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25.01.2022 Mori Ranmaru’s Armor Mori Ranmaru was born Mori Naritoshi in Mino (Gifu) in 1565. His father Mori Yoshinari, a samurai of the Saito clan of Mino, and later reta...iner to Oda Nobunaga folloing the overthrow of the Saito, died while fighting against the Asakura clan when Ranmaru was five, handing leadership of the Mori to his eldest brother Nagayoshi (Killed at the Battle of Nagakute, two years after Ranmaru’s death). As a child, he became a page to Nobunaga, and was recognized for his loyal service. Ranmaru assisted Nobunaga with his administrative duties, as well as on the battlefield. He was rewarded with 500 koku and land in Omi (Shiga Prefecture) and later the famed mountaintop Iwamura Castle in Ena, Gifu, with 50,000 koku. Most of what we know about Mori Ranmaru was created. Indeed, character assassination was rife in those days. Despite his youth, his bravery and loyal service, Mori Ranmaru has been portrayed as something of a fop. In later years, the kanji for his name was changed to represent a softer, more feminine meaning than the original kanji used in his lifetime. Likewise, it was rumored that Nobunaga and Ranmaru practiced Nanshoku, the tradition of intimate relationships. Once Nobunaga had died, Hideyoshi, and later Ieyasu, had history re-written. Hideyoshi’s version of the Honnoji incident for example, gives accounts of Nobunaga killing the women of his entourage, while other reports say he ordered them to flee, saving their lives. Either way, many of these embellished stories remain to this day, further fuelled by movie and TV depictions. Victors write history, and so strange tales and unbelievable acts were attributed to various historical characters. Some even had their names changed to mask the truth and cause doubt. The loyal Mori Ranmaru and his younger brothers died June 21, 1582, along with their master, Oda Nobunaga in the burning Honno-ji Temple. Ranmaru was aged 17. His armor is held in a private collection. It features a black two-piece Dou-maru breastplate and back (Dou), fitted with gold leaf covered Nerikawa (lacquered raw leather) Kusazuri (upper thigh protectors). Nerikawa is used as it is lightweight, yet strong enough to afford ample protection. Haidate (the apron like thigh protectors worn tied under the Dou) of Nerikawa are covered in black lacquer with golden rising sun motifs. The Kote (sleeves) have fitted Sode (shoulder protectors) in gold plated steel, with braided cords of orange, light green, white and orange layering. The Kote are mostly covered in sparse Kusari (chain mail) and interspersed with small steel plates also covered in gold leaf. The helmet is of six plate construction, with a Maedate (front crest) with the Buddhist invocation of Namu Ami Da Butsu in metal relief. A simple Hambo protects the lower face, and below that a wide Yodare Kake protects the throat and upper chest areas. The armor is in exceptionally good condition, and is an excellent example of Momoyama period style and coloring.

21.01.2022 She's only 6 : Instagram/vasi.lisa2014

19.01.2022 Takane Castle Built on 420m high Mt Sankaku overlooking the township of Misakubo in north western Shizuoka Prefecture, and surrounded by steep, natural cliffs, ...Takane Castle was a border security fortress constructed by the Okuyama clan around 1414, and 150 years later, taken by Takeda Shingen circa 1571. Under the Takeda, the castle was repaired to the stage it can now be seen. The small castle features 3 main compounds, the Hon-Kuruwa, Ni-no-Kuruwa and the San-no-Kuruwa. (In later years, each compound would be called a Maru instead of a Kuruwa, i.e., Hon-Maru, Ni-no-Maru etc.) Each fence-surrounded compound was separated from the others by ditches, -- dry moats called Horikiri. In the wall-surrounded Hon-Kuruwa stood the Seirou Yagura, an early styled, simple watchtower of about 11 meters in height, a simple guard-house, and a main building for the samurai residents. Between 1994 and 1999, the ruins were carefully excavated and researched by castle expert, Professor Miura of Hiroshima University, and reconstructed. The castle is now seen as one of the most important examples of 16th century samurai Yamajiro, mountain castle, construction.

16.01.2022 Happy Moo Year Welcome to the Year of the Cow! Tokugawa Ieyasu was once nicknamed The Cow of the Kanto because of one of his many suits of armour. ... This particular set is in the collection of the Tokugawa Art Museum in Nagoya, and is known as the Kumageue Kuro-Ito odoshi Gusoku. Basically, it is a simple Okegawa-do armour with a zunari Kabuto, covered in black hair. From the helmet sprout large, lightweight Kiri wood carved black lacquered horns. Although the hair is in fact bearskin, the overall look is that of a large cow, or water buffalo. Happy new year!

15.01.2022 Uwajima Castle One of just 12 castle keeps across Japan in original condition, and one of the smallest keeps too, Uwajima Castle in Shikoku is a relatively diff...icult to reach, and rarely visited castle in Shikoku. Fortifications were first built on the hill in 941. In 1236, those fortifications were expanded upon and at that time the castle was known as Marukushi Castle. It later came under the control of the Chsokabe clan, who faced attack from the powerful tomo clan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi took possession of the castle in 1585 as part of his subjugation of Shikoku, and placed his retainers in charge. The Todo clan were awarded the domain in 1595, and from then a major restoration of the previous fortifications were initiated by castle construction expert, Todo Takatora. The name of the castle was changed to Uwajima in 1601 upon completion, just before the Todo clan were transferred to Imabari Castle further north, and the Tomita clan were stationed at Uwajima. Date Hidemune, son of the Sendai based Date clan was given the castle in 1615, and his descendants ruled until the end of the Edo period. The basic layout of the castle remains from Takatora’s days, but the stone walls, gates and yagura were completed by the Date clan. The Tenshu, one of the smallest keeps in Japan, designated an Important Cultural Property, was built in the 1670’s, but the keeps’ entranceway roofing section was added around 1850. The Tenshudai, base stonework, is made from precisely cut stones, closely fitted, and features a narrow ledge around the top. This style is called an Inu-michi, (literally Dog’s Walk). This edge exists at Uwajima because the original stone work was made with a softer stone that started to erode and crumble, and so a stronger, heavier stone was used to cap the original ishigaki-dai, leaving the small ledge around the top of the stonework. Inside the keep, on the 3rd floor is a design model of the castle dating to the early Edo period, which was used to instruct the carpenters on the design of the castle. Also around the top of the 3rd floor are some long, thin windows. These can only be found at Uwajima, and Himeji castles, and are ventilation windows to allow the smoke of matchlock guns out of the keep. (If these windows are closed, it may be hard to see them) Despite such well thought out design features, Uwajima Castle’s keep was not well designed for the possibility of attack. The sotogata-styled tenshu’s outer Hafu (triangular roof features) simply hinder window gun access and range. Uwajima Castle was abandoned in 1871, and most of the turrets, gates and remaining structures were torn down in 1900. The Ote Mon, main gate was destroyed by fire during WW2 bombing. In 1950, the castle was awarded Important Cultural Property status. Aside from the keep and the fascinating stone walls, of note is the remaining Yamazato Kura, built in the San-no-Maru area in 1845, but relocated to the Toubei-maru in 1966, where it now serves as a simple museum.

15.01.2022 Surely the best one of these so far...?

14.01.2022 Not related to Karate at all... But, this is a photo of an envoy of Samurai by the Sphinx of Egypt in 1864 before the Sphinx was excavated. I found this just fascinating! Ito

09.01.2022 Nobunaga's Golden Skulls Azai Nagamasa was born in Odani Castle in 1545. In 1564, the then 19-year-old Nagamasa was married to the powerful and rising warlord O...da Nobunaga’s younger sister, Oichi. It was a marriage of political convenience, orchestrated by Nobunaga, who saw it as a way of gaining free access to Kyoto and surrounding districts, as well as being able to manipulate control of Omi without having to fight for the land. It should also have strengthened ties between the two clans, however in 1570, the situation took a turn for the worse, when Nobunaga waged war on the Asakura clan of Echizen (now Fukui Prefecture). This tore the Azai clan in two, as the Azai and the Asakura had long been allies. Many in the Azai camp wanted to assist their former allies, while others suggested supporting the stronger Oda clan. Eventually the Azai chose to maintain their decades old alliance, which forced Nobunaga's troops to retreat to Kyoto. It was Nobunaga’s sister, Nagamasa’s wife, Oichi who had warned Nobunaga of the turning of the Azai and the imminent arrival of the Asakura, by sending a secret warning sign to Nobunaga in the form of a bag of beans, tied closed at both ends. This allowed Nobunaga to know that the Azai had turned, and saved his life, The alliance between the Oda and the Azai completely collapsed. In revenge, Nobunaga ploted an overthrow of northern Omi Province. Some months later, a joint Oda-Tokugawa army of over 20,000 men attacked the Azai, who they believed had turned against Nobunaga. In desperation the Azai called in their allies, the Asakura, and in the summer of 1570, the two armies clashed in the Battle of Anegawa. While Azai Nagamasa’s 5,000 men retreated back into Odani castle, Asakura Yoshikaga sent an army of 20,000 to assist. The Oda forces and the Asakura troops clashed and the defeated Yoshikaga was forced to commit seppuku, bringing the Asakura clan to an end. Nobunaga then turned his attentions on Odani Castle. When the Oda forces attacked, Nagamasa realized all was lost. He sent his son, Mampukumaru, into exile, and had his wife exit the castle to escape. Oichi and their 3 daughters were delivered into the protection of Nobunaga before Nagamasa cut himself open in the unique way of the samurai. Three generations, spanning 50 years of Azai rule ended in Odani Castle in September of 1573. The story goes that Nobunaga then had the skulls of Asakura Yoshikaga, Azai Nagamasa, and his father, Azai Hisama lacquered, and covered in gold, before using the skullcaps as sake drinking vessels.

07.01.2022 Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiakira died on this day, December 28, 1367 Yoshiakira was the son of the founding first Shogun, Ashikaga Takauji, and Akahashi (Hojo) Tosh...i. The politically powerful Hojo clan had been hereditary regents since 1206 until being overthrown by the Ashikaga in 1333. Because of his mother’s Hojo ancestry, Yoshiakira spent his childhood in Kamakura as a hostage of the Hojo clan although properly tutored and very well cared for. This time period witnessed the splitting of the Imperial Court into a legitimate Southern and a pretender Northern court. Yoshiakira’s father, Takauji had been sent to seek and destroy the Emperor Go-Daigo’s army, but instead sided with the banished Emperor, and then, with Nitta Yoshisada, joined forces to attack Kamakura, capture the government and bring down the Hojo. Takauji would call his son to Kyoto, name him heir, and pass away in 1358, making Yoshiakira Shogun. Four years later, in 1362, Go-Daigo would send the troops of Kusunoki Masashige and Hosokawa Kiyouji against the Ashikaga, forcing Yoshiakira to escape, however, he would regain Kyoto again within 20 days. Yoshiakira ruled for nine years from 1358. He fell ill in mid 1367, and after naming his son as his successor, died December 28, aged 37.

04.01.2022 "A grown man looms behind my three-year-old daughter. Occasionally he will poke or tickle her and she responds by shrinking. Smaller and smaller with each unwan...ted advance. I imagine her trying to become slight enough to slip out of her booster seat and slide under the table. When my mother views this scene, she sees playful taunting. A grandfather engaging with his granddaughter. Mae. My tone cuts through the din of a familiar family gathering together. She does not look at me. Mae. I start again. You can tell him no Mae. If this isn’t okay you could say something like, Papa, please back upI would like some space for my body. As I say the words, my step-father, the bulldog, leans in a little closer, hovering just above her head. His tenebrous grin taunts me as my daughter accordions her 30-pound frame hoping to escape his tickles and hot breath. I repeat myself with a little more force. She finally peeks up at me. Mama . . . can you say it? Surprise. A three-year-old-girl doesn’t feel comfortable defending herself against a grown man. A man that has stated he loves and cares for her over and over again, and yet, stands here showing zero concern for her wishes about her own body. I ready myself for battle. Papa! Please back up! Mae would like some space for her body. My voice is firm but cheerful. He does not move. Papa. I should not have to ask you twice. Please back up. Mae is uncomfortable. Oh, relax, he says, ruffling her wispy blonde hair. The patriarchy stands, patronizing me in my own damn kitchen. We’re just playin’. His southern drawl does not charm me. No. You were playing. She was not. She’s made it clear that she would like some space, now please back up. I can play how I want with her. He says, straightening his posture. My chest tightens. The sun-bleached hairs on my arms stand at attention as this man, who has been my father figure for more than three decades, enters the battle ring. No. No, you cannot play however you want with her. It’s not okay to ‘have fun’ with someone who does not want to play. He opens his mouth to respond but my rage is palpable through my measured response. I wonder if my daughter can feel it. I hope she can. He retreats to the living room and my daughter stares up at me. Her eyes, a starburst of blue and hazel, shine with admiration for her mama. The dragon has been slayed (for now). My own mother is silent. She refuses to make eye contact with me. This is the same woman who shut me down when I told her about a sexual assault I had recently come to acknowledge. This is the same woman who was abducted by a carful of strangers as she walked home one night. She fought and screamed until they kicked her out. Speeding away, they ran over her ankle and left her with a lifetime of physical and emotional pain. This is the same woman who said nothing, who could say nothing as her boss and his friends sexually harassed her for years. This is the same woman who married one of those friends. When my mother views this scene, she sees her daughter overreacting. She sees me making a big deal out of nothing. Her concerns lie more in maintaining the status quo and cradling my step-dad’s toxic ego than in protecting the shrinking three-year-old in front of her. When I view this scene, I am both bolstered and dismayed. My own strength and refusal to keep quiet is the result of hundreds, probably thousands of years of women being mistreated, and their protests ignored. It is the result of watching my own mother suffer quietly at the hands of too many men. It is the result of my own mistreatment and my solemn vow to be part of ending this cycle. It would be so easy to see a little girl being taught that her wishes don’t matter. That her body is not her own. That even people she loves will mistreat and ignore her. And that all of this is okay in the name of other people, men, having fun. But. What I see instead is a little girl watching her mama. I see a little girl learning that her voice matters. That her wishes matter. I see a little girl learning that she is allowed and expected to say no. I see her learning that this is not okay. I hope my mom is learning something, too. November 21, 2018 Fighting the patriarchy one grandpa at a time. By Lisa Norgren Connect with her here: https://www.facebook.com/lisanorgrenwriter/ Photo: TheGuardian #SacredSistersFullMoonCircle #Spirituality #WomensWisdom #WomensEmpowerment #RedTent #SacredFeminine #Goddess #GoddessCircle #GoddessStudies #SacredMasculine #CyclicalLiving #WheeloftheYear #Mythology #Magic #Folklore #FolkTradition #BeautyTruthandLove #Feminism #Patriarchy

01.01.2022 Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the foot-soldier who rose in the ranks to become samurai, general, statesman and ruler of Japan is said to have been born on this day, March... 17, 1537. Hideyoshi stood 154cm high, and had type O blood. He is said to have had 6 fingers on one hand. Although he is often shown sporting a beard, he was unable to grow one himself, and so the beard was a stuck-on hairpiece. History books tell us his master, Nobunaga, called him Saru, or Monkey, however that is apocryphal, as diaries and letters show Nobunaga referred to him as the Bald Rat. Hideyoshi was born in the village of Nakamura, (Nagoya City) in 1536. His father, Yaemon, died shortly after his birth, and his mother remarried a lowly samurai who treated the boy severely. As a child he was sent to a nearby temple to become a priest, but absconded at age 15 to join the army of Matsushita Yukitsuna as an ashigaru foot soldier. In 1558, Hideyoshi was given six ryo, a fair sum of money, to purchase a coatof chain-mail for his master. However, the young samurai used the money to buy himself light armor and weapons and returning to Owari (Aichi Prefecture) entered the services of Oda Nobunaga as a sandal bearer. The story is well known that one cold winters’ morning, Hideyoshi put his masters’ straw sandals inside his kimono to keep them warm.This story too seems to be mostly fiction, but does explain how Hideyoshi came to the attention of Nobunaga, who, impressed by his attitude, rewarded him well, noting his intellect and promoting him as he rapidly distinguished himself. Hideyoshi was present at the Battle of Okehazama, the siege of Inabayama, the Battle of Anegawa and a number of Oda led skirmishes. Hideyoshi was in the south-western regions of Japan laying siege to the Mori clan held Takamatsu Castle when he received word of Nobunaga’s assassination. Upon receiving news of Nobanaga’s death at the hands of a trusted general, Hideyoshi quickly turned his men on the traitor Akechi Mitsuhide. Once Mitsuhide had been dealt with, Hideyoshi returned to Nobunaga’s castle at Kiyosu where he met with the senior retainers of the Oda clan and nominated Nobunaga’s infant grandson, Samboshi, as heir, assigning Nobuo and Nobutaka, the second and thirdsons of Nobunaga as the guardians of the infant until his coming of age. Hideyoshi’s actions became suspect as he governed in the name of young Samboshi. He was challenged by Nobutaka, who called on Shibata Katsuie, a long trusted vassal of the Oda, to oust Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi in turn sent Nobutaka’s brother Nobukatsu, who defeated his sibling in a siege of Gifu Castle. In 1583, Hideyoshi attackedand defeated Shibata at the Battle of Shizugatake. Nobukatsu was next to find fault in having Hideyoshi hold the reigns of his fathers’ hard won estates and turned to Tokugawa Ieyasu for assistance. The Tokugawa and Toyotomi armies faced off at Mt. Komaki north of Nagoya, and a battle was fought around Nagakute. Through negotiation, Hideyoshi was able to sue for peace, after which he returned to Osaka to begin occupying himself with the building of the magnificent Osaka Castle. Hideyoshi had conquered the southern islands of Shikoku and Kyushu, and bringing the daimyo of thenorth under his control. He surveyed the land, standardised the currency, and to cease uprisings and war, confiscated swords from the peasantry. Hideyoshi further ordered all to remain in their respective castes,of warrior, farmer, craftsmen or merchant. With the nation at peace, and many hundreds of thousands of samurai warriors now idle, Hideyoshi launched two major campaigns against the Korean peninsula. When these men returned to Japan, however, they found political circumstances had changed dramatically. It was at Fushimi Castle on September 18, 1598 that Hideyoshi died at the age of 63 leaving his vast empire to his five year-old son, Hideyori. Determined that the Toyotomi family should retain power,Hideyoshi had appointed a board of five regents, the Tairo, to rule in his son’s stead. It was the actions of one of those regents, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who would again bring the nation to civil war, and then emerge victorious. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was not a physically strong man. He had risen rapidly from being a lowly sandal-bearer to one of the most respected strategists in the land by merit of a strong intellect that allowed him to take over the helm from Nobunaga and eventually unify the nation.

01.01.2022 A Grave Problem Many of the famous samurai have a number of "grave sites", at the very least three. One would be the actual site where the body was laid to rest.... The second would be close to their birthplace or point of death, where their spirit was believed to remain. A third would be on Mt. Koya, the holiest of temples, located in Wakayama refecture. During the Edo Period, making the trips to visit these graves was, to a degree, encouraged. First, permission had to be granted, and so the Bakufu would know when and where the various daimyo were traveling. Second, to maintain appearances, a large and costly retinue was required. To be sure of paying one's respects, one should visit all known "grave sites", as making the pilgramage was time, and finance consuming, and like the Sankin Kotai, the system of alternate attendance at the Shogun's court, became a method of controlling the daimyo, and wasting their money that could be used to stock arms and weapons for war. It would also ensure money is circulated, helping the local economy and the taxes would be used for maintaining roads and barriers. Incidentally, the samurai graveyard at Koya San is highly recommended. The area has a certain atmosphere about it that one rarely feels. There is something different, something special about just being there, not to mention the excitement of locating the graves of your favourite historical personages....