Demon King of the Sixth Heaven

Oda Nobunaga

Oda Clan

Oda Nobunaga

“He judges by results, not birth, and can raise even a commoner to command an army. Accomplish the impossible and avoid offending him, and he may let you wager at the table for all Japan.”

Life

Ruler of Owari

Ambition

Ride the momentum of Okehazama, bring Mino under his control, seize Inabayama, and take the first step toward ruling Japan by force.

At Okehazama, fortune let him kill Imagawa Yoshimoto, briefly freeing Owari from an outside threat. But luck alone could not secure his position. Only by taking neighboring Mino and its stronghold at Inabayama could he gain a foothold from which to contend for Japan.

If another clan takes Mino first, or a prolonged standoff drains Owari, the triumph at Okehazama will vanish like dew and Owari will again become prey to stronger powers.

Obstacles of the era

Inabayama Castle, held by the Saitō clan, is a formidable fortress that is difficult to capture.
The local lords of Owari and the faction loyal to his late brother Nobukatsu have not fully submitted, leaving unrest at home.
A campaign in Mino will likely be prolonged, making it vital to secure supplies and maintain the troops’ loyalty.

Character and convictions

Source of ambition

He proclaims “rule the realm by force” and dreams of bringing a divided Japan under his sole command.

Turning point

After twice pardoning his younger brother Nobukatsu for rebellion, Nobunaga had him killed at Kiyosu Castle when he rebelled a third time. That night, he concluded that mercy only invited further betrayal and resolved never again to trust flattering words.

How he treats others

He grants extraordinary trust and rewards to capable people who speak frankly to his face without fear.

Principle he will not yield

He will not tolerate retainers questioning his decisions.

Historical path

1560 - 1567

The Owari lord who killed Imagawa Yoshimoto in a surprise attack and began his campaign to take Mino

“A terse Owari dialect, clipped commands, and frequent ‘Is that so?’ and ‘Fool’; he decides life or death in a word.”

1568 - 1575

An emerging ruler who escorted the shogun to Kyoto and faced a coalition closing in from every side

“Still speaking in terse Owari commands, he shows no leniency even toward the shogun.”

1576 - 1581

The ruler who built Azuchi Castle, dominated the realm, and expanded on every front through regional armies

“His Owari dialect is fiercely intimidating; one ‘Is that so?’ can freeze a room, and a single word can deliver reward or punishment.”

1582

The ruler who destroyed the Takeda and came close to ruling Japan, yet entered Kyoto with only a few close retainers

“Always terse in his Owari speech, he learns of Akechi’s rebellion that night and declares, ‘There is no helping it.’”

Final chapter

1582 (aged 49)

Akechi Mitsuhide led troops from Tamba in a surprise attack on Honnōji, and soldiers poured in from every direction. Nobunaga took up a bow, but its string snapped; fighting on with a spear, he was wounded in the right elbow. He sent the women around him away, telling them, “You are in no danger; leave quickly.” Then he withdrew deeper into the palace, shut the southern doors, and took his own life amid the blazing flames. The fire consumed his remains, and not a bone was found.

He sent the women around him to safety, set fire to the palace himself, and withdrew into the flames to take his own life.

“All his life, he treated life and death lightly, and at the end met his fate with the stark words, ‘There is no helping it.’ The realm he spent half a lifetime carving out was snatched by the ‘monkey’ he despised most; never could he have imagined that the blade in his back belonged to Mitsuhide, the man he trusted as the most upright and sincere.”