The Birth of the Overlord

In summary, Oda Nobuhide quickly distinguished himself among the three administrators through his keen political acumen, formidable combat abilities, and strong economic backing, suppressing his peers within the family. His power even surpassed that of the head of the household, earning him the title "The Tiger of Owari"

Oda Nobuhide's base was at Kachihata Castle, and thus his faction is referred to as the "Kachihata Oda clan." The founder of the Kachihata Oda clan is undoubtedly Nobuhide's father, Oda Nobusada, making Nobuhide the second generation. This second-generation leader continuously expanded his territory, ultimately controlling half of Owari Province. In terms of Nobuhide's personal status, he was merely a vassal under the Shiba clan, serving as the deputy guardian of the lower four districts of Owari, so it is not an exaggeration to describe him as a newly wealthy individual.

It is said that in the 20th year of the Tianwen era (1542), Xinxiu donated 4,000 guan of money to assist in the repair of the long-abandoned imperial palace. This is an astronomical figure; at that time, many great lords offered wealth to the royal family in hopes of obtaining official positions or enhancing their own prestige, yet no one had ever contributed such a substantial amount, which illustrates the extent of Xinxiu's wealth

The words of this monk are quite perplexing; however, a book titled "Wugong Yehua," which records the achievements of the Kono family from the province of Owari, contains even more astonishing accounts. It is said that Nobuhide actually passed away two years earlier, in the 18th year of the Tenmon era (1549), and his last wishes were to keep his death a secret. If this is indeed the case, then Nobunaga's apparent lack of sorrow over his father's death, coupled with his expression of dissatisfaction towards the funeral through the act of scattering incense, becomes quite understandable.

The Tiger of Owari

Since the Matsudaira family cannot be annexed, one must confront the formidable pressure from the Imagawa clan of the Eastern Jun River, while also dealing with the cunning "Viper" from the north. The "Tiger of Owari," Oda Nobuhide, who has passed his fortieth year, finally feels overwhelmed. At this moment, Hirate Masahide proposed a brilliant strategy, suggesting the use of marital ties to achieve harmony with Saito Dosan.

One day, Imagawa Yoshimoto sent an invitation to Oda Nobuhide to attend a grand renga gathering held at Nagoyajo Castle. Nobuhide readily accepted the invitation, not only attending in person but also bringing a large number of spies with him, who set fire and caused chaos during the most lively moments of the renga gathering. Thus, Imagawa Yoshimoto fled in disarray from Nagoyajo, and Nobuhide occupied the castle, relocating from Kabuto Castle and establishing it as his main stronghold.

The young lord has already acquired the ability to engage in battle, indicating that the family line can continue and that the vassals will not lack for an object of loyalty, which was quite an encouraging matter at the time. Unfortunately, Nobunaga remained unchanged after the war, showing no restraint in his youthful antics. It is said that he often wore a yukata (a simple kimono), exposing his upper body, with pouches of money, gourds, flint bags, and other small items hanging from his waist, riding around on horseback for leisure—although after he became famous, many speculated, perhaps wishfully, that he was surveying the terrain of his domain and understanding the customs and sentiments of the various villages, it was perhaps too much to expect of a child in his teens.

The Rise of the Oda Clan

To the north of Owari Province lies Mino Province. The southern part of Mino and a large portion of Owari are renowned grain-producing areas known as the "Nobi Plain." This region enjoys a mild climate and fertile land, and being close to the sea, it benefits from marine salt, fish, and shrimp, making it a very prosperous area. Furthermore, the estate economy within Owari has long been fundamentally disrupted, with small-scale farming being quite common. This has laid a solid social foundation for the rulers of the province to expedite the process of unifying their territory.

The year Matsudaira Kiyoyasu passed away, his son and heir Matsudaira Hirotada was only seven years old, leading to great turmoil within the family. Oda Nobuhide seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack into the western Mikawa region, and the Matsudaira clan faced near annihilation. Matsudaira Hirotada was protected by his retainers as he escaped from Okazaki Castle, wandering for several years before returning to his homeland in his teens to restore order. To fend off Oda Nobuhide's fierce assaults, he was compelled to seek assistance from the Imagawa clan to the east.

The court became a puppet, the shogunate was rendered powerless, many protectors were overthrown by those they protected, and the protectors themselves could also be toppled by the people of the nation. The land was rife with uprisings—this is the fundamental aspect of the "gekokujo" during Japan's Warring States period

It is said that the child, Jifa, was extraordinary from the moment he was born. His temperament was extremely irritable, and even while still in swaddling clothes, he exhibited a troublesome and domineering attitude, having bitten the nurse's nipple multiple times, which forced Xinxiu to frequently change nurses. However, as the heir to a powerful warlord during the Warring States period, he was accustomed to having his way at home, and it is easy for such a personality to become arrogant and violent. This is likely a result of his upbringing rather than an inherent tendency to trouble others from birth.

However, the province of Owari was not entirely under the control of the two guardians of the Oda clan. After years of warfare, many territories were occupied by other powerful daimyōs. For instance, a portion of Kasugai District was held by the Imagawa clan from Suruga Province. Suruga Province is also located along the Tōkaidō, with Mikawa Province to the east of Owari, and to the east of Mikawa lies Tōtōmi Province, followed further east by Suruga Province. Imagawa Ujichika was a formidable figure; he not only annexed Tōtōmi Province but also extended his influence into Mikawa and Owari. Within the territories of Owari, Ujichika constructed a fortress named Nagoya (in present-day Nagoya City) as a stronghold for his westward incursions.

In order to protect his son's life, Oda Nobuhide, in a state of utter helplessness, had no choice but to send Takechiyo to Sunpu. As a result, the Mikawa Matsudaira clan was completely absorbed by the Imagawa clan

In the Owari region, the power of various strong families intertwined intricately. It is unclear how it came to be, but Oda Nobusada acquired a piece of land in Kaisei County, where he built a fortress named "Shobata Castle." The so-called "castles" of Japan's Warring States period were mostly fortresses, generally constructed on mountains, surrounded by bamboo and wooden palisades, with moats dug outside and numerous arrow towers erected inside. Their military significance far outweighed their political and economic importance. This small Shobata Castle later became the foundation for his son Oda Nobuhide's rise to prominence.

In terms of the size of territory and the number of troops, Oda was fundamentally not a match for Imagawa. Moreover, the pressure from the northern Mino province's Saito clan was increasing, which constrained part of the military forces. Additionally, the overall commander of the Imagawa forces, Taiyuan Yuki, was a formidable figure known for his intelligence and strategy. After fierce battles, the Oda army initially achieved victory but ultimately suffered a complete rout. Nobuhide fled back to Kodo Castle, leaving only his eldest son Nobuhiro to defend Anshō Castle, serving as a steadfast nail still embedded in the western Mikawa region.

Four years after the Battle of Azukizaka, Oda Nobunaga held his coming-of-age ceremony. Although he was only thirteen years old, according to the customs of the time, a samurai's son who underwent this ceremony was considered an adult, capable of going into battle and bearing the responsibilities of his family and clan. Indeed, the following year (1547), Nobunaga received his first opportunity to lead troops into battle

Returning to discuss the founder of the Oda clan in Owari, Oda Nobuhira, it was common for many nobles and samurai to take refuge in Buddhism in their old age, a practice known as "entering the priesthood." Nobuhira was no exception, and thus he was also referred to as "Nyudo Shoson." However, this entering the priesthood did not mean truly becoming a monk; although they shaved their heads, donned robes, and recited scriptures, they generally practiced at home while still retaining worldly power.

Matsudaira Takechiyo later became Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Shogunate. It is said that Nobunaga was quite friendly towards this hostage who was eight years his junior, often taking him along on outings, playing together, and teaching him horseback riding and swimming. However, whether this childhood friendship directly influenced their unbreakable alliance in later years is a matter of much debate and differing opinions.

The delivery of hostages between prominent families, rather than an exchange, does not constitute an equal diplomatic measure; rather, it equates to acknowledging the other party's control and mobilization rights over oneself, thereby designating the other party as one's suzerain. Although the son was still young and this was a humiliating pact, Matsudaira Hirotada, left with no other options, had no choice but to agree. Consequently, he dispatched twenty-eight retainers to escort Takechiyo from his castle in Okazaki, landing at Otsu (now Toyohashi City) via sea route, and prepared for the local noble, Honda Yasunari, the lord of Tahara Castle, to convey him to Imagawa Yoshimoto's main castle, Sunpu.

Nobunaga was the second son of Nobuhide, but he was born of the legitimate wife, Lady Tsuchida, making him the legitimate eldest son. The joy his birth brought to his father, Nobuhide, was beyond words. Shortly before Nobunaga's birth, Nobuhide decided to construct a new castle 3.6 kilometers south of Koya, naming it Koyato (now the southeastern area of Nagoya). After the completion of Koyato Castle, Nobuhide moved there, establishing it as his main castle, while he gave Koya Castle to this infant still in swaddling clothes. This infant was given the childhood name Yoshiharu.

Oda Nobuhide had a total of five brothers, namely Jiro Nobukatsu, San Saburo Nobumitsu, Shi Saburo Nobunari, San Juro Nobunari, and Sōbuto Nobumasa, among whom the first two were valiant generals experienced in battle. Upon hearing the news of the Imagawa and Matsudaira allied forces advancing, Nobuhide did not dare to be negligent in the slightest. He urgently ordered his second brother, Nobukatsu, to take the lead as the vanguard, advancing east from Anshō Castle in Nishimikawa. The two armies engaged in a decisive battle at a place called Koazusaka.

In the same year, Matsudaira Hirotada was assassinated by his retainer Iwamatsu Hachiya at the young age of twenty-four. Imagawa Yoshimoto's strategist, Taihara Yuki, acted swiftly; before the retainers of the Matsudaira clan could decide whether to shift their allegiance due to the young lord being in the Oda clan's hands, he had already dispatched Asahina Yasunobu and others to take control of the Matsudaira's main castle in Okazaki. Shortly thereafter, Yuki also captured Anjō Castle, took Oda Nobuhira prisoner, and proposed to exchange him for Matsudaira Takechiyo.

The Warring States period was an era marked by various warlords of differing origins—some controlling merely a few villages, while others ruled entire states or even multiple states—engaged in relentless conflict with one another. In such chaotic times, the common people and certain citizens found it increasingly difficult to survive, leading to uprisings and widespread disturbances known as "ikkis." Originally, the term "ikki" referred to groups united in their efforts to resist their lords for a common goal, but it later became synonymous with rebellion.

Firstly, the Emperor and the court had long since become puppets, and even the shogun of the Muromachi shogunate could no longer command the realm. During the Muromachi period, the shogunate stationed governors in various provinces, akin to the prefectural governors of the Qin and Han dynasties in our country, or the circuit inspectors of the Tang and Song dynasties. However, there was one notable difference: these governors were often able to inherit their positions, and many prominent families controlled the governorships of several provinces or even dozens of provinces. In such circumstances, they would naturally begin to carve out their own territories, disregarding the central shogunate.

The rise of Oda Nobunaga during the chaotic times was not a mere coincidence; he indeed possessed a nearly perfect stronghold that others lacked

Oda Nyudo Masamitsu was a retainer of Shiba Yoshinori. Since Yoshinori was a high-ranking official of the shogunate and could not leave Kyoto, he appointed Masamitsu as the deputy shugo of Owari Province. However, it appeared that Masamitsu was quite favored, as Yoshinori frequently summoned him to Kyoto to discuss matters. Eventually, Masamitsu decided to stay in Kyoto and not return to Owari, delegating the affairs of Owari Province to his younger brother, Nyudo Masatake. Subsequently, the Oda family split into two branches, namely the descendants of Masamitsu and those of Masatake, each governing half of Owari Province.

At this time, Masahide Hirate was already fifty-seven years old. He was a trusted old minister of Oda Nobuhide, having made significant contributions in diplomacy and communication with the Kyoto court. Therefore, Nobuhide appointed him as a senior advisor (the most senior advisor is referred to as a "sukko") and even made him the mentor of Nobunaga. Masahide proposed that Nobunaga marry the daughter of Saito Dosan, Lady Kichō. His reasoning for this plan was twofold: on one hand, it was for the benefit of the Oda clan in Owari, and on the other hand, it was for Nobunaga himself. He understood that Nobunaga's prestige was quite low, and that both minor officials and powerful clans within the territory supported his younger brother, Nobuyuki. If Nobunaga could ally himself with the powerful Saito clan of Mino, it would help secure his position as the heir.

Japan has experienced three shogunates in total: the Kamakura Shogunate, the Muromachi Shogunate, and the Edo Shogunate. The names of these three shogunates are derived from the locations of their governing institutions. The Warring States period began in the mid to late stages of the second shogunate—the Muromachi Shogunate—and ultimately ended with the establishment of the Edo Shogunate. The Edo Shogunate, also known as the Tokugawa Shogunate, was founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu, a loyal ally of Oda Nobunaga.

The "Great Fool" Inherits the Family Business

Folklore should not be taken at face value; the idea of an oil seller being proficient in martial arts is itself a joke. It is now widely believed that the three books of the Way of the Sword originated from a ronin in the Omi Province (present-day Shiga Prefecture)

Owari Province is divided into eight districts. After entering the Warring States period, the southern four districts (Kaido, Kaishi, Aichi, and Chida) were governed by the Oda clan of the Shōsō family, who served under the rule of the Shiba clan, with the main castle located in Kiyosu (also known as Kiyosu). The northern four districts (Daniwa, Yaguri, Nakajima, and Kasugai) were ruled by the Oda clan of the Jōtake family, with the main castle established in Iwakura

The reason Oda Nobutomo dared to rise in rebellion amidst the chaos was entirely due to the instigation of his chief retainer, Sakai Daizen. In reality, even if he were to defeat Nobuhide, the rule over the lower four counties would not fall into Nobutomo's hands; Sakai Daizen would become a second Oda Nobuhide. Upon hearing of the troubles in the rear, Nobuhide was greatly alarmed and hurriedly led his remaining troops back to the main castle at Kodato. Thanks to the advice of his chief retainer, Hirate Masahide, they managed to reach a peace agreement by offering Sakai Daizen a small concession through negotiation, which persuaded him to withdraw his troops.

However, the daimyōs that transformed from the shugo only constituted a small portion of the dominant powers during the Sengoku period. Many shugo daimyōs were defeated and eliminated amidst the chaos of war, but why was this the case? The reason lies in the fact that many shugo daimyōs, in order to participate in the governance of the shogunate, did not reside in their own territories but lived near Kyoto. The affairs of their specific territories were entrusted to their "vassals" (subordinate officials) or local powerful clans known as "kokujin". These individuals held the official title of "shugo-dai", meaning deputy shugo. As a result, many shugo-dai expanded their influence, gradually usurping the governing power from the shugo daimyōs and evolving into daimyōs of the Sengoku period

As we continue our discussion, we draw closer to the topic. Oda Nobunaga's father was named Oda Nobuhide, who belonged to the Chōtake lineage, specifically as a member of the guardian family of the Kamishihon district. The genealogies of the Oda clan have various versions throughout history, many of which contain peculiarities and contradictions. We will introduce it according to a more traditional account: the grandson of Chōtake was Oda Toshisada, who had three sons: Toshinobu, Nobusada, and Nobuyasu. Both Toshinobu and Nobuyasu served as the head of the guardian family of the Kamishihon district in succession, while Nobusada was granted land in the Inuyama area of the Dainichi district.

However, this young new lord still presented himself as a barbaric fool. It is said that he even arrived late to his father's funeral, prompting the high officials to discuss, "Since he is the son of the former lord, why not let Lord Nobuhide preside over the funeral?" Just as Lord Nobuhide, dressed in mourning attire and with a sorrowful expression, was about to take action, Nobunaga suddenly appeared at the temple entrance. He was still bare-chested, with various small items hanging from his waist, and a knife hilt casually tied with hemp rope and inserted into his sash. He strode forward with a blank expression, approached his father's spirit, tossed a handful of incense casually, and then turned to leave.

In Shinshu's view, it is quite common for boys to have a mischievous personality. Compared to a lively and active child who gets into fights everywhere, those pale-faced children who are incapable of even tying a chicken are far more concerning. The son of a warrior, being able to fight as a child, will naturally be able to engage in battle as he grows up, so there is nothing to worry about. Moreover, replacing the elder with the younger and changing the heir is often the root cause of family division and internal strife; unless absolutely necessary, such a drastic measure should not be taken.

The Birth of Nobunaga

At that time, Oda Nobuhide and Imagawa Yoshimoto were engaged in a fierce tug-of-war in the Nishimikawa region. Nobuhide dispatched Nobunaga to attack the Imagawa stronghold at Kira Ōhama. Nobunaga, as the supreme commander, set out from Nagoya Castle with several hundred men, including his mentor Hirate Masahide, advancing to Kira Ōhama. After setting a few fires, he returned safely. Although it was a relatively easy task, there were no mistakes whatsoever, especially as Nobunaga, wearing a red headband and clad in armor and a battle coat, moved with such grace that his retainers were moved to tears—this was precisely the effect that Nobuhide had hoped to achieve.

It is said that Toki Yoriie, in a state of despair and anxiety, fled from Mino Province and sought refuge under the banner of Oda Nobuhide in Owari. Nobuhide, who had long coveted the wealth of Mino, was overjoyed to have a righteous cause and immediately mobilized his forces under the pretext of assisting Yoriie in restoring his domain, launching an attack on Mino. Saito Dosan, known for his cunning and referred to as the "Viper," was also an excellent tactical commander, personally leading his troops into battle, resulting in a series of victories and defeats for both sides.

Beginning with the "Onin and Bunmei Wars" in the mid-15th century, which erupted in 1467 and concluded in 1477, driven by the power struggle for the shogunate succession between the Hosokawa and Yamana clans, Japan entered an unprecedentedly brutal and chaotic "Warring States Period." Countless heroes and warriors emerged, and numerous factions rose and fell. Limited by traditional concepts and geographical conditions, various powerful figures, such as the widely revered "Dragon of Echigo" Uesugi Kenshin, the "Tiger of Kai" Takeda Shingen, and the "Strategist of Setouchi" Mōri Motonari, devoted their entire lives to seeking an ideal land amidst the chaos. Ultimately, the miraculous burden of unifying all of Japan fell upon the shoulders of a minor lord from the shallow foundations of Owari Province (present-day western Aichi Prefecture) — he was Oda Nobunaga

Why is it said that he is fighting on two fronts? Because in addition to advancing eastward to attack the Western Sanhe, starting from the 13th year of Tenmon (1544), he also engaged in conflict with the Saito clan of Mino Province in the north—here we must address the third formidable enemy of Nobuhide, the lord of Mino Province, Saito Dosan

The Imagawa clan held a great affection for their youngest son, Ujifuyu, and bestowed upon him the title of lord of the ancient Koyano Castle. This Ujifuyu was a frivolous youth, lacking any talent for governance, but he had one notable quality: a deep passion for poetry and the arts. Upon hearing of this, Oda Nobuhide, seeking to cater to his interests, pretended to engage in poetry as well. When the news reached Ujifuyu, he was taken aback: "I had thought that Lord Oda, the military man, was merely a warrior, but I did not expect him to possess such elegance. Next time, I should invite him for a proper exchange of ideas."

By the way, regarding the so-called "Yamato no Kami" and "Ise no Kami". Yamato and Ise are both ancient names of provinces in Japan; however, the term "Kami" that follows does not refer to guardianship, but rather to a court title known as "Kokushi" or provincial governor. Since the court has lost its power, the position of Kokushi has become merely a nominal title. Samurai often employed various methods to obtain court titles to display their authority, yet they held no actual power. The titles "Yamato no Kami" and "Ise no Kami" do not have any jurisdiction over Yamato and Ise, and the same nominal title could be held by several individuals simultaneously.

Before and after Nobunaga Oda's coming of age ceremony, Nobuhide had already occupied half of the Owari Province, including all of the Kaidō and Kaisei districts, as well as parts of Nakajima, Kasugai, Aichi, and Chita districts. The influence of the guardians in the upper four districts had weakened and was no longer a threat, while the guardians in the lower four districts could only remain in Kiyosu Castle as puppets of Nobuhide

This year is the 18th year of the Tenbun era (1549), Nobunaga is 16 years old, and Chikuhime is only 14 years old

The protector of Mino Province was originally the Toki clan, but in recent years, real power has been usurped by a mysterious figure. This individual is shrouded in legend; it is said that he originally came from humble beginnings as an oil seller. Due to his exceptional skill in wielding a spear, he was taken in as a retainer by the Nagai clan, which is related to the Saito clan, the protectors of Mino. After years of relentless effort, he first usurped the Nagai clan and then the Saito clan, changing his name to Saito Hidetatsu and later becoming a monk known as Nyudo Dosan. Like almost all powerful protectors, Saito Dosan ultimately expelled the protector Toki Yoriie and seized control of the entire Mino Province.

Before discussing the achievements of Oda Nobunaga, we must first address the broader context of Japan at that time. The nominal rulers, the Emperor and the nobles who formed the court, had long been completely sidelined. Since the mid-12th century, power had shifted into the hands of the samurai class. This samurai class also had a nominal overlord, known as the shogun. The term "shogun" refers to the "Seii Taishogun," a title granted by the Emperor that could be inherited. The governing body established by the shogun is called the "bakufu"—the term "bakufu" originally comes from China and was directly adopted by the Japanese.

The intermittent warfare continued until the sixteenth year of Tenmon (1547). Oda Nobuhide launched an attack on Mino, reaching the base of the Saito clan's main castle, Inabayama, but was immediately met with a powerful counterattack, resulting in the complete collapse of his army. Upon receiving the news of the defeat, Oda Nobutomo, the guardian of the lower four provinces and lord of Kiyosu Castle, could no longer remain idle and boldly raised an army to attack Nobuhide's territory, seeking to restore the former glory of his family

The Bitter Struggle of Nobuhide

Oda Nobuhide's second formidable adversary thus emerged, namely Imagawa Yoshimoto, the head of the Imagawa clan from Suruga Province, known as the "Greatest Warrior of the Tōkaidō". He is also the son of Imagawa Ujichika, whom we previously mentioned, and the unfortunate elder brother of Imagawa Yoshitomo. Imagawa Yoshimoto had long harbored ambitions to annex Mikawa and Owari, and upon seeing the delectable opportunity presented to him, he was naturally elated. He immediately raised the banner of restoring the Matsudaira clan and dispatched a large army westward into Mikawa. In the eleventh year of Tenbun (1542), the famous Battle of Azukizaka erupted, at which time Oda Nobunaga was merely nine years old

The Oda family thus arrived in Owari Province

Nobunaga was not the first son of Oda Nobuhide; he had an older brother named Oda Nobuhiro, sharing the same name as their ancestor, Nyudo Shosho. While this may seem incredible to the Chinese, it is quite common in Japan. However, Oda Nobuhiro was born of a concubine and was a illegitimate child, thus he had to be placed behind the legitimate son in the line of succession

However, Oda Nobuhide strangely did not serve under his own family's guardian house of the Upper Four Provinces. Instead, he went to serve under the distant relative of the Lower Four Provinces' guardian house, becoming one of the three administrators under Oda Yamato no Kami Hironobu, the lord of Kiyosu Castle. The term "administrator" refers to a civil officer, and among the three administrators in the Hironobu household, all were relatives of the same clan. Besides Oda Nobuhide, there was Oda Inaba no Kami and Oda Tōzaemon.

In the sixteenth year of the Tenmon era (1547), which was the fifth year after the Battle of Azukizaka and the year of Oda Nobunaga's first campaign, his father Nobuhide prepared troops to attack Okazaki Castle, aiming to annihilate the Matsudaira clan in one fell swoop. Matsudaira Hirotada was forced to seek aid from Suruga once again; however, this time Imagawa Yoshimoto was unwilling to send troops unconditionally. Upon hearing that Hirotada's son, Takechiyo, was already six years old, he demanded that the child be sent to Suruga as a hostage.

Regardless of the true circumstances, it is said that following this incident, most of the high-ranking officials rallied under the banner of Oda Nobuyuki, waiting for the opportunity to depose Nobunaga and support Nobuyuki's ascension. Meanwhile, the guardian Oda Nobutomo, incited by Sakai Daizen, once again conspired to expand his influence. Hirate Masahide struggled to maintain the situation for Nobunaga, but the great fool showed no signs of repentance, and he could no longer endure. In the leap month of the 22nd year of Tenbun (1553), Masahide committed seppuku at his residence, leaving behind a lengthy admonition, advising against wearing strange attire and emphasizing the necessity of patiently listening to the opinions of his retainers, almost pointing out all of Nobunaga's mistakes

Japanese names are generally divided into three categories: childhood names, formal names, and common names. Childhood names, also known as "yōmyō," refer to names used in early life, while common names are those adopted after reaching adulthood, often based on one's official title if applicable. For instance, "Inaba no Kami" serves as a common name derived from an official title, whereas "Tōzaemon" is a middle name. The formal names of these two individuals have not been passed down and cannot be verified. On the other hand, Oda Nobuhide is referred to as Oda Danjō no Chū, or simply Danjō, due to having held the official title of "Danjō no Chū."

Furthermore, Oda Nobuhide immediately appointed four individuals—Hayashi Shingorō Hidesada (also known as Tsūshō), Hirate Naka no Jō Masahide, Aoyama Yosuke no Uemon, and Naitō Katsusuke—as the master and advisors to Yoshihōshi.

The death of Hirate Masahide, who had offered a heavy admonition, dealt a significant blow to Nobunaga. The last remaining supporter from the older generation of his family had also passed away, and in such an extraordinary manner... However, after shedding tears, Nobunaga continued to act according to his own will, seemingly disregarding Masahide's final counsel.

On the 12th day of the 5th month in the 3rd year of the Tenmon era (1534), the protagonist of this book, Oda Nobunaga, was born in the ancient Kōno Castle

However, Matsudaira Kiyoyasu ultimately could not seize the world, as he was mysteriously killed before reaching the age of thirty. In the fourth year of Tenbun (1535), which was the second year after the birth of Oda Nobunaga, Matsudaira Kiyoyasu personally led ten thousand troops into Owari Province to battle Oda Nobuhide, besieging Moriyama Castle. At that time, Kiyoyasu was at odds with his uncle Matsudaira Nobusada, and many of his retainers supported Nobusada, creating a tense atmosphere as if a storm was brewing. On the morning of December 5, Kiyoyasu summoned his retainer Abe Daizō Sadayoshi in the camp, but since Sadayoshi was part of Nobusada's faction, his son Yashichirō, feeling anxious and fearing unforeseen events, hid outside the camp with a sword, eavesdropping. It is said that Kiyoyasu ordered the capture of a rampaging warhorse, uttering the words "take it down." Yashichirō mistakenly believed this was an order to arrest his father, and thus suddenly rushed into the camp, striking Matsudaira Kiyoyasu with a sword—Kiyoyasu met his demise, and the entire army collapsed.

In order to assert the legitimacy of his regime, Oda Nobunaga later claimed descent from the Taira clan, which was originally of imperial lineage and later became one of the most noble samurai families in Japan. There is a popular saying that "the Genji and Taira clans alternately held power over the world." He also claimed descent from the Fujiwara clan, the most prestigious clan of Shinto priests in ancient Japan, which had held high offices such as the Chancellor (Daijō-daijin) since the latter half of the 9th century. However, it is now widely believed that the ancestors of the Oda clan were priests at the Oda Shrine in Oda Village, Niu District, Echizen Province (now the eastern part of Fukui Prefecture), and they became vassals of the Shiba clan, the guardians of Echizen, around the mid-Muromachi period. In the 7th year of the Eitoku era (1400), Shiba Yoshinobu, the guardian of Echizen, concurrently governed the province of Owari and appointed Oda Nobuhira as the deputy guardian of Owari.

Oda Nobuhide, who was forced to completely withdraw from the Sanhe Kingdom, felt a profound sorrow as if he had reached the end of his days. In March of the 20th year of Tenbun (1551), he finally succumbed, having exhausted all his resources, at the age of only 42. Because he did not designate another heir before his death, the 18-year-old Oda Nobunaga rightfully took over, becoming the new head of the Katsu Hata Oda clan.

Shengfan Castle is located in the southwestern part of Owari Province, in an area known as "Tsushima." Several rivers flow through the Tsushima region, draining southward into Ise Bay, making water transport highly developed. Oda Nobuhide became wealthy by developing commerce and collecting commercial taxes. In that era, wealth allowed one to recruit soldiers and procure provisions, and with wealth came power.

First Battle

However, at this moment, three formidable enemies of Oda Nobuhide began to emerge one after another. The first was Matsudaira Kiyoyasu, a powerful lord from Okazaki Castle in the Nishi-Mikawa region. Although he was still young, he was known for his fierce combat skills, and his retainers praised him, saying, "If he lives to the age of thirty, he will surely conquer the world." Matsudaira Kiyoyasu frequently advanced westward, attacking the Kasugai and Aichi districts of Owari Province. Oda Nobuhide faced him in battle and often suffered more defeats than victories, leaving him in a state of great trepidation.

"He is not only a fool, but also a madman!" The vassals were furious and debated among themselves. Only one monk from Kyushu nodded in agreement, saying, "This young man will surely achieve great things in the future"

Oda Nobuhide was very permissive towards Yoshiharu. Whether this was his intention to allow the child to develop freely, or if he placed too much trust in the teachings of individuals such as Hirate Masahide, remains unknown to anyone.

The precarious Matsudaira clan could collapse at any moment, and the best outcome would be to submit to another powerful force. This is something that every member of the Matsudaira family, including Hirotada, and the local lords under their command are well aware of. However, the question of whom to submit to—whether the Imagawa clan from the east or the Oda clan from the west—leaves everyone calculating their own interests. Toda Yasukatsu had long been in secret communication with Oda Nobuhide; he not only failed to escort Takechiyo to Sunpu as planned but instead abducted him to Owari. Thus, the six-year-old Matsudaira Takechiyo met the fourteen-year-old Oda Nobunaga at Koda Castle in Owari.

This event is historically referred to as the "Collapse of Shoushan"

Kōchō-hime, hailing from Mino, later came to be known as "Nōhime." It is said that she was an outstanding woman whose courage was unmatched by men. According to a legend, before her daughter’s marriage, Dōsan handed a short dagger to Nōhime, indicating that she should assassinate her husband Nobunaga when the time was right. Nōhime, however, smiled and replied to her father, "I will observe that big fool carefully; perhaps one day, I might end up plunging the dagger into my father's chest instead."

Oda Nobuhide suffered a setback once, yet remained oblivious to the lesson. In September of the same year he was defeated at the Battle of Adozaka, he once again invaded Mino Province, hoping to recover what he had lost. This time, he faced an even more disastrous defeat, with his second brother Nobukatsu also perishing in battle.

Aside from his irritable temperament, by the age of seven or eight, Jifa began to exhibit another aspect of his character that was equally unappealing. Firstly, he held a deep disdain for tradition and detested various constraints and regulations. This was likely due to his exposure to his father, Shinshu, who displayed a domineering attitude towards the nominally subordinate figures of the Edo guardian and the guardians of the lower four counties. Secondly, this child had a strong affinity for novelty; anything he had not seen or used before, he wished to seize and claim as his own. Moreover, even in terms of clothing and appearance, he often deliberately sought to distinguish himself from his peers.

Nobuhide approved this proposal, and the envoy went to Inabayama Castle to propose marriage, immediately receiving the consent of Saito Dosan, the lord of Yamashiro. Dosan had long heard of Nobunaga's name, a young man known as the "big fool of Owari". In Japanese, the term "fool" does not imply an idiot, but rather someone who is dissipated, unruly, and ineffective. Nobuhide would eventually die, and if a fool were to inherit the Oda family business, it might allow for the peaceful takeover of Owari. It was based on this dark calculation that Dosan sent his beloved daughter to Kono Castle.

Due to Yoshiharu's various behaviors, he displayed no awareness of being the heir to the lordship. Except for one of his masters, Masahide Hirate, his father Nobuhide, and a few retainers, nearly everyone in the family harbored a deep aversion towards this child. Even his mother, Lady Tsuchida, did not like him, but favored his younger brother, Nobuyuki. Oda Kanjurō Nobuyuki (also known as Nobukatsu), although a full brother born of the same mother, behaved in stark contrast to his elder brother. He was upright in character, intelligent, and courteous, earning the unanimous affection of everyone in the household. Lady Tsuchida and the retainers repeatedly advised Nobuhide to revoke Yoshiharu's right of succession and replace him with Nobuyuki, but Nobuhide consistently evaded the issue, neither firmly agreeing nor outright rejecting their suggestions.

At this moment, Nobuhide's situation is extremely perilous. The centralized rule of his nation has yet to be fully established, and many of the local lords under his command are merely submitting temporarily out of fear of his military might. This master-servant relationship is quite unstable. Should the daimyo suffer a defeat and his prestige diminish, these local lords may rise in rebellion, declaring independence or aligning themselves with other stronger or more promising forces. For many years, Nobuhide has been engaged in warfare on two fronts, yet has achieved little, and his rule is beginning to waver

The Oda army, having advanced long and hard, soon found themselves at a disadvantage due to exhaustion and began to retreat. The Imagawa and Matsudaira allied forces closely pursued them from behind. Fortunately, Nobuhide's third brother, Oda Nobumitsu, renowned for his martial prowess, and others took up the rear guard, shouting for a fierce battle. Not only did they repel the pursuing troops, but they also boosted the morale of their own side, turning the tide of the battle. Ultimately, the Imagawa and Matsudaira allied forces collapsed, and the majority of the Nishimikawa region came under the control of the Oda clan

The geographical location of Owari Province is of great importance. Centered around Kyoto, the surrounding areas are divided into five provinces, known as the "Five Capitals." To the east of the Five Capitals, there are three main routes: the Hokuriku Road to the north, the Chūō Road in the central region, and the Tōkaidō Road to the south. Among these, the Tōkaidō Road is the most convenient for transportation, and Owari Province is situated at the hub of the Tōkaidō Road.

In order to guard against Imagawa Yoshimoto's potential invasion of Owari, Nobuhide promptly relocated the main castle to the strategically significant Masu Mori Castle (also written as Masu Se Castle, located in the eastern part of present-day Nagoya), which is closer to the borders of Mikawa and Owari. The original Furuto Castle served as the economic center of eastern Owari and was an important relay point on the "Kamakura Highway," which connected the central city of the Kanto region, Kamakura, with Kyoto. Additionally, it was situated near coastal ports to the south. In contrast, Masu Mori Castle held only military significance.

The chaotic era of the lower overcoming the upper

During the tumultuous Warring States period, what was the situation like across Japan? When describing this era, the Japanese often use the term "gekokujo," which signifies a complete reversal of the ruling order, where those in lower positions rise up to overthrow their superiors, resulting in a chaotic state of affairs across the land

After obtaining Matsudaira Takechiyo, Oda Nobuhide originally believed he could use this as leverage to force Matsudaira Hirotada to surrender. However, Hirotada perhaps could not quell the resentment in his heart, or perhaps he retained the rare loyalty and righteousness in a time of chaos, and thus refused to open the city and surrender, still aligning himself with the Imagawa clan. Magoichi Imagawa was greatly moved, and in the following year (1548), in March, he appointed his strategist, Taihara Takafusa (Yukizai), as the supreme commander and launched a second large-scale military campaign into Nishimikawa, encountering the Oda forces again at Koazusaka.

After reaching adulthood, Nobuhide gave his son the name Sanrō Nobunaga, and from that point on, he was known as Oda Nobunaga. Shortly thereafter, Nobuhide also managed to secure for his son the title of Kamitsukasa no Suke by presenting gifts to the imperial court, which had lost its authority. The province of Kamitsukasa corresponds to the central part of present-day Chiba Prefecture, and the title of Kamitsukasa no Suke was traditionally granted only to princes, while nobles and samurai could only attain the position of Suke, which is an assistant to the provincial governor. Thus, he was generally referred to as Oda Kamitsukasa no Nobunaga.

Thus, Jihashi grew up amidst the hostile, dismissive, or contemptuous gazes from all directions. In the 15th year of Tenmon (1546), accompanied by several masters, he arrived at his father Nobuhide's main city, Gudo, where he held his coming-of-age ceremony. The so-called "coming-of-age ceremony" is a rite of passage for males, typically conducted at the age of twenty, during which a young man abandons his childhood name, adopts a middle name, and takes on a formal name, thereby officially leaving his family to enter society. However, during the Warring States period, due to frequent warfare, samurai children often had to go to battle at a young age, leading to the coming-of-age ceremony being held earlier than usual. That year, Jihashi was only twelve years old, which, according to Japanese customs of counting age, made him merely thirteen.

Oda Nobunaga fundamentally unified the central region of Japan, and his successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi ultimately brought an end to the Warring States period. His most steadfast ally, Tokugawa Ieyasu, restored Japan to a peaceful bakuhan system. Undoubtedly, the foundation of the endeavors of the latter two was laid by Nobunaga himself. Oda Nobunaga was fearless, contemptuous of authority, brutal and bloodthirsty, yet passionate about the arts. He was praised by later generations as a "revolutionary" and a "hero of the times," while detractors labeled him a "tyrant" and the "demon king of the sixth heaven." It is precisely this complexity and contradiction in his character and actions that propelled him to the forefront of history.

In ancient Japan, landowners were referred to as "meishu" because they needed to sign their names on land deeds. Large landowners with extensive land holdings were thus called "daimyō," a contraction of "daimeishu." The various regional protectors, who governed their territories, were naturally large landowners and were referred to as "shugo daimyō." However, the power of the shugo daimyō was not stable; within their territories, numerous estates existed, often owned by nobles, temples, or other samurai not under the control of the daimyō, who typically did not pay taxes to the shugo daimyō or only paid a portion of them. As the Sengoku period approached, the shugo daimyō gradually dismantled the power of these estates within their domains, consolidating all authority into their own hands, leading to a "unification of the domain," and thus the shugo daimyō gradually transformed into the more powerful sengoku daimyō.

Master Ji was fond of eccentric attire, which was referred to as "Qingqi" at the time. It is said that he often tied his braids with multicolored silk threads, and his clothing was adorned with peculiar patterns, making him appear at first glance to be a wandering performer rather than the heir of a prominent family. He was frequently surrounded by a group of young attendants, all of whom were carefully selected by Xiu from the children of his vassals to serve as Master Ji's guards and companions. However, unlike the children of other noble families, Master Ji did not study or practice martial arts with his attendants; instead, he led them into trouble and engaged in fights.