find various treasures once owned by Nobunaga, including tea ceremony utensils, letters, and a unique bronze incense burner called "Three-Legged Frog," said to have warned Nobunaga of danger. The temple also houses the Taihinden Treasure Museum, and visitors can receive charms featuring the "Oda Mokko" family crest.
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