Nohime
Encyclopedia
also Kichō or Lady Noh, was the wife of Oda Nobunaga
, a major daimyo
during the Sengoku period
of Japanese history
. Her proper name was Kichō, but since she came from Mino Province
, she is most commonly referred to as Nōhime (Lady of Mino). She was renowned for her beauty and cleverness.
Nōhime's father was the daimyo Saitō Dōsan
and her mother was known as Omi no Kata. Nōhime herself appears very little in any historical record, and there is not a lot of information on the dates of her birth or death; however, proposed dates for her birth fall between 1533–1535.
Nōhime was said to be extremely intelligent and stunningly beautiful. At their wedding, Nobunaga described her as having "the mind of a genius and the appearance of a goddess." She was married to him in 1549, during a truce between his father, Nobuhide
, and Saitō Dōsan.
The marriage was a political gesture and many believe there was little love between Nōhime and Nobunaga. Though she was the official wife of Oda Nobunaga, it is often believed that he focused his love on his concubine, Kitsuno
, who bore him his first son, Nobutada
. Nōhime was never able to conceive a child with Nobunaga and it was believed that she was barren
. Three years after the Honnoji Rebellion and Nobunaga's death, one of his sons gave money to Nōhime.
Through lack of historical record there is not much information of what became of Nōhime or even the date of her death. Overall, it can be said that Nōhime's life as it is known now is more of a mixture of legends, folktales, and tentative half-truths. Nōhime's grave can be found at Sōken-in , a subtemple of Daitoku-ji
in Kyoto.
, or even assassin
, for her father; at that time it was not an uncommon practice for a wife to relay information to her maiden family. Given Nobunaga's reputation at the time as the unruly "Fool of Owari
" (Owari no Utsuke 尾張の虚け), it was also not impossible for Dōsan to want Nōhime to assassinate him as she was skilled in both the sword and a selection of martial arts.
As for her alleged role as a spy, there is a popular story where Nobunaga purposely gave Nōhime false information regarding a conspiracy between two of her father's head servants and their plans to betray the Saitō. Her father had both the men executed and thus weakened himself by eliminating those loyal to him.
In 1556, Saitō Dōsan
, Nōhime's father, was killed in a coup in Mino Province. This detracted much from Nōhime's worth as a wife. Her inability to conceive and her supposed spying were held against her.
After the Incident at Honnō-ji which claimed the lives of Nobunaga and Nobutada
, it was uncertain where Nōhime went. Some speculate that she died at Honnō-ji, but the woman alleged to be Nōhime was more often believed to be a dormant prostitute who Oda Nobunaga had taken a liking to. Nevertheless, after the incident, Nobunaga's wives and female servants were all sent to Azuchi Castle
, which was Nobunaga's castle of residence. Among the women was a Lady Azuchi (安土殿 Azuchi dono), who was taken in by Oda Nobukatsu
. This Lady Azuchi is widely believed to have been Nōhime in disguise as she soon after disappeared from Azuchi Castle in the night.
Afterwards, it was often rumoured that she had attempted to raise her father's clan in Mino under her name. But this rumour also says that Nōhime had been killed by an assassin sent by the Akechi who had been tracking her down since her escape from Honnō-ji.
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
, a major daimyo
Daimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
during the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
of Japanese history
History of Japan
The history of Japan encompasses the history of the islands of Japan and the Japanese people, spanning the ancient history of the region to the modern history of Japan as a nation state. Following the last ice age, around 12,000 BC, the rich ecosystem of the Japanese Archipelago fostered human...
. Her proper name was Kichō, but since she came from Mino Province
Mino Province
, one of the old provinces of Japan, encompassed part of modern-day Gifu Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Mino Province bordered Echizen, Hida, Ise, Mikawa, Ōmi, Owari, and Shinano Provinces....
, she is most commonly referred to as Nōhime (Lady of Mino). She was renowned for her beauty and cleverness.
Nōhime's father was the daimyo Saitō Dōsan
Saito Dosan
was a daimyo who dramatically rose and also fell from power in Sengoku period Japan. He was also known as the for his ruthless tactics.-Life:Originally a wealthy merchant from Yamashiro Province , he entered the service of Nagai Nagahiro of Mino Province , assuming the name Nishimura Kankurô.He...
and her mother was known as Omi no Kata. Nōhime herself appears very little in any historical record, and there is not a lot of information on the dates of her birth or death; however, proposed dates for her birth fall between 1533–1535.
Marriage to Nobunaga
Oda Nobuhide
was a warlord and magistrate of lower Owari Province during the Sengoku period of Japan. His father was Oda Nobusada and Nobuhide was the father of Oda Nobunaga.-Ruling the clan:...
, and Saitō Dōsan.
The marriage was a political gesture and many believe there was little love between Nōhime and Nobunaga. Though she was the official wife of Oda Nobunaga, it is often believed that he focused his love on his concubine, Kitsuno
Kitsuno
was a concubine of Japanese daimyo, Oda Nobunaga during the Warring-states era in Japanese history. She was born into the third generation of the prosperous and influential Ikoma family in 1538 and her father was known as Iemune....
, who bore him his first son, Nobutada
Oda Nobutada
was the eldest son of Oda Nobunaga, and a samurai who fought in many battles during the Sengoku period. He commanded armies under his father in battles against Matsunaga Hisahide and against the Takeda clan....
. Nōhime was never able to conceive a child with Nobunaga and it was believed that she was barren
Infertility
Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term...
. Three years after the Honnoji Rebellion and Nobunaga's death, one of his sons gave money to Nōhime.
Through lack of historical record there is not much information of what became of Nōhime or even the date of her death. Overall, it can be said that Nōhime's life as it is known now is more of a mixture of legends, folktales, and tentative half-truths. Nōhime's grave can be found at Sōken-in , a subtemple of Daitoku-ji
Daitoku-ji
is a Buddhist temple, one of fourteen autonomous branches of the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen. It is located in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The "mountain name" , who is known by the title Daitō Kokushi, or "National Teacher of the Great Lamp," that he was given by Emperor Go-Daigo...
in Kyoto.
Legends and speculation
It was alleged that Nōhime was acting as a spySPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
, or even assassin
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
, for her father; at that time it was not an uncommon practice for a wife to relay information to her maiden family. Given Nobunaga's reputation at the time as the unruly "Fool of Owari
Owari Province
was an old province of Japan that is now the western half of present day Aichi Prefecture, including much of modern Nagoya. Its abbreviation is Bishū .-History:The province was created in 646....
" (Owari no Utsuke 尾張の虚け), it was also not impossible for Dōsan to want Nōhime to assassinate him as she was skilled in both the sword and a selection of martial arts.
As for her alleged role as a spy, there is a popular story where Nobunaga purposely gave Nōhime false information regarding a conspiracy between two of her father's head servants and their plans to betray the Saitō. Her father had both the men executed and thus weakened himself by eliminating those loyal to him.
In 1556, Saitō Dōsan
Saito Dosan
was a daimyo who dramatically rose and also fell from power in Sengoku period Japan. He was also known as the for his ruthless tactics.-Life:Originally a wealthy merchant from Yamashiro Province , he entered the service of Nagai Nagahiro of Mino Province , assuming the name Nishimura Kankurô.He...
, Nōhime's father, was killed in a coup in Mino Province. This detracted much from Nōhime's worth as a wife. Her inability to conceive and her supposed spying were held against her.
After the Incident at Honnō-ji which claimed the lives of Nobunaga and Nobutada
Oda Nobutada
was the eldest son of Oda Nobunaga, and a samurai who fought in many battles during the Sengoku period. He commanded armies under his father in battles against Matsunaga Hisahide and against the Takeda clan....
, it was uncertain where Nōhime went. Some speculate that she died at Honnō-ji, but the woman alleged to be Nōhime was more often believed to be a dormant prostitute who Oda Nobunaga had taken a liking to. Nevertheless, after the incident, Nobunaga's wives and female servants were all sent to Azuchi Castle
Azuchi Castle
' was one of the primary castles of Oda Nobunaga. It was built from 1576 to 1579, on the shores of Lake Biwa, in Ōmi Province. Nobunaga intentionally built it close enough to Kyoto that he could watch over and guard the approaches to the capital, but, being outside the city, his fortress would be...
, which was Nobunaga's castle of residence. Among the women was a Lady Azuchi (安土殿 Azuchi dono), who was taken in by Oda Nobukatsu
Oda Nobukatsu
was a Japanese samurai of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. He was the second son of Oda Nobunaga. He survived the decline of the Oda clan from political prominence, becoming a daimyo in the early Edo period.-Kitabatake clan:...
. This Lady Azuchi is widely believed to have been Nōhime in disguise as she soon after disappeared from Azuchi Castle in the night.
Afterwards, it was often rumoured that she had attempted to raise her father's clan in Mino under her name. But this rumour also says that Nōhime had been killed by an assassin sent by the Akechi who had been tracking her down since her escape from Honnō-ji.