Oda Nobunaga

Oda Nobunaga was Japan’s great military genius and the nation’s first to envisage a unified Japan. Long vilified by historians as a cruel and ruthless despot, he remains one of the most controversial figures in Japanese history—a man whose strategic brilliance and military prowess are his only indisputable qualities. 

Nobunaga embraced the revolutionary potential of firearms with unmatched enthusiasm and achieved results through a level of ruthlessness that struck fear into his contemporaries. Through a series of decisive victories, supported by a loyal and highly organized army, Nobunaga initiated the process that would eventually lead to Japan’s unification—a goal cut short only by his sudden and violent death. 

Oda Nobunaga: Samurai Commander 1534–82 chronicles his campaigns in detail, from his stunning victory at Okehazama in 1560, to the bloody Battle of Anegawa in 1570, the famed Battle of Nagashino in 1575, and the naval clash at Kizugawaguchi in 1578. His brutal suppression of the Buddhist Ikkō Ikki uprisings and the accompanying civilian massacres reveal a darker, more complex side of his character. 

This original and insightful study portrays Nobunaga as a strategist, tactician, battlefield commander, and ruthless political operator. It also explores, for the first time in depth, the campaigns he entrusted to his subordinates. The book concludes with the dramatic account of his unexpected death during the treacherous Honnōji Incident. 

Lavishly illustrated in both colour and black and white, Oda Nobunaga: Samurai Commander 1534–82 features images of every battlefield discussed, detailed photographs of arms and armour, maps, and specially commissioned artwork—bringing to life one of Japan’s most formidable and fascinating warlords.

"Oda Nobunaga, Samurai Commander 1534–1582 is a compact yet surprisingly rich volume that reminded me why the Sengoku period refuses to let go of my imagination. Turnbull gives us Nobunaga in all his restless, reforming, occasionally ruthless glory, but without drowning the reader in dates and minutiae. It is brisk, colourful, and genuinely fun to read—ideal for anyone wanting a lively introduction rather than a heavy academic tome....It offers a wellpaced, engaging look at one of Japan’s most compelling warlords, written with Turnbull’s usual flair. Whether you are dabbling in samurai history or looking for inspiration for painting, gaming, or simply your next rabbit hole, this volume hits the spot....A tidy, attractive, and very readable little package." carryingsonupthedale Blog