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Niwa Nagahide
像
Niwa Nagahide
Kome Goroza, Oda's Master Administrator
1535-1585 · 享年 50歳
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驚
Three Surprising Facts
其 一
Construction of Azuchi Castle — Chief Director of the Grand Castle Project Embodying Nobunaga's Vision
Niwa Nagahide served as chief director of the construction of Azuchi Castle, which began in 1576. He brought to reality Nobunaga's grand vision of building on Mount Azuchi by Lake Biwa a massive castle complex featuring a tenshu (main tower) of a scale without precedent. Azuchi Castle was completed in 1579 and served as a symbol of Nobunaga's political and cultural authority—but was destroyed by fire immediately after the Honnoji Incident of 1582. Nagahide was known by the nickname 'Kome-Gorozae' and was celebrated for his integrity; he was valued by both Nobunaga and Hideyoshi. The site of Azuchi Castle remains in Omihachimanshi, Shiga, designated as a National Special Historic Site.
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生
Full Biography
From birth to death
Born in 1535 as son of an Owari local lord. He entered Oda Nobunaga's service young and earned the nickname "Kome Goroza" (Rice Goroza)—meaning "as essential to daily life as rice." He oversaw the construction of Azuchi Castle as chief commissioner, completing Japan's first full-scale tenshu (keep). After the Honnoji incident in 1582 he sided with Toyotomi Hideyoshi against Shibata Katsuie at Yamazaki and Shizugatake. He came to control Echizen Kitanosho, Wakasa, and parts of Kaga—over 1.23 million koku—but died of an abdominal illness in 1585 at age 50. Remembered as Nobunaga's most indispensable and loyal administrator.
人
Personality
Sincere and straightforward—as the nickname "Rice Goroza" suggests, a practical man devoted to daily duties. Not flashy but steadily reliable, he maintained Nobunaga's trust over many years.
義
Historical Significance
His supervision of Azuchi Castle construction is remembered as his greatest achievement. The Azuchi Castle ruins in Omi Hachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, are now a designated Special Historic Site.
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