# Oda Nobunaga

> Japanese samurai and warlord (1534–1582)

**Wikidata**: [Q171411](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q171411)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oda_Nobunaga)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oda-nobunaga

## Summary
Oda Nobunaga was a Japanese samurai, warlord, and daimyo who lived from 1534 to 1582. He is a central figure in the Sengoku period, recognized as one of the "Three Unifiers" of Japan alongside Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. His military leadership and campaigns, such as the Battle of Okehazama and the construction of Azuchi Castle, significantly reshaped the Japanese political landscape before his death during the Honnō-ji Incident.

## Biography
- **Born:** June 23, 1534
- **Nationality:** Japan
- **Education:** [Not available in source material]
- **Known for:** Military leadership, unification efforts during the Sengoku period, and constructing Azuchi Castle.
- **Employer(s):** Self (as Daimyo and Ruler)
- **Field(s):** Military art, war, ruling

## Contributions
Oda Nobunaga's contributions are defined by his extensive military campaigns and architectural projects that aimed to unify Japan:

*   **Military Campaigns (1550s):** Engaged in early conflicts including the Battle of Akatsuka (1552), Battle of Kiyosu (1552), Siege of Muraki (1554), Battle of Inō (1556), and Battle of Ukino (1558).
*   **Rise to Power (1560s):** Achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Okehazama in 1560. In 1567, he conducted the Siege of Inabayama Castle, successfully defeating the Saitō clan.
*   **Major Conflicts (1570s):** Led the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War starting in 1570. Participated in the Battle of Anegawa (1570), Siege of Kanegasaki (1570), Sieges of Nagashima (1571), Siege of Mount Hiei (1571), and the Battle of Nagashino (1575).
*   **Territorial Consolidation:** Executed the Siege of Ichijōdani Castle (1573), Siege of Makishima Castle (1573), Siege of Odani Castle (1573), and Siege of Itami (1579).
*   **Architecture:** Commissioned the construction of Nagahama Castle in 1575 and Azuchi Castle in 1579, the latter serving as one of his primary strongholds.
*   **Religious and Cultural Sites:** Established the Ōbai-in sub-temple of Daitoku-ji in 1562 and was associated with Sōken-in (inception 1583) and Sōken-ji Temple.

## FAQs
**When did Oda Nobunaga live?**
Oda Nobunaga was born on June 23, 1534, and died on June 21, 1582.

**Who were the other two unifiers of Japan alongside Oda Nobunaga?**
He was part of the "San ei-Ketsu," a trio of warlords from Nagoya that included Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

**What caused the death of Oda Nobunaga?**
He died during the Honnō-ji Incident, a forced suicide orchestrated by the traitor Akechi Mitsuhide.

**What were Oda Nobunaga's primary castles?**
His primary castles included Azuchi Castle, established in 1579, and Nagahama Castle, established in 1575.

**Who was the tea master affiliated with Oda Nobunaga?**
He was affiliated with Sen no Rikyū, a renowned Japanese tea master.

## Why They Matter
Oda Nobunaga matters because he was a pivotal military leader and ruler who initiated the unification of Japan during the turbulent Sengoku period. As a member of the "San ei-Ketsu," his actions laid the groundwork for the eventual unification of the country under the leadership of his successors, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. His innovative military strategies, demonstrated in battles like Nagashino (1575), and his construction of monumental castles like Azuchi Castle signaled a shift in political power and military architecture in Japan. Without his campaigns against rival clans such as the Saitō and his efforts to consolidate power, the feudal structure of Japan would have developed differently.

## Notable For
-   **Identity:** Japanese samurai, warlord, daimyo, military leader, and ruler.
-   **Historical Grouping:** One of the "Three Unifiers" (San ei-Ketsu) of the Sengoku period.
-   **Key Battles:** Battle of Okehazama (1560), Battle of Nagashino (1575), Battle of Anegawa (1570).
-   **Major Sieges:** Siege of Inabayama Castle (1567), Siege of Mount Hiei (1571), Ishiyama Hongan-ji War (1570).
-   **Architecture:** Construction of Azuchi Castle (1579) and Nagahama Castle (1575).
-   **Death:** The Honnō-ji Incident (1582), where he was forced into suicide by Akechi Mitsuhide.
-   **Cultural Ties:** Affiliation with tea master Sen no Rikyū and the founding of Ōbai-in (1562).

## Body

### Early Military Career
Oda Nobunaga began his military career with a series of battles in the 1550s that established his reputation as a rising power. In 1552, he participated in the Battle of Akatsuka and the Battle of Kiyosu. Two years later, in 1554, he led the Siege of Muraki. His campaign continued with the Battle of Inō in 1556 and the Battle of Ukino in 1558. These early conflicts were instrumental in consolidating his initial power base.

### Rise to Power
The 1560s marked a significant turning point in Nobunaga's quest for dominance. In 1560, he won the Battle of Okehazama, a victory that greatly enhanced his standing. By 1567, he conducted the Siege of Inabayama Castle, a critical part of his campaign to defeat the Saitō clan. During this period, he also founded the Ōbai-in, an autonomous sub-temple of Daitoku-ji in Kyoto, in 1562.

### Major Campaigns and Conflicts
Nobunaga's influence expanded through the 1570s as he engaged in numerous large-scale military engagements. The Ishiyama Hongan-ji War began in 1570, a prolonged conflict that showcased his persistence. That same year, he fought in the Battle of Anegawa and the Siege of Kanegasaki. In 1571, he directed the Sieges of Nagashima and the Siege of Mount Hiei. His military efforts continued with the Siege of Ichijōdani Castle, the Siege of Makishima Castle, and the Siege of Odani Castle, all occurring in 1573.

### Consolidation and Legacy
In 1575, Nobunaga achieved a notable tactical victory at the Battle of Nagashino. That same year, he oversaw the construction of Nagahama Castle. His architectural ambitions culminated in 1579 with the construction of Azuchi Castle, which became one of his primary seats of power. He also conducted the Siege of Itami in 1579. His reign as a dominant daimyo and military leader came to an abrupt end in 1582 during the Honnō-ji Incident, where he was forced to commit suicide by the traitor Akechi Mitsuhide.

### Cultural and Religious Affiliations
Beyond his military conquests, Oda Nobunaga maintained connections with significant cultural and religious figures. He was affiliated with Sen no Rikyū, the famous Japanese tea master. He is also associated with the founding of Sōken-in, a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji established in 1583, and Sōken-ji Temple in Shiga Prefecture.

### Titles and Names
Nobunaga held various names and titles throughout his life, reflecting his status. He is known by the kanji 織田 信長 and the hiragana おだ のぶなが. Other names associated with him include 吉法師 and 上総介三郎. He is classified historically as a Sengoku daimyo and a human, with fields of work encompassing military art and war.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Japan Search
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. SNAC
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. IdRef
9. [Source](https://www.aozora.gr.jp/index_pages/person2095.html)
10. CERL Thesaurus
11. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
12. Quora
13. Oda Nobunaga - Character (289) - AniDB. AniDB
14. Dizionario di Storia
15. Golden
16. [Oda Nobunaga MBTI Personality Type: ENTP](https://www.personality-database.com/profile/590)
17. Catalogo of the National Library of India