Father, you have called me?
Tokugawa Nobunaga entered the room where he was summoned. His father was behind a tapestry, and only after a moment did he respond.
Nobunaga, come over here.
Nobunaga, although he is the heir to the shogunate, still followed all the necessary customs between a lord and his subject. Only after going through with those procedures did he left his place and walked to where his father stood.
Nobunaga immediately recognized the tapestry which his father was fixated with. It was a priceless treasure, passed down from centuries ago. It was a map of the world drawn at the time. Incidentally, it was also Nobunagas favourite period in the history of Japan.
Nobunaga, you know very well about the history behind this tapestry, correct?
Yes father. This was the map which prompted Oda Nobunaga and his successors to launch their future campaigns.
Look at Japan on the map. Tell me what you think, Nobunaga.
We are small and insignificant compared to the rest of the world. Nobunaga stated the truth.
Oda Nobunaga felt the same way as you did, my son. His ambition droved him to make Japan larger on the map, but ultimately it failed. Do you know why his successor failed?
Our enemies were stronger than us. He fought against China; there was no way our manpower could match theirs.
That is true, but there is more to it.
Nobunaga frowned. This was beyond what he was taught in his history classes. What do you mean, father?
Compare the state of Korea, China and Japan. They stood united against us, whereas we were composed of various houses barely united under a single banner. The moment things went wrong, everyone fled. Nobunaga, do you understand what Im saying?
Nobunaga didnt answer, although he had a reasonable guess in his mind.
The feudal system cant remain if we wish to bring Japan back onto its rightful place in the world.
