Dutch scientist J.P. Lamers wrote a research biography about a prominent historical figure in the Land of the Rising Sun during the Warring States era. Oda Saburo Kazusanosuke Nobunaga was born in 1534 and from a young age became famous as “the great fool of Owari” - his behavior was so violent and eccentric. But, having gained everyday experience in the struggle with his father’s relatives for the inheritance, he first became the head of the clan, then subjugated the central regions of the country, and in the last years of his life he managed to begin the unification of the entire island state. His character changed beyond recognition: the helipad became a pragmatic dictator with an iron will, for whom even questions of faith were subordinated to considerations of military and political expediency. He met death with the nickname “Demon Lord of the Sixth Heaven.” CONTENTS: Introduction 8Chapter One. Creating an economic base 15Swari Province and the Oda clan 19Young Nobunaga 26Vassals of the house: horse guards, commanders, relatives 30People from Mino: allies, new horse guards and triumvirs 37Chapter two. The path to Kyoto 45First contacts with the court 45Nobunaga and Ieyasu 51Campaign to Kyoto 59Chapter three. Dual Power 66An Uneasy Alliance 67The Troubles of the Genki Years 76The Wrath of Nobunaga 84Chapter Four. Collapse of the shogunate 88Speech by Takeda Shingen 88Protest 90Confrontation 98Chapter five. Years of success 113Pacification of Nagashima 114Ceremonial recognition 118New victories 123Recognition at court 133Chapter six. Azuchi 137Castle 138Town 152Residents 159Chapter seven. Years of Misfortune 169The Second Alliance Against Nobunaga 170The Araki Crisis 178Chapter Eight. Conquest of Honganji and other religious issues 186War with Honganji 187Peace with Honganji 190Nobunaga and the Jesuits 195Dispute at Azuchi 205Chapter nine. Radical measures, gradual reforms 215Administration of vassals 215Destruction of castles (shirovari) and land tax reports (sasidashi) 224Chapter ten. Climax and Fall 236Kyoto Parade 238Anti-Takeda Campaign 242Honnōji Incident 246Nobunaga the God: Fact or Fiction? 250Nobunaga's Funeral 256Epilogue 262Notes 268Introduction 268Chapter 1 .Chapter 11 .Chapter III.Chapter IVChapter V.Chapter VIChapter VIIChapter VIII .Chapter X.Glossary 307Eras of Japanese History 311Genealogy of the Oda Family 312Bibliography 313Acknowledgments 333A Index 335