Oda Nobukatsu

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Oda Nobukatsu

Role / Field:

Samurai lord who survived the Oda decline, becoming a daimyō in the Edo period.

Born:

1558

Died:

1630-06-10

Century / Era:

1558s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Oda Nobukatsu (織田 信雄; 1558 – June 10, 1630) also known as Kitabatake Tomotoyo was a Japanese samurai of the Azuchi–Momoyama period. He was the second son of Oda Nobunaga. He was adopted as the head of the Kitabatake clan from Ise Province. He survived the decline of the Oda clan from political prominence, becoming a daimyō in the early Edo period. Though often described as an incompetent general, Nobukatsu was a skilled warrior.

Career & Major Achievements

In the battle of Komaki and Nagakute, he used a 13th-century tachi of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school, to slay a samurai known as Okada Sukesaburō. The blade came to be known as "Okada-giri Yoshifusa", now a national treasure. In 1570, Nobukatsu became an adopted heir of the Kitabatake clan and married a daughter of the former lord of Kitabatake, Tomonori. The true nature of this marriage was a condition of truce forced by the Oda clan to the Kitabatake clan. In 1575, Nobukatsu officially became the head of the family.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The next year, he killed his father-in-law, imprisoned the previous lord, who was his father by adoption, and completely took over the Kitabatake clan. In 1579, eager to achieve fame, Nobukatsu directed a first invasion of Iga, Iga Province, which only ended in disastrous failure and severe rebuke from his father. Two years later in 1581, Nobunaga himself led the second invasion with an army of several ten thousand, destroyed the whole region and placing control of Iga province in Nobukatsu's hands. When Nobunaga and his heir, Nobutada, died at the Honnō-ji incident in 1582, problems arose about who would succeed the lordship of Oda clan. When Nobukatsu and his younger brother, Nobutaka, quarreled over the matter, a council decided on the infant son of Nobutada, Oda Hidenobu.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1558: Birth of Oda Nobukatsu — Samurai lord who survived the Oda decline, becoming a daimyō in the Edo period.
2. 1570: 1570 Milestone — In 1570, Nobukatsu became an adopted heir of the Kitabatake clan and married a daughter of the former lord of Kitabatake, Tomonori.
3. 1575: 1575 Milestone — In 1575, Nobukatsu officially became the head of the family.
4. 1579: 1579 Milestone — In 1579, eager to achieve fame, Nobukatsu directed a first invasion of Iga, Iga Province, which only ended in disastrous failure and severe rebuke from his father.
5. 1581: 1581 Milestone — Two years later in 1581, Nobunaga himself led the second invasion with an army of several ten thousand, destroyed the whole region and placing control of Iga province in Nobukatsu's hands.
6. 1582: 1582 Milestone — When Nobunaga and his heir, Nobutada, died at the Honnō-ji incident in 1582, problems arose about who would succeed the lordship of Oda clan.
7. 1630 (1630-06-10): Passing & Historical Legacy — Oda Nobukatsu passed away on 1630-06-10, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Oda Nobukatsu

True or False: “Oda Nobukatsu was always recognized as an exceptionally skilled general throughout his entire career.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he fought in major battles and used famous weaponry, historical accounts often describe him as being portrayed as an incompetent general at times.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Bessho Nagaharu — Contemporary (Born in 1558) (1558): A Sengoku period daimyō who initially allied with the Oda before revolting against Hideyoshi.
• Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor — Contemporary (Died in 1558) (1558): Holy Roman Emperor and vast ruler of Habsburg dominions across Europe and the Americas.
• Hürrem Sultan — Contemporary (Died in 1558) (1558): Powerful Haseki Sultan, legal wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, and mother of Selim II.
• Agrippa d'Aubigné — Contemporary (Died in 1630) (1630): Master French poet, soldier, and propagandist, best known for Les Tragiques.
• Alessandro Striggio the Younger — Contemporary (Died in 1630) (1630): Influential Italian librettist, renowned for Orfeo and his work with Monteverdi.
• Ambrogio Spinola — Contemporary (Died in 1630) (1630): Italian-Spanish nobleman and general, renowned for his military prowess in the Spanish Empire.
• Adolph Zukor — Shared historical date (06-10 · Died) (1976): Pioneering Hungarian-American film producer, co-founder of Paramount Pictures.
• Alessandro Algardi — Shared historical date (06-10 · Died) (1654): Master of High-Baroque Sculpture, renowned for his portrait busts in Rome.
• Hon'ami Kōetsu — Historical peer (Born in 1558) (1558): Master Japanese craftsman, renowned for calligraphy, lacquerware, and inspiring the Rinpa school.
• Mary I — Historical peer (Died in 1558) (1558): Queen of England and Ireland; attempted to reverse the English Reformation.
• 1558 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1558
• 1630 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1630
• June 10 (06-10) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 10

Frequently Asked Questions about Oda Nobukatsu