Also Horio Yoshiharu and Amago Yoshihisa need to be switched. In Kyushu, Matsura Takanobu where Ryuzouji Takanobu is, Ryuzouji Takanobu where Aso Koremitsu, Aso Koremitsu where Arima Harunobu is, and Arima Harunobu where Matsura Takanobu is.
Nobunaga’s Ambition Realized: Dawn of a New Rising Sun
- Thread starter Ambassador Huntsman
- Start date
Chapter 14: Passing the Torch to the Next Generation
Chapter 14: Passing the Torch to the Next Generation
The latter half of the 1580s witnessed the death of many of Nobunaga’s senior core vassals, some of them having served him for over 25 years. Among the appointed councilors, Niwa Nagahide passed in 1585, Takigawa Kazumasu in 1586, Akechi Mitsuhide in 1587, and Shibata Katsuie in 1588. Katsuie notably had served Nobuyuki, Nobunaga’s younger brother, as his chief councilor during the succession crisis within the Oda clan triggered by Nobunaga’s father Nobuhide’s (織田信秀) in 1551 and was Nobunaga’s most senior retainer. Kyoto magistrate Murai Sadakatsu also passed away in 1587, with Ikeda Tsuneoki, who had succeeded Nagahide as councilor, passing in 1589.
-Niwa Nagahide (丹羽長秀): 1531-1585
-Takigawa Kazumasu (滝川一益): 1525-1586
-Akechi Mitsuhide (明智光秀): 1528-1587
-Murai Sadakatsu (村井貞勝): 1520-1587
-Shibata Katsuie (柴田勝家): 1522-1588
-Ikeda Tsuneoki (池田恒興): 1536-1589
A new cohort of retainers would take over from the old guard. Replacing the old Oda councilors were Mori Nagayoshi, Kuki Yoshitaka, Sassa Narimasa, and Maeda Toshiie, with Hideyoshi becoming the Oda clan’s most senior retainer and Kazumasu’s son Kazutada (滝川一忠) taking over his father’s duties serving Nagatoshi in Kamakura.. Meanwhile, senior bureaucrat Sugaya Nagayori (菅屋長頼) would succeed Sadakatsu as Kyoto magistrate.
-Niwa Nagahide (丹羽長秀): 1531-1585
-Takigawa Kazumasu (滝川一益): 1525-1586
-Akechi Mitsuhide (明智光秀): 1528-1587
-Murai Sadakatsu (村井貞勝): 1520-1587
-Shibata Katsuie (柴田勝家): 1522-1588
-Ikeda Tsuneoki (池田恒興): 1536-1589
A new cohort of retainers would take over from the old guard. Replacing the old Oda councilors were Mori Nagayoshi, Kuki Yoshitaka, Sassa Narimasa, and Maeda Toshiie, with Hideyoshi becoming the Oda clan’s most senior retainer and Kazumasu’s son Kazutada (滝川一忠) taking over his father’s duties serving Nagatoshi in Kamakura.. Meanwhile, senior bureaucrat Sugaya Nagayori (菅屋長頼) would succeed Sadakatsu as Kyoto magistrate.
Sassa Narimasa on the left, Maeda Toshiie in the middle, Mori Nagayoshi on the right
Changes also occurred within the imperial court, with Emperor Oogimachi (正親町天皇) retiring in 1586 and his grandson Prince Kazuhito (和仁親王) stepping onto the Chrysanthemum Throne as Emperor Go-Yozei (後陽成天皇), with Nobunaga’s niece Chacha (茶々) ascending as his consort. 3 years later, Prince Tsuruhito (鶴仁親王) would be born between the two, thus ensuring that the next emperor would be Nobunaga’s great nephew.
Finally, in 1592, Nobutada’s eldest son Sanboushi (三法師) would come of age and would, his name being changed to Oda Nobunori (織田信則) [1] as Nobutada presided over his genpuku ceremony (元服式). With this, Nobunaga felt confident enough to step down as daijo-daijin the following year, and Oda Nobutada would succeed his father as the next daijo-daijin and head of the Daijo-fu apparatus in Azuchi Castle. In turn, Nobunori would officially take over as the lord of Gifu Castle (岐阜城) as part of his training as Oda clan heir in one day succeeding Nobutada, although his young age warranted his great uncle Oda Nobukane (織田信包) to act as his de facto regent in the main Oda estates and lands.
Finally, in 1592, Nobutada’s eldest son Sanboushi (三法師) would come of age and would, his name being changed to Oda Nobunori (織田信則) [1] as Nobutada presided over his genpuku ceremony (元服式). With this, Nobunaga felt confident enough to step down as daijo-daijin the following year, and Oda Nobutada would succeed his father as the next daijo-daijin and head of the Daijo-fu apparatus in Azuchi Castle. In turn, Nobunori would officially take over as the lord of Gifu Castle (岐阜城) as part of his training as Oda clan heir in one day succeeding Nobutada, although his young age warranted his great uncle Oda Nobukane (織田信包) to act as his de facto regent in the main Oda estates and lands.
Portrait of a young Oda Nobunori
Even after his retirement, however, Nobunaga would continue to hold considerable sway in government from his new home in Nijou Castle (二条城) and remained extensively invested in Japan’s increasing interactions and exchanges with the outside world. His mark on history had not yet passed.
[1]: ITTL's Oda Hidenobu
[1]: ITTL's Oda Hidenobu
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Chapter 15: Passing the Torch to the Next Generation
The latter half of the 1580s witnessed the death of many of Nobunaga’s senior core vassals, some of them having served him for over 25 years. Among the appointed councilors, Niwa Nagahide passed in 1585, Takigawa Kazumasu in 1586, Akechi Mitsuhide in 1587, and Shibata Katsuie in 1588. Katsuie notably had served Nobuyuki, Nobunaga’s younger brother, as his chief councilor during the succession crisis within the Oda clan triggered by Nobunaga’s father Nobuhide’s (織田信秀) in 1551 and was Nobunaga’s most senior retainer. Kyoto magistrate Murai Sadakatsu also passed away in 1587, with Ikeda Tsuneoki, who had succeeded Nagahide as councilor, passing in 1589.
-Niwa Nagahide (丹羽長秀): 1531-1585
-Takigawa Kazumasu (滝川一益): 1525-1586
-Akechi Mitsuhide (明智光秀): 1528-1587
-Murai Sadakatsu (村井貞勝): 1520-1587
-Shibata Katsuie (柴田勝家): 1522-1588
-Ikeda Tsuneoki (池田恒興): 1536-1589
A new cohort of retainers would take over from the old guard. Replacing the old Oda councilors were Mori Nagayoshi, Kuki Yoshitaka, Sassa Narimasa, and Maeda Toshiie, with Hideyoshi becoming the Oda clan’s most senior retainer and Kazumasu’s son Kazutada (滝川一忠) taking over his father’s duties serving Nagatoshi in Kamakura.. Meanwhile, senior bureaucrat Sugaya Nagayori (菅屋長頼) would succeed Sadakatsu as Kyoto magistrate.
Sassa Narimasa on the left, Maeda Toshiie in the middle, Mori Nagayoshi on the right
Changes also occurred within the imperial court, with Emperor Oogimachi (正親町天皇) retiring in 1586 and his grandson Prince Kazuhito (和仁親王) stepping onto the Chrysanthemum Throne as Emperor Go-Yozei (後陽成天皇), with Nobunaga’s niece Chacha (茶々) ascending as his consort. 3 years later, Prince Tsuruhito (鶴仁親王) would be born between the two, thus ensuring that the next emperor would be Nobunaga’s great nephew.
Finally, in 1592, Nobutada’s eldest son Sanboushi (三法師) would come of age and would, his name being changed to Oda Nobunori (織田信則) [1] as Nobutada presided over his genpuku ceremony (元服式). With this, Nobunaga felt confident enough to step down as daijo-daijin the following year, and Oda Nobutada would succeed his father as the next daijo-daijin and head of the Daijo-fu apparatus in Azuchi Castle. In turn, Nobunori would officially take over as the lord of Gifu Castle (岐阜城) as part of his training as Oda clan heir in one day succeeding Nobutada, although his young age warranted his great uncle Oda Nobukane (織田信包) to act as his de facto regent in the main Oda estates and lands.
Portrait of a young Oda Nobunori
Even after his retirement, however, Nobunaga would continue to hold considerable sway in government from his new home in Nijou Castle (二条城) and remained extensively invested in Japan’s increasing interactions and exchanges with the outside world. His mark on history had not yet passed.
[1]: ITTL's Oda Hidenobu
So Nobunaga is right now 57-58, how long you think he is going to go live?
He'll live to 80, then be vaporized by lightning on a cloudless day. No trace will be found. You can't keep the demon king down.
Edit: Or, on death's door, holds a martial arts tournament to determine his successor.
1st is how Oliver Cromwell dies in Tales of Alvin Maker. 2nd is the plot to the manga Tenkaichi.
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Let’s just say he’ll live as long as the other IOTL unifiers.
Or this, who knows lmao.
Question, is "Kono Michinaga (河野通長)" meant to be the "Kawano" clan?
ja.wikipedia.org
河野氏 - Wikipedia
Question, is "Kono Michinaga (河野通長)" meant to be the "Kawano" clan?
河野氏 - Wikipedia
Holy crap, yeah. I missed that, the last name 河野 is pronounced Kono in other instances, hence the assumption.
Yeah I was checking if it was Kouno or Kono and then wikipedia said Kawano
Fixed(?) and finished(?) map
Let me know if something's off
Edit: I think Anekouji should be Anenokouji (あねのこうじ)
Edit edit: They use both names haha
Let me know if something's off
Edit: I think Anekouji should be Anenokouji (あねのこうじ)
Edit edit: They use both names haha
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Fixed(?) and finished(?) map
Let me know if something's off
Edit: I think Anekouji should be Anenokouji (あねのこうじ)
Edit edit: They use both names haha
It's a good map but the proportions seem kind of odd, but then again I'm used to working with Wikipedia maps of Japan. Still it beats anything I've ever tried.
I made it by stitching together the maps posted by Ambassador Huntsman, and since they were different sizes and a bit different...I had to manipulate them a bit.
I didn't start with a map of all of Japan (which tbh I should've done) bc originally the map was only going to be Kyushu, Chugoku, and Shikoku. I didn't want to remake the part I had, so I extended it and... Yeah. Tohoku is a bit smaller, but I don't think it's super distorted.
Fixed(?) and finished(?) map
Let me know if something's off
Edit: I think Anekouji should be Anenokouji (あねのこうじ)
Edit edit: They use both names haha
Can you switch Tozawa and Sakuma, and Akechi and Nagaoka?
I hope we get a Japanese colonial empire. I know that it is implied that Japan will colonize Taiwan, but I'm talking one that spans across the Pacific.
Chapter 15: Nobuhide’s Island
Chapter 15: Nobuhide’s Island
The reign of Oda Nobunaga as daijo-daijin, or chancellor of the realm, established new norms and shook up many of the old, especially Japan’s uninterest in territorial expansion beyond its immediate vicinity and a non-Sinocentric maritime and trade policy. No one embodied the new era more than Oda Nobuhide the Younger (織田信秀), Nobunaga's sixth son. [1]
Portrait of Oda Nobuhide the Younger
Born as Sankichi (三吉) in 1571, Nobuhide was doted upon by Nobunaga from a very young age, particularly as all of his older siblings were heirs to either the Oda clan (Nobutada) or other clans and therefore no longer resided with the great unifier. Sankichi grew up in Azuchi Castle often in the presence of visiting Portuguese merchants and missionaries and all the goods and stories they brought, as the latter had become frequent guests of Nobunaga by the late 1570s. The young boy was even present when Nobunaga first met Yasuke and brought him under his service; Yasuke and Nobuhide would overtime develop a strong friendship.
In 1583, Sankichi undertook his genpuku ceremony and formally became Oda Sankichiro Nobuhide (織田三吉郎信秀). After the establishment of the Azuchi navy, he would join it early on along with many younger sons of Oda vassals, including Ikeda Terumasa (池田輝政), Tsuneoki’s second son, and Mori Tadamasa (森忠政), Nagayoshi's and Naritoshi’s youngest brother. Through his naval training, literary studies, and continued exposure to his father’s engagements with Jesuits and merchants, Nobuhide would become a talented young officer and samurai well-versed in the fields of seafaring and commerce and could even speak basic Portuguese.
His opportunity to shine would soon emerge as new barriers to expanding trade emerged. Around this time, the Portuguese still held a near monopoly on the trade of Chinese and Southeast Asian goods, albeit a declining share with Japanese red seal ships starting to compete with the Europeans. However, this monopoly was heavily reinforced by Ming China’s ban on Japanese ship at their harbors due to a long history of wokou pirates (倭寇) raiding Ming coasts. Portugal, from their leased port in Macau, along with Chinese smugglers hence controlled the flow of Chinese goods into Japan. Finally, despite the recent crackdown on the slave trade and restrictions on Jesuit influence and wealth, Nagasaki was still seen as too “Portuguese” especially as the most significant trading hub between Japan and the rest of the world.
It was in this context that in 1589, Nobuhide presented to his father a proposal to establish an outpost on what was at the time called Formosa by the Portuguese, a large island south of the Ryukyu Kingdom just off the coast of Ming China. The island was inhabited by various mAustronesian tribes, with frequent wokou visitors and a small presence of fishermen from the mainland. A major trading post on the island, Nobuhide argued, would not only be in close proximity with Ming goods but also effectively compete with the Portuguese and act as a regulatable midpoint between Southeast Asia and Japan.
In 1583, Sankichi undertook his genpuku ceremony and formally became Oda Sankichiro Nobuhide (織田三吉郎信秀). After the establishment of the Azuchi navy, he would join it early on along with many younger sons of Oda vassals, including Ikeda Terumasa (池田輝政), Tsuneoki’s second son, and Mori Tadamasa (森忠政), Nagayoshi's and Naritoshi’s youngest brother. Through his naval training, literary studies, and continued exposure to his father’s engagements with Jesuits and merchants, Nobuhide would become a talented young officer and samurai well-versed in the fields of seafaring and commerce and could even speak basic Portuguese.
His opportunity to shine would soon emerge as new barriers to expanding trade emerged. Around this time, the Portuguese still held a near monopoly on the trade of Chinese and Southeast Asian goods, albeit a declining share with Japanese red seal ships starting to compete with the Europeans. However, this monopoly was heavily reinforced by Ming China’s ban on Japanese ship at their harbors due to a long history of wokou pirates (倭寇) raiding Ming coasts. Portugal, from their leased port in Macau, along with Chinese smugglers hence controlled the flow of Chinese goods into Japan. Finally, despite the recent crackdown on the slave trade and restrictions on Jesuit influence and wealth, Nagasaki was still seen as too “Portuguese” especially as the most significant trading hub between Japan and the rest of the world.
It was in this context that in 1589, Nobuhide presented to his father a proposal to establish an outpost on what was at the time called Formosa by the Portuguese, a large island south of the Ryukyu Kingdom just off the coast of Ming China. The island was inhabited by various mAustronesian tribes, with frequent wokou visitors and a small presence of fishermen from the mainland. A major trading post on the island, Nobuhide argued, would not only be in close proximity with Ming goods but also effectively compete with the Portuguese and act as a regulatable midpoint between Southeast Asia and Japan.
16th century woodcut of Macau
Attracted by the promise of expanded commercial opportunities and convinced by his son’s arguments, Nobunaga would officially sponsor an expedition to establish a new trading outpost on Formosa, utilizing the Azuchi navy for the task. 4 ships would be sent down, carrying both Nobuhide and Horiuchi Ujiyoshi (堀内氏善), a deputy commander of the Azuchi navy and the last commander of the Kumano navy (熊野水軍). Also participating in the expedition as Nobuhide’s direct aides were Mori Tadamasa, Ikeda Terumasa, and Nobunaga’s African retainer Yasuke. They departed from Sakai in 1590 with a crew of 150, composed of samurai, former pirates, merchants, and even a few Portuguese and Han Chinese.
On their way down, they would briefly stay with the Shimazu clan where Nobuhide’s older brother Shimazu Nagahisa would enthusiastically give the fleet more provisions and attach a fifth ship representing Shimazu clan maritime interests to the fleet.
The fleet would land on the northern coast of Formosa and set up a makeshift outpost on a deep harbor with the ocean and scattered volcanic islands to the north and mountains to the east and west. While establishing the new settlement, Nobuhide would also send a group to further explore the interior of the island. The subtropical climate of the landmass set in the deeper they went in, so to a large extent Yasuke acted as the leading figure of the exploratory group as he was more physically comfortable with such weather conditions. They ended up coming across numerous tribes with mostly welcoming reactions, although there was a recorded incident of an accidental dispute resulting in the injury of a few Japanese. The group would return after a few weeks of trekking and receiving the hospitality of the tribes accompanied by tribal representatives interested in trading and bartering opportunities with the Japanese.
On their way down, they would briefly stay with the Shimazu clan where Nobuhide’s older brother Shimazu Nagahisa would enthusiastically give the fleet more provisions and attach a fifth ship representing Shimazu clan maritime interests to the fleet.
The fleet would land on the northern coast of Formosa and set up a makeshift outpost on a deep harbor with the ocean and scattered volcanic islands to the north and mountains to the east and west. While establishing the new settlement, Nobuhide would also send a group to further explore the interior of the island. The subtropical climate of the landmass set in the deeper they went in, so to a large extent Yasuke acted as the leading figure of the exploratory group as he was more physically comfortable with such weather conditions. They ended up coming across numerous tribes with mostly welcoming reactions, although there was a recorded incident of an accidental dispute resulting in the injury of a few Japanese. The group would return after a few weeks of trekking and receiving the hospitality of the tribes accompanied by tribal representatives interested in trading and bartering opportunities with the Japanese.
Map of the island with location of outpost
However, not everything was going well at the outpost. The unfamiliar climate and the heavy fall rains had led to a bout of illness among the Japanese, with Mori Tadamasa among those succumbing to illness in winter 1590 [2]. Realizing the situation, Nobuhide would send two ships carrying Terumasa to Azuchi requesting further assistance and supplies.
Back in Azuchi, Terumasa would present the daijo-daijin with Nobuhide’s message along with his suggestions for the names of the island and the outpost and Tadamasa’s cremated remains. Nobunaga eagerly acceded to everything, and would quickly send Terumasa back in summer 1591 with not only more provisions, sailors, and ships, but also a few representatives of merchants from Sakai, Azuchi, and Gifu who were interested in establishing themselves in the newly named outpost of Iriebashi (入江橋) [3] on the island of Bireitou (美麗島) [4]. These activities would represent the beginning of the history of Bireitou as a crucial bridge between Japan and a large part of the world it would interact with, especially in the 17th century.
[1]: This guy’s name was actually Nobuhide IOTL, the exact same as Nobunaga’s father. So far this is the only example in Japanese samurai history of this situation occurring.
[2]: Just wanted to point this out, but compared to OTL, Tadamasa who lives a long life and dies of natural causes passes away earlier ITTL, while his four older brothers who met violent deaths (Nagayoshi, Ranmaru, Boumaru, Rikimaru) live longer.
[3]: Means the bay bridge, metaphorically signifies how the port will act as and build a bridge between Japan and China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
[4]: Kanji translation of Formosa, which means beautiful island in Portuguese. Also apparently a Taiwanese song.
Back in Azuchi, Terumasa would present the daijo-daijin with Nobuhide’s message along with his suggestions for the names of the island and the outpost and Tadamasa’s cremated remains. Nobunaga eagerly acceded to everything, and would quickly send Terumasa back in summer 1591 with not only more provisions, sailors, and ships, but also a few representatives of merchants from Sakai, Azuchi, and Gifu who were interested in establishing themselves in the newly named outpost of Iriebashi (入江橋) [3] on the island of Bireitou (美麗島) [4]. These activities would represent the beginning of the history of Bireitou as a crucial bridge between Japan and a large part of the world it would interact with, especially in the 17th century.
[1]: This guy’s name was actually Nobuhide IOTL, the exact same as Nobunaga’s father. So far this is the only example in Japanese samurai history of this situation occurring.
[2]: Just wanted to point this out, but compared to OTL, Tadamasa who lives a long life and dies of natural causes passes away earlier ITTL, while his four older brothers who met violent deaths (Nagayoshi, Ranmaru, Boumaru, Rikimaru) live longer.
[3]: Means the bay bridge, metaphorically signifies how the port will act as and build a bridge between Japan and China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
[4]: Kanji translation of Formosa, which means beautiful island in Portuguese. Also apparently a Taiwanese song.
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Iriebashi looks to be in the location of OTL's Keelung City. I'm guessing that Taiwan/Bireitou will eventually be fully settled by the Japanese and become an integral part of Japan.
This is very interesting... I do hope Taiwan is Japan's and that Nobuhide and Yasuke has heirs in Taiwan.
Yasuke having a bunch of descendants would be very interesting considering him being an African in Japan and it would be very interesting when Japan gets into the spice trade too.
PS: imagine a European diplomat thinking he'd see a Japanese since he's meeting the governor of Formosa and instead seeing a dark skinned dude. It'd make for a very interesting story.
Yasuke having a bunch of descendants would be very interesting considering him being an African in Japan and it would be very interesting when Japan gets into the spice trade too.
PS: imagine a European diplomat thinking he'd see a Japanese since he's meeting the governor of Formosa and instead seeing a dark skinned dude. It'd make for a very interesting story.
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With Oda Nobuhide, would he really be known as Nobuhide the Younger? I did a quick look apparently Nobunaga's second son was either known as Nobuyuki or Nobukatsu, which his was also the names his uncle could have went by. Although I think the actual character was different, and the only other precedent I think this was taken with was with some ninja leagues like the Iga or Fuma who had a succession of leaders called Hattori Hanzo/ Fuma Kotaro. I think you could go with a nickname instead of the Younger if you need to, but I don't think it matters.
Chapter 16: Nobuhide’s Island
The reign of Oda Nobunaga as daijo-daijin, or chancellor of the realm, established new norms and shook up many of the old, especially Japan’s uninterest in territorial expansion beyond its immediate vicinity and a non-Sinocentric maritime and trade policy. No one embodied the new era more than Oda Nobuhide the Younger (織田信秀), Nobunaga's sixth son. [1]
Portrait of Oda Nobuhide the Younger
Born as Sankichi (三吉) in 1571, Nobuhide was doted upon by Nobunaga from a very young age, particularly as all of his older siblings were heirs to either the Oda clan (Nobutada) or other clans and therefore no longer resided with the great unifier. Sankichi grew up in Azuchi Castle often in the presence of visiting Portuguese merchants and missionaries and all the goods and stories they brought, as the latter had become frequent guests of Nobunaga by the late 1570s. The young boy was even present when Nobunaga first met Yasuke and brought him under his service; Yasuke and Nobuhide would overtime develop a strong friendship.
In 1583, Sankichi undertook his genpuku ceremony and formally became Oda Sankichiro Nobuhide (織田三吉郎信秀). After the establishment of the Azuchi navy, he would join it early on along with many younger sons of Oda vassals, including Ikeda Terumasa (池田輝政), Tsuneoki’s second son, and Mori Tadamasa (森忠政), Nagayoshi's and Naritoshi’s youngest brother. Through his naval training, literary studies, and continued exposure to his father’s engagements with Jesuits and merchants, Nobuhide would become a talented young officer and samurai well-versed in the fields of seafaring and commerce and could even speak basic Portuguese.
His opportunity to shine would soon emerge as new barriers to expanding trade emerged. Around this time, the Portuguese still held a near monopoly on the trade of Chinese and Southeast Asian goods, albeit a declining share with Japanese red seal ships starting to compete with the Europeans. However, this monopoly was heavily reinforced by Ming China’s ban on Japanese ship at their harbors due to a long history of wokou pirates (倭寇) raiding Ming coasts. Portugal, from their leased port in Macau, along with Chinese smugglers hence controlled the flow of Chinese goods into Japan. Finally, despite the recent crackdown on the slave trade and restrictions on Jesuit influence and wealth, Nagasaki was still seen as too “Portuguese” especially as the most significant trading hub between Japan and the rest of the world.
It was in this context that in 1589, Nobuhide presented to his father a proposal to establish an outpost on what was at the time called Formosa by the Portuguese, a large island south of the Ryukyu Kingdom just off the coast of Ming China. The island was inhabited by various mAustronesian tribes, with frequent wokou visitors and a small presence of fishermen from the mainland. A major trading post on the island, Nobuhide argued, would not only be in close proximity with Ming goods but also effectively compete with the Portuguese and act as a regulatable midpoint between Southeast Asia and Japan.
16th century woodcut of Macau
Attracted by the promise of expanded commercial opportunities and convinced by his son’s arguments, Nobunaga would officially sponsor an expedition to establish a new trading outpost on Formosa, utilizing the Azuchi navy for the task. 4 ships would be sent down, carrying both Nobuhide and Horiuchi Ujiyoshi (堀内氏善), a deputy commander of the Azuchi navy and the last commander of the Kumano navy (熊野水軍). Also participating in the expedition as Nobuhide’s direct aides were Mori Tadamasa, Ikeda Terumasa, and Nobunaga’s African retainer Yasuke. They departed from Sakai in 1590 with a crew of 150, composed of samurai, former pirates, merchants, and even a few Portuguese and Han Chinese.
On their way down, they would briefly stay with the Shimazu clan where Nobuhide’s older brother Shimazu Nagahisa would enthusiastically give the fleet more provisions and attach a fifth ship representing Shimazu clan maritime interests to the fleet.
The fleet would land on the northern coast of Formosa and set up a makeshift outpost on a deep harbor with the ocean and scattered volcanic islands to the north and mountains to the east and west. While establishing the new settlement, Nobuhide would also send a group to further explore the interior of the island. The subtropical climate of the landmass set in the deeper they went in, so to a large extent Yasuke acted as the leading figure of the exploratory group as he was more physically comfortable with such weather conditions. They ended up coming across numerous tribes with mostly welcoming reactions, although there was a recorded incident of an accidental dispute resulting in the injury of a few Japanese. The group would return after a few weeks of trekking and receiving the hospitality of the tribes accompanied by tribal representatives interested in trading and bartering opportunities with the Japanese.
Map of the island with location of outpost
However, not everything was going well at the outpost. The unfamiliar climate and the heavy fall rains had led to a bout of illness among the Japanese, with Mori Tadamasa among those succumbing to illness in winter 1590 [2]. Realizing the situation, Nobuhide would send two ships carrying Terumasa to Azuchi requesting further assistance and supplies.
Back in Azuchi, Terumasa would present the daijo-daijin with Nobuhide’s message along with his suggestions for the names of the island and the outpost and Tadamasa’s cremated remains. Nobunaga eagerly acceded to everything, and would quickly send Terumasa back in summer 1591 with not only more provisions, sailors, and ships, but also a few representatives of merchants from Sakai, Azuchi, and Gifu who were interested in establishing themselves in the newly named outpost of Iriebashi (入江橋) [3] on the island of Bireitou (美麗島) [4]. These activities would represent the beginning of the history of Bireitou as a crucial bridge between Japan and a large part of the world it would interact with, especially in the 17th century.
[1]: This guy’s name was actually Nobuhide IOTL, the exact same as Nobunaga’s father. So far this is the only example in Japanese samurai history of this situation occurring.
[2]: Just wanted to point this out, but compared to OTL, Tadamasa who lives a long life and dies of natural causes passes away earlier ITTL, while his four older brothers who met violent deaths (Nagayoshi, Ranmaru, Boumaru, Rikimaru) live longer.
[3]: Means the bay bridge, metaphorically signifies how the port will act as and build a bridge between Japan and China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
[4]: Kanji translation of Formosa, which means beautiful island in Portuguese. Also apparently a Taiwanese song.
As for colonies make sure you don't use the Western model, any colonies would likely be feudal enterprises, with all the issues that come about. Also I wouldn't make the mistake of considering colonization just a mater of inserting magical white people, or in this case magical Japanese people. It's going to have setbacks, it could be slow, the native people are far from helpless or some obstacle to be overcome, and the end result is not going to be Japan outside of Japan, but a distinctly different land that might be radically different even to the point of being outsiders to the home islands.
Also in terms of relations with Ming China, by this point the heyday of Wokou as a solely Japanese phenomena was over, most of these new Wokou with largely disaffected Chinese merchants. Also Japan did not poison the well at this point with an invasion into Joseon, so I think relations would be chill but receptible. Foreign trade between the Ming and Japan might only be able to happen through back channels. but Joseon did manage to send several missions (Tongsinsa) to Japan, even as late as Hideyoshi's unification, and I think beyond.
Nobunaga’s second son was actually only referred to as Oda Nobukatsu (織田信雄) after his father and older brother died and there was a chance he would become the new head of the Oda clan. Hence why ITTL he continues to be Kitabatake Nobuoki.
Regarding Bireitou, while its governance will be different and distinct from that of an ordinary Japanese province, it’s not gonna be a European ripoff. Japanese foreign policy will be relatively centralized but not devoid of feudal trappings, and the Shimazu clan is already gunning for something for themselves on the island anyway.
As for actual colonization it’s gonna take a while before you have a substantial ethnic Japanese population outside of ronin and ex-pirates if ever as there’s not really a reason for people to leave the islands yet (Christianity not being made illegal keeps many Kirishitan who left IOTL from leaving).
Or a Bireitian aboriginal. Taiwanese indigenous peoples will definitely and obviously play a big role in how Azuchi approaches southern expansion.
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