Great Conquerors: Oba Nobunaga

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Hello Esteemed Readers,

“Envelop them and watch their morale crumble to dust!”

This single statement captures the essence of the genius fool who dared to unify all of Japan under his banner.

His name?

Oda Nobunaga, daimyo of the Oda Clan during the late Sengoku Jidai period (1467–1615)—an era defined by relentless warfare and political chaos.

In the Great Conquerors series, we explore figures who embody different archetypes. Some are larger-than-life leaders who inspire the masses, while others are ruthless strategists who outmaneuver and crush their foes.

Well, Nobunaga is the ultimate poster child for the ruthless strategist.

Time and time again, Nobunaga outsmarted and humiliated his enemies, treating their defeats like child’s play.

“Oh, your army is four times larger than mine? No problem—I’ll destroy it in a daring night ambush.”

“Your unstoppable cavalry is feared across Japan? Watch as I decimate them with synchronized volleys from my newly acquired matchlock guns.”

This cunning extended to the political arena. Through calculated alliances, betrayals, and relentless ambition, he transformed the Oda Clan from a minor house into the dominant power of Japan.

And all this was accomplished by a man once mocked as a fool.

Defy Expectations

Oda Nobunaga, nicknamed the “Fool of Owari” (Owari being his home province), was considered an embarrassment to his family due to his unconventional behaviour and disregard for customs (playing with peasant children and wearing women’s clothes). No one expected him to become a successful daimyo of his clan, and even his own brother rebelled against his rule.

The reality was that Oda cared little for the opinions of others and chose to behave as he pleased. Behind the flamboyant exterior was a man of cunning resolve, with his sights set on all of Japan.

The Value

One of the greatest joys you can experience happens when you defy expectations, pushing past the lowly opinions others hold of you, and showcasing your own prowess. This requires being oblivious to others’ negative opinions and free from the weight of embarrassment or criticism.

Remember this:
Always stay true to who you are, and never change your behavior to satisfy others' wants.

Cunning

Oda Nobunaga provides us with rich case studies on strategic brilliance and astonishing adaptability.

In the lead-up to the Battle of Okehazama. Nobunaga devised a brilliant strategy to lure the larger enemy force into a trap. He ordered his troops to make deceptive displays, such as setting up dummy camps and lighting bonfires, to create the illusion of a scattered and disorganized army. This led the enemy to celebrate their victory prematurely, making them susceptible to a surprise attack by his soldiers.

He was also one of the first to extensively use firearms, recognizing their potential to revolutionize warfare. He implemented volley fire tactics, where ranks of soldiers fired in unison, creating devastating waves of gunfire that could decimate the infantry and cavalry charges of rival clans.

The Value

Cunning is the art of weaving seemingly unrelated elements into a cohesive plan.

It can be visualized as seeing the whole chessboard when others only see their next move. But cunning isn’t just about cold calculation—it’s also about taking risks to improvise and adapt at a moment’s notice.

Cunning is a skill developed through a surprising source: joy.

To truly embody cunning, you must find amusement in strategic thinking rather than stress. The combination of playfulness and planning creates moments of strategic brilliance.

Oda Nobunaga understood this combination well. He turned strategy into a game, one where he could outmaneuver his foes with a calm mind and a spark of mischief.

This is how a fool spread his influence across Japan.

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