Sanada Yukimura Nobushige's war fan, also known as "gunpai" in Japanese, is a remarkable piece of history that embodies the bravery and skill of a legendary samurai warrior. This fan was an essential part of Sanada's armory during the Warring States period in Japan and was believed to have been used by him during some of his most famous battles.
Sanada Nobushige, also known as Sanada Yukimura, was a samurai warrior who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries in Japan. He was one of the most talented and feared warriors of his time and was known for his incredible bravery, skill, and tactics on the battlefield. Sanada was a master of several weapons, including the spear, sword, and bow, but he was particularly famous for his use of the war fan.
The war fan was a unique weapon used by samurai warriors during the Warring States period in Japan. It was made of wood or metal and had a handle that was decorated with intricate designs. The fan was usually made of several blades that could be opened and closed, making it a versatile weapon that could be used for both offense and defense. The war fan was also lightweight, making it easy for the warrior to carry it around and use it in battle.
Sanada Nobushige's war fan was particularly unique because it had a special emblem on it. The emblem was a red sun with sixteen rays, which symbolized the sixteen provinces of Japan that Sanada had conquered. This emblem made the fan a powerful symbol of Sanada's bravery and military prowess and struck fear into the hearts of his enemies.
Sanada Nobushige's war fan was used in several famous battles, including the Siege of Osaka in 1614-1615. During this battle, Sanada and his men were vastly outnumbered by the enemy, but they managed to hold their ground for months. Sanada used his war fan to great effect, deflecting enemy arrows and attacking his foes with deadly precision.
Despite his bravery and skill, Sanada Nobushige was eventually defeated in the Siege of Osaka, and he died in battle. His war fan was later acquired by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the victorious general, who recognized the fan's historical significance and ordered it to be preserved as a national treasure.
Today, Sanada Nobushige's war fan is considered one of the most important artifacts of the Warring States period in Japan. It is housed in the Tokyo National Museum, where it is displayed alongside other historical artifacts from Japan's rich cultural heritage.
In conclusion, Sanada (Yukimura) Nobushige's war fan is a unique and remarkable piece of history that embodies the bravery and skill of one of Japan's most legendary samurai warriors. This fan is a powerful symbol of Sanada's military prowess and is an important artifact of Japan's rich cultural heritage.
See also
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Iga Ueno castle
Many tourists flock to Iga Ueno in search of ninja experiences, often overlooking the city's centerpiece: Iga Ueno Castle, a prime example of Warring States period fortresses. Surprisingly, the Ninja Museum and Iga Ueno Castle share the same grounds, nestled within modern-day Ueno Park!
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Himeji Castle
Perched atop the 45.6-meter-high Mt. Hime, Himeji Castle dominates the landscape of Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture, offering a commanding view of the Harima Plain. Adorned in white plaster, the main tower group is often likened to a graceful egret in flight, earning the castle its alternative moniker of "White Egret Castle." Among Japan's dwindling original castles, Himeji boasts the most intact structures. Notably, its main tenshu keep and ko-tenshu sub-keeps were bestowed the prestigious title of National Treasures in 1931, while an additional 74 edifices hold the esteemed designation of National Important Cultural Properties. Alongside Horyu-ji Temple, Himeji Castle proudly holds the distinction of being Japan's inaugural World Heritage site, a recognition bestowed upon it in 1993.
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Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle, nestled in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, is categorized as a hirayama-jiro, a castle strategically built on a low hill with the surrounding flatlands integrated into its design. Remarkably, it stands as one of Japan's twelve castles with its original tower keep intact, proudly holding the distinction of being one of only five designated as National Treasures. The castle's inception dates back to 1603, commissioned by Ii Naomasa.
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Hamamatsu Castle
Hamamatsu Castle, situated in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, originally bore the name Hikuma Castle or Shusse-jo ("Castle of Success"). Constructed around 1532 by Imagawa Sadatsuke on a modest hill, its fate changed with the fall of the Imagawa clan following their defeat by Oda Nobunaga at Okehazama in 1560. In the aftermath, Tokugawa Ieyasu, then 29 years old, claimed control of the stronghold, shifting his base from Okazaki to Hamamatsu in 1570. Over the next 17 years, Ieyasu fortified and expanded the castle, shaping it into a Teikakushi-styled layout spanning 600 meters east to west and 650 meters north to south. The south-facing main gate stood sentinel over the vital Tokaido Route.
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Gifu Castle
Gifu Castle, once known as Inabayama Castle, has stood as a symbol of Gifu City and a hallmark of the tumultuous Sengoku period for over eight centuries. Initially constructed by the Nikaido clan around 1201, it underwent expansions and fortifications by influential daimyo such as the Saito clan of Mino and the Oda clan of Owari.
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Fukui Castle
Fukui Castle, erected in 1606 by Yuki Hideyasu, Tokugawa Ieyasu's clandestine son, stands as a testament to a complex family history. Born to Oman, a servant of Ieyasu's wife Tsukiyama Dono, Yuki Hideyasu was concealed by his father out of fear of marital discord. Raised in the shadows until his emergence as a samurai, Yuki proved his mettle in numerous battles, earning accolades from Ieyasu himself.
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Azuchi Castle
Azuchi Castle, inspired by the design of Komakiyama Oda Nobunaga’s initial fortress, boasted a distinctive feature that defied conventional defensive tactics: a grand, wide stone-lined Otemichi stairway leading directly to the base of the central Honmaru enclosure. This seemingly inviting approach, devoid of the usual winding paths meant to impede attackers, hinted at Nobunaga’s confidence, almost daring any potential adversary to challenge him.
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Asuke Castle
Asuke Castle, situated in Aichi Prefecture, may have been modest in size, but it played a pivotal role in numerous battles. It stands as one of Japan’s earliest and finest examples of a meticulously reconstructed Yamashiro-type castle from the Sengoku period.
