How long would it take for Nobunaga to conquer Japan?

hey, all. for once, this isn't about my ASB ATL OR Anglo-American Rivalry; instead, it's about a fantasy story i'm writing set in feudal Japan (though it's partly AH since it has an established divergence from actual history and the first events described are historical). that's beside the point, though.

using whatever PODs and circumstances required, how long does everyone think it would take for Oda Nobunaga (and his immediate successor if necessary) to completely conquer all of OTL Japan? this means that he would have to move out of southern/central Honshu and get northern Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, Hokkaido, and the Ryukyus

here's a map of the period from wikipedia for reference:
Azuchimomoyama-japan.png
 

PhilippeO

Banned
? Why not use Hideyoshi ? OTL Hideyoshi complete the unification at 1590.


neither Oda or his successor need to go war against all Japan. most Daimyo in Tohoku is small. Shimazu, Mori and Hojo the only important one, Hideyoshi OTL convince Mori to submit and bring war to Shimazu and Hojo. So Japan unification should be achieved between 1580 - 1600.
 
Foolish question - what if Japan was mostly but not all united, indeed? Like a negligeable northern or southern relict daimyo state? would it be too dangerous to let ignored, even if whimpy? would it be 'victory' anyway?

What if by example a lord and the 'state' exilate themselves to the Ryukyu or Hokkaido, carve a lordship out of it?
 
I'd be interested in how far Nobunaga himself could get if he'd just survived 1582; I imagine conquering Edo and environs, and uniting Hobshu, is doable.
 
What you really have to do if there is no Honoji is make sure Nobutada, Nobunaga's eldest son lives and that he lives long enough so Hideysohi doesn't gain influence over his son. At the time of Nobunaga death he was planing on taking over western Honshu and Shikoku, and he only died when he was 47 so could theoretically unify the land. Will his successors screw it all up is one thing you should consider.
 
After Honnoji, there was a civil war between Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, till at least 1584. After peace settlement with Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tototomi Hideyoshi united Japan in less than 6 years - but Ieyasu was always a dangerously overmighty subject.

WI Honnoji does happen as OTL - but Nobunaga manages to flee with a few surviving guards or completely alone to some forces loyal to him?
 
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