Oda Nobutada

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Oda Nobutada

Role / Field:

Eldest son of Oda Nobunaga, a key samurai leader during the Sengoku period.

Born:

1557

Died:

1582-06-21

Century / Era:

1557s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Oda Nobutada (織田 信忠; 1557 – June 21, 1582) was a samurai and the eldest son of Oda Nobunaga, who fought in many battles during the Sengoku period of Japan. He commanded armies under his father in battles against Matsunaga Hisahide and against the Takeda clan. Oda Nobutada was born in Owari Province (尾張国) around 1557 as the eldest son of Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) (the second son if Oda Nobumasa actually exists). His nanny was Jotoku-In, daughter of Takigawa Kazumasu (滝川一益), who was one of the senior vassals of Oda Nobunaga. There is also a theory that Nobutada was adopted by Nohime.

Career & Major Achievements

His childhood name was Kimyo-Maru (Kimyo means strange in Japanese). He first called himself Oda Kankuro Nobushige (織田勘九郎信重), and later changed to Nobutada (織田信忠). During the Eiroku era, the Oda clan came into contact with the Takeda's territory in Kai Province (甲斐国) through Mino Province (美濃国), and the daughter of Toyama Naokado (遠山直廉), a warlord (国人) in southeast Mino province, became the adopted daughter of Nobunaga and married Takeda Katsuyori (武田勝頼), the eldest son of Takeda Shingen, thereby forming an alliance. According to the Koyo Gunkan, Katsuyori's wife died in November 1567, and engagement was arranged between Nobutada and Takeda Shingen's sixth daughter, Matsuhime, to solidify the alliance with the Takeda. Takeda and Oda continued to maintain a friendly relationship, but during the Eiroku era, the Takeda began invading the territory of Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康), an ally of Oda, in the direction of Mikawa (三河国) and Totomi (遠江国).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In the 3rd year of Genki (1572), in response to a call from Yoshiaki Ashikaga, a shogun who had been hostile to Nobunaga, Shingen began invading Oda territory (Operation Seizyo (西上作戦)). The engagement was virtually broken due to Shingen's death and the marriage of Oda Nobutada was canceled. These events contributed to the destruction of the Ashikaga shogunate in 1573. After that, the Takeda clan tried to improve the relationship with the Oda clan at the end of Katsuyori's reign, but Nobunaga refused to reconcile. Nobutada continued to follow Oda Nobunaga, and fought in various places, such as the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War (石山戦争), the Siege of Iwamura Castle (岩村城の戦い) in February 1574, and the attack on Ise Nagashima from July to September 1574.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1557: Birth of Oda Nobutada — Eldest son of Oda Nobunaga, a key samurai leader during the Sengoku period.
2. 1567: 1567 Milestone — According to the Koyo Gunkan, Katsuyori's wife died in November 1567, and engagement was arranged between Nobutada and Takeda Shingen's sixth daughter, Matsuhime, to solidify the alliance with the Takeda.
3. 1572: 1572 Milestone — In the 3rd year of Genki (1572), in response to a call from Yoshiaki Ashikaga, a shogun who had been hostile to Nobunaga, Shingen began invading Oda territory (Operation Seizyo (西上作戦)).
4. 1573: 1573 Milestone — These events contributed to the destruction of the Ashikaga shogunate in 1573.
5. 1574: 1574 Milestone — Nobutada continued to follow Oda Nobunaga, and fought in various places, such as the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War (石山戦争), the Siege of Iwamura Castle (岩村城の戦い) in February 1574, and the attack on Ise Nagashima from July to September 1574.
6. 1582 (1582-06-21): Passing & Historical Legacy — Oda Nobutada passed away on 1582-06-21, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Oda Nobutada

True or False: “Oda Nobutada was always recognized as the primary military strategist for the Oda clan throughout his life.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While highly capable, his career involved periods of leading armies and being entrusted with command, but he did not maintain undisputed strategic supremacy over all major events.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Oda Nobutada