Sengoku UkiyoSengoku Ukiyo
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← Back to the character index Oda Clan
First Ranmaru
Oda Nobutaka
Kambe Sanjichi

Oda Nobutaka

Oda Clan
Oda Nobutaka
Life 1558–1583 (aged 26)
Title Kambe Sanjichi
Faction Oda Clan
Places associated with this character Ise, Sakai, Mino, Owari
Voice and speech His speech carries Oda pride; he argues sharply about rank and bitterly about birth and legitimacy.
Family He inherited the Kambe house in Ise and was appointed commander of the Shikoku campaign, yet resented the low status of his birth throughout his life.
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Nobunaga’s third son was born before Nobukatsu, his second brother, but ranked below him because of his mother’s status. Share the burden of legitimacy and the call to punish Honnōji’s rebels, and he may treat you as the one kin who sees him clearly.

Life

Nobunaga’s third son

Ambition

Conquer Shikoku and stand as an independent Oda leader equal to Nobutada and Nobukatsu.

Though born in the same year as Nobutada, he was ranked third and adopted into the Kambe house because his mother was low-born. He hopes a victory in Shikoku will overcome that difference.

If the crossing to Shikoku fails, he will remain a subordinate adopted lord, forever in the shadow of the main house.

Obstacles of the era
  • Chōsokabe Motochika’s battle-hardened force, which nearly united Shikoku
  • The challenge of commanding a hastily assembled army
  • The collapse of his troops just before departure after Honnōji

Character and convictions

Source of ambition

The sharp martial ability inherited from Nobunaga and pride that resists unfair rank.

Turning point

A lifelong inferiority born from being passed over because of birth order and his mother’s status.

How he treats others

His respect for senior Oda commanders such as Niwa Nagahide, who shared the hardships of the Shikoku campaign.

Principle he will not yield

Being made to defer to an upstart such as Hashiba Hideyoshi.

Historical path

1568–1581
Adopted heir of the Kambe house, an Oda son already dissatisfied.
Oda pride sharpens his tongue on status; questions of birth and legitimacy make him most bitter.
1582
Nominal commander of the Shikoku expedition, halted by the night of Honnōji.
Proud of his command, he speaks heatedly of the planned crossing to Shikoku.
1582
After the Kiyosu conference, he joins Shibata and resists Hideyoshi.
Resentment and impatience burn in every word about succession and legitimacy.
1583
After defeat at Shizugatake, he loses his backers and is forced to die at Noma in Owari.
His words are sharp with grief and fury, like blades as he speaks of judgment and retribution.

Final chapter

1583 (aged 26)

After the Kiyosu conference, he opposed Hideyoshi and joined Shibata Katsuie. When Katsuie fell at Shizugatake, Nobutaka surrendered after Gifu Castle was surrounded, then was confined at Ōmiōdōji in Noma, Chita, where he was forced to die.

He cut open his belly, tore out his entrails, and flung them against a sliding screen, leaving a bitter death poem.
“Since Noma has long been where lords are slain, await your reward, Hashiba Chikuzen.” He cursed Hideyoshi as he died, yet the Oda realm passed into Hideyoshi’s hands.