Kairakuen Garden, Three Thousand Plum Trees is Breathtaking
Kairakuen Garden Park is located in Mito city in Ibaraki Prefecture about one hour train journey from Tokyo to the east. It is one of the finest three parks in Japan, following Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Korakuen in Okayama. In early spring, the light pink, red, and white colors of over one hundred different plum […]
Matsusaka Castle and Gamo Ujisato: Samurai, Strategist, and Economic Visionary
Discover Gamo Ujisato, the samurai lord behind Matsusaka Castle—an economic visionary who served Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and later clashed with Date Masamune.
Battle of Komaki and Nagakute; How Tokugawa Ieyasu Defeated a 100,000-Strong Army
Explore how Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute despite overwhelming odds. A detailed analysis of battlefield tactics and strategy.
Kashima Jingu Shrine Enshrines the Diety of War, Takemikazuchi
Kashima Jingu Shrine in Ibaraki prefecture Enshrines the Diety of War, Takemikazuchi
Three Karamon Gates Reflect Hideyoshi's Authority as a Ruler
Kyoto is home to three national treasures of Karamon Gates at Daitokuji Temple, Nishi-Hongwanji Temple, and Toyokuni Shrine. These gates were relocated from Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s retreats, JUrakusaidai and Fushimi Castles. Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598, 豊臣秀吉) ended over a century of warlike period in Japan. The Karamon Gates feature the distinctive Karahafu, an undulating bargeboard on the […]
Nikko Toshogu Shrine – The Sacred Intersection Where Tokugawa Ieyasu Guards Japan Beyond Death
Discover why Nikko Toshogu Shrine was chosen as Tokugawa Ieyasu’s eternal stronghold—at the sacred crossroads linking Mount Fuji and Edo, guarding Japan beyond death.
Kenrokuen, a Scenic Garden, the Maeda Clan's Survival Strategy
Kenrokuen garden in Kanazawa is a symbol of Maeda Toshiie, Toshinaga, and Toshitsune, the great lords who protected Kaga's one million koku domain against the Tokugawa Shogunate. Thier strategy was brilliant.
Battle of Okehazama: Genius, Nobunaga's Victory
"Charge!, Charge!" Oda Nobunaga ordered the fierce charge to his elite troops on the headquarters of Imagawa Yoshimoto. On May 19, 1560, a pivotal event occurred in Japanese history as Imagawa Yoshimoto was defeated by 2,000 elite troops commanded by Oda Nobunaga.
Battle of Nagashino and Shitaragahara
On May 21, 1575, the decisive battle at Nagashino and Shitaragahara began between Takeda Katsuyori’s forces (1546-1582, 武田勝頼), numbering 15,000, and the 38,000-strong allied forces of Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582, 織田信長) and Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616, 徳川家康). The Takeda forces charged towards the 2-km-long fence constructed by the allies. For nine relentless hours, the Takeda forces were […]
Myokakuji Temple, Nobunaga's Innovative Venue for Tea Ceremonies
Oda Nobunaga held his tea ceremonies at Myokakuji Temple, his lodging during his stay in Kyoto. Here, Nobunaga and Sen no Rikyu met. The two innovators began to resonate with each other in their rational minds. Nobunaga appointed Rikyu as the tea master for the tea ceremony held at Myokakuji Temple in 1573. Encounter between […]