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Oda Nobunaga

Japanese daimyō and unifier of Japan

Oda Nobunaga was a key figure in Japanese history, known for his role in unifying Japan during the Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods. He was the head of the powerful Oda clan and implemented innovative military tactics and government reforms. Nobunaga's rule was marked by both achievements and brutal suppression of opposition.

Related

Sengoku period Tokugawa Ieyasu Toyotomi Hideyoshi Akebono Tarō Shibusawa Eiichi Kazuchika Okada Itō Hirobumi Kazuo Inamori Emperor Meiji Kōnosuke Matsushita

Timeline

Founding of the Oda Clan

After Taira no Sukemori was killed in the Battle of Dannoura in 1185, his son Taira no Chikazane became the founder of the Oda clan according to the official genealogy, although modern theories question this lineage.

Birth of Oda Nobuhide

Oda Nobunaga's father, Oda Nobuhide, was born in 1510 and was a minor warlord from Owari Province.

Birth of Oda Nobunaga

Oda Nobunaga was born on June 23, 1534, in Owari Province, Japan. Initially named Oda Kichihoshi, he was the son of a minor daimyo named Oda Nobuhide.

Oda Nobunaga's Name Change

Oda Nobunaga came to manhood and took the name Oda Saburō Nobunaga in 1546, marking an important transition in his life.

Peace Treaty between Nobuhide and Saitō Dōsan

In 1548 or 1549, Nobuhide made peace with Saitō Dōsan through a political marriage between his son Nobunaga and Dōsan's daughter, Nōhime. This alliance helped to establish a peaceful relationship between the two provinces.

Imai Sōkyū establishes Japan's first comprehensive military industry

Imai Sōkyū, an upstart merchant from Sakai, established Japan's first comprehensive military industry to support Nobunaga's unification of Japan by mass-producing guns and securing an exclusive trading route for the import of potassium nitrate.

Siege of Oda Nobuhiro's Castle

In 1551, an army led by Imagawa Sessai besieged the castle where Oda Nobuhiro, the illegitimate eldest son of Nobuhide, was residing. Nobuhiro was saved from being trapped by the Imagawa clan through negotiation by Oda Nobunaga, Nobuhide's second son.

Defection of Yamaguchi Noritsugu to Imagawa Clan

In early 1552, Oda's senior retainer, Yamaguchi Noritsugu, and his son defected to the Imagawa clan, leading to a conflict between Nobunaga and the defectors. This event resulted in a temporary setback for Nobunaga in eastern Owari.

Destruction of Kiyosu Town by Oda Nobunaga

Oda Nobunaga orders the destruction of Kiyosu Town in Japan, demonstrating his ruthless tactics in consolidating power.

Leadership transition in Oda clan to Oda Nobunaga

In 1559, the leadership of the Oda clan shifted to Oda Nobunaga.

Battle of Okehazama and Yoshimoto's death

In the Battle of Okehazama in 1560, Oda Nobunaga launched a surprise assault that led to the death of Imagawa Yoshimoto.

Marriage to Azai Nagamasa

In 1564, Oda Nobunaga entered into a marital alliance with Azai Nagamasa, a powerful daimyo in the region. This marriage was a strategic move to strengthen political ties and expand influence.

Description of Oda Nobunaga by Luís Fróis

Luís Fróis, in his letter dated 1 June 1568, described Oda Nobunaga as tall and lean with a very high voice, contradicting his previous description of medium height and lean build with a thin moustache and clear voice.

Nobunaga enters Kyoto and installs Yoshiaki as the 15th shogun

On November 9, 1568, Oda Nobunaga entered Kyoto, ousted the Miyoshi clan, and appointed Yoshiaki as the 15th shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate. Despite his respect for Emperor Ōgimachi, Nobunaga declined the title of shogun's deputy.

Letter by Luis Frois describing Nobunaga

In 1569, Jesuit missionary and historian Luis Frois wrote a letter providing a more revealing description of Nobunaga, offering a different perspective compared to the glorified biographies of the daimyo.

Battle of Anegawa

On July 30, 1570, the Battle of Anegawa took place between Oda Nobunaga's forces and the combined Azai-Asakura forces. The battle was a melee fought in the Anegawa River, where Nobunaga's troops, along with Tokugawa Ieyasu's forces, emerged victorious.

Siege against Nobunaga by Ashikaga and his alliance

In 1572, Ashikaga and his allies including Azai Nagamasa, Matsunaga Hisahide, Sanninshu Miyoshi, and Miyoshi Yoshitsugu launched a siege against Nobunaga. The siege initially succeeded in defeating Oda armies and trapping them, but was stopped due to the sudden death of Takeda Shingen in 1573.

Oda Nobunaga destroys the Ashikaga bakufu

In 1573, Oda Nobunaga finally destroyed the Ashikaga bakufu, marking the end of their rule and paving the way for the establishment of new warrior governments in Japan.

End of the Ashikaga Shogunate

Nobunaga defeated Ashikaga Yoshiaki's forces, driving him out of Kyoto and effectively destroying the power of the Ashikaga, leading to the end of the Ashikaga Shogunate.

Second Battle of Kizugawaguchi

In the Second Battle of Kizugawaguchi in 1578, Oda Nobunaga is said to have used six armored ships.

Consolidation of Power in Japan

By 1580, Oda Nobunaga had solidified his control over 31 out of Japan's 66 provinces, marking a significant milestone in his quest for dominance. This consolidation of power further strengthened his position in the country's political landscape.

Meeting with Yasuke

In 1581, Nobunaga met a man whom he named Yasuke and granted the status of samurai, making Yasuke the first recorded foreigner to achieve that status. This event showcased Nobunaga's openness to foreign cultures and people.

Death of Oda Nobunaga

In late June 1582, Oda Nobunaga was killed at the Honnō-ji temple by Akechi Mitsuhide. This event led to power struggles among Nobunaga's vassals and marked a significant turning point in the Sengoku period.

Akechi Mitsuhide Betrays Oda Nobunaga

In 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide, one of Oda Nobunaga's generals, turned against his lord and attacked Nobunaga's castle due to Nobunaga's diplomatic actions that led to the murder of Mitsuhide's mother. Mitsuhide forced Nobunaga and his eldest son to commit seppuku.

Death of Oda Nobunaga

Oda Nobunaga, a powerful daimyo in feudal Japan, was betrayed and committed suicide during the Honno-ji Incident.

Battle of Yamazaki

After the death of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi swiftly avenged him by defeating Akechi Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki and declared himself as Nobunaga's successor.

Restoration of Enryakuji monastic complex on Mt. Hiei

After the destruction in 1571, Enryakuji monastic complex on Mt. Hiei was restored to its former glory in 1595 under the successors of Oda Nobunaga.

Publication of Shincho koki by Ota Gyuichi

Shincho koki by Ota Gyuichi was published in 1598 as the first biography of Nobunaga in Japanese history, glorifying the famous daimyo and likely exaggerating his deeds.

Publication of Shincho Ki by Oze Hoan

Shincho Ki, published in 1622 by Oze Hoan, was the second biography of Nobunaga in Japanese history, serving as an extension of the earlier work Shincho koki. It also glorified Nobunaga and included legendary episodes.

Nobunaga's high praise in Rai San'yō's Nihon Gaishi

In 1827, Nobunaga received high praise in Rai San'yō's Nihon Gaishi, where he was evaluated from the perspective of imperial ideology rather than military strategies.

Imperial Court, Senior First Rank Honor

Nobunaga was posthumously honored with the Imperial Court, Senior First Rank on November 17, 1917.

Fū-unji: Oda Nobunaga film adaptation

The hit film Fū-unji: Oda Nobunaga was released in 1959, based on the novel Oda Nobunaga by Yamaoka Sōhachi. It contributed to the popularity of Nobunaga in Japan.

The Signore: Shogun of the Warring States novel by Tsuji Kunio

Tsuji Kunio's novel The Signore: Shogun of the Warring States, which won an award in 1968, provided a unique perspective on Nobunaga's era through the eyes of missionaries traveling to Japan.

Kagemusha film by Kurosawa Akira

In Kurosawa Akira's film Kagemusha released in 1980, Nobunaga is depicted as the originator of the image seen in current fictional works, characterized by his appearance and demeanor.

Nobunaga portrayed as Demon King in Onimusha

Nobunaga is depicted as the Demon King in the video game Onimusha released by Capcom in 2001.

Nobunaga portrayed in Samurai Warriors

Nobunaga is depicted in the video game Samurai Warriors, released in 2004, highlighting his role in the historical battles of Japan.

Nobunaga portrayed in Sengoku Basara

Nobunaga is featured in the video game Sengoku Basara, released in 2005, showcasing his character in the Sengoku period.

Survey Revealing Redrawn Kamishimo Portrait of Oda Nobunaga

In 2011, a survey revealed that the kamishimo portrait of Oda Nobunaga used for the memorial service had been redrawn from the original painting, with significant differences in coloring and design.

Ōka Ninpōchō: Basilisk Shinshō novel by Yamada Masaki

Yamada Masaki's novel Ōka Ninpōchō: Basilisk Shinshō, published in 2015, presents Nobunaga as a demonic and power-hungry warlord in a unique narrative setting.

The Age of the Samurai docufiction series on Netflix

The Netflix series The Age of the Samurai, released in 2021, explores the historical context of Nobunaga's rise to power, shedding light on the turbulent origins of Japan.

The Legend and Butterfly film by Keishi Ōtomo

Keishi Ōtomo's film The Legend and Butterfly, set to be released in 2023, continues the cinematic portrayal of Nobunaga's story, adding to the diverse interpretations of his character.

End of the Timeline
Oda Nobunaga

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