Who Is Oda Nobunaga? – The Real Warlord Behind SHŌGUN

Index

From Fiction to History – Kuroda Nobuhisa and SHŌGUN
Profile – The Real Oda Nobunaga
Explore Nobunaga Sites in Japan
Travel Journal
From History to Screen: Meet Kuroda Nobuhisa

From Fiction to History – Kuroda Nobuhisa and SHŌGUN

If you’ve watched the drama SHŌGUN, you’ve likely been captivated by its tense atmosphere and the turbulent era in which its characters struggle to survive. Looming silently behind the unfolding events is a powerful, ghostly presence—the shadow of a “lost ruler.” That figure is Kuroda Nobuhisa, a fictional character inspired by the legendary warlord Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582).

Though Nobuhisa appears in the series primarily through flashbacks, his presence is deeply felt throughout the narrative. Much like Nobunaga—who came close to unifying Japan before meeting a tragic end in the Honnō-ji Incident—Nobuhisa represents a symbol of both lost potential and enduring influence. His fictional legacy is carried forward by his daughter, Lady Ochiba, and her son, the young heir of the late Taikō.

The drama captures the duality of Nobunaga’s real-life legacy through Nobuhisa: a military genius and a ruthless tyrant, a forward-thinking reformer and a feared despot. Even in fiction, the aftershocks of his death ripple through every political alliance, betrayal, and wavering oath of loyalty.

Note: In real history, Lady Ochiba (Yodo-dono) was the niece—not the daughter—of Oda Nobunaga. This relationship is reimagined in the series to emphasize her inherited power and personal stakes in the political struggle.

SHŌGUN reminds us that sometimes the most powerful figures are those who no longer walk the earth—whose ambition, charisma, and iron will continue to shape destinies from the shadows.

Profile – The Real Oda Nobunaga

Explore Nobunaga Sites in Japan

Exploring Nobunaga’s Gifu: A Practical Guide to Sites, Transit, and Goshuin

The golden statue of Oda Nobunaga (in front of Gifu Station) This guide lists the best “Nobunaga-related” spots you can visit from Gifu Station, with realistic walking & bus time estimates.Quick answer: First-timers should do “Golden Statue (Station) → (Bus) ...

The Complete Komakiyama Castle Travel Guide

The 2026 Taiga drama Toyotomi Brothers!—a story that begins in Kiyosu—soon shifts its stage to Komakiyama Castle, a strategic stronghold in northern Owari. Built by Oda Nobunaga, this castle—after his death—became one of the largest direct battlegrounds where Hashiba (Toyotomi) ...

The Complete Inuyama Castle Travel Guide: Honmachi Street Route, the Main Tower, and Urakuen Garden

Inuyama Castle is a classic one-day route where you can cover “National Treasure Keep + Castle Town (Honmachi-dori) + Urakuen Garden (Jo-an)” in a single day. This route is ideal for travelers who want to come by public transportation, stroll ...

Walking Nobunaga’s Path: The Complete Guide to Kiyosu

Kiyosu is a compact, walkable “starting line” for Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and the early Tokugawa era—easy to visit as a half-day side trip from Nagoya. This guide helps you do it smoothly on foot, with a simple route, realistic timing, and ...

Why Is There a Shrine to Nobunaga in Nara? — Experience This Mysterious Landscape of Memory in 360 Degrees

Shrines in Nara associated with Oda Nobunaga are scattered throughout the region, yet each one is small in scale, understated, and far from being major tourist spots. Because of this, it’s difficult to grasp their true character through written sources ...

Azuchi Castle 360° Panorama Tour | Panoramic Views of the Tenshudai and Nio Gate

AZUCHI 360° VIRTUAL TOUR Azuchi Castle 360° Panorama Experience Explore the Tenshudai, Nio Gate, and the remains of senior retainers’ residences—right from where you are. How to Use Drag (or swipe) the screen to look around. Use the fullscreen button ...

Azuchi Castle 360° Panorama Tour | Otemichi and the Main Compound Pathways

AZUCHI 360° VIRTUAL TOUR Azuchi Castle 360° Panorama Experience Take a real-time look around the Otemichi and Main Compound pathways—right from where you are. How to Use Drag (or swipe) the screen to look around the scene. Use the fullscreen ...

Things to Do Near Azuchi Castle – Nobunaga Spots Around the Ruins

Visiting Azuchi Castle?If you are looking for things to do near the ruins, don’t limit your trip to climbing the mountain alone. Within walking distance from Azuchi Station, more than 17 Nobunaga-related sites remain — including museums, shrines, springs, temples, ...

Azuchi Castle Ruins

The Illusive Castle of Nobunaga's Dream Once on the brink of unifying the nation, Oda Nobunaga built Azuchi Castle as a symbol of authority and innovation. Its magnificent main keep and lavish decorations defied the conventions of the time. Even ...

Travel Journal

Nobunaga Travel Journal

November 15, 2025 – Joining “An Invitation to Sengoku Ōmi:The Genki Turmoil and the Rise of Oda Nobunaga, the Unifier of Japan”

🌸 “Was Nobunaga Really Cold-Blooded?” — Discovering the True Nature of a Future Unifier in Yoyogi As a lifelong history ...

Nobunaga Travel Journal

Encountering a Thousand-Year Fragrance — Experiencing the Miracle of Ranjatai at “Shōsōin THE SHOW” in the Ueno Royal Museum

I saw a news report about a special exhibition at a museum in Nara, where the legendary fragrant wood “Ranjatai” ...

Ieyasu Travel Journal Nobunaga Travel Journal

Exploring the Sengoku Heritage of Mino and Ōmi: From Nangū Taisha to Azuchi Castle and the Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum (Travel Log)

🛡️ From the Echoes of Sekigahara to Azuchi — Following the “Shrine Protected by Tokugawa” Along the Samurai Route to ...

Hideyoshi Travel Journal Ieyasu Travel Journal Nobunaga Travel Journal Toshiie Travel Journal

A Journey Through Nagoya’s Samurai Past: From Arako’s Toshiie Maeda Statue to Sōōji Temple and the Tokugawa Museum

⚔️ A journey into the heart of samurai romance — exploring the “sacred sites” of Lord Toshiie Maeda, the man ...