[For Elementary School Students] Deepen Your Knowledge of Sengoku Warlords with a Country-Conquest Quiz

Imagawa Yoshimoto

The Battle of Okehazama was a famous conflict that took place in 1560. At the time, Imagawa Yoshimoto led a massive force of over 20,000 troops, while Oda Nobunaga’s army numbered only about 4,000 to 5,000. However, Nobunaga employed a surprise attack, using a sudden downpour to his advantage to strike at Imagawa Yoshimoto’s main camp, and won. This victory made Oda Nobunaga’s name known throughout the country and became a turning point that changed the course of Japanese history.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Ishida Mitsunari served Toyotomi Hideyoshi. As a loyal retainer of Hideyoshi, Mitsunari distinguished himself in numerous political affairs and battles. Toyotomi Hideyoshi is known for rising from a peasant to the ruler of the realm, and Ishida Mitsunari also demonstrated his talents under him.

Honnō-ji Incident

The Honnō-ji Incident occurred in 1582 at Honnō-ji in Kyoto. While Oda Nobunaga was in the midst of seeking to unify the realm, he was suddenly attacked as a result of a plot by his retainer Akechi Mitsuhide. Overwhelmed by superior numbers and unable to escape, Nobunaga took his own life at Honnō-ji. The Mukden Incident and the Sakuradamon Incident took place in entirely different eras, and only the Honnō-ji Incident is connected to Nobunaga’s death. This event greatly altered the course of Japanese history.

If the cuckoo won’t sing, kill it.

A famous quote attributed to Oda Nobunaga is: “If the cuckoo won’t sing, kill it.” This saying is often used to illustrate the personalities of three renowned warlords in Japanese history by how they would respond when a cuckoo does not sing. Nobunaga is seen as a decisive person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, so such a strong expression is considered fitting. Incidentally, Tokugawa Ieyasu is said to have said, “If the cuckoo won’t sing, wait until it does,” and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, “If the cuckoo won’t sing, make it sing,” which clearly reflect their differing characters.

Azuchi Castle

The correct answer is “Azuchi Castle.” Azuchi Castle was a castle built around 1576 in Omi (present-day Shiga Prefecture) by Oda Nobunaga. Located near Lake Biwa, it incorporated many innovative ideas in its structure and decoration. It is said that many people came to see it because it was an exceptionally grand and beautiful castle, something very rare in Japan at the time. The ruins of Azuchi Castle remain a popular historical tourist site today.

tiger

Takeda Shingen was called the “Tiger of Kai” for his fearless nature and prowess in battle. Tigers have long been known as strong and fearsome animals, and the nickname was used to highlight Shingen’s exceptional achievements among the warlords of the Sengoku period. His rival, Uesugi Kenshin, was known as the “Dragon of Echigo.”

spear

Toshiie Maeda was a military commander of the Sengoku period and was famous as a master of the spear. He was especially known by the nickname “Spear Mataza,” renowned for his exceptional skill in spear techniques. The spear is a weapon with a blade attached to the end of a long pole, and it played a major role on the battlefield. It is said that the secret of Toshiie Maeda’s strength lay in his mastery of the spear.