It certainly would have been interesting to have been a fly on the wall in Owari during the early days of Oda Nobunaga’s reign.  Whether it be Nagoya or Suemori Castles, one suspects the truth would have been quite different from what’s presented here.  But just the same one can’t begrudge a series like Kochouki: Wakaki Nobunaga a little dramatic license – they key is that it be put to good effect (and it certainly has been).  And if the lens to the past is one that casts Nobunaga in a somewhat better light, well – again, it’s his name in the title…

One thing that can’t be disputed is that whatever the circumstances leading up to it, it was Nobuyuki/Nobukatsu who rebelled against his brother.  It’s not as if Nobunaga had any choice but to defend his place as head of the clan, and there’s never been any strong historical body of opinion that he wouldn’t have left his brother in peace if Nobukatsu hadn’t risen up against him.  History also declines to offer any evidence that Kurando Tsuzuki was an important player whatsoever in these events, much less the Rasputin-like figure luring Nobukatsu to his treason and eventual downfall.  But it fits the narrative Kochouki is constructing to have someone fill that role, and Tsuzuki certainly fits into the kimono.

The story of Kichou and Kitsuno is also playing out as a sidelight to these events, though the two threads will eventually entangle.  Kichou is acutely aware of her husband’s feelings for the beautiful Ikoma noblewoman, and despite Tsuneoki’s (who may have loved Nobunaga as more than a lord himself) efforts to smooth things over, Kichou continues to worry that Kitsuno will displace her at Nobunaga’s side (as indeed she eventually did).  Still, fortunately for Nobunaga she’s a principled and forgiving person – indeed, she puts her ninja training to good use when Nobuyuki’s army rampages across the domain as part of Kurando’s (Boo!  Hiss!) dastardly campaign.

One thing that seems to hew pretty close to the truth is the fierce loyalty most of Nobunaga’s retainers felt towards him.  He was indeed vastly outmanned at the Battle of Inou, and prevailed anyway.  It’s not hard to imagine that an army fighting on behalf of the legitimate lord would be more motivated than a band of mercenaries who were burning and pillaging as they invaded Nobunaga’s immediate domain.  History doesn’t tell us exactly how close Nobunaga came to losing everything here, but it’s almost impossible to imagine just how different Japanese history would have been if he had.

As is, Nobunaga is faced (as in real life) with a brutally difficult decision in the aftermath of his victory – what to do with Nobukatsu.  I don’t believe’s Gozen’s pleas made much difference, though it’s hard to know for sure.  We do know that his retainers wanted Nobukatsu executed, as would have been the normal custom for such a heinous crime.  And, of course, that Nobunaga chose to let his younger brother live, and return to Suemori Castle.  For a man so known for brutality and ruthlessness, it’s striking how often Nobunaga chose a merciful approach – that’s an element where Kochouki has not strayed far from the historical record.  But of course things with Nobukatsu are now far from over, and the older brother must live with the consequences of his decision to spare the younger…