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Tokyo Weekender
6 days ago
- General
- Tokyo Weekender
Honda Tadakatsu: The Indestructible Samurai
There's an interesting thing you start to notice while studying paintings depicting Japan's most famous battles from the 16th century. A lot of them seem to feature a samurai with deer antlers throwing himself into the fray with a look of fierce determination on his face. Who is this frightful figure? The personification of death? The Japanese devil perhaps? It was actually a real guy named Honda Tadakatsu. He was a veteran of nearly 60 battles during which he reportedly received no serious wounds. He may not have been the devil, but all signs point to him having made a deal with one. List of Contents: Tokugawa Ieyasu's Ride or Die A Revered Warrior and Skilled Administrator A Stylish Samurai Related Posts Portrait of Honda Tadakatsu, Chiba Prefectural Central Museum collections (c. 17th century) Tokugawa Ieyasu's Ride or Die Honda Tadakatsu was born in Mikawa Province in modern-day Aichi Prefecture to a clan that served the Matsudaira, who by then were split, surrounded by more powerful enemies and lacked military power or prestige. Tadakatsu, though, didn't concern himself with such things. He decided to stay loyal to the young head of the family, Matsudaira Motoyasu, for the rest of his life. This turned out to be an excellent decision since Motoyasu later became Tokugawa Ieyasu, the third great unifier of Japan who ended the Warring States period and created a military government that would rule the country for over 250 years. Ieyasu probably couldn't have done it without the help of Tadakatsu, who rode out into battle for him over 50 times and even changed his faith after the followers of his preferred school of Buddhism started opposing and fighting his lord. His loyalty, though, wasn't the reason why historians named him one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Tokugawa. It was because of his skills on the battlefield. Image from The Battle of Nagashino folding screen (c. 18th century) with Honda Tadakatsu highlighted on the lower left A Revered Warrior and Skilled Administrator Tadakatsu allegedly participated in his first battle at just 13 and killed his first man when he was 14. Legend goes that his uncle offered to let him decapitate a man he'd just killed, but Tadakatsu was not interested in secondhand glory, so he charged the enemy and came back with a head of his own. Ieyasu noticed his talents and continued to promote him from soldier to vanguard commander to head of a cavalry unit and, ultimately, general. Tadakatsu more than earned the role. During the Battle of Anegawa in 1570, he fought a one-on-one duel with the gigantic figure of Magara Naotaka, who wielded an equally massive odachi sword . Three years later, Tadakatsu protected Ieyasu's retreat from the army of the legendary warrior Takeda Shingen (and specifically one unit led by Naito Masatoyo) after their loss at the Battle of Mikatagahara, saving his lord's life. This was also when Ieyasu allegedly received a dressing down from an innkeeper for not paying his bills and soiled his britches during the escape. Tadakatsu would have his revenge during the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, where he commanded a unit of musketeers that helped decimate Takeda's forces and captured the first enemy general of the day: Masatoyo. Because Tadakatsu does not forgive nor forget. Of course, he was also there during the famous Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, a decisive victory for Ieyasu, which effectively secured his dominance over Japan. During the conflict, Tadakatsu distinguished himself thanks to his strategies and battlefield bravery. He was subsequently made lord of Kuwana Castle. Tadakatsu turned out to be as skilled an administrator as he was a warrior, developing the area around the castle through public works and creating a prosperous post-town. He retired in 1609 and died peacefully the following year. Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . A Stylish Samurai During the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute in 1584, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Ieyasu's chief rival at the time) had a chance to attack and almost certainly kill Tadakatsu, but ordered his troops to leave him be because he thought it would be a waste to dispose of one of the bravest samurai in Japan. Even Oda Nobunaga, the Demon King himself , had a lot of respect for him. This was mainly due to his skills on the battlefield, though his distinctive attire also didn't hurt his reputation. Tadakatsu had a few different battle banners, including one depicting Shoki the Demon Queller, a powerful guardian deity. He also wielded the Tonbogiri (dragonfly-cutter) spear , considered one of the Three Great Spears of Japan, which was said to be sharp enough to cut a dragonfly in two if it landed on it. His other weapon was the Nakatsukasa sword by Masamune, the greatest swordsmith in Japanese history. Also rarely missing from Tadakatsu's getup was a large Buddhist rosary that he often slung over his shoulder during battles. But his most distinguishing feature was his helmet with massive deer antler crests. Deer are powerful symbols in Japanese mythology. They're said to be messengers of Amaterasu, the goddess of the Sun and arguably the most important deity in the Shinto pantheon. And because deer shed and regrow their horns, antlers are sometimes considered symbols of death and rebirth. Tadakatsu was usually associated with the former. But what an honor to be killed by a warrior of such caliber. Honestly, all of his victims on the battlefield would probably have thanked him if they hadn't had their heads cut off. Related Posts Junnosuke Date: The Wannabe Samurai Who Became a War Criminal Oda Ujiharu: Why the 'Weakest Samurai Warlord' Is Admired to This Day Who Was The Elusive Samurai? The Real Life of Hojo Tokiyuki
Yomiuri Shimbun
13-07-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Heritage Marks 10 Years; What Has It Achieved So Far, What Challenges Lie Ahead?
It has been 10 years since the Cultural Affairs Agency established the Japan Heritage system, under which the agency designates 'stories' that convey Japanese culture and traditions through the historical charm and characteristics of regions. The number of designated stories has exceeded 100, though a story has been removed from the list due to changes in the program. What has it achieved so far and what challenges lie ahead?'Japan Heritage has become an important pillar of the city's policies, and it has also led to the revitalization of the city,' said a Hachioji city government official in charge of promoting local Japan Heritage. The city's story, 'Mt. Takao: Mountain of Spirits — Mulberry City spun with people's prayers,' was the only story in Tokyo that was designated in fiscal 2020. The story recounts the construction of a mountain castle built during the Warring States period (1493-1573), the flourishing of sericulture and silk weaving in the area and the worship of Mt. Takao. The official said the project has had a significant effect in promoting tourism to Mt. Takao and fostering children's love for their local community. 'Our long-cherished wish has come true. The joint efforts of the public and private sectors have borne fruit,' said a city government official in Otaru, Hokkaido, in charge of promoting sightseeing. The city was designated as a Japan Heritage site in had already been attracting tourists before the designation, but the designation has helped boost the city further, allowing it to show the whole story of its development, decline and revival since the Meiji era (1868-1912) to visitors, including those whose purpose is to enjoy the local cuisine. Unlike conventional cultural property administration, which focuses on preserving cultural assets, the Japan Heritage system aims to revitalize local communities by utilizing tangible and intangible cultural properties. The Cultural Affairs Agency supports the efforts of designated regions with subsidies. In April 2015, the first 18 stories were designated, and by fiscal 2020, the total number of designated stories reached 104, which is around the 100 as initially planned. To maintain the system's brand value, the agency introduced a system of comprehensive evaluation and continued examination in fiscal 2021. This new system evaluates revitalization projects utilizing Japan Heritage sites after a certain period of time and also allows for revocation of the designation. The system also allows for a replacement based on a comparative evaluation, in which designated areas compete with approved candidate areas. While Otaru was newly designated under this system, seven cities and towns in Fukuoka and Saga prefectures were excluded from the designated regions for the first time and downgraded to a candidate region due to their regional story, 'The Western Capital of Ancient Japan — Exchange Hub with East Asia,' and their efforts to have tourists travel around the area being deemed insufficient. 'We heard disappointment from the residents. While the quality of the cultural assets that make up each story is completely different from one another, how can they uniformly evaluate all of them?' a related municipal government official said. Several other areas have also voiced their opinion that the new system has changed the character of Japan Heritage by placing more emphasis on economic aspects, such as the number of tourists who visit the area, in the evaluation processes. 'The purpose of the system, which is to revitalize regions by emphasizing cultural aspects, has not changed,' a Cultural Affairs Agency official said. However, a local government official from another designated region pointed out: 'The system is extremely strict compared to others in which very few certifications are canceled.' Nevertheless, Akira Matsuda, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo, who specializes in cultural resources studies and is familiar with the Japan Heritage system, gave the program a positive evaluation. 'At first, I was concerned that this system would only certify [and not produce results]. However, I think the system is working to maintain a sense of urgency [among local governments] and growing in a positive way,' he said. Whether the new system can maintain its viability depends on how many regions will apply for new designation in the future. However, according to the agency, there have been no new applications since fiscal 2022. An agency official said, 'Regions that were not designated previously may see Otaru's case and apply again.' However, the system may be reviewed if no applications are submitted. Another problem is that the system is not well-known to the public. In a survey conducted last year by the agency, only 35.4% of respondents said they were familiar with Japan Heritage and the designated cultural assets. Even now, 10 years after its establishment, it is often confused with World Heritage. Last year, the agency launched a project to have companies and other organizations that have formed partnerships to promote the attractiveness of Japan Heritage. In October, it launched a series of short videos that tell the stories of each designated area. 'Lack of recognition is the biggest challenge. If a cap is set on the number of designated regions, people outside of those regions will not be interested unless they can join the system, and interest may taper off,' Matsuda said.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Global disorder: No rules, all war
Rashmee Roshan Lall is based in London and writes on international affairs From Iran to Gaza to Ukraine, a pattern of unchecked conflict is bypassing law and diplomacy, taking the world towards a dangerous new normal Someone recently likened the current condition of our bombed and bloodied world to the 'Warring States period', a centuries-long era in ancient China that was marked by the brutal logic of zero-sum politics and unremitting violence. The term may be an eminently good fit. 'Wars happen because the ones who start them think they can win,' Margaret Atwood wrote 30 years ago, in her bleak, beautiful poem The Loneliness of the Military Historian. Read the full story on the TOI+. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
South China Morning Post
31-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Qu Yuan, Chinese patriot whose death is said to have inspired Dragon Boat Festival customs
This weekend many people celebrate the Duanwu Festival, also known as the Tuen Ng Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. The festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the traditional Chinese calendar, is observed by Chinese all over the world, as well as by Japanese, Koreans, Ryukyuans (or Okinawans) and Vietnamese. The festival has long been associated with the poet Qu Yuan (342–278BC). It is because of him, the legend goes, that we row dragon boats and eat zongzi, sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves , during the festival. The only problem with this story is that the Duanwu Festival, or at least many of its customs, predate Qu. At some point in time, the Chinese probably appropriated him and events in his life, eventually putting Qu at the centre of the ancient festival. In a similar way, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were melded into pre-Christian festivals to give us our Christmas and Easter weekends. Qu Yuan, a poet and court adviser during the Warring States Period in ancient China, died by drowning himself in a river in 278BC. Qu was a patriot and brilliant poet in ancient China. Born into one of the noble families of the southern Chu state during the Warring States period, he served King Huai of Chu as a trusted adviser. He advocated alliances with other states to counter the expansionist ambitions of the powerful Qin state in the west. However, his reformist ideas and personal integrity provoked the envy and opposition of his rivals at the royal court, which led to his eventual exile.
Yomiuri Shimbun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Hundreds of Samurai Riders Ride High Fukushima Pref. Festival; Soma Nomaoi Festival Attracts 35,000 Spectators on Sunday
The Yomiuri Shimbun Mounted Samurais with banners on their backs gallop the circuit in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, on Sunday. The Soma Nomaoi festival's main event was held on Sunday in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, where about 35,000 spectators enjoyed a scene that seemed straight from a heroic picture scroll of the Warring States period. Nomaoi is a traditional festival in the Fukushima's Soma region that lasts for three days. On Sunday, the second day, the Kacchu Keiba horse racing was held on a 1.2-kilometer circuit course. Mounted samurai clad in armor galloped through the circuit with their helmets off, their banners streaming behind them with mud splashed on their faces. Starting this year, the requirement for women to be 'under 20 years old and unmarried' was removed. Miwa Hosokawa, a 39-year-old woman from Minamisoma, participated in the event for the first time in 20 years. She was the winner in the Shinki Soudatsusen battle for the sacred flag, where hundreds of mounted samurai fight to capture sacred flags that are shot into the air. 'I'm happy to be able to feel like a human and a horse in one,' said Hosokawa. 'I am overjoyed to be able to participate in Nomaoi again.' The last day on Monday features Nomakake, in which the participants catch bare horses with only their hands, will be held to complete the three-day event.
