2. Resolving conflicts based on morals requires consistency. Violating one’s own precepts – hypocrisy – and hurting the people or cause you are sworn to defend is the fastest way to turn genuine morality into the visage of a threadbare cloak which does not protect oneself from the elements.
3. When a contest has become one of force, you must correctly assess your means.
4. When you have fallen behind a rival – or are failing on your old course of action – you must make adjustments and compromises.
5. When you are the weaker party in a negotiation, haughtiness is bad on all levels. There is always the temptation to become haughty to people who perceive themselves as moral – but this is where you must correctly assess your means and whether you’re actually perceived as moral in the eyes of others.
6. You must have credibility. When you repeatedly break your word, no one can bargain and compromise with you effectively.
If the warrior-monks of Mount Hiei had held to even one of the principles they violated, the events of September 1571 – the complete destruction of all the ancient monasteries and fortresses of Mount Hiei, with near total loss of life of inhabitants – would not have happened.
Nobunaga was wrathful, brutal, perhaps even insane at times – but the whole course of action was preventable by the warrior-monks themselves.
It is hoped you will learn from their example what not to do.
Kissinger reflects,
“Though privately religious, [Cardinal Richelieu of France] viewed his duties as minister in entirely secular terms. Salvation might be his personal objective, but to Richelieu, the statesman, it was irrelevant. “Man is immortal, his salvation is hereafter,” he once said. “The state has no immortality, its salvation is now or never.” In other words, states do not receive credit in any world for doing what is right; they are only rewarded for being strong enough to do what is necessary.””
***
WRAPPING UP
You are highly encouraged to read Yoshikawa’s Taiko (though you might consider starting with his more-accessible masterpiece, Musashi, first, about the famous lone swordsman). Likewise, Kissinger’s work rapidly became my most-highlighted books of all time for all its insights.
Now, you are no doubt curious how it ends up for Oda Nobunaga. From the reckless fool of Owari, to commander of the leading force, to the hellacious demon who slaughters Buddhist monks…
… what is the end of his path?
He’s called the “First Great Unifier of Japan” – so he must have succeeded to some extent, no?
But, wait. First Great Unifier? What happens to him in the end?
We will find out next chapter, in Vantages #4: Ends, Means, and Blindspots.
Vantages #4: Ends, Means, and Blindspots
AIN'T WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW...
“Although Nobunaga rarely put too much trust in his retainers, he particularly trusted Shibata Katsuie, [Toyotomi] Hideyoshi, and Akechi Mitsuhide, who was the first subordinate to receive a castle from Nobunaga.”
-- Wikipedia: Akechi Mitsuhide
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so. “
-- Mark Twain
***
AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT
“In 1578 an unfortunate incident is said to have occurred involving the Hatano clan of Tamba. Eager to bring them over without further delay, Mitsuhide managed to convince Hatano Hideharu to submit. Unfortunately, Nobunaga later overturned Mitsuhide's promise of safe treatment and had Hideharu executed in 1579. The Hatano responded, as one might expect, by accusing Mitsuhide of treachery, and, the story goes, somehow got ahold of his mother in Omi and executed her in dreadful manner. Mitsuhide, needless to say, bore Nobunaga some ill will. This was enflamed by a series of public insults Nobunaga directed at Mitsuhide that drew even the attention of Western observers. Nonetheless, Mitsuhide was generally well regarded for his talents both on the battlefield and as an administrator.”
-- The Samurai Archives: Akechi Mitsuhide
***
THE NATION UNDER ONE SWORD
It is June of 1582 in Japan.
Oda Nobunaga will celebrate his 48th birthday in less than a week.
His dream of Tenka Fubu – "The Nation Under One Sword" – has largely been realized.
How far he has come!
The young “fool from Owari” who was seen as a weak and frivolous leader had been attacked at age 26 by the overwhelming force of the Imagawa. Nobunaga led that daring raid that slew their leader, in one shocking moment becoming a major power in Japan (discussed in Vantages #2: Below the Bar).
This was an era of treachery and chaos. The Sengoku Civil Wars, similar to the Italian Renaissance or World War I, were multi-sided. There was coordination and alliances, but there was no single constantly holding blocs in the Sengoku Civil Wars.
It was a brutal time in Japanese history: warlords and bandits ran free; trade was widely disrupted; innocent people constantly suffered. The claims of local samurai leaders, a fragmented and disintegrating central Shogun, a weak and powerless Emperor, warrior-monks and peasant insurgents raiding the countryside… it was a lawless and brutal time in Japanese history.
Nobunaga set his sights on changing that. He adopted the motto,
Tenka Fubu: The Nation Under One Sword
The Oda forces first conquered the powerful fortress of Inabayama Castle and re-naming it “Gifu” after the Legendary King Wu who unified China.
The symbolism was very clear: Nobunaga’s ambition was to unify all of Japan, becoming the “King Wu of Japan,” a dream to end the multi-sided Civil War and bring peace and order to the realm.
Over the next five years, Nobunaga launched attacks from his new base of Gifu Castle, eventually becoming powerful enough to successfully march on Kyoto and re-install the deposed Shogun Yoshiaki, whose brother had been murdered and a puppet installed on the Shogun’s throne.
He entered Kyoto victorious in 1568, at the age of 34 years old.
Seeing the local balance of power being disrupted, and despising the upstart young lord, neutrals declared war on the Oda Clan, allies turned on the young and rising Oda Nobunaga, and the warrior-monks led multiple rebellions and raids against his newfound authority.
After the warrior-monks repeatedly refused to back down and broke peace treaties, he shocked the world by burning down the ancient Mount Hiei 3 years later, destroying temporal Buddhist-warrior power in Japan (discussed last chapter, in Vantages #3: Morality on the March).
The next year, he routed and destroyed the Takeda Clan’s powerful cavalry at the Battle of Nagashino with the use of innovations in battlefield engineering and firearms (discussed in Vantages #1: Why and How).
In 1574 was knighted by the Emperor; in 1577, he was given the third-highest formal rank in Japan, Udaijin. He was indisputably the most powerful man in Japan, now sanctioned by the Emperor on his mission to unify the nation.
The last truly great rival to Nobunaga, Uesugi Kensin, died in 1578. There has been widespread dispute and debate of whether he died of cancer or was assassinated by one of Nobunaga’s men, perhaps the elite ninja Hattori Hanzo who led many such missions.
With Kenshin’s death, the path to full unification of Japan was clear.
Nobunaga’s best generals fanned out across Japan, laying siege to anyone who would not join the Oda coalition.
Tenka Fubu – the Unification of Japan under Nobunaga’s Sword – was in sight.
Nobunaga has been sanctioned by the Emperor in his mission. He has the best generals, the best gunsmiths, the best technology, and the best soldiers in the land.
The chief rivals to Nobunaga’s mission of unification have died or been subdued. Shockingly, when you actually study the annals of history, it seems like the best half-dozen generals in Japan all served under Nobunaga at this time.
Come, think of that – despite only controlling around half of the country, it is very likely t
hat each of Oda Nobunaga himself, his son Oda Nobutada, Akechi Mitsuhide, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Shibata Katsuie, and Tokugawa Ieyasu are each individually better than any remaining rival.
Unification is very much in sight.
But then, The Incident at Hanno Temple.
***
DYING BY THE SWORD
It is the very early morning of 21 June 1582.
Kyoto is now firmly pacified and controlled by Oda forces.
On his way westward, Oda Nobunaga takes some much-needed rest at a favorite tranquil spot of his, Hanno Temple in Kyoto.
In two days, it will be Nobunaga’s 48th birthday. He will drink a little sake, perhaps write a little poetry, watch some dances, perhaps observe the flowers.
Nobunaga was sound asleep on the cool Kyoto Temple pavilion, taking a much-needed rest.
And then a war-horn blows.
Nobunaga’s world is hazy and swirling in the pre-dawn: Am I dreaming?
The loud-thumping of war drums begins.
My mind is consumed by war.
The clacking hooves of horses now come into earshot.
Gunfire breaks out.
Reality strikes and the dream is gone.
We’re being attacked.
The warlord is wide awake.
Shouts and screams begin now, the peaceful Kyoto temple scene turning instantly into a battlefield.
Nobunaga is on his feet now, shouting and giving orders.
“What’s going on? Report!”
One of his most loyal pages, Mori Ranmaru, speaks up: “We’re surrounded. Enemy unknown!”
Nobunaga moves to an observation point, inaccurate gunfire peppering the area.
Enemy battle-cries rise from beyond eyesight in the summer pre-dawn.
“Teki wa Honnō-ji ni ari!”
“The enemy is at Hanno Temple!”
Nobunaga grimaces. That’s us.
Nobunaga has a handful of personal attendants and a light bodyguard; they have no horses, not many guns, a few swords and spears. They had more of a ceremonial detachment than an actual fighting force while resting at Hanno-ji.
“Ranmaru, have our men scout the west pavilion! I’m going to the east myself!”
They run off in opposite directions to scout.
The sight is demoralizing: they are completely surrounded.
The enemy starts creeping forwards, and they see the war banners now –
明智氏
The flower of the AKECHI clan.
Nobunaga ducks back into the Temple and runs into Ranmaru.
Nobunaga bellows, “It’s Mitsuhide! He’s betrayed us!”
Ranmaru cringes. “We’re completely surrounded. At least hundreds of men outside with guns and lances. The sentries are all dead... our men are fighting desperately, they’re breaking into the Temple!”
Cries ring out from the darkness amidst horses’ hooves and gunfire.
“Teki wa Honnō-ji ni ari!”
“The enemy is at Hanno Temple!”
And then,
“Kill them all! Let none survive! For the AKECHI clan and LORD MITSUHIDE!”
After a quick war counsel among his few attendants, it is clear that escape is impossible.
Akechi soldiers are now forcing entry into Hanno Temple as the few defenders with improvised weapons and no armor are falling to the prepared full-scale assault.
Ranmaru speaks up, “We’re defeated… there is no escape.”
The young man looks like he is about to cry.
Nobunaga nods.
Decisive and defiant even to the end, Nobunaga gives his final orders –
“The bastard. The bastard traitor. Well, let’s ensure he doesn’t get our heads. Ranmaru, let us burn the temple down! They can have our lives, but no trophies! Prepare fires and get your sword! I will die as I should, seppuku, you are to be my second.”
Ranmaru flinches.
Nobunaga chastens: “No time to cry! 50 years under Heaven, and then we all die! But let us deny them their crowning moment!”
The last few disorganized defenders are fighting to the death even as Nobunaga, Ranmaru, and the attendants hurriedly set fire to the Temple.
Nobunaga takes his short sword from its sheath, and kneels in front of the altar.
“Ranmaru, be steady.”
And two days before his 48th birthday, Nobunaga drives the short sword into his stomach and wrenches violently, spilling his vital organs in seppuku, ritual suicide.
Ranmaru delivers the killing blow, taking Nobunaga’s head off in one clean stroke.
Ranmaru follows his lord in death, and Hanno Temple goes up in flames.
Their bodies are never recovered by the Akechi forces.
***
VANTAGES #4: ENDS, MEANS, AND BLINDSPOTS
Oda Nobunaga is still one of the most widely-discussed characters in Japanese history. People’s opinions run the full gamut – he is regarded as everything from a savior figure, to a brutal and heartless tyrant, and everything in between.
The discussions continue to this day:
Quora: “What if Oda Nobunaga was not assassinated in Honnoji? What effect would this have on Japanese history?”
Historum Forum: "How Should Oda Nobunaga be remembered?"
We are less interested in those points, though – we are looking for Vantages which we can intellectually stand upon, to survey the ground below us and see to the skies above.
We are not so interested in whether Nobunaga was a good man or a bad man– though he almost certainly was both at various times – but instead we are interested in a much simpler question,
“Could Nobunaga have prevented his assassination and death?”
***
ENDS AND MEANS...
In Vantages #1, we explored the Why and How of doing things.
We put together a very simple framework to evaluate and understand why you are pursuing certain things –
MOL = Meaning of Life
QOL = Quality of Life
Means = Means to an End
Nobunaga was very clearly not particularly interested in Quality-of-Life. He was willing to accept all sorts of hatred against him, and all sorts of depredations of campaign life, in order to unify Japan.
He drove relentless towards what he perceived as the meaning of his life –
Tenka Fubu: The Nation Under One Sword
He wished to end the chaos.
Everything he did, drove at those ends. It is consistently the single and only operating philosophy he ran his entire life by. It is how he chose his soldiers, his generals, his alliances, his succession planning, his war methods, his usage of reconnaissance and ninja… everything.
He was largely unshackled by tradition – he had no particular reverence for ancient Buddhist customs when those customs had culminated in a war-like philosophy opposed to his unification of the nation.
Likewise, he adopted one of the greatest “soft technologies” in all of history – promotion by merit. He did not care particularly for lineage; if an officer could get the job done reliably, they would rapidly be promoted. Hideyoshi Toyotomi – who will we meet next chapter – is proof of that. He rose from being Nobunaga’s sandal-bearer to one of his closest confidants and most fearsome diplomats and generals.
And, of course, Nobunaga felt no need to hew to old forms of warfare. He abandoned tradition in favor of battlefield engineering, firearms, non-traditional usages of sieges, offensive and defensive campaigns, etc.
Everything was a means to the end of his philosophy of unifying Japan under one sword.
***
MITSUHIDE’S MOTHER
Could Nobunaga have avoided death at Hanno Temple?
Not by conventional security alone, I don’t think. Remember that he did not distrust Akechi Mitsuhide; even if Nobunaga had been fanatic about security, it would have been at a different moment and in a different method. Perhaps poison, or perhaps a knife in the ribs at a war counsel. When Mitsuhide had made up his mind t
o betray Nobunaga, it was only a matter of time.
So, I don’t think basic “temporal security” could have saved Nobunaga.
Mitsuhide’s reasons for betraying Nobunaga are complex; a common theory is it was in response to Mitsuhide’s mother being executed.
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