Sakuma Nobumori

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Sakuma Nobumori

Role / Field:

Samurai retainer of the Oda clan, known for his service under Nobunaga until banishment.

Born:

1527

Died:

1582-02-18

Century / Era:

1527s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Sakuma Nobumori (佐久間 信盛, also Dewa no Suke (出羽介) and Uemon no Jo (右衛門尉); 1528 – February 18, 1582) was a Samurai retainer of Oda Nobuhide. He was treated as Oda Nobunaga's most important retainer and would come to fight in every important battle under Nobunaga's command such as the 1567 siege of Inabayama Castle, the 1571 and 1573 sieges of Nagashima. Nobumori was head of the Sakuma clan. He was born in what is now Minami-ku, Nagoya (situated in contemporary Aichi District, Owari Province) and served under Oda Nobuhide. Sakuma was entrusted with the care of the young Oda Nobunaga, although he briefly supported Oda Nobuyuki in Battle of Ino and Nobuyuki failed attempt at rebellion in 1557.

Career & Major Achievements

Sakuma was called Noki Sakuma (退き佐久間) or "Shirizoki Sakuma", which literally means "retreating Sakuma", for his excellence in directing the rear guard. In 1547, Nobumori fought at the Battle of Kanōguchi against Saitō Dōsan. In 1548, Nobumori took part in the second Battle of Azukizaka against Imagawa clan. In 1555, Nobumori took part in the Battle of Ino, against Oda Nobunaga, older brother of Nobuyuki. However, in 1557, he changed side to Nobunaga, after Nobuyuki fail, Nobunaga forgave him.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1560, he led one of Nobunaga main forces at the Battle of Okehazama against Imagawa Yoshimoto. In 1567, he fought in the siege of Inabayama Castle against Saito Tatsuoki from the Saitō clan where he was in the reserve division. In 1570, he was successful in attacking Mitsukuri castle in the campaign against the Rokkaku clan and helped to suppress rebellions caused by Buddhist sects in Echizen Province. In 1571, Nobumori fought against the Ikkō-ikki rebellion in the sieges of Nagashima. He also set fire and burnt down Enryakuji at the siege of Mount Hiei.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1527: Birth of Sakuma Nobumori — Samurai retainer of the Oda clan, known for his service under Nobunaga until banishment.
2. 1528: 1528 Milestone — Sakuma Nobumori (佐久間 信盛, also Dewa no Suke (出羽介) and Uemon no Jo (右衛門尉); 1528 – February 18, 1582) was a Samurai retainer of Oda Nobuhide.
3. 1547: 1547 Milestone — In 1547, Nobumori fought at the Battle of Kanōguchi against Saitō Dōsan.
4. 1548: 1548 Milestone — In 1548, Nobumori took part in the second Battle of Azukizaka against Imagawa clan.
5. 1555: 1555 Milestone — In 1555, Nobumori took part in the Battle of Ino, against Oda Nobunaga, older brother of Nobuyuki.
6. 1557: 1557 Milestone — Sakuma was entrusted with the care of the young Oda Nobunaga, although he briefly supported Oda Nobuyuki in Battle of Ino and Nobuyuki failed attempt at rebellion in 1557.
7. 1560: 1560 Milestone — In 1560, he led one of Nobunaga main forces at the Battle of Okehazama against Imagawa Yoshimoto.
8. 1567: 1567 Milestone — He was treated as Oda Nobunaga's most important retainer and would come to fight in every important battle under Nobunaga's command such as the 1567 siege of Inabayama Castle, the 1571 and 1573 sieges of Nagashima.
9. 1570: 1570 Milestone — In 1570, he was successful in attacking Mitsukuri castle in the campaign against the Rokkaku clan and helped to suppress rebellions caused by Buddhist sects in Echizen Province.
10. 1571: 1571 Milestone — In 1571, Nobumori fought against the Ikkō-ikki rebellion in the sieges of Nagashima.
11. 1582 (1582-02-18): Passing & Historical Legacy — Sakuma Nobumori passed away on 1582-02-18, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Sakuma Nobumori

True or False: “Sakuma Nobumori was always considered a primary military strategist by Oda Nobunaga throughout his entire career.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Historical records suggest that Nobumori was sometimes criticized for focusing on tea parties and failing to devise overarching military measures against the Honganji.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abraham Ortelius — Contemporary (Born in 1527) (1527): Pioneering cartographer, creator of the first modern atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum.
• Akiyama Nobutomo — Contemporary (Born in 1527) (1527): A prominent samurai of the Sengoku period, known for his service to the Takeda clan.
• Giuseppe Arcimboldo — Contemporary (Born in 1527) (1527): Mannerist painter famed for composite portraits made of fruits, vegetables, and objects.
• Akechi Mitsuhide — Contemporary (Died in 1582) (1582): A prominent samurai general of the Sengoku period, known for his betrayal of Oda Nobunaga.
• Altan Khan — Contemporary (Died in 1582) (1582): Mongolian prince and leader of the Tümed Mongols, patron of the Gelug school.
• Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba — Contemporary (Died in 1582) (1582): Spanish military leader and statesman, famed for his role in the Habsburg Empire's conflicts.
• Alain Robbe-Grillet — Shared historical date (02-18 · Died) (2008): Pioneering French writer and filmmaker associated with the Nouveau Roman movement.
• Alessandro Volta — Shared historical date (02-18 · Born) (1745): Pioneering Italian physicist, credited with the electric battery and electrochemistry.
• Albrecht Dürer — Historical peer (Died in 1528) (1528): Master of the German Renaissance, renowned painter, printmaker, and theorist.
• Giovanni da Verrazzano — Historical peer (Died in 1528) (1528): Florentine explorer famed for charting the Atlantic coast of North America for France.
• 1527 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1527
• 1582 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1582
• February 18 (02-18) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 18

Frequently Asked Questions about Sakuma Nobumori