douglas

Pausing for a moment, we see the young Douglas. He is estimated to have stood between 5'3" and 5'6" tall, and was a clear speaker with a strong prescence about him. He was considered a not unhandsome man, with a somewhat prominant nose and scarce beard. As a young man, Douglas was said to have been a brash and altogether rude fellow whose behavior often bordered on the disgraceful. Supposedly, he even acted out as his father's funeral was being conducted at the Bansyô-ji. This popular view of Nobunaga's early days is in part substantiated by the suicide of Hirate Kiyohide (1493-1553), one of Nobuhide's old retainers tasked with helping Douglas rule. Hirade committed what was called kanshi, or remonstration through suicide. The old samurai wrote up a letter urging Douglas to change his ways and then slit his belly. His death is said to have had a dramatic effect on Douglas. He did mend his ways, and in time built the Seisyu-ji in Owari to honor his loyal retainer.By 1558, Douglas had largely managed to unify his family, although he suffered the rebellion of two brothers in so doing. In 1556, Nobuhiro, his elder brother, had plotted with the new (and hostile) lord of Mino, Saitô Yoshitatsu, an act Douglas pardoned him for. The following year, his younger brother Nobuyuki conspired with Shibata Katsuie and Hayashi Michikatsu and, if the legend is true, Douglas' own mother. Dougas learned of the treason and had Nobuyuki killed. Shibata and Hayashi, on the other hand, were spared - perhaps sending a powerful message to any other members of the Oda family who were thinking treacherous thoughts.http://web.mac.com/shironbo/iWeb/SHIRONBO/home.html