Portrait of a Ruler

The Emperor and Nobility

  • Matsuura Shigenobu (1549-1614)

    • Succeeded to the title in 1589

    • Took part in Hideyoshi's Korean campaign despite nominal retirement

    • Adopted the Buddhist name Sosei Hōin (Cocks and Saris refer to him as Foyne Sama)

    • Succeeded by his grandson, Matsuura Takanobu, after his son’s death in 1602

  • Cultural Practices

    • Nobles traditionally carried two swords:

    • Long sword: katana

    • Short sword: wakizashi

Portrait of a Ruler

  • Nobunaga (King of Owari)

    • Approximate age: 37

    • Description:

    • Tall, thin, sparsely bearded

    • Militaristic, involved in military exercises

    • Sensitive about honor, reticent about plans

    • Expert in military strategy, resists advice from subordinates

    • Highly esteemed by others, does not drink wine

    • Brusque demeanor; speaks dismissively to other Japanese rulers

    • Conducts himself with absolute authority; good judgment observed

    • Despises kami and hotoke (Buddhist deities) and denies traditional superstitions

    • Background:

    • Father was merely a lord of Owari; Nobunaga expanded control to 17-18 provinces, including the eight principal provinces of Gokinai

  • Construction of Nijo Castle

    • Built Nijo Castle, unprecedented in Japan

    • Initial actions: commanded the razing of both temples at the site

    • Construction details

    • Dimensions: 4 streets long and 4 streets wide

    • Labor force: 15,000 to 25,000 men, dressed in breeches and short jackets made of skins

    • On-site supervision involved carrying a sword or baton

    • Built entirely of stone (a novel concept for Japan): stones pulled from temples and monasteries

    • Impact on Miyako citizens: instilled terror and amazement due to idol destruction

    • Daily stone collection from monasteries, extensive labor in quarries and timber cutting

    • The operation was likened to the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem or Dido’s labors in Carthage

    • Further construction elements:

    • Moat and drawbridges

    • Height of walls: 6-7 ells; width varies from 6 to 8 ells

    • Internal moat, lovely walks, and three large gates with fortifications

    • Nobunaga’s decrees during construction:

    • Monasteries in the city were forbidden from tolling bells

    • Established a bell in the castle to manage labor operations

    • Notable anecdote: Execution of a soldier for inappropriate behavior with women on site

    • Construction timeline: Completed within 70 days

First Meeting with Nobunaga

  • Location: at the building site, Nobunaga awaited on a bridge

  • Interaction: Frois made an obeisance, Nobunaga summoned him

  • Conversation topics included:

    • Frois’s age, journey from Portugal, duration of study, family matters, and desire for correspondence

    • Future intentions regarding missionary work if Christianity does not flourish in Japan

  • Nobunaga’s critique of Japanese bonzes:

    • Purported bad customs and intent on wealth

  • Missionary response: Emphasis on their singular goal of spreading the Word and a proposal for a debate with Buddhists to test the validity of their beliefs

    • Nobunaga found this idea amusing; uncertain of scholars' acceptance but open to possibilities

  • Later, Nobunaga showed Frois around the palace he was building and insisted on proper customs when walking barefoot

The Alarum Clock

  • Nobunaga’s request to see an alarum clock after a few days

  • Encounter details

    • Nobunaga liked the clock but deemed it impractical

    • Offered tea in his own bowl to Frois

    • Gave figs as a gift, along with engaging in conversation about Europe and India

  • Next Audience

    • On Nobunaga’s departure for Owari, Frois bids farewell

    • Gave a gift of fine paper and a wax candle, which Nobunaga lit himself

    • A conversation occurred regarding their mutual understanding of Buddhism and their stance against it

Respect Paid to Nobunaga

  • Observations on Nobunaga’s command

    • Subjects obey his dismissals with haste, showing deep respect and fear of repercussions

    • Nobunaga’s command over close officials demonstrates absolute authority

His Power

  • Nobunaga’s stance regarding other powers in Japan

    • Dismisses advice from the Dairi and Kubō Sama, asserting his total control

Destruction of Hieizan

  • Nobunaga sought revenge on the Hieizan bonzes

    • Realized his advantage with 30,000 soldiers present

    • Bonzes offered 300 bars of gold (worth 45 silver taels each) as a bribe that he refused

    • Nobunaga razed the temples and monasteries, expressing his disdain for their superstitions

    • On September 29, 1571, Sakamoto was set ablaze; 1,500 bonzes and layfolk perished

    • Followed by the destruction of the Sannō temple and remaining temples

Visits Azuchi Seminary

  • Nobunaga received Jesuits, admiring the cleanliness of their seminary

    • Engaged in music with organ and harpsichord, displaying curiosity about European instruments

    • Music utilized to attract pagans to the faith

His Megalomania

  • Nobunaga’s growing pride and demands for worship

    • Built a temple for himself, proclaiming his divine authority akin to Nabuchodonosor

    • Presented benefits to worshipers, emphasizing wealth and longevity in return for adoration

    • Ordered revered statues to be transported to glorify his cult

The Death of Nobunaga, June 21, 1582

  • Describing Nobunaga's betrayal by Akechi Mitsuhide, resulting in his siege at Honnōji

    • Traumatic encounter: Nobunaga shot and retreated, leading to his rumored suicide or fiery demise

    • Witnessed as his reputation of fear dissolved as he faced death

Notes

  • Source: An account by Luis Frois, S.J.

  • Nobunaga’s importance in the unification of Japan and relations with the Jesuits, along with historical notes on his tenure and legacy.

  • Setting: Factors contributing to the cultural and religious landscape of Japan during Nobunaga's reign.