Konnichiwa and onegai shimasu,

Welcome to episode 6 of Pint-Sized History, the first episode of our Rulers & Leaders sub-series!

In this action-packed deep dive, Joe and Zack explore the life and legacy of Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's three great unifiers, alongside Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Join them as they unravel Nobunaga’s meteoric rise during the tumultuous Sengoku Jidai period, where he rose from 'The Fool of Owari' to taking over the Oda Clan by eliminating internal and external rivals, and then eventually capturing Kyoto and the Shogunate for himself.

You'll hear all about the fierce battles and bold strategies that both redefined warfare in Japan and led to him becoming Shogun.

Joe and Zack cover his pivotal role in the unification of Japan, his clashes with rivals like Takeda Shingen, and how he overcome all odds to defeat Imagawa Yoshimoto at the Battle of Okehazama.

You’ll also get a taste of Nobunaga’s ruthless ambition, his infamous betrayal at Honno-ji Temple, and his lasting influence on Japanese culture and politics.

And, of course, Joe and Zack share a pint of Asahi while diving into the wildest moments of Nobunaga’s reign.

Grab a drink, hit play, and embrace your inner samurai with us!

Thanks to @bigshortage for the intro music!