Oda Nobunaga was born in 1534, when Japan was still a fractured country. Small territories were ruled by powerful local warlords who were frequently at war with each other. However, by Nobunaga’s death in 1582, Japan was not far from being completely unified. Unification was completed in the years after Nobunaga’s death by the daimyos Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Oda Nobunaga was born during a time that is known as the “The Warring Period,” or the “Sengoku Jidai.” This era lasted almost 200 years, beginning in the mid 1400s and lasting until the early 1600s. It was a time of social upheaval, perpetual warfare, and intense political intrigue.

Beginnings

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Oda Nobuaga was the son of the minor noble and warlord, Oda Nobuhide. He was also an important government official of the Owari Province, a portion of land near the mid-south of the main island of Japan. Owari was divided into eight districts, and Nobuhide ruled only one of them. As a warlord, Nobuhide spent his life in a constant military struggle against neighboring provinces and clans. He died unexpectedly in 1551 when Oda Nobunaga was about 16 years old.

Bizarre Behavior

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Earlier in life, Nobunaga’s peculiar behavior and conduct often made his peers doubt him. He earned the nickname of “Owari no Outsuke,” which translates to “The Fool of Owari.” He seemed to have contempt for tradition and keeping place in society. Although he was a noble of a powerful house, he associated with commoners, peasants, and the lowly.

At his father’s funeral, Nobunaga acted in a bizarre and inexplicable way. In a society where observing ancient rituals and strict protocols was of extraordinary importance, Nobunaga displayed shocking acts of sacrilege such as throwing ceremonial incense at the altar. His behavior turned some of his retainers against him and caused dispute among the family.

After Nobunaga’s behavior at his father’s funeral, a man who was close to him committed ritual suicide