Oda Nobutada

Oda Nobutada (1557–1582), Nobunaga’s eldest son, first campaigned against the Asai in 1572 and fought at Nagashima and Nagashino. In 1575 Nobunaga transferred the household succession and the provinces of Owari and Mino to him. Nobutada ruled from Gifu while his father continued to direct wider campaigns. He inherited soldiers, territory and responsibilities during a continuing expansion, not a completed settlement ready to administer. [S01]

He led forces against Matsunaga Hisahide in 1577 and commanded the advance during the invasion of Takeda territory in 1582. His army moved through Shinano into Kai, contributing to the Takeda house’s destruction. The campaign also included the burning of monks at Erin-ji. Military success therefore brought authority and advancement alongside violence against a religious community. His adult career cannot be reduced to waiting to inherit from Nobunaga. [S01]

When Akechi Mitsuhide attacked Nobunaga at Honnō-ji in 1582, Nobutada was lodging at Myōkaku-ji in Kyoto. He withdrew to the imperial residence at Nijō, fought Mitsuhide’s forces and killed himself. His young son Sanbōshi survived. The deaths of father and principal adult heir in the same crisis broke the intended succession; the surviving child’s position had to be negotiated among the commanders left behind. [S01]