In Kyoto, there was a magnificent and vast mansion where the head of the Hosokawa Kitcho family and his retainers lived.
The Hosokawa Kitcho family refers to the main lineage of the Hosokawa family, a prestigious family that held the position of Kanrei (deputy shogun) in the Muromachi shogunate.
The authority based on their lineage was widely recognized. After all, this was only natural, as they were a family that could inherit the position of shugo (provincial governor) of provinces in the Kinai region, such as Settsu and Tanba, as well as Tosa Province.
Although it had declined repeatedly during the Sengoku period and had now lost real power, it still maintained a tremendous influence in the capital of Japan, which continues to be dominated by authority and historical significance.
Three days have already passed since the decisive battle between the army marching to Kyoto and the army from the Kinai region.
Currently, the Asai army's flags are flying everywhere on the grounds of the Hosokawa Kitcho family residence.
Indeed, this indicates that the mansion was confiscated by the Asai family.
However, the Asai army's flag wasn't only flying around the residence. It was also deployed outside of it.
The "Mitsumori Kikko" pattern is fluttering everywhere in the city of Kyoto—that is, throughout the Rakuchu district.
I was making arrangements to welcome the nobleman, occasionally glancing up at the military banner flying over the estate grounds.
In Kyoto, there is a certain set of formalities. In other words, it is a set of manners that, if you do not know, will make you look down on as a "country bumpkin."
The city of Kyoto, which housed the emperor, was, in every sense of the word, troublesome, and everything was governed by formality and strict rules.
Street bows on the streets, or court-martial rituals—city life is bound by all sorts of cultural ceremonies like these.
And the Asai family, which I lead, had a serious problem. I would even go so far as to say it was a flaw.
In other words, he lacked any retainers who understood such formalities and could offer advice.
There was also the hope that Haruhime might be able to help. However, it was unreasonable to expect her to be omnipotent.
In Kyoto, court customs and traditions represent the relative experiences and systems of the aristocratic society and those associated with it.
Having spent many years in the horrific conditions of the Saito household, it was impossible that Haruhime could have been familiar with such things.
In that sense, my concubine is in perfect condition.おのぼりさん...
Even though Princess Osamu was so dignified and made such accurate decisions on the battlefield, in Kyoto she is nothing more than an ordinary country girl.
That fact is quite fascinating.
Every time I see the flustered look on Chihime's face, I can't help but smile.
(Well, I'm not one to talk, though.)
I entered the vast estate of the Hosokawa Kitcho family. Then I headed towards the seat of honor in the reception room.
Then he removed the wakizashi and Ishiwari Kanemitsu from his waist, placed them in front of him, and sat cross-legged. He placed an open fan on top of the two swords.
(Religion is really so convenient, isn't it...)
Biwa religion.
I realize that I am being helped in every sense of the word by the new religious movement that I started during my lifetime.
In other words, they can find their footing within the urban space of Kyoto, a city with a long and rich history.
In short, even if you make a mistake, you can get away with saying, "I know the customs of Kyoto, but according to my doctrine, this is the rule."
In addition to the demonic threat posed by the Mizuchi, the fact that he held the high-ranking position of Lieutenant General of the Right Imperial Guard was also a significant factor.
However, a minimum level of formality is also necessary.
If the art of biwa music deviates too much from the understanding of the people and court nobles of Kyoto, it could be rejected as an incompatible anomaly.
For me, who wants to leverage the authority of the imperial court, that's not what I want.
Thus, securing retainers or collaborators who were well-versed in court customs and traditions was an urgent task.
And now, the one who is lending me a hand is—
"Well, well. You've already come up here, Lieutenant General?"
—None other than Matsunaga Hisahide. Considering his background, he is simply perfect.
As the chief retainer of the Miyoshi family, this extraordinary strategist held considerable influence within the Ashikaga shogunate and the Miyoshi regime, and was adept at mediating between the upper class and the Ashikaga family, perfectly complementing the weaknesses of the Asai family.
I was terrified of incurring a debt, but I had no other choice. I had no option but to beg for his help.
"Lord Ukyo-daibu will be arriving shortly. Please contact the Lieutenant General just to be sure."
"That's a relief."
I nodded calmly.
Hiding his wariness and fear without showing them on his face had become his specialty.
The day the army marching to Kyoto finished its decisive battle against the Kinai army and emerged victorious.
As planned with Nobunaga, I had withdrawn from the battlefield under the pretext of guarding the city of Kyoto.
However, the Asai army wasn't the only one to break away from the Oda army. The Matsunaga army did too.
He, too, had obtained permission from Nobunaga to withdraw his troops to Yamato Province. The official reason given was that his troops had been depleted by an enemy ambush.
"This is merely a formality, of course."
Hisahide, who said he would go to Kyoto with me, recounted the whole story in plain detail.
First of all, the fact that Matsunaga's army controlled Mount Tennozan during the Battle of Yamazaki was of extremely great strategic significance.
That's why the fact that Matsunaga's army engaged in battle with the enemy in those mountains shocked Nobunaga.
"In short, Lord Nobunaga never considered the possibility of being attacked from the flank. That's why he placed such importance on the fact that our forces suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Yamazaki. In essence, it means that Matsunaga's army protected the army marching to Kyoto from a surprise attack."
The old man who said that to me had a cheerful smile on his face.
In short, Nobunaga was well aware of Hisahide's military record. And he judged that this cunning general would not fall for an ambush.
In short, in Nobunaga's mind—
After Matsunaga's army holed up in Yamazaki Castle, enemy soldiers secretly moved towards Tennozan.
The army marching to Kyoto failed to recognize this fact and deployed an arrowhead formation, which was vulnerable to attacks from the flanks.
The enemy attempts to attack the flank of the army marching to Kyoto.
Having anticipated the enemy's movements, Matsunaga's army was forced to launch a fierce attack, disregarding casualties, in order to gain an advantage in the decisive battle.
However, reporting that would tarnish Nobunaga's prestige as the commander of the army marching to Kyoto.
That's why they must have reported that they suffered heavy losses from the ambush.
—And that's how it gets converted.
Thus, Matsunaga's army was deemed to have "greatly distinguished itself" and was therefore not to accompany the pacification of the Kinai region.
The more I heard the details, the more I couldn't help but feel that everything had unfolded according to this old man's calculations, but I became so frightened that I decided to stop thinking about it.
The only important thing is that this old man is still on our side.
"Even so, Asai's soldiers are remarkably well-dressed."
The old tanuki living in Yamato Province curled the corners of its mouth into a grin.
"Now the people of Kyoto should understand. The Muromachi Shogunate no longer has the power to even maintain order in Kyoto, a position that was previously held by the Ukyo-daibu, a samurai official. Or rather, they understand that protecting Kyoto is now limited to only two options: the Asai family, led by the Ukonoe-chujo, the linchpin of national security, or the Oda family, who will become the rulers of the Kinai region."
Hisahide continued, scratching the top of his head where he had shaved his forehead.
"Maintaining order in Kyoto was the exclusive prerogative of the Hosokawa Kitcho family. For the head of the Asai family to reside in their mansion, and for the head of the Hosokawa Kitcho family to pay his respects—no need for further explanation; it's simply too blatant. It's enough to make your stomach churn."
However, a symbol is meaningless unless it has a composition that even a fool can understand, the old man said.
"But won't Lord Hosokawa be offended?"
"Hmph"
Hisahide let out a mocking smile.
"If Lord Akimoto were a head of the family with such spirit, the Hosokawa Kitcho family would never have become a figurehead for the Miyoshi Three. He is more of an academic type, and not good at politics; he is simply a young man who prefers to be too honest ."戦場war文Fumi
"I should never have been born in this age of war," Hisahide said, and a murmur of voices echoed in the distance.
It appears the head of the Hosokawa family, who was defeated and taken prisoner, has arrived.
I couldn't help but straighten my posture.
This was because Hisahide had begun to exude an air of refined gentlemanliness.
It was such a dramatic transformation that it made you think, "He really did have the talent and ability to serve as the chief steward of a prestigious family."