The Stormy Youth of Owari
Oda Jurozaemon Nobukiyo, the son of Nobukatsu, who was the younger brother of Nobunaga, led a force of 1,000 men, while Nobunaga commanded 2,000, making their forces evenly matched against the enemy. The fierce battle raged from morning until noon, with Nobunaga's troops clearing a path using firearms and bows, successfully launching a surprise attack from the southeast directly into the enemy ranks. General Mori Kanenari led the charge, resulting in a complete rout of Nobukiyo's forces, with reports indicating that casualties exceeded half of his troops.
The strength of a family largely depends on the amount of arable land it controls; with land comes military provisions, and with provisions come soldiers. Grain is measured in units where ten dou equals one shi, serving as the basic volumetric unit. The grain that farmers are required to pay annually is referred to as "annual tribute." At that time, Oda Nobunaga's annual tribute was only about 140,000 shi, while the Imagawa family had approximately 600,000 to 700,000 shi. During the Warring States period, many regions required taxes to be paid in copper coins, thus using the unit "kan" for statistical purposes, known as the "kan height system." It was only after Nobunaga that a gradual unification occurred, transitioning to the collection of grain, using the unit "shi" for statistical purposes, known as the "shi height system." The aforementioned shi heights are derived from later statistical assessments. Each 10,000 shi can typically support and supply between 300 to 500 soldiers, meaning the Imagawa family's mobilizable troop numbers were four to five times that of the Owari Province.
Indeed, upon hearing of this matter, Nobunaga immediately ordered his younger brother, the lord of Masumori Castle, Kanchiro Nobuyuki, to dispatch troops to subdue Sakai Daizen and the guardian representative Oda Nobutomo. Nobuyuki sent forth his household's foremost warrior, Shibata Katsuie, to lead the army. They engaged in fierce combat in front of Jōgan-ji Temple near Kiyosu Castle, where they killed over thirty renowned samurai from the enemy forces
What exactly does he intend to do upon entering the capital? Is it to take the position of the Ashikaga shogunate for himself (as he is of the same clan, he possesses such qualifications), or does he aim to eliminate the usurping powers of the Sanho and Matsunaga factions, assisting General Yoshihide in restoring the former glory of the Muromachi shogunate? Opinions may vary, but perhaps only Yoshimoto himself knows the truth. However, this is of no significance to the province of Owari; Nobunaga only knows that a fierce tiger to the east has stirred, poised to advance with overwhelming force.
Only by daring to challenge powerful adversaries and defeating them can one make a name for oneself in chaotic times. Of course, this is a rather dangerous endeavor; if things go awry, it could lead to the destruction of one's family and leave oneself without a burial place. Nobunaga himself likely did not have such a reckless plan; unlike Matsudaira Kiyomasa, who dared to raise his sword against the Oda clan of Owari before unifying Mikawa. However, while he did not seek opportunities, they naturally presented themselves to him—this was a perilous opportunity, where victory would bring fame, but defeat would result in utter annihilation.
It is indeed a strange legend; even if it were true, it is very likely a conspiracy. For Biwa Castle is the residence of Sasaki Narimasa, a key figure of the Shin'ichi sect. Nobunaga originally planned to capture the strange serpent and then rest within Biwa Castle, which would have provided Narimasa and others the perfect opportunity to assassinate him. However, whether he had heard the rumors in advance or if it was truly divine intervention, Nobunaga came and went in haste, thus avoiding a calamity.
Upon witnessing all this in the residential area, Dōsan felt that the situation was somewhat difficult to handle. His trusted aides were still devising plans to divert the troops of Owari in order to capture Nobunaga in one fell swoop. However, Dōsan shook his head and said, "Is it really a fool who can organize such a well-structured military force? It is better to maintain calm and continue to observe carefully."
The dark clouds press down on the city, threatening to destroy it
It is said that when Dosan was on his deathbed, he left a letter to Nobunaga, instructing his son-in-law to avenge him, and subsequently bequeathed the entire Mino province to him. Upon receiving news of Dosan's predicament, Nobunaga hurriedly led his troops to rescue him, but arrived just a moment too late, only to receive this dying wish. As a result, Mino transformed from an ally into an enemy, and with the loss of his greatest support, Nobunaga found himself surrounded by darkness once more.
Surrender is indeed a bright path. The eager Yoshiyuki, who is keen to advance to the capital, will certainly not wish to linger too long in the province of Owari. After placing a few pieces for surveillance, he will allow Nobunaga to retain his former territories as a subordinate force to accompany him westward. Once he truly gains control of Kyoto and subsequently the realm, the Oda clan may also receive preferential treatment for being one of the earliest vassal forces to submit, potentially earning merits and significantly expanding their territories. Unfortunately, Nobunaga is not one to willingly remain beneath others; he rejected the advice of his retainers to submit to the Imagawa clan, fortifying the front lines and preparing for a fierce battle.
Oda Son Saburo Nobukatsu, during his lifetime, was the lord of Gujō Castle. It seems that this very castle has consistently brought unforeseen misfortunes to those involved. In the past, Matsudaira Kiyoyasu was killed while attacking Gujō Castle, and now it is Oda Nobukatsu's turn. Then, in the first year of Kōji (1555), the newly appointed lord, Oda Son Jūrō Nobutaka, also faced disaster and had to flee
The long-dormant brother Oda Nobuyuki finally awaited this opportune moment. At that time, the Oda retainers were divided into two factions; those supporting Nobunaga included Oda Katsuzaburo, Oda Zōshōjō Kiyomasa, Sakuma Daisuke Morishige, Mori Zawaburo Kanenari, and Sasaki Sōsuke, among others. However, two-thirds of the retainers, including the elder statesman Hayashi Sado-no-kami Hidesada, the fierce general Shibata Gonnokami Katsutaka, Hayashi Miyasaku-no-kami, Tsutsuki Kurobito, Hashimoto Jūzō, Kakuta Shingō, and Sasaki Kurōzō Narimasa, supported Nobuyuki. In August of the year when Dōsan was killed in battle, Oda Nobuyuki summoned his supporters, led by the lord of Nagoya Castle, Hayashi Hidesada, and boldly raised the banner of rebellion.
Oda Nobutaka was Nobunaga's fifth uncle. He became the lord of Moriyama Castle for less than a year before, on July 6, 1555, during a hunting expedition, his retainer Sugawara Taizo mistakenly killed Nobunaga's brother, Kiroku Hirotaka. Fearing Nobunaga's retaliation, Nobutaka fled to another region and became a ronin. His retainers were forced to surrender the castle under the attack of Oda Nobuyuki. Nobunaga then appointed his younger brother, Awa no Kami Hidetoshi, to take over Moriyama. Hidetoshi stayed for less than a year and, in June of the second year of Kōji (1556), committed suicide due to a conspiracy by his retainers.
Including Nohime, nearly everyone around Nobunaga opposed his meeting with Dosan, as no one could guess what the "Viper" was truly thinking or whether he would resort to poison. However, Nobunaga disregarded the majority's opinion and went as scheduled. The meeting place was set at Shōtoku-ji in Tomida, Owari (now Ichinomiya City in Aichi Prefecture), which was conveniently located in the middle region connecting the two powers
Shibata Katsuie, at the age of thirty-four, became renowned as one of the most formidable generals of the Oda clan, starting from his participation in the first battle of Koazukazaka. His main force was stationed in Inou Village, comprising a thousand troops. Nobunaga first ordered the farmers to mobilize and charge forward to lure Katsuie into battle, and then suddenly deployed his own samurai into the fray. Nevertheless, the valiant Katsuie gradually began to gain the upper hand. Just as Nobunaga's forces started to retreat, a loud shout was heard as Nobunaga himself, clad in a bright red cloak, led forty of his personal guards to the front lines. This shout invigorated the morale of his troops and left the soldiers of Shibata's army in astonishment. Ultimately, they were facing a lord to whom they were traditionally expected to pledge their lifelong loyalty...
The western part of Honshu Island, commonly referred to as the Chugoku region, has been the battleground for the Ōuchi and the Amago clans for several decades. However, in the first year of the Hongzhi era (1555), the famous Battle of Itsukushima erupted. The "strategist of the Seto Inland Sea," Mōri Motonari, would uproot these two giant trees, becoming a formidable hero against whom no one dared to contend.
In the twenty-first year of the Tenmon era (1552), which was the year before the Zhengde Temple Alliance in August, the chief retainer of the guardian, Oda Hikogoro Nobutomo, Sakai Daizen, contacted the lords of Matsuba and Fukagawa to raise a rebellion. With the assistance of his uncle, Oda Nobimitsu, the lord of Murayama Castle, Nobunaga quickly defeated the Sakai army at Kayatsu and subsequently captured the castles of Matsuba and Fukagawa.
However, at this moment, the greatest crisis descended upon Nobunaga, as dark clouds approached from the east, enveloping the entire Owari Province
However, it is astonishing that Nobunaga safely returned after meeting with Dosan and establishing a friendly alliance. Not only that, but afterwards, Saito Dosan unexpectedly became a strong support for the foolish son-in-law, frequently mobilizing troops to assist Nobunaga in subduing the local powers in Owari that refused to submit. What exactly happened in the Shodoku Temple?
Kiyosu Castle is the center of the Lower Four Districts of Owari. It utilizes the waters of five rivers flowing nearby to form a moat for protection, surrounded by multiple earthen walls. At its center, a recently popular structure known as the "Tenshukaku" has been constructed. The so-called Tenshukaku is built on a foundation of massive stones, with multiple wooden floors erected above it. It is equipped with observation holes and arrow towers on all sides, serving as a strong and open command post during defensive battles, playing a significant role. With the moat, earthen walls, and Tenshukaku, Kiyosu Castle, built on flat land, possesses defensive capabilities that are by no means inferior to those of castles built on mountains.
However, Nobukatsu remained completely unmoved. In his view, no matter how incompetent Nobunaga was, he was still his nephew. Even if he were to overthrow Nobunaga's position as head of the clan, it could not be entrusted to outsiders. Moreover, the one proposing this plan was none other than the notorious traitor, Oda Nobutomo, who had murdered the guardian Saito Yoshitomo. Nobukatsu fully disclosed Nobutomo's plan to Nobunaga, who then turned the tables and, in April of the 23rd year of Tenbun (1555), successfully captured Kiyosu Castle and killed Oda Nobutomo. Sakai Daizen fled in a panic and sought refuge in Sunpu with Imagawa Yoshimoto.
In the end, Nobunaga granted forgiveness to his uncle Nobutsugu and returned the fortress of Moriyama to him. Eighteen years later (1574), the Oda army launched a large-scale attack on the Ise Nagashima Ikki, a religious uprising called by the Jodo Shinshu sect of Japanese Buddhism. As a result, Nobutsugu and the three sons of the first lord of Moriyama, Nobukatsu—Ichinosuke Nobunari, Shirōsaburō Nobumasa, and Senchiyo—were all killed in battle
After the Battle of Chōsū, Oda Nobukatsu greatly changed his perception of Nobunaga and began to support this nephew whom he had previously looked down upon. However, merely six months later, on November 28, Nobukatsu was assassinated by his retainer Sakai Sonhachi. There is also a legend suggesting that Nobukatsu was poisoned by Nobunaga due to suspicions arising from his prior communications with Oda Nobutomo. The author believes this claim to be utterly absurd; even if Nobunaga were to seek retribution later, it would be inconceivable for him to harm his uncle, who was staunchly supporting him.
The Imagawa clan is a branch of the Ashikaga shogunate, having transitioned from a guardian daimyō to a Warring States daimyō. By the time of Imagawa Yoshimoto, the Imagawa family not only retained their original territory of Suruga but also annexed the provinces of Totomi (now western Shizuoka Prefecture) and Mikawa, becoming increasingly powerful and formidable.
Both Dao San and Nobunaga did not engage in much conversation. The purpose of this meeting was originally to reaffirm the alliance established between their families during the era of Nobuhide, with no new content to discuss. After exchanging a few casual pleasantries, their retainers presented the ceremonial cups of alliance wine. After sipping a few mouthfuls, Nobunaga took his leave.
After his son-in-law left, Dōsan quietly said to his confidants, "None of my sons can compare to Nobunaga; in the future, they will likely be tethered at my son-in-law's doorstep, becoming his retainers."
Upon hearing this news, Nobunaga immediately ordered all the surrounding farmers to mobilize, bringing with them hoes, shovels, buckets, and other tools to the pond, to stir up the water and force the strange serpent to emerge and capture it. Records indicate that Nobunaga personally visited the front lines of the snake capture and even waded into the water himself. However, after nearly seventy percent of the pond's water had been removed, no strange serpent was found; instead, there was a large fish with its head stuck in a hollow piece of dry wood, thrashing its tail incessantly. "What foolishness!" Nobunaga exclaimed as he quickly departed.
In the following year, shortly after the return from the Zhengde Temple Alliance on July 12, a coup occurred in Nagoya Castle. Sakai Daizen led troops to launch a surprise attack on the residence of the puppet guardian, Saito Yoshitomo, forcing him to commit seppuku. This action by Daizen was tantamount to digging his own grave, as from that point onward, Nobunaga could justifiably wage war under the pretext of avenging the guardian.
Dao San returned to Zhengde Temple, sitting upright in the guest room, awaiting Nobunaga's arrival. With the announcement from his retainers, Nobunaga finally appeared at the door. To Dao San's great astonishment, the Wazaki lord before him looked completely different from the one he had glimpsed on the road: his hair was meticulously arranged, he wore a folded black hat, and was dressed in a neat brown formal attire, exuding a respectful yet commanding presence—Nobunaga was a renowned handsome man of the time, and his appearance in formal attire left Dao San utterly impressed.
The battlefield of the brotherly conflict was designated near the Daio area, east of Kiyosu Castle and close to the Shōnai River. Here, the Meizuka fortress was constructed to evade flooding. Due to continuous heavy rain, the rivers overflowed, severing the connection between the Meizuka fortress and Kiyosu Castle. Meanwhile, the Nobuyuki army preemptively occupied the Daio plain near the Meizuka fortress, further isolating the stronghold.
Kyushu and Shikoku Island remain divided among numerous warlords, embroiled in endless conflicts that seem to have no end in sight. However, Otomo Sorin has evidently become the dominant power in Northern Kyushu. The various forces mentioned above, in terms of their territories, military strength, political systems, and economic scales, are not comparable to the newly wealthy Oda clan. The Matsudaira clan of Mikawa rose to prominence during the era of Matsudaira Kiyomasa, but after Kiyomasa's death, they faded into obscurity. Will the Nagoya Oda clan, which only controls the lower four counties of Owari, meet a similar fate?
The second year is the second year of Eiroku (1559). In January, Nobunaga personally led a large army to attack Iwakura Castle. After the Battle of Funya the previous year, Oda Nobukiyo had already suffered significant losses in strength and could only defend the castle, not daring to engage in battle. At that time, the so-called "castle" in Japan was more akin to a medieval European fortress, constructed with earthworks (and better ones used stone) for walls and various defensive facilities. Outside the castle was the castle town (residential and commercial areas surrounding the castle), and beyond that were farmlands— the castle itself had very little production capacity. Nobunaga completely surrounded Iwakura Castle, set fire to the castle town, dismantled the deer fence, and filled in the moats, turning Iwakura into a "naked castle"
The Battle of Rice Growth
Nobunaga's army set out in such harsh weather, with the troops gathering at Hirashiro west of the Shonai River. In a hurry to rescue Namizuka Fort, they launched an attack on the enemy. Sasaki Sonkei's contingent of one hundred and twenty men served as the vanguard, first assaulting Shibata Katsuie's main formation, only to encounter an ambush nearly three times their number, resulting in Sonkei's death. With the initial battle going poorly, Nobunaga was forced to retreat to Namizuka Fort, and the second to fall was Yamada Haribusa, who was covering the rear.
The Meeting of the Viper and the Fool
The Satō clan in the north and the Imagawa clan in the east need not be mentioned. Further northeast, in the province of Kai (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture), the "greatest military strategist of the Warring States period," Takeda Harunobu (later known as Takeda Shingen), began his rapid and fierce invasion of Shinano (present-day Nagano Prefecture). In the province of Sagami (present-day eastern Shizuoka Prefecture), Hōjō Ujiyasu defeated the Kanto kanrei Uesugi Norimasa in the Night Battle of Kawagoe, preparing to take control of the entire Kanto Plain. Further north, the "guardian deity of Hokuriku," Nagao Kagetora (later known as Uesugi Kenshin), quickly unified the vast region of Echigo (present-day Niigata Prefecture) in a short period of time
The retainer of Nobunaga, Ota Gyuuichi, recorded a legend in the "Chronicles of Nobunaga": to the east of Hira Castle, located west of Koya Castle, there is a small pond named Ni Pond. In mid-January of the second year of Kōji (1556), a farmer claimed to have discovered a serpent-like creature in the pond. It is said that the head of this strange serpent resembled that of a five-colored hornless deer, its eyes sparkled like stars, its tongue extended out like a flame of bright red, and its body was as thick as a wooden barrel
The clan members who sought to seize power from Nobunaga were not limited to Kanjuro Nobuyuki alone, but also included his half-brother Saburo Goronobuhiro. After Saito Dosan's death, Nobunaga frequently led his troops north to confront the parricide Saito Yoshiteru—Yoshiteru was cunning and resourceful, having even defeated the "Viper" old man; how could the young Nobunaga be his match? Yet, for several years, he achieved nothing. Seizing this opportunity, Nobuhiro secretly contacted Yoshiteru, intending to stab Nobunaga in the back.
Although the Oda clan, led by Nobunaga, originated from humble beginnings and was a rural daimyo, they had consistently presented gifts to the court and the shogunate since the time of Nobuhide. It can be said that General Yoshihide had long heard of the Oda clan's reputation and regarded both father and son as commendably loyal. Moved by this, General Yoshihide promised that if Nobunaga could truly unify the province of Owari, he would grant him the position of guardian of Owari—after all, for the general, bestowing titles and ranks was a matter of little effort and would not incur any loss.
The opponent that Oda Nobunaga must confront this time, from whom there is no escape, is the only one still alive among the three great enemies of his deceased father, Nobuhide—Imagawa Yoshimoto, the lord of Suruga Province.
During Nobunaga's repeated campaigns, the power of the guardian代家 rapidly declined. Oda Nobutomo realized that if the war continued, his demise was inevitable, so he secretly contacted Oda Nobuhira, asking him to leave Nobunaga's camp and instead support him. Oda Sōsaburō Nobuhira, the third brother of Nobuhide, was one of the few fierce warriors in Owari and was known for his integrity and uprightness. He had always disapproved of Nobunaga's strange actions. Perhaps Nobutomo believed that Nobuhira would be willing to assist him in overthrowing Nobunaga's rule.
More importantly, after the establishment of the Province of Owari, much of the land lay barren, and the people suffered from hunger and cold, while the Province of Junka enjoyed peace year-round, with granaries full. At that time, the Province of Toyama was renowned as a grain-producing area, and the warriors of the Province of Mikawa were known for their loyalty and bravery. Thus, a popular folk song sang: "The people of Toyama go to plant grain, the people of Mikawa go to battle, and the people of Junka feast and sing all day long"
Owari Province belongs to the Kinki region, situated precisely at the junction of Kinki and the distant lands. Therefore, for those near Kyoto, it is considered a rural area. A small daimyo from this rural place, after two generations of relentless struggle, managed to achieve mere unification within the country. When placed on the grand stage of the Warring States period across all of Japan, it is akin to tossing a pebble into a turbulent stream, making it nearly impossible to discern the splash among the many surging waves. Oda Nobunaga finally gained fame throughout the land, thanks to the Battle of Okehazama in the third year of Eiroku (1560)
Those who coveted the power of Oda Nobunaga were not only domestic forces—including the shugo-dai and his own brothers—but also numerous hostile powers from outside the territories. In the same year that Hirate Masahide died in protest, in April, Saito Dosan, the lord of Yamashiro, suddenly expressed a desire to meet his son-in-law.
To the south of Owari Province lies the sea, while the other three sides are surrounded by enemies. Under the strategic planning of Takayama's Snow Studio, the Sun River Kingdom has successfully formed an alliance with the northern power, the Takeda clan of Kai, and the eastern power, the Hojo clan of Sagami, ensuring their flanks are secure and allowing them to focus on the conquest of the western route. Imagawa Yoshimoto, with grand ambitions and a singular desire to enter Kyoto and seize control of the realm, after years of accumulating strength, has finally decided to personally lead his troops to attack Owari.
It is said that although Dosan was a rare schemer during the Warring States period, he was tall, strong, and dignified, not the kind of petty person one would expect. If we were to go back twenty or thirty years, he would likely not be inferior to Nobunaga in terms of appearance. After Nobunaga returned, he did not comment much on Dosan, but judging from his subsequent actions, he held a considerable respect for this formidable adversary of his father's generation. Nobunaga's ability to enrich the country and strengthen the military, as well as his dominance over the realm, can be attributed to many policies he later enacted, half of which were a continuation of his father Nobuhide's ideals, and half inspired by his father-in-law Dosan.
Afterward, contrary to everyone's expectations, the usually fierce Nobunaga surprisingly pardoned all the retainers who had conspired with Yoshikiyo. When Hayashi Hidetada and Shibata Katsuie came to request death, having shaved their heads and donned black monk robes, Nobunaga approached, adjusted Katsuie's obi, and patted his shoulder, saying, "Kuroroku, looking like you're ready to die, is this really you?" This gesture relieved both men, moving them to tears.
This confrontation with the Imagawa clan is different from previous ones, and even more so from what his father faced. Before his death, Nobunaga's father, Nobuhide, was engaged in a prolonged struggle against the powerful nations of Kai and Sagami, with the western front merely aimed at controlling Mikawa to prevent the expansion of Owari. During the two battles at Azukizaka, Yoshimoto only dispatched a few thousand troops. However, this time, Yoshimoto's objective is to enter Kyoto. He personally leads an army of over 20,000 soldiers from the three nations, vowing to flatten Owari and penetrate into Omi, advancing westward without rest until Kyoto is reached. For the Oda clan, facing such a formidable enemy, it seems that surrender is the only option.
However, what does the unconventional vanguard Oda Nobunaga love about the Ashikaga shogunate? His purpose in entering the capital was actually to establish good relations with various forces in the Kinai region, indirectly applying pressure on Mino Province, restraining Saito Yoshitatsu, and securing a grand justification for his unification of Owari Province
The lower four counties of Owari, inherited from his father, gradually stabilized. Nobunaga's next target was the guardian of the upper four counties, whose main castle was in Iwakura, namely Nobunaga's own uncle, Oda Nobuyasu. However, not long before, due to Nobuyasu's desire to depose the elder and establish the younger, intending to pass the headship to his second son, Nobukiyo, the eldest son, Nobuhide, acted first and raised an army, exiling their father. From then on, Oda Nobuhide controlled the upper four counties of Owari.
With the strong support of the Saito clan from Mino, Oda Nobunaga's prestige began to rise slightly as he started to systematically eliminate the forces in Owari that refused to submit. His first target was the Shitakushi clan, which had taken control of Kiyosu Castle, in an attempt to restore its former glory.
In the notes of contemporary individuals, it is described as follows: "After encountering an unimaginable blow, Lord Nobunaga was supported in the middle by Oda Katsuzaburo and Oda Zōshū. Mori Sanzaemon then led forty retainers, armed with long swords, to hurriedly retreat to Nazuka Fort..."
When Nobunaga returned to Owari from Kyoto, the siege of Iwakura Castle had reached its final stages. After three months of continuous siege, the attacking forces launched rockets and firearms into the castle daily. Oda Nobuhide could no longer hold out and was forced to surrender. Thus, the "big fool of Owari" took seven years not only to solidify his rule but also to essentially unify the entire Owari province, delivering a resounding slap to the faces of those who had once mocked him. The next target for advancement was, of course, the northern province of Mino—although Saito Yoshitatsu was brave and intelligent, his health was not good (it is said he suffered from leprosy), and Nobunaga was confident he could defeat him within a few years.
Although they were brothers, allowing such hidden dangers to persist in chaotic times was tantamount to seeking one's own demise. Nobunaga deceived his mother, Lady Tōda, feigning illness, and secretly lured Nobuyuki to Kiyosu Castle, where he then plunged a long sword into his brother's chest
The Kinai region to the west of Owari, which includes the five provinces of Yamashiro, Yamato, Kawachi, Izumi, and Settsu, collectively known as the "Five Provinces" of the Five Provinces and Seven Roads, is dominated by powerful daimyos such as Asai, Rokkaku, and Hosokawa. Additionally, the Miyoshi clan, which usurped the real power of the Hosokawa clan, and the Matsunaga clan, which took control from the Miyoshi clan, are also present. To the north of Kinai lies the province of Echizen, ruled by the prestigious Asakura clan.
The tide of battle shifted in an instant, leading to the complete collapse of the Shibata army. Nobunaga immediately directed his forces to attack the position held by Lin Meizuo. At that time, Kuroda Hanpei, dispatched by Nobunaga, was engaged in combat with Lin Meizuo and was already at a disadvantage. However, upon learning of the Shibata army's collapse, Lin Meizuo hastily disengaged and retreated from the left flank, only to encounter Nobunaga's ambush. Consequently, Lin Meizuo was killed in battle, and the remaining factions supporting Nobuyuki fell into disarray without fighting, fleeing in all directions. Oda Nobuyuki could only let out a long sigh and retreat to his stronghold at Masumori.
After the situation stabilized, Nobunaga ordered his subordinates to continue the siege without slackening their efforts. He himself left the front lines to prepare his belongings, bringing gifts as he traveled to Kyoto to pay respects to the shogun Ashikaga Yoshihide. At this time, the Muromachi shogunate had long lost its power, being pressured by the Hosokawa family, as well as the Miyoshi clan, vassals of the Hosokawa, and the Matsunaga clan, vassals of the Miyoshi, to the point of being unable to ensure their survival. However, the shogun Yoshihide was not an incompetent individual, nor was he a frivolous young man willing to be toyed with by others. He was resolute and courageous, skilled in swordsmanship, and was determined to restore the former glory of the shogunate, earning him the title of "the Strong-Willed Shogun" ("Shogun" is a respectful title for the military leader). Yoshihide was deeply moved to see a young lord from Owari personally come to Kyoto to pay his respects.
It is said that before the meeting, Dosan, accompanied by several trusted aides, secretly hid in a house along the route that Nobunaga would take, intending to assess his son-in-law's intelligence and ambition from his appearance before their formal encounter. To his astonishment, he encountered a fellow dressed like a bandit: without a hat, his hair roughly tied up with straw rope, his clothing open at the front, exposing his left arm, and adorned with various trinkets such as a leather pouch, flint, and gourd hanging from his waist, while his lower body was clad in a short skirt made of tiger and leopard skins. "Indeed, he is a fool of great renown!" Dosan instructed his subordinates that when Nobunaga appeared in this guise at the Shodoku Temple, they should immediately reprimand him for his rudeness and take him down on the spot.
It is said that the conspiracy plan of Oda Nobuyuki was concocted and directed by Hayashi Hidetada and Shibata Katsuie. They quickly gathered 1,700 troops, capturing key points such as Kasugai and Moriyama, and nearly besieged Kiyosu Castle. Nobunaga should not have been surprised by this conspiracy, as it had long been anticipated by everyone from the samurai to the commoners in the lower four counties of Owari. However, Nobunaga, who should have been prepared, only mustered around 600 to 700 troops to confront them
Dao San was somewhat impatient after waiting; it had been over two years since Xin Xiu's death. Surrounded by enemies, why had his daughter not taken action, or at least sent useful intelligence? As a lifelong schemer, the "Viper" was accustomed to planning before acting. Since the target was his own son-in-law, even if he was a foolish son-in-law, it was necessary to meet him first and carefully observe whether he still held any value for exploitation. Moreover, seizing the opportunity of the meeting to directly capture Xin Chang and coerce him into submitting was also a clever strategy that required little effort.
Nobunaga, seizing the opportunity, quickly besieged Masumori Castle, and at this moment, Nobuyuki was like a turtle in a jar. After repeated pleas for mercy from both brothers' mother, Lady Tsuchida, Nobunaga finally agreed to spare his brother. Consequently, Nobuyuki surrendered the castle.
Conquering Qingzhou
However, this command was clearly not easy to execute. Although Dōsan had previously ambushed many warriors and ninjas outside the temple, Nobunaga did not come alone. It is said that Nobunaga brought along over 1,000 soldiers, half of whom were equipped with polearms (long spears), the length of which even made Dōsan, who was skilled in spear combat, feel inferior. In addition, he purchased several hundred of the most advanced firearms of the time from Kuniyama Village in Ōmi (a famous production site for "teppō," the earliest type of firearm in Japan, which was introduced from Portugal and quickly replicated domestically) and brought them all to Shōtoku-ji.
In the year 1553, the calendar marked the twenty-second year of the astronomical era. Amidst the turmoil and chaos throughout Japan, Owari was a small place easily overlooked. Owari Province is located in the central-southern part of Honshu Island, over one hundred kilometers in a straight line from the imperial capital of Kyoto, which had lost its power for several hundred years, as well as from the Muromachi Palace in Kyoto, which had been powerless for nearly a hundred years. At this time, several massive forces surrounding Oda Nobunaga were on the verge of reaching their most glorious peak.
Nobunaga Oda and his son Nobutada were determined to unify the entire Owari Province, and so were Nobuhiro and Nobuyoshi. Whether it was Imagawa Yoshimoto, Saito Yoshitatsu, or Oda Nobuyuki, all forces opposing Nobunaga had almost interacted with Iwakura Castle. How could one allow others to sleep soundly beside them? Moreover, to launch external campaigns, it was essential to first eliminate the domestic tumors. In this context, in the first year of Eiroku (1558), Nobunaga contacted Oda Nobukiyo, the lord of Inuyama Castle, and the allied forces launched an attack against Oda Nobuyoshi, engaging in fierce battles in the Fukuno area west of Iwakura Castle.
There is a story that circulates in the world
The plan of Nobuhide was that when Nobunaga once again invaded Mino Province, he would enter Kiyosu Castle as a follow-up reinforcement, seizing the opportunity to take Kiyosu and launch a pincer attack with the Mino army, ensuring Nobunaga's defeat. Unfortunately, this scheme was uncovered by Nobunaga, who issued a strict order for the troops stationed at Kiyosu Castle to refuse Nobuhide's entry. Realizing that his plot had been exposed, Nobuhide hurriedly retreated, while Nobunaga pursued him from behind, resulting in a minor skirmish. Fortunately, Nobuhide was quick to assess the situation; unlike Nobuyuki, who was stubborn, he immediately bound himself and sought forgiveness at the military gate. Out of brotherly affection, Nobunaga spared his life.
It is akin to a presumptuous little dog barking wildly in the path of a tiger...
After Nobunaga conquered Kiyosu Castle, which had been diligently managed by the代家 of the Lower Four Provinces for nearly a century, he relocated the main castle from Nagoya to Kiyosu. This effectively announced to the world that he was no longer a vassal of the代家 of the Lower Four Provinces, but rather the true ruler of the Lower Four Provinces without the title of代.
At this critical moment, Masamitsu Maeda of Arakiz城 mobilized nearly 400 peasant soldiers from the vicinity of his territory, along with about 200 remaining troops from Hirakata and Inaba城. Nobunaga's confidence in victory was rekindled, and after carefully analyzing the battlefield situation, he decided to launch a main assault on the core forces of Shigenori's army, led by Katsuhisa Shibata.
When discussing the elders who had the most profound influence on Nobunaga, it is likely that only three individuals come to mind: Nobuhide, Hirate Masahide, and Saito Dosan.
Returning to the death of Oda Nobukatsu, it seems that heaven deliberately eliminated Nobunaga's supporters one by one, leaving him to fight alone in a chaotic world. In April of the following year (1556), his father-in-law Saito Dosan also passed away. Dosan was killed by his son Yoshitatsu, and it is said that his praise for Nobunaga greatly displeased Yoshitatsu. There are also legends that Yoshitatsu was the illegitimate son of the exiled Mino lord Toki Yoriaki, whom Dosan had banished. Regardless of the truth, the lifelong schemer, the "viper," was ultimately defeated by the conspiracy of his own son and met his end by the banks of the Nagara River.
The Unification of Owari
However, Nobunaga's younger brother, Nobuyuki, did not reform as a result. In November of the following year (1557), he allied with Oda Nobuyasu, the deputy of the four provinces, and once again plotted to rebel. Unfortunately, this time, fewer people were willing to follow him. Shibata Katsuie, who had been forgiven by Nobunaga, was unwilling to raise his sword against his own lord again. He took the initiative to report Nobuyuki's conspiracy—another account suggests that Nobuyuki favored his retainer Tsutsumi Kuroto, who was consistently arrogant and disrespectful, making Katsuie feel uncomfortable, thus he defected to Nobunaga, leading to the exposure of Nobuyuki's plot