Kicho & Nobunaga 2nd edition: Revised and Expanded

By Rumi Komonz

Exploring Lady Nobunaga’s involvement in her warlord husband’s triumph and tragedy during the social upheval of 16c Japan, Rumi presents her theory to the most debated mystery in the Japaese history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press AU
• Release date: Mar 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781504324823

Rumi Komonz

Born in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan. BA (Gakushuin) Dip Ed (Monash) LLB (La Trobe)

Book preview

Kicho

&

Nobunaga

2nd edition

Revised and Expanded

RUMI KOMONZ

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Copyright © 2021 Rumi Komonz.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-2481-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-2482-3 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 03/12/2021

Contents

The Ceasefire – 1548

Kicho goes to Aichi – 1549 February

Fire at Aichi’s Capital Kiyosu – January 1551

Girls’ Day – March 1551

The Funeral – March 1551

Hirate’s Torment – January 1553

Cherry Blossom Viewing at Gifu – April 1553

The Battle at the Eastern Border

(Muraki Castle) – January 1554

Tea Ceremony with the Lord of Aichi, Shiba – March 1554

The Bequest – April 1556

Lord and Lady – July 1556

The Battle at Kicho’s Rice Paddock – August 1556

Akechi Castle falls – September 1556

Victor’s Misfortune – November 1557

Juami and Toshi – The fall of 1559

The Battle of Okehazama – May 1560

Abalone Jerkies 1560

Peace Treaty with Yasu – February 1562

New Castle at Mound Komaki – 1563

Young Lady Mikawa – 1566

Ichi’s Engagement 1566

Kicho Returns to Gifu – August 1567

The Ceasefire – 1548 (Flashback)

Hidé brings the Shogun to Gifu – Late Summer 1568

Re-establishing Ashikaga Shogunate – September 1568

Rebellion in Kyoto – January 1569

First Europeans – February 1569

Lord Viper’s Tea Ampule – July 1569

A Bag of Azki Beans – May 1570

Mt Hiei burns – September 1571

Initiation – January 1572

Trophy Heads of the Three Samurai – January 1954

A Visit to Hidé’s Castle – 1574

The Peace-land, Azchi – 1575

Nijo Residence in Kyoto – April 1576

Hidé trapped at Mt Rock – May 1576

Fire at Azchi Town – January 1578

Toku’s husband under house arrest – 1578

Nene Visits Azchi Castle – May 1579

Aunt’s Misfortune – July 1579

Monk worriers vacate Mount Rock – August 1580

Kuwami Temple – March 1581

The Summer Festival at Azchi – July 1581

Lord Strange conquers the Takeda clan – March 1582

At the Tea Cottage in Kyoto – April 1582

Yasu Visits Azchi – May 1582

Epilogue

Author’s note

Story Structure

About the Author

In

memory of Lady Oda Nobunaga, Kicho (1532-1610)

This novel explores Lady Nobunaga’s involvement in her warlord husband’s triumph and tragedy in his endeavor to end the social upheaval of Sengoku period in 16c Japan. Following the incidents of the Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga and filling the gaps between the lines based on an extensive research, the author presents her theory to the most debated mystery in the history of Japan.

The Family Tree

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Characters in the History

The Ceasefire – 1548

‘Did you sleep with Hidé?’ Father narrows his serpent-like eyes. He is Saito Dosan of Gifu, known as Lord Viper.

I shake my head from side to side, listening to my long hair rustle on silk.

‘He’s a coward, Kicho,’ he spits out the words, leaning his elbow on the black lacquered armrest. ‘What a coward!’

‘Hidé is like a big brother to me.’ I defend my cousin, Akechi Mitsuhidé, though he doesn’t deserve it. I look down and tidy my rainbow-colored kimono sleeves on my lap, waiting for Father’s next words.

‘Knowing he is a quitter, I have a marriage proposal for you.’ Lord Viper slides his sturdy hand into his kimono front and pulls out a folded Gifu paper.

‘Another one?’

‘We can’t ignore this one, Kicho. It’s from Lord Tiger’s eldest.’

I gasp. ‘Do you mean the one called Lord Fool because he fools around with peasant boys all day?’ I throw a frown, but his viper eyes become thinner, letting me know that he is serious.

I extend my hands in good manners and receive the document. I unfold the Gifu paper adorned with pressed flowers and gold dust.

to cease strife or do strike – time has come to be my wife

I read it twice and tilt my head. ‘Is this a riddle, Father?’

Lord Viper laughs holding his belly. ‘It’s from a young man to you, Kicho. What do you think it is?’

‘Hidé writes fancier.’ I pout.

‘Forget your cousin and listen to me. The Fool’s got a nerve. He knows that I am not giving you up easily.’

I look to the side. ‘Does he mean to attack my mother’s home, if I don’t marry him?’

Lord Viper moves his head to the garden. He stares at the camellia bush as he does when he has a problem. ‘The word ‘time’ in homonym refers to your mother’s heritage.’ As he lets out a long sigh, a crimson flower falls with a thud. ‘I want you to go to Aichi to marry the Tiger’s son.’ His viper eyes are testing me.

‘I am at your service, Father,’ I say. I’d jump into fire if it helps to forget Hidé.

‘Good.’ He nods. ‘The Fool has a younger brother called Victor, a handsome lad, I believe.’ He beckons a quick grin, like he heard me gossip with my maids. ‘Unlike the Fool, Victor enjoys his mother’s affection. He’s better for us also.’

‘Why?’

‘A docile leader will be easier to control.’

‘I see.’

‘According to my ninja,’ Lord Viper lowers his voice, as he looks around his expansive lounge partitioned by fusuma sliding screens. ‘…the Tiger is indulging in sake and teenage women lately. His wife and her family want him out.’

I nod.

‘Victor lives with his parents at their main castle and he’s popular there, while unpopular Fool lives alone with his mentors at an old fort. If and when the Fool loses the majority retainers’ support, you should marry Victor.’

‘How?’ I whisper.

Lord Viper reaches into his kimono front, this time taking out a dagger. He passes it to me.

I sit up. ‘Your treasured dagger for me? I am honored.’ I embrace it and look at it. ‘But Lord Fool is a skilled swordsman, I hear.’

He nods.

‘Mother’s shown me the ritual for...’

‘No, Kicho! Never kill yourself whatever happens.’

I stare at him. ‘Mother taught me differently.’

‘She has her silly samurai pride.’

‘You are a samurai, too.’

‘I became one by marrying her. I am proud to be dubbed the Viper of Gifu, who stole the district from the aristocratic master. I believe you have some mysterious powers.’

I shrug. ‘If I did, it didn’t work on Hidé…’

‘Forget Hidé, I told you. Now, listen. There are many ways to kill a man.’

I sit up.

‘Once the Tiger goes, no one will support the Fool. When the time is ripe, you shall stab him in the back.’

I pause staring at him. ‘What if I fall for him?’

He laughs, making his viper eyes mare slits. ‘He’s a fool, Kicho. Obey him and honor him, but make sure you don’t fall in love. Luckily, the Fool has his favorite pageboy, my ninja tells me. Do you know what I mean?’

I nod.

He clears his throat. ‘I’m hoping you don’t have to sleep with the Fool. Women can fall for unworthy men once they sleep with them. You look after yourself whatever happens. Take herbal remedies to avoid pregnancy, if you sleep with the Fool.’

I bite my lips. ‘Do you know what might happen, if I fall in love with Lord Fool?’

Lord Viper shrugs.

I unsheathe his dagger, and flip it. ‘I might use this against you!’

He bends backwards, gripping on the armrest to balance his weight.

I bow and sheath the weapon, retracting my exposed forearms into my crimson under-garment.

He laughs chokingly, as he straightens his armrest. ‘I’m proud of you, Kicho. Young vipers are born tearing the mother’s womb. Don’t hesitate to grab an opportunity to take advantage of anyone, and that include your parents.’

‘Do you mean it?’

He nods, now resting his arm statesmanlike on the black lacquered armrest. ‘Do you know why I named you Kicho?’

‘Ki means to return, cho is a butterfly. I might come back to Gifu one day like a butterfly.’

He grins. ‘That would be very nice. Kicho also means good luck. You have enchanted my life for 14 years, and owe me nothing. Your mother’s parents loved you so much that they honored me as their son-in-law, despite my common birth. Remember that you need to be ruthless to some, to be kind to many. Someone needs to end the territorial wars before we are all dead.’

‘I will remember that, Father.’ I lower my head, inhaling the fragrance of the freshly laid straw tatami, ready for the New Year.

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Gifu Castle in Spring

***

In the neighboring district Aichi, Lord Tiger’s fusuma sliding screens are closed today. Several of his young pages sit outside along the corridor facing the garden of rocks and shrubs, keeping a watch against possible intruders.

‘My health is failing,’ Lord Tiger of Aichi murmurs as he knits his eyebrows in his oversized futon laid on the straw tatami floor.

Two samurai on the tatami floor slide on their hands and knees to come closer to their master, when a woman’s arm pokes out of his futon, narrowly missing them. A squeal comes from a naked teenage girl, as two more girls in red under garment emerge. They race to their gaudy kimono, scattered among empty sake flasks rolling on their sides. The girls hastily cover themselves and rush to the door. They bow as they slide the fusuma door closed after them.

Lord Tiger grins at the girls, revealing his yellowing fangs. He then turns to the samurai and slurs, ‘If anything happens to me, keep it secret for two years.’

‘Sir,’ the two samurai bow.

One raises his large silver head. ‘Your eldest is 16, too young to defend our territory against the invaders. Luckily, the ceasefire talk is under way with our neighboring Lord Viper of Gifu. We are now talking about the engagement of his young lady to your heir to cement the peace treaty.’

‘Well done, Hirate,’ Lord Tiger nods. ‘We will sustain the peace until my son comes of age.’

But the other samurai shakes his head. ‘Lord Viper’s first daughter, who can have any man in the district, won’t put up with our Lord Fool. He wears a threadbare happy coat, walking around hanging onto the farmhand’s shoulder like an idiot.’

Hirate argues, ‘But he surveys his territory on horseback every morning and evening. He’s the best swimmer in Aichi. He learns archery, shot gun, and the art of war.’

‘See? There’s nothing wrong with my Fool,’ Lord Tiger yells. ‘Do your job as his mentors. Teach him manners!’

‘Sir.’ Hirate and Hayashi kowtow flat on the tatami.

Slowly, Hayashi lifts his head. ‘We have tried, my lord, but he can’t sit still. Capitol Kiyosu says that his younger brother Lord Victor should be our next lord.’

‘The Fool plays mock battles with peasant boys, mimicking me.’ Lord Tiger rubs his chin. ‘I can’t tell him he’s no longer my heir. Victor’s a nice lad, but too docile.’ Lord Tiger combs his beard with his robust fingers. ‘My wife tells him to dress like a samurai, but he doesn’t listen.’

‘If our lady can’t control Lord Fool, no wonder he’s beyond us,’ Hayashi says.

Lord Tiger scratches his head. ‘When the younger Victor was born, the Fool saw him suckling at my wife’s breast and wanted the same. He bit his wet nurse’s nipple with his erupting teeth.’

‘He hasn’t changed at all since,’ Hayashi says. ‘Allow me to resign from his mentorship.’

‘What? You, Hayashi!’ Lord Tiger shrieks, showing his fangs.

Hirate waves his hands. ‘Please calm down, Lord Tiger and Hayashi-san. If we can’t agree on our next lord, the ceasefire talk will stall. The pressing issue is to bring Lord Viper’s daughter to Aichi, before he finds out about our Lord Tiger’s ailment.’

They grunt and nod.

***

A stall sells nashi pears and persimmons. Another peddles green tea and rice dumplings. Others sell second-hand armor and swords.

A tall skinny youth in a scruffy kimono throws a grilled prawn in his mouth.

‘Yum!’ He says, wiping fingers on his muddy faced friend’s shoulder. The youth stretches a long arm to the stall table with colorful strings. A bright green cord disappears into his sleeve.

‘Give us some money, kid,’ the shopkeeper snaps.

‘Wait.’ The youth pulls out a pouch and fumbles with it.

His friend whispers, ‘Pay up first.’

‘Got it!’

‘Don’t talk so loud. We’re in enemy territory.’

‘They don’t know me.’ The youth snickers.

‘They’ll take you hostage,’ his friend whispers.

The youth shakes his crudely tied topknot, sticking up to the blue sky, and coils the yellow-green cord around it. ‘Old Hirate’s gone up there.’ He lifts his chin to point to the castle soaring at the top of the mountain, as he deftly knots the cord. ‘He’s got a gift for the young lady from me.’

They walk sniffing the waft of grilled squid, weaving through the shoppers and stalls. Behind a huge ginkgo tree with amber leaves, three horses graze. A samurai nods off under the tree, holding the horses’ reins. He half opens his eyes and jumps to his feet.

‘I saw you!’ The youth snatches a set of reins. ‘Not good enough.’

‘So sorry, my lord.’ The sleepy samurai bows like a rice-beating cricket.

The youth leaps on the chestnut horse, and the three horses trot in the westerly sun. When they come to the outskirts, the chestnut breaks into a gallop and the other two follow. They soon disappear into the forest along the highway to Aichi.

***

‘Go!’ a scream echoes across the wide plain in Aichi. Rag-clad teenage youths rush out from a bush, holding bamboo sticks twice the length of regular long-spears. From the opposite bush, well-dressed samurai youths with normal length bamboo sticks race out. The two groups clash.

The tall thin youth in the scruffy kimono is observing from the top of the hill. He wears no hakama trousers like the farmhands, his topknot coiled with the spring-bud colored cord. As the peasant boys start to bash the samurai, it becomes clear which team is winning.

‘Stop!’ The youth’s piercing voice rings in the valley, and the two groups separate. ‘Advantage to the long-spears,’ he declares giving a huge bag of persimmons to the farm youths, who cheer jumping up and down. He also gives a bag full of fruit to the other group, and walks among the youths of both groups as they scoff the fruit.

As the boys begin to disperse, he mounts on his chestnut horse. He gallops on the raised paths, which weave through paddy fields dotted by peasant shacks, sprouting like mushrooms after the rain. He continues to trot to the hilltop, and stops at the fort’s gate. The chestnut neighs, and the youth speaks in a low voice to the horse, as he looks down at the plain.

‘It was a clear day like this, when I ran after Mother’s koshi carriage. It got smaller and smaller and disappeared into the rice paddies. My baby brother wore a spring-bud green kimono in Mother’s arms. I wished I was him.’

The massive timber gates open with a squeak, and a samurai with a large silver head bows.

‘How is your study progressing, my young lord?’

‘Good. The priests sent their regards, Hirate.’

‘My young lord!’ Hirate screeches, ‘A trainee priest came here looking for you! You didn’t get there, did you? Lord Tiger told me to make sure you study manners!’

‘Calm down, Hirate, calm down. You are putting too much pressure on your heart. I had better things to do today, but I’ll go there tomorrow. Promise.’ When he jumps off the chestnut, dust disperses over Hirate, who coughs and brushes around his eyes. The youth sheds his clothes as he walks, dropping them along his path to the garden. Hirate scurries after him picking up his young master’s waistband rope, shaggy happy coat, and finally the red loincloth. The youth stands in the sunny courtyard with his arms up in the air while his pageboys wash him from head to toe from a pail of cold water.

Hirate tries to drape a silk kimono over his lean shoulders.

‘No.’ The youth elbows the old man. ‘Give me the other.’ He grabs a clean, but just as threadbare cotton kimono as the one he was wearing.

‘My young lord,’ Hirate cries. ‘Can you stop dressing like a peasant? People are calling you Lord Fool!’

‘Don’t you like my name?’ Lord Fool shakes his topknot coiled with the green cord. ‘I do.’ He gives a cheeky grin.

Hirate drops his shoulders. ‘Please don’t walk around hanging onto a farmhand’s shoulder, munching melons and persimmons. The officials oppose your succession after Lord Tiger.’

‘Don’t worry. They’ll obey Father.’ Lord Fool runs his fingers over his emerging moustache.

Hirate looks around and whispers, ‘There’s no guarantee. The officials at Kiyosu will ignore him. Do you know why they keep sending young women to him?’

Lord Fool looks serious for the first time since he came home. ‘Father’s making Mother cry again?’

Hirate nods. ‘Kiyosu is trying to make Lord Tiger lose interest in more important matters by young women. If he retires early, no one can protect your birthright, because Lord Tiger’s retainers all agree with Kiyosu that your younger brother is more suited to be his successor.’

Lord Fool curls his lip and raises an arm ready to push Hirate away.

‘But there is a way,’ Hirate says quickly. ‘May I suggest you to form an alliance with the Lord of Gifu?’

Lord Fool’s raised elbow stops in the air. ‘Did you see the enormous market there?’

Hirate gulps. ‘You didn’t go to Gifu, did you?’

‘You went there!’

‘I was your father’s envoy for the ceasefire. Gifu is our enemy land. They may kill you.’

‘Don’t do this, don’t do that. If I listen to you, there is nothing I can do.’ He pauses. ‘Did you meet the Viper’s daughter?’

‘She is gorgeous.’ Hirate smiles and nods as he rubs his palms.

‘Is she as beautiful as Mother?’

‘Lady Kicho is a year younger than you at 14, she is like a flower bud about to bloom.’ Hirate opens his arms and stretches his short form upwards.

‘Not quite as pretty as Mother, I take it? What’s her father like?’

‘Lord Viper travelled from Kyoto to Gifu, guarding loads of egoma seed oil from highway robbers. He gave food to the hungry thieves and many ended up following him.’

‘He recruited soldiers along the way?’

‘Yes. On the way back, Lord Viper loaded the empty cart with Gifu paper, Gifu persimmons and Gifu swords to make another fortune back in Kyoto.’

‘Genius!’

‘After managing the district for ten years as the former lord’s lieutenant, he became the Lord of Gifu himself. That was four years ago.’

‘He who rules Gifu district rules Japan, they say. I want Gifu!’

‘Shh... Keep your ambitions to yourself, my young lord.’ Hirate looks around to see that the pageboys have left with the laundry.

‘I want the Viper’s daughter.’ Lord Fool sits on the verandah, swinging his bony legs.

‘I am trying to protect your birthright with a good marriage,’ Hirate says as he sits next to the boy.

Lord Fool scratches his throat. ‘How can I get her?’

‘Lady Kicho’s father, Lord Viper reigns the Gifu district, which is three times as large as our Aichi,’ Hirate considers.

‘And Father and Uncle share a half each of Aichi.’

‘Indeed.’

Lord Fool holds arms in the front. ‘Do you think Lady Kicho is out of my reach?’ Lord Fool drops his shoulders. ‘How can I get her?’

‘Improve your manners, as I always say,’ Hirate takes a deep breathe as though to start a lecture, but Lord Fool speaks first.

‘Go back to Gifu, Hirate, and tell the Viper’s daughter that I’ve fallen in love with her. Tell her that I won’t have any other woman but her. Tell her that we’ll keep invading Gifu till she says yes. Even if it costs my life.’

Hirate beams. ‘With this marriage, my young lord, your succession will be secure. Come inside. I will show you the art of writing a love poem.’

‘Good,’ says Lord Fool, and he is already striding ahead along the long shiny corridor. In his study, he fills the inkwell with fresh water and buffs the ink stick. As the water turns dark, a musky scent fills the room. By the time Hirate arrives and sits beside him, Lord Fool has written something like a short poem.

with your love, I move the world

Hirate scratches his head. ‘It’s in phonetic hiragana letters, and that’s good because women don’t learn the complex kanji.’

Lord Fool nods and folds the note. He writes his formal name, Nobunaga on the back of the note. ‘Do you think she’ll like my name?’ he asks, cheeks flushing.

‘I am sure she will.’ Hirate nods. ‘Lord Tiger and I thought long and hard, choosing your name. You have the best name in the world, and I promise to do my best to bring Lord Viper’s daughter.’

***

In a garden of moss and rocks, the colorful carp gather swimming by the stone bridge.

Lord Viper comes to me and whispers, ‘The Fool’s been here in Gifu, according to his envoy.’

‘How daring,’ I say, as I watch a large orange carp graciously sway its tail.

‘Huh,’ Lord Viper scorns. ‘The Fool has no regard for his own safety.’ He lowers his voice. ‘A perfect son-in-law, I must say.’ He grins from ear to ear.

‘Why, Father?’ I toss my hair over the shoulder.

‘A careless son-in-law will make it easy for us to control Aichi. He’s so carefree that he even went shopping at the market. My ninja confirms the sighting,’ he chuckles.

‘Kano and the maids go there all the time. I want to stroll through the shops, too. You should let me go to the market.’

‘No, Kicho. Enemy ninja may be lurking.’

‘I’ll dress as a villager and no one will know me. Besides, I am a better swordswoman than any of my maids. I beat Kano the other day in the kendo match.’

Lord Viper chortles. ‘She pretends.’

‘I can beat her, Father.’ I say frustrated. ‘I want more lessons.’

‘Good,’ he nods. ‘You might need the skill one day.’

A silver