Chapter 62
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1569, early January
Shizuko couldn’t answer the question immediately. If it had been right after time travel, she would have answered without hesitation, “I want to go back.” However, she had been stuck in the Sengoku period for a long time. Just thinking about it as a farewell in this lifetime brought to mind the faces of her loved ones unconsciously. Sensing her emotions, Mitsuo spoke with a cheerful voice.
“Well, it will be difficult to come to a conclusion quickly. But please be prepared. So that you won’t regret it when the time comes.”
With those words, Mitsuo abruptly ends the time travel story.
Mitsuo realized that he had just met Shizuko for the first time, and Ashimitsu had not prioritized introducing himself, focusing instead on his conversation with Shizuko. Realizing this belatedly, Mitsuo cleared his throat softly to change the atmosphere.
“Let me introduce myself again. My name is Mitsuo, and my full name is Mitsuo Tanaka. I am just an ordinary office worker. I don’t usually speak like this, but I have developed a habit of using polite language. Anyway, let’s get back to the topic. I have been involved in the livestock industry in modern times, but I am not a contracted farmer who engages in livestock production. Instead, I assist in the management of livestock production. Oh, and I also worked part-time at a restaurant as a cook. So, I have some confidence in my cooking skills.”
“Are you looking for someone to assist in livestock farming management…?”
Mitsuo boasted about his cooking skills, but he was completely ignored, which made him feel a little down. However, he quickly changed his mood and cleared his throat to continue speaking.
“Yes, animal husbandry was originally part of agriculture. However, growing crops in fields and raising cattle or pigs in animal husbandry are completely different. In reality, many farmers confuse the two, and some even shift from farming to animal husbandry without much thought. Our job is to teach them the basics of animal husbandry, provide them with feed, help them deal with pests, and facilitate connections with meat processing companies and other buyers, providing comprehensive support for the entire process of animal husbandry.”
“I see… So, do you have some expertise in the livestock industry?”
Mitsuo shakes his head with a apologetic expression on his face.
“Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the history of animal husbandry. I only know about the common breeds that existed during that time and their corresponding management methods. For example, when it comes to chickens, I am familiar with the White Leghorn breed for egg production and the Broiler breed for meat production, as they are well-known. However, when it comes to breeds that are closer to their original ancestors…”
Mitsuo’s knowledge is limited to the breeds that are currently being raised. He knows nothing about intermediate or early breeds. However, this is not Mitsuo’s fault. Just because he is in that industry does not mean that he is interested in delving deep into history.
“However, when it comes to fundamentals, they don’t change much, so wouldn’t they be applicable to some extent even to the original species?”
“Oh, well… I mean… I’ve been making a living on this path for fifteen years, so…”
Shizuko thought it was enough. Although she had never been directly involved in livestock farming, Mitsuo had been working in that industry for fifteen years. Therefore, the plan that had failed before could be resumed. However, no matter how much knowledge Mitsuo had, it was clear that he would face great difficulties. So, Shizuko believed that the success or failure of this plan depended on Mitsuo’s motivation.
“Hmm. I would like to ask you a question, Mitsuo-san. What are your thoughts on the future?”
“Me? I am prepared to be buried in this era.”
Mitsuo confidently answers Shizuko’s question.
“At first, I was only thinking about returning to the present. However, with no spouse and my daughter happily married, the only lingering attachment I have to this world is seeing my grandchildren’s faces. More than that, I became fully dedicated to living my life to the fullest in this world, using my own strength. I suddenly realized how fulfilling my daily life had become. With that mindset, I was able to look around and see a world that, despite being the same Japan, had unfamiliar expressions. There were people who highly valued my cooking skills, and I felt a sense of purpose. And strangely enough, the strong desire I had to go back home somehow disappeared.”
“Is that so?”
“You have a look on your face that seems to say it’s hard to understand, Shizuko-san. There’s no need to think too hard about it. Men are simply made that way. Even when they’re on the verge of death, they can turn it into a funny story with just a little bit of effort. So, that’s why I, Tanaka Mitsuo, plan to live a second life in the Sengoku period.”
“Hmm, I see… In that case, would you be willing to join us and lead livestock farming in the Oda territory as a second life?”
“Huh…?”
“Of course, it will involve a great deal of hardship. Therefore, I cannot force it. It all depends on Mitsuo-san’s motivation.”
Mitsuo crossed his arms and started thinking. Ashimitsu, who had been silent until now, murmured with a small smile on his face.
“Why don’t you give it a try, Mitsuo? When you change your position, what you see also changes. It’s even better if it’s interesting. After all, there are no barriers in modern times. It’s fun to take risks. What, don’t worry. Even if you fail, it will only affect you.”
Mitsuo, after thinking for a moment, nodded in satisfaction, unsure whether Ashimitsu’s words were meant to incite or instill anxiety.
“…Yes, that’s right. It would be a waste to let my knowledge and experience in livestock farming, which I have cultivated over many years, go to waste, not just in cooking.”
Mitsuo nodded a few times and turned towards Shizuko. There was no trace of regret or anxiety on his face. He seemed to be filled with anticipation, as if he was ready and waiting for an encounter with the unknown.
“I will take on that task.”
“I understand. However… hmm, I think the current breed of chicken is fine. As for pork, let’s order the black pig Aguu, which is a lineage that was brought over from the Ryukyu (Okinawa) Kingdom in 1385. I believe it is possible to import Aguu by paying a certain amount of money, considering the severe political corruption in the current Ryukyu Kingdom. Also, let’s consider raising wild boars…”
“Oh, that’s quite a lot.”
Mitsuo, who had considered himself an expert with chickens and cows, felt a little inferior to the breed Shizuko had mentioned. However, he couldn’t bring himself to swallow his pride like that.
“Oh, cows are absolutely necessary. Cows are essential for smallpox prevention. Goats can be used as a substitute for infant milk. They have lower allergy reactions compared to cows, so goats are also necessary.”
The two major diseases that were most prevalent during the Sengoku period were measles and smallpox. Measles had a highly contagious nature and was prone to complications. Smallpox also had a high infection rate and, according to some sources, a high mortality rate of forty percent. Particularly, smallpox was a precursor to the downfall of nations and ethnic groups until the development of vaccination using cowpox in the late 18th century.
“I see, indeed smallpox is not something that amateurs can understand. Ashimitsu-san, Shizuko-san, and I have received vaccinations, but people in this era have not, so it is essential as a smallpox vaccine.”
In Shizuko’s era, regular vaccinations are mandatory for all citizens. This is due to the need to counter bacterial weapons using viruses and the resurgence of diseases that were previously declared eradicated. Unlike before, vaccinations are no longer recommended but required, and failure to comply is punishable by fines or imprisonment for the crime of “intentionally spreading and causing the spread of diseases.” The government was highly vigilant against terrorism using bacterial weapons, but the mandatory vaccination policy has faced opposition from various groups. Despite emotional protests from opposing organizations, the government has chosen to ignore the protests and continue with the vaccination program.
“In that sense, cows are particularly important.”
“I understand. I think it will be a lot of work for you, but thank you in advance.”
Mitsuo’s livestock targets include cows, black pigs, goats, wild boars, and chickens. Although vast land and large amounts of water are required, there are plenty of undeveloped lands due to reasons such as transportation convenience.
“Have we finished discussing Mitsuo’s tasks? Then it’s my turn, I suppose. Although I don’t remember anything from the past. The name Ashimitsu is a pseudonym.”
“Oh, that’s right. Ashimitsu-san doesn’t have any memories from before being saved by Shizuko-san, does he?”
Ashimitsu nods at Mitsuo’s words. His true identity is tangled up in a very complicated situation. First of all, “Ashimitsu” is just a temporary name, and nobody knows his real name. He himself can’t even remember it, as only a mysterious word comes to mind without being able to recall his full name. As a result, he came up with a combination of words and created the name “Ashimitsu” that seemed fitting.
And when he was discovered by Shizuko, he was covered in blood and severely injured, almost on the brink of death. Even the paramedics who rushed to the scene upon Shizuko’s call thought that he would likely die during emergency transportation, as he was barely clinging to life. Miraculously, he managed to survive, but what awaited him was a long period of rehabilitation. Initially, he suffered from severe malnutrition, bruises all over his body, abrasions and stab wounds that were life-threatening in four places. Despite being in such a battered state, Ashimitsu never let go of his sword, tightly gripping it. He spent three months bedridden, but once he regained the ability to move his body, he displayed an astonishing recovery speed that even surprised the doctors. In just half a year, he was discharged from the hospital and switched to regular outpatient visits.
However, doctors are troubled about his situation. Although he was thought to be a foreigner, the results of the DNA test revealed that he has the unique genes of a Japanese person. In other words, Ashimitsu is undoubtedly Japanese, but he is an unidentified individual with no records whatsoever about his birth and everything up until now. In cases where there is evidence of a crime, such as gunshot wounds or stab wounds, doctors have an obligation to report it. However, the attending physician was notorious for having an extreme aversion to the police due to past experiences. Furthermore, Ashimitsu was in a situation where he didn’t know anything about the police, so reporting to them was postponed. (The criteria for reporting to the police vary depending on the hospital and the doctor.)
After various twists and turns, Ashimitsu becomes the guardian of Shizuko with her parents as guarantors.
“Well, at first, it was tough. After all, I had amnesia… I didn’t know how to use things like the bath or toilet, how to operate household appliances like cell phones or TVs, nothing at all. And for some reason, I was even scared of household appliances.”
“I suppose there’s no helping it. Everything was unknown to me. Despite everything being there as if it were natural, I knew nothing about it. It felt as if I were an orphan left behind in the world.”
“When I first saw a television, it was a disaster. I was scared and ended up hitting it with a stick, destroying it. It was tough afterwards. My older sister couldn’t watch her favorite show anymore, and she had a meltdown, leading to a big fight between her and Uncle Ashimitsu.”
“…There were also such things.”
Shizuko reminisces about the early days when they lived together, with a nostalgic expression on her face. However, for Ashimitsu, it seems to be an embarrassing memory. He blushes slightly and clears his throat.
“I see, so even the usually cool Ashimitsu-san has such a past.”
“I’m not intentionally acting cool. It’s just that my body has gotten used to behaving this way naturally. Well, getting used to this lifestyle was easy. However, I did struggle with getting used to stronger flavors, perhaps because I used to prefer milder ones in the past.”
“Oh, really? But even with amnesia, Ashimitsu-san seems surprisingly knowledgeable. Where did you acquire such a vast amount of knowledge?”
“Ashimitsu, who didn’t have a family register, couldn’t work part-time jobs. So, he spent his time reading books at home… but eventually started isolating himself in the library.”
As a thank you for the help he received, Ashimitsu thought about how he could assist in return. Unfortunately, he was a novice in farming and lacked significant modern knowledge, so it was determined that he needed to absorb knowledge first. Fortunately, Ashimitsu was intelligent, and although he initially struggled, after a year, he had absorbed enough knowledge to reach a level equivalent to compulsory education. After that, he developed a passion for reading books and would visit the library to devour various texts. For reasons unknown, he particularly enjoyed psychology and would seek out various libraries in search of books on the subject.
“…Once again, the conversation has gone off track. Anyway, I can’t explain myself satisfactorily. Just think of me as an old man named Ashimitsu. Oh, and I should mention this before I forget. It seems that the bag Mitsuo brought with modern items has ended up in Shizuko’s hands, but there are a few other things as well. Although, they are just small items, like family photos and a few condiments. Shizuko knows about mine, though. It’s just two swords and gauntlets.”
“It’s hard to imagine being involved in a bus accident while holding that sword… but there’s no point in saying that, right? Ahem… Well, finally, it’s my turn. Although all I have to say is that my name is Shizuko and until recently, I was just a high school girl.”
Shizuko clears her throat deliberately and introduces herself. However, even though she says it’s an introduction, there isn’t much to talk about. After all, it would be meaningless to talk about what she had been doing in the modern world here, as it wouldn’t serve any purpose.
“On paper, you are the lord of this mansion, in other words, under Oda-sama’s command, and Mori-sama is under your command… but in reality, you are more like a helpful handyman.”
“I see… Shizuko-san seems to be the one struggling the most in terms of position. We are just cooks after all.”
“I have gotten used to the unreasonable demands of Lord Oda.”
However, because she responded to Nobunaga’s unreasonable demands, Shizuko was able to achieve a stable life despite being single. Thinking about it, she felt a subtle mix of emotions.
“For now, I remain the same, Mitsuo-san is in livestock farming. So, Ashimitsu-san would be… a shrine priest?”
Shizuko said that with an apologetic expression.
Perhaps because the Shinto priest at the shrine was unexpected, Ashimitsu looks at Shizuko with a strange gaze.
I’m sorry, but I’ve heard that Nobunaga disliked religion… So, wouldn’t he kill someone if they became a Shinto priest?
Before Shizuko could say anything, Mitsuo raised his hand and voiced his question. Nobunaga disliked Buddhism and allowed the propagation of the Ikkō-ikki in Kyoto, but he never embraced Christianity. He burned down Mount Hiei’s Enryaku-ji temple and other temples and shrines, and ruthlessly massacred the followers of the Hongan-ji sect. He even threatened Takayama Ukon, a believer of the Ikkō-ikki, saying, “I will kill the missionaries and burn down the church.” Nobunaga’s ruthless attitude towards religion can be understood by looking at history. Nobunaga was mocked as someone who would even slay gods and buddhas if they were enemies, but Shizuko had recently started to think that it might be a little different.
“It seems that the lord dislikes religion, or rather, dislikes when a specific religion holds power. In other words, it can be simply put as ‘religious leaders should not interfere in politics.’ However, the religious forces themselves resisted in order to protect their vested interests, so the lord thoroughly suppressed them in order to eliminate the temple’s power of judgment.”
In medieval Japan, the term “kendan” referred to the duties, actions, and authorities related to police, maintaining public order, and criminal trials. The authority to carry out kendan was called “kendanken.” However, in medieval Japan, kendanken was characterized by a dual governance structure in which both the feudal lords (samurai) and temples held kendanken authority. For example, Honganji Temple did not have clearly defined territory as Honganji Temple, and there was a distinct feudal lord present. However, the structure of governance was such that the subjects paid taxes to the feudal lord while being under the influence of Honganji Temple, resulting in an overlapping kendanken authority between the feudal lord and the temple.
The “tenka fubu” (World Under Military Power) that Nobunaga aims for is the unified rule of Japan by the samurai. He sought to completely eliminate the authority of temples to judge and enforce a strict separation of religion and politics, where only the feudal lords, who were samurai, would have the authority to judge and enforce.
“Although it may not apply to us in modern times, up until the modern era, the people had fervent religious beliefs. That’s why the actions of the lord seemed like a thorough suppression of Buddhism.”
“However, Nobunaga massacred the followers of the Honganji Ikko-ikki and even proclaimed himself as the sixth heavenly demon king, almost like a god.”
“In a letter where Takeda Shingen declared himself as the guardian of Buddhism, Oda Nobunaga responded by affirming himself as the Sixth Heavenly Demon King. The Sixth Heavenly Demon King is a demon in Buddhism who obstructs faith, but at the same time, facing the Sixth Heavenly Demon King can deepen one’s faith. The person who responded with religious wit does not seem to consider themselves as a god. Well, they did become a god in later generations, though…”
“Huh?”
Mitsuo tilts his head at the words “Nobunaga became a god in the afterlife.”
“In Kyoto, there is a shrine called Kenkun Shrine (formerly known as Takeshi Orita Shrine) that was established by Emperor Meiji, with Nobunaga as the main enshrined deity. Additionally, his son, Nobutada, is also enshrined there.”
Ashimitsu: “What’s your question, Mitsuo?”
The reason why Japan was not invaded by foreign powers was thanks to Nobunaga, who aimed to unify Japan under his rule through military force. Recognizing Nobunaga’s efforts in achieving national unity and restoring traditional ceremonies, Emperor Meiji decided to establish the Kenori Oda Shrine on November 8, 1869. The Kenori Oda Shrine, also known as the Kenisa Ojin Shrine, is dedicated to Nobunaga’s achievements and is considered a shrine for national security, overcoming difficulties, and fulfilling great wishes.
“Originally, the Oda clan were priests of the Oda Tsurugi Shrine in the Oda district of Echizen Province. Later, they followed the Saito clan, who held the position of Echizen guardian, and moved to Owari, where the Saito clan served as guardians. In other words, the lord is from a priestly family and I believe he has a certain level of religious knowledge. In fact, he has quite extensive knowledge about shrines. The ‘Oshinoyashiro’ that I supervised the construction of also incorporates the lord’s preferences to a great extent.”
“Oushin no Yashiro?”
“Yes, there is a shrine a little distance away from here. Originally, it was just a regular shrine, but the Lord Oda made significant changes to it, so now it has become something completely different.”
In order to tell the time, Shizuko established the Oushin no Yashiro shrine, with the intention of having a small main hall and a bell. However, perhaps feeling dissatisfied with Shizuko’s lack of involvement or wanting to design the shrine herself, Nobunaga began making various changes to it at some point. He maintained the boundaries of the shrine and added facilities and equipment one after another. Before they knew it, thanks to Nobunaga’s efforts, the shrine had expanded to a size that was no different from a regular shrine. And perhaps fueled by enthusiasm, the expansion, which could be called a radical modification, accelerated, shifting Nobunaga’s shrine construction in an unexpected direction. Even though the composition of shrines itself was not unified until they came under the control of the state in the Meiji era, Shizuko was at a loss when presented with a shrine that had become nonsensical in its design.
“Did you become satisfied with the modifications, because you stopped saying anything once the construction was finished? So, are you more like a caretaker than a priest?”
“If there are more people in religious positions, would it increase the persuasiveness of educators? After all, temple schools were mostly run by Buddhist monks.”
“That’s also true. Anyway, everyone has decided on their own direction now. Mitsuo-san seems to be getting busy in the near future, but thank you in advance.”
“I have to work a little harder, don’t I?”
Mitsuo muttered so, but despite the tone of his voice suggesting some tension, I couldn’t sense any reluctance at all.
Shizuko initially thought about persuading Nohime, the employer of Ashimitsu and Mitsuo, but it was easily agreed upon. Mitsuo was responsible for 80% of Nohime’s cooking, while the remaining two only provided assistance. Therefore, Nohime did not see Ashimitsu’s departure as a problem. However, she showed reluctance when it came to reassigning Mitsuo. But as soon as she heard that raising livestock such as black pork Aguu and goats would increase the variety of meat, she allowed Mitsuo’s transfer. To be precise, it was not a complete transfer, but Mitsuo took on the role of Nohime’s exclusive chef and livestock farmer. In exchange for being able to serve dishes made with black pork and goat meat, Nohime promised to support Mitsuo. Gorou, who was left alone as the exclusive chef, did not feel down but rather saw it as an opportunity to impress Nohime with his cooking skills.
The three of them worked hard in their respective roles. Mitsuo’s first step was a journey to Okinawa and Kyushu with Kyujiro and other merchants to seek out black pork and goats. Shizuko sent a letter to Nobunaga, hoping for a letter of appointment to make Ashimitsu the caretaker of the shrine. After a while, she received a letter granting permission to appoint Ashimitsu as the caretaker. With this, Ashimitsu officially became the caretaker of the shrine. At first, there was some tension between Ashimitsu and the people who were originally in charge, but Ashimitsu’s quiet and diligent personality was well received, and they quickly became close.
On the other hand, Shizuko begins construction of a special facility. It appears to be a large warehouse at first glance, but inside, it is a modified snow chamber. The warehouse has the ability to maintain a constant temperature and humidity inside. Shizuko plans to utilize this function to create a natural refrigerator using snow. During the Little Ice Age in the Sengoku period, it was not uncommon for snow to fall during winter, making it easy to gather large quantities of it.
Unlike modern refrigerators, the temperature in the storage room was not kept constant. There were days when the water in the experimental bucket froze, and there were days when it remained in a liquid state. From this, Shizuko speculated that the temperature in the storage room was probably between minus five degrees and five degrees. Furthermore, she decided to create a small room surrounded by concrete in the basement of the storage room. It would be a natural freezer utilizing the cooling effect of concrete radiation. Although the temperature in this room also did not remain constant, Shizuko believed that it would definitely be below minus eighteen degrees, judging from the frozen vegetables that were being produced there.
During winter, it is possible to collect snow, but the period until snow stops falling is shorter on the Pacific side compared to the Japan Sea side. Shizuko wanted to establish a transportation route starting from Echizen, but that would not be possible until Echizen becomes Nobunaga’s territory.
To perform separate tasks from the snow room, Shizuko visits a fishing village owned by Nobunaga. In the Tokai region facing Ise Bay, there is a fish that has been consumed during this season for a long time. It is the bora fish. Winter bora is called “kanbora” and is highly valued for its fatty and delicious taste. The way to distinguish it is simple, as kanbora has a white, cloudy appearance due to the fat in its eyes. In modern times, due to the influence of polluted rivers, there are many bora fish with a strong odor, but during the Sengoku period, there were fewer polluted rivers, so there were many bora fish with less odor. The cause of the odor in bora fish is blood, and if the blood is properly removed, even non-kanbora fish can have their odor significantly reduced.
Choosing bora instead of other fish is not just because it is easy to catch. After salting and drying the ovaries of bora, you can make karasumi, which is considered one of Japan’s top three delicacies. However, making karasumi was a first-time attempt. In October, when we harvested the bora, we failed multiple times to extract the ovaries, and even if we managed to extract them, the blood removal was not done properly, resulting in a strong odor. November was relatively better, but we failed to get the salt balance right, so it couldn’t be considered a delicacy. Finally, in December, we managed to achieve the desired shape, but the road to becoming a famous product is still long. Nevertheless, it was considered a good accompaniment to sake, and Nobunaga gave it a positive evaluation.
In addition to karasumi, Shizuki also taught the villagers how to make smoked fish using the meat of bora fish. Bora fish are around 30 to 50 centimeters long, and it is more efficient to smoke them as a whole rather than drying them. Smoking preserves the fish better than drying, as it solves the issues of “oxidation of fats” and “bacterial growth” that cannot be fully controlled with drying. Furthermore, smoking adds a different flavor and taste to bora fish, although some nutrients may be lost in the process. Smoked bora fish becomes a valuable source of protein that can improve the food situation during the harsh winter when fishing is often impossible due to cold weather or rough seas. There is no reason to miss out on smoked bora fish.
Furthermore, Shizuko also started oyster cultivation. Oysters, like milk, contain various nutrients and are often referred to as the “brown rice of the sea” in Japan. Oysters have been an important food source since the Jomon period, and there are records of oyster cultivation in Japan during the Tenbun era (1532-1555). Originally, Shizuko wanted to prepare for oyster cultivation earlier, by August of last year, but she became fully occupied with her journey to Kyoto and subsequent tasks, so it was postponed to the following year. The oysters to be cultivated are the true oysters, one of the two major oyster species in Japan. These can be harvested throughout Japan and can be shipped within a year from seedling collection. The oysters grow to a large size after three years, but their survival rate decreases each year, so they are generally shipped within one year. Shizuko originally wanted to cultivate oysters in the Uramura Bay area, where the Pacific Kuroshio Current and the freshwater from the Kiso Sanzan and Miyagawa rivers in Ise Bay blend well. However, since southern Ise is not under Nobunaga’s control at the moment, Shizuko decided to pursue the business after the Ise invasion was over.
Shizuko thought it was a waste to only use the vast sea for oyster cultivation. Therefore, she also started cultivating seaweed such as nori and wakame (seaweed variants). The production of dried nori, as we know it today, began in the Edo period, while fresh nori was more commonly consumed during the Sengoku period. Despite its high rarity value, nori had been treated poorly. Considering that Ise Bay is one of the main regions for the production of nori and wakame, Shizuko believed that seaweed cultivation was possible.
The seaweed farming enter into full-scale work starting from late September to November, right after the busy farming season ends. The cultivation period for wakame is from November to around May of the following year, while for seaweed it is from October to April of the following year. Since it is not easy to make floating rings, seaweed is cultivated using a pole system. There was a need to obtain a large amount of bamboo, but Shizuko managed to provide it from her own bamboo grove.
“Let’s cultivate nori, wakame, and oysters in the sea. Nori and wakame take one year, while oysters take one to two years. If everything goes well, the aquaculture business will be on track in five years. It will probably take about ten years to reach its final form though.”
This is something that could only be done by Shizuko, who has an abundant supply of hemp fibers, which are also used as the raw material for nets and ropes, as well as bamboo, which is used for support poles.
“But what is nori used for?”
“Hmm. Is it really necessary to use such a large amount of hemp for cultivation?”
Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada) and Nagayoshi both voiced their doubts. It was not unusual for the three guards to be together, but even Shizuko was bothered by the fact that Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada) had joined them.
“If you are prepared, you have nothing to worry about. It’s too late to say you don’t have enough when you’re in a hurry. It’s important to have your preparations in order in advance.”
“That’s how it is.”
“Sometimes it happens, you know. Once you’re in a state of panic, it’s too late to say it’s difficult. Crisis management skills are important, right?”
“I see… Come to think of it, a little while ago Keiji was grilling small fish on a shichirin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichirin). I wonder if that was also part of some preparation.”
“…I heard something that I can’t ignore, but for now, I’ll let it go.”
Shizuko, who successfully revitalized land crop production, has now turned her attention to seafood. She began by focusing on cultivating seaweed, wakame, and oysters. She also started breeding small fish such as Honmoroko and Dojo. Shizuko would not overlook the highly nutritious seaweed, wakame, and oysters. The reason she had not previously made improvements in seafood production was due to the lack of an environment conducive to abundant production of hemp fibers.
“We are cultivating Honmoroko and Dojo fish. Well, it was possible because the lord lent us the land. Dojo fish have nutritional value comparable to eel, and cultivating Honmoroko fish enriches the soil.”
Nobunaga thought to himself, “How about living in a better house?” and gave Shizuko a reasonably large piece of land and a number of craftsmen. However, she didn’t realize this and completely transformed the spacious land into a breeding ground for carp and loaches. It’s not hard to imagine that Nobunaga was greatly troubled by the fact that the land, which was supposed to be reasonably spacious, was now mostly filled with breeding ponds.
However, there was a problem with the Honmoroko, unlike the Dojo. It was necessary to transport them alive from Lake Biwa, but in modern times, tools such as air pumps and water thermometers to maintain water temperature and oxygen levels are common. Of course, these tools did not exist in the Sengoku period. The biggest problem for Shizuko was figuring out how to transport them to Owari using any method. In the end, she believed that brute force was the simplest and most feasible solution. She had craftsmen create ponds in various post towns along the route from Lake Biwa to the fish farm, where the Honmoroko could be temporarily released and stored. With the use of these ponds, she managed to transport the Honmoroko alive all the way to Owari. Naturally, some weak individuals died during transportation, but they ended up in the stomachs of those involved in the transportation.
“(I’m pretty sure that land was supposed to be used to build a bigger house right?)”
“(Yeah, the craftsmen knew, but they couldn’t say no to Lady Shizuko.)”
While understanding the cause of Nobunaga’s headache, the two of them believed that it was Nobunaga’s fault for expressing himself unclearly.
“What are you two doing over there? We have to go to other places too, so we don’t have time to relax.”
Despite it being the off-season, Shizuko’s busy days remain unchanged, whether it’s setting up snow rooms or teaching technology to fishing villages. In the midst of her busy schedule, she received a certain letter.
“…What am I supposed to do with this?”
The sender of the letter delivered to Shizuko is none other than Akechi Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi. The two of them are currently building Nijo Castle in Kyoto with Nobunaga. Shizuko was momentarily surprised that the two of them would write a letter together. However, after reading the contents, she was simply amazed. The letter stated, “The Lord (Oda) has been quite demanding lately, making it difficult for us to handle. We hope that Shizuko-dono can do something about it.”
“Make sure to take a bath. Do something about the taste of the food, it’s too bland. The bed is too hard and unbearable… Isn’t this just being selfish…”
“Think positively about being relied upon that much.”
Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada), who is drinking tea, calmly responds to Shizuko, who throws the letter and collapses on the floor.
“I already have enough on my plate with the task of refurbishing this area… I can’t handle any more demands from the lord in Kyoto.”
“The blame partly lies with Shizuko, so there’s no helping it. Your idea of a comfortable living environment is just too luxurious.”
“I understand…”
Shizuko improved the lifestyle of the Sengoku period and created a comfortable living environment. If Nobunaga liked it, he would adopt it. Because of this, Nobunaga’s quality of life improved significantly. Even though Kyoto was at the forefront of fashion at the time, it couldn’t compare to the lifestyle several hundred years in the future.
“Hmm, but I don’t think I can move right away. I need to consider the future and make sure the villagers are not harmed by relocating them… and above all, Chamaru is moving over here, so it’s a matter of drawing a line.”
Shizuko groans while holding her head. Nobunaga gained many allies by successfully making his way to the capital. It can now be said without hesitation that he is a representative figure in Japan. However, at the same time, he also gained more enemies. Until recently, Nobunaga was just a rural local lord in the eastern region, but now he has become a prominent figure in Japan overnight. There are certainly many people who resent this. Furthermore, while his policies are popular among the common people, they are seen as encroaching upon the vested interests of those in power. Even though vested interests can be broadly defined, they are directly linked to people’s livelihoods, so they cannot be easily violated, which has also contributed to the increase in enemies. With the increase in enemies, the number of people looking for faults in him has also increased. Recognizing that Shizuko’s surroundings are a unique environment, Nobunaga decided to keep the villagers away from harm, so that they would not be affected. The villagers, seeming to express their desire to be spared from being targeted, readily accepted Nobunaga’s resettlement policy.
“Keiji-san, Saizo-san, and Katsuzo (Mori Nagayoshi) will also be moving here, right? We will also need accommodation facilities for the other warriors… but we can’t just get rid of the fields and farmland… Oh no…”
After relocating all the villagers, Nobunaga planned to improve the hot springs and its associated facilities, and also to station a certain number of soldiers for long-term deployment or settlement. Prior to the plan, he first decided to demolish five villages, including Shizuko’s village, and turn them into vacant land. First and foremost, he focused on strengthening the defense facilities and the surrounding defense network. Once that was done, Nobunaga would renovate his villa and Shizuko’s house. At the same time, he would construct houses for Keiji and Saizo, and build accommodations for the warlords to stay in the hot springs. Among them, there would be clearly floating fields and farmland, but there was something even more surprising. Nobunaga entrusted the management of the villa to Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada). As a reason for this, he also decided to move his tutor, who had not yet undergone the coming-of-age ceremony. Even without considering that, it was enough to astonish those around him.
“I suppose your father wants you to receive an education.”
“You really do some crazy things, Lord. By the way, is there a women’s accommodation facility mentioned in the plan?”
There is a facility floating in the plan, just like the fields and rice paddies. It clearly looks like a lodging facility for women. There is only one person who can fit this into Nobunaga’s plan. Shizuko, feeling a strong sense of unease, asks Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada). Naturally, her intuition turns out to be correct.
“As you expected. There is only one person in this world who can fit such a facility into my father’s plan.”
“Of course… it’s Nohime-sama, after all. I included this. There’s a blueprint of a watermelon field in one corner of the garden… and I’ve also incorporated Matsu-sama’s wishes.”
“Well, give up. It’s not like you’re in charge of managing it anyway.”
Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada) casually says to Shizuko, who lets out a heavy sigh.
“…sigh, I wonder if I can handle dealing with the lord next month. If I can just endure until then… that would be good, I suppose.”
“I can’t have expectations.”
“Yeah, right,” Shizuko muttered, letting out another heavy sigh.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
1569, early January
Shizuko couldn’t answer the question immediately. If it had been right after time travel, she would have answered without hesitation, “I want to go back.” However, she had been stuck in the Sengoku period for a long time. Just thinking about it as a farewell in this lifetime brought to mind the faces of her loved ones unconsciously. Sensing her emotions, Mitsuo spoke with a cheerful voice.
“Well, it will be difficult to come to a conclusion quickly. But please be prepared. So that you won’t regret it when the time comes.”
With those words, Mitsuo abruptly ends the time travel story.
Mitsuo realized that he had just met Shizuko for the first time, and Ashimitsu had not prioritized introducing himself, focusing instead on his conversation with Shizuko. Realizing this belatedly, Mitsuo cleared his throat softly to change the atmosphere.
“Let me introduce myself again. My name is Mitsuo, and my full name is Mitsuo Tanaka. I am just an ordinary office worker. I don’t usually speak like this, but I have developed a habit of using polite language. Anyway, let’s get back to the topic. I have been involved in the livestock industry in modern times, but I am not a contracted farmer who engages in livestock production. Instead, I assist in the management of livestock production. Oh, and I also worked part-time at a restaurant as a cook. So, I have some confidence in my cooking skills.”
“Are you looking for someone to assist in livestock farming management…?”
Mitsuo boasted about his cooking skills, but he was completely ignored, which made him feel a little down. However, he quickly changed his mood and cleared his throat to continue speaking.
“Yes, animal husbandry was originally part of agriculture. However, growing crops in fields and raising cattle or pigs in animal husbandry are completely different. In reality, many farmers confuse the two, and some even shift from farming to animal husbandry without much thought. Our job is to teach them the basics of animal husbandry, provide them with feed, help them deal with pests, and facilitate connections with meat processing companies and other buyers, providing comprehensive support for the entire process of animal husbandry.”
“I see… So, do you have some expertise in the livestock industry?”
Mitsuo shakes his head with a apologetic expression on his face.
“Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the history of animal husbandry. I only know about the common breeds that existed during that time and their corresponding management methods. For example, when it comes to chickens, I am familiar with the White Leghorn breed for egg production and the Broiler breed for meat production, as they are well-known. However, when it comes to breeds that are closer to their original ancestors…”
Mitsuo’s knowledge is limited to the breeds that are currently being raised. He knows nothing about intermediate or early breeds. However, this is not Mitsuo’s fault. Just because he is in that industry does not mean that he is interested in delving deep into history.
“However, when it comes to fundamentals, they don’t change much, so wouldn’t they be applicable to some extent even to the original species?”
“Oh, well… I mean… I’ve been making a living on this path for fifteen years, so…”
Shizuko thought it was enough. Although she had never been directly involved in livestock farming, Mitsuo had been working in that industry for fifteen years. Therefore, the plan that had failed before could be resumed. However, no matter how much knowledge Mitsuo had, it was clear that he would face great difficulties. So, Shizuko believed that the success or failure of this plan depended on Mitsuo’s motivation.
“Hmm. I would like to ask you a question, Mitsuo-san. What are your thoughts on the future?”
“Me? I am prepared to be buried in this era.”
Mitsuo confidently answers Shizuko’s question.
“At first, I was only thinking about returning to the present. However, with no spouse and my daughter happily married, the only lingering attachment I have to this world is seeing my grandchildren’s faces. More than that, I became fully dedicated to living my life to the fullest in this world, using my own strength. I suddenly realized how fulfilling my daily life had become. With that mindset, I was able to look around and see a world that, despite being the same Japan, had unfamiliar expressions. There were people who highly valued my cooking skills, and I felt a sense of purpose. And strangely enough, the strong desire I had to go back home somehow disappeared.”
“Is that so?”
“You have a look on your face that seems to say it’s hard to understand, Shizuko-san. There’s no need to think too hard about it. Men are simply made that way. Even when they’re on the verge of death, they can turn it into a funny story with just a little bit of effort. So, that’s why I, Tanaka Mitsuo, plan to live a second life in the Sengoku period.”
“Hmm, I see… In that case, would you be willing to join us and lead livestock farming in the Oda territory as a second life?”
“Huh…?”
“Of course, it will involve a great deal of hardship. Therefore, I cannot force it. It all depends on Mitsuo-san’s motivation.”
Mitsuo crossed his arms and started thinking. Ashimitsu, who had been silent until now, murmured with a small smile on his face.
“Why don’t you give it a try, Mitsuo? When you change your position, what you see also changes. It’s even better if it’s interesting. After all, there are no barriers in modern times. It’s fun to take risks. What, don’t worry. Even if you fail, it will only affect you.”
Mitsuo, after thinking for a moment, nodded in satisfaction, unsure whether Ashimitsu’s words were meant to incite or instill anxiety.
“…Yes, that’s right. It would be a waste to let my knowledge and experience in livestock farming, which I have cultivated over many years, go to waste, not just in cooking.”
Mitsuo nodded a few times and turned towards Shizuko. There was no trace of regret or anxiety on his face. He seemed to be filled with anticipation, as if he was ready and waiting for an encounter with the unknown.
“I will take on that task.”
“I understand. However… hmm, I think the current breed of chicken is fine. As for pork, let’s order the black pig Aguu, which is a lineage that was brought over from the Ryukyu (Okinawa) Kingdom in 1385. I believe it is possible to import Aguu by paying a certain amount of money, considering the severe political corruption in the current Ryukyu Kingdom. Also, let’s consider raising wild boars…”
“Oh, that’s quite a lot.”
Mitsuo, who had considered himself an expert with chickens and cows, felt a little inferior to the breed Shizuko had mentioned. However, he couldn’t bring himself to swallow his pride like that.
“Oh, cows are absolutely necessary. Cows are essential for smallpox prevention. Goats can be used as a substitute for infant milk. They have lower allergy reactions compared to cows, so goats are also necessary.”
The two major diseases that were most prevalent during the Sengoku period were measles and smallpox. Measles had a highly contagious nature and was prone to complications. Smallpox also had a high infection rate and, according to some sources, a high mortality rate of forty percent. Particularly, smallpox was a precursor to the downfall of nations and ethnic groups until the development of vaccination using cowpox in the late 18th century.
“I see, indeed smallpox is not something that amateurs can understand. Ashimitsu-san, Shizuko-san, and I have received vaccinations, but people in this era have not, so it is essential as a smallpox vaccine.”
In Shizuko’s era, regular vaccinations are mandatory for all citizens. This is due to the need to counter bacterial weapons using viruses and the resurgence of diseases that were previously declared eradicated. Unlike before, vaccinations are no longer recommended but required, and failure to comply is punishable by fines or imprisonment for the crime of “intentionally spreading and causing the spread of diseases.” The government was highly vigilant against terrorism using bacterial weapons, but the mandatory vaccination policy has faced opposition from various groups. Despite emotional protests from opposing organizations, the government has chosen to ignore the protests and continue with the vaccination program.
“In that sense, cows are particularly important.”
“I understand. I think it will be a lot of work for you, but thank you in advance.”
Mitsuo’s livestock targets include cows, black pigs, goats, wild boars, and chickens. Although vast land and large amounts of water are required, there are plenty of undeveloped lands due to reasons such as transportation convenience.
“Have we finished discussing Mitsuo’s tasks? Then it’s my turn, I suppose. Although I don’t remember anything from the past. The name Ashimitsu is a pseudonym.”
“Oh, that’s right. Ashimitsu-san doesn’t have any memories from before being saved by Shizuko-san, does he?”
Ashimitsu nods at Mitsuo’s words. His true identity is tangled up in a very complicated situation. First of all, “Ashimitsu” is just a temporary name, and nobody knows his real name. He himself can’t even remember it, as only a mysterious word comes to mind without being able to recall his full name. As a result, he came up with a combination of words and created the name “Ashimitsu” that seemed fitting.
And when he was discovered by Shizuko, he was covered in blood and severely injured, almost on the brink of death. Even the paramedics who rushed to the scene upon Shizuko’s call thought that he would likely die during emergency transportation, as he was barely clinging to life. Miraculously, he managed to survive, but what awaited him was a long period of rehabilitation. Initially, he suffered from severe malnutrition, bruises all over his body, abrasions and stab wounds that were life-threatening in four places. Despite being in such a battered state, Ashimitsu never let go of his sword, tightly gripping it. He spent three months bedridden, but once he regained the ability to move his body, he displayed an astonishing recovery speed that even surprised the doctors. In just half a year, he was discharged from the hospital and switched to regular outpatient visits.
However, doctors are troubled about his situation. Although he was thought to be a foreigner, the results of the DNA test revealed that he has the unique genes of a Japanese person. In other words, Ashimitsu is undoubtedly Japanese, but he is an unidentified individual with no records whatsoever about his birth and everything up until now. In cases where there is evidence of a crime, such as gunshot wounds or stab wounds, doctors have an obligation to report it. However, the attending physician was notorious for having an extreme aversion to the police due to past experiences. Furthermore, Ashimitsu was in a situation where he didn’t know anything about the police, so reporting to them was postponed. (The criteria for reporting to the police vary depending on the hospital and the doctor.)
After various twists and turns, Ashimitsu becomes the guardian of Shizuko with her parents as guarantors.
“Well, at first, it was tough. After all, I had amnesia… I didn’t know how to use things like the bath or toilet, how to operate household appliances like cell phones or TVs, nothing at all. And for some reason, I was even scared of household appliances.”
“I suppose there’s no helping it. Everything was unknown to me. Despite everything being there as if it were natural, I knew nothing about it. It felt as if I were an orphan left behind in the world.”
“When I first saw a television, it was a disaster. I was scared and ended up hitting it with a stick, destroying it. It was tough afterwards. My older sister couldn’t watch her favorite show anymore, and she had a meltdown, leading to a big fight between her and Uncle Ashimitsu.”
“…There were also such things.”
Shizuko reminisces about the early days when they lived together, with a nostalgic expression on her face. However, for Ashimitsu, it seems to be an embarrassing memory. He blushes slightly and clears his throat.
“I see, so even the usually cool Ashimitsu-san has such a past.”
“I’m not intentionally acting cool. It’s just that my body has gotten used to behaving this way naturally. Well, getting used to this lifestyle was easy. However, I did struggle with getting used to stronger flavors, perhaps because I used to prefer milder ones in the past.”
“Oh, really? But even with amnesia, Ashimitsu-san seems surprisingly knowledgeable. Where did you acquire such a vast amount of knowledge?”
“Ashimitsu, who didn’t have a family register, couldn’t work part-time jobs. So, he spent his time reading books at home… but eventually started isolating himself in the library.”
As a thank you for the help he received, Ashimitsu thought about how he could assist in return. Unfortunately, he was a novice in farming and lacked significant modern knowledge, so it was determined that he needed to absorb knowledge first. Fortunately, Ashimitsu was intelligent, and although he initially struggled, after a year, he had absorbed enough knowledge to reach a level equivalent to compulsory education. After that, he developed a passion for reading books and would visit the library to devour various texts. For reasons unknown, he particularly enjoyed psychology and would seek out various libraries in search of books on the subject.
“…Once again, the conversation has gone off track. Anyway, I can’t explain myself satisfactorily. Just think of me as an old man named Ashimitsu. Oh, and I should mention this before I forget. It seems that the bag Mitsuo brought with modern items has ended up in Shizuko’s hands, but there are a few other things as well. Although, they are just small items, like family photos and a few condiments. Shizuko knows about mine, though. It’s just two swords and gauntlets.”
“It’s hard to imagine being involved in a bus accident while holding that sword… but there’s no point in saying that, right? Ahem… Well, finally, it’s my turn. Although all I have to say is that my name is Shizuko and until recently, I was just a high school girl.”
Shizuko clears her throat deliberately and introduces herself. However, even though she says it’s an introduction, there isn’t much to talk about. After all, it would be meaningless to talk about what she had been doing in the modern world here, as it wouldn’t serve any purpose.
“On paper, you are the lord of this mansion, in other words, under Oda-sama’s command, and Mori-sama is under your command… but in reality, you are more like a helpful handyman.”
“I see… Shizuko-san seems to be the one struggling the most in terms of position. We are just cooks after all.”
“I have gotten used to the unreasonable demands of Lord Oda.”
However, because she responded to Nobunaga’s unreasonable demands, Shizuko was able to achieve a stable life despite being single. Thinking about it, she felt a subtle mix of emotions.
“For now, I remain the same, Mitsuo-san is in livestock farming. So, Ashimitsu-san would be… a shrine priest?”
Shizuko said that with an apologetic expression.
Perhaps because the Shinto priest at the shrine was unexpected, Ashimitsu looks at Shizuko with a strange gaze.
I’m sorry, but I’ve heard that Nobunaga disliked religion… So, wouldn’t he kill someone if they became a Shinto priest?
Before Shizuko could say anything, Mitsuo raised his hand and voiced his question. Nobunaga disliked Buddhism and allowed the propagation of the Ikkō-ikki in Kyoto, but he never embraced Christianity. He burned down Mount Hiei’s Enryaku-ji temple and other temples and shrines, and ruthlessly massacred the followers of the Hongan-ji sect. He even threatened Takayama Ukon, a believer of the Ikkō-ikki, saying, “I will kill the missionaries and burn down the church.” Nobunaga’s ruthless attitude towards religion can be understood by looking at history. Nobunaga was mocked as someone who would even slay gods and buddhas if they were enemies, but Shizuko had recently started to think that it might be a little different.
“It seems that the lord dislikes religion, or rather, dislikes when a specific religion holds power. In other words, it can be simply put as ‘religious leaders should not interfere in politics.’ However, the religious forces themselves resisted in order to protect their vested interests, so the lord thoroughly suppressed them in order to eliminate the temple’s power of judgment.”
In medieval Japan, the term “kendan” referred to the duties, actions, and authorities related to police, maintaining public order, and criminal trials. The authority to carry out kendan was called “kendanken.” However, in medieval Japan, kendanken was characterized by a dual governance structure in which both the feudal lords (samurai) and temples held kendanken authority. For example, Honganji Temple did not have clearly defined territory as Honganji Temple, and there was a distinct feudal lord present. However, the structure of governance was such that the subjects paid taxes to the feudal lord while being under the influence of Honganji Temple, resulting in an overlapping kendanken authority between the feudal lord and the temple.
The “tenka fubu” (World Under Military Power) that Nobunaga aims for is the unified rule of Japan by the samurai. He sought to completely eliminate the authority of temples to judge and enforce a strict separation of religion and politics, where only the feudal lords, who were samurai, would have the authority to judge and enforce.
“Although it may not apply to us in modern times, up until the modern era, the people had fervent religious beliefs. That’s why the actions of the lord seemed like a thorough suppression of Buddhism.”
“However, Nobunaga massacred the followers of the Honganji Ikko-ikki and even proclaimed himself as the sixth heavenly demon king, almost like a god.”
“In a letter where Takeda Shingen declared himself as the guardian of Buddhism, Oda Nobunaga responded by affirming himself as the Sixth Heavenly Demon King. The Sixth Heavenly Demon King is a demon in Buddhism who obstructs faith, but at the same time, facing the Sixth Heavenly Demon King can deepen one’s faith. The person who responded with religious wit does not seem to consider themselves as a god. Well, they did become a god in later generations, though…”
“Huh?”
Mitsuo tilts his head at the words “Nobunaga became a god in the afterlife.”
“In Kyoto, there is a shrine called Kenkun Shrine (formerly known as Takeshi Orita Shrine) that was established by Emperor Meiji, with Nobunaga as the main enshrined deity. Additionally, his son, Nobutada, is also enshrined there.”
Ashimitsu: “What’s your question, Mitsuo?”
The reason why Japan was not invaded by foreign powers was thanks to Nobunaga, who aimed to unify Japan under his rule through military force. Recognizing Nobunaga’s efforts in achieving national unity and restoring traditional ceremonies, Emperor Meiji decided to establish the Kenori Oda Shrine on November 8, 1869. The Kenori Oda Shrine, also known as the Kenisa Ojin Shrine, is dedicated to Nobunaga’s achievements and is considered a shrine for national security, overcoming difficulties, and fulfilling great wishes.
“Originally, the Oda clan were priests of the Oda Tsurugi Shrine in the Oda district of Echizen Province. Later, they followed the Saito clan, who held the position of Echizen guardian, and moved to Owari, where the Saito clan served as guardians. In other words, the lord is from a priestly family and I believe he has a certain level of religious knowledge. In fact, he has quite extensive knowledge about shrines. The ‘Oshinoyashiro’ that I supervised the construction of also incorporates the lord’s preferences to a great extent.”
“Oushin no Yashiro?”
“Yes, there is a shrine a little distance away from here. Originally, it was just a regular shrine, but the Lord Oda made significant changes to it, so now it has become something completely different.”
In order to tell the time, Shizuko established the Oushin no Yashiro shrine, with the intention of having a small main hall and a bell. However, perhaps feeling dissatisfied with Shizuko’s lack of involvement or wanting to design the shrine herself, Nobunaga began making various changes to it at some point. He maintained the boundaries of the shrine and added facilities and equipment one after another. Before they knew it, thanks to Nobunaga’s efforts, the shrine had expanded to a size that was no different from a regular shrine. And perhaps fueled by enthusiasm, the expansion, which could be called a radical modification, accelerated, shifting Nobunaga’s shrine construction in an unexpected direction. Even though the composition of shrines itself was not unified until they came under the control of the state in the Meiji era, Shizuko was at a loss when presented with a shrine that had become nonsensical in its design.
“Did you become satisfied with the modifications, because you stopped saying anything once the construction was finished? So, are you more like a caretaker than a priest?”
“If there are more people in religious positions, would it increase the persuasiveness of educators? After all, temple schools were mostly run by Buddhist monks.”
“That’s also true. Anyway, everyone has decided on their own direction now. Mitsuo-san seems to be getting busy in the near future, but thank you in advance.”
“I have to work a little harder, don’t I?”
Mitsuo muttered so, but despite the tone of his voice suggesting some tension, I couldn’t sense any reluctance at all.
Shizuko initially thought about persuading Nohime, the employer of Ashimitsu and Mitsuo, but it was easily agreed upon. Mitsuo was responsible for 80% of Nohime’s cooking, while the remaining two only provided assistance. Therefore, Nohime did not see Ashimitsu’s departure as a problem. However, she showed reluctance when it came to reassigning Mitsuo. But as soon as she heard that raising livestock such as black pork Aguu and goats would increase the variety of meat, she allowed Mitsuo’s transfer. To be precise, it was not a complete transfer, but Mitsuo took on the role of Nohime’s exclusive chef and livestock farmer. In exchange for being able to serve dishes made with black pork and goat meat, Nohime promised to support Mitsuo. Gorou, who was left alone as the exclusive chef, did not feel down but rather saw it as an opportunity to impress Nohime with his cooking skills.
The three of them worked hard in their respective roles. Mitsuo’s first step was a journey to Okinawa and Kyushu with Kyujiro and other merchants to seek out black pork and goats. Shizuko sent a letter to Nobunaga, hoping for a letter of appointment to make Ashimitsu the caretaker of the shrine. After a while, she received a letter granting permission to appoint Ashimitsu as the caretaker. With this, Ashimitsu officially became the caretaker of the shrine. At first, there was some tension between Ashimitsu and the people who were originally in charge, but Ashimitsu’s quiet and diligent personality was well received, and they quickly became close.
On the other hand, Shizuko begins construction of a special facility. It appears to be a large warehouse at first glance, but inside, it is a modified snow chamber. The warehouse has the ability to maintain a constant temperature and humidity inside. Shizuko plans to utilize this function to create a natural refrigerator using snow. During the Little Ice Age in the Sengoku period, it was not uncommon for snow to fall during winter, making it easy to gather large quantities of it.
Unlike modern refrigerators, the temperature in the storage room was not kept constant. There were days when the water in the experimental bucket froze, and there were days when it remained in a liquid state. From this, Shizuko speculated that the temperature in the storage room was probably between minus five degrees and five degrees. Furthermore, she decided to create a small room surrounded by concrete in the basement of the storage room. It would be a natural freezer utilizing the cooling effect of concrete radiation. Although the temperature in this room also did not remain constant, Shizuko believed that it would definitely be below minus eighteen degrees, judging from the frozen vegetables that were being produced there.
During winter, it is possible to collect snow, but the period until snow stops falling is shorter on the Pacific side compared to the Japan Sea side. Shizuko wanted to establish a transportation route starting from Echizen, but that would not be possible until Echizen becomes Nobunaga’s territory.
To perform separate tasks from the snow room, Shizuko visits a fishing village owned by Nobunaga. In the Tokai region facing Ise Bay, there is a fish that has been consumed during this season for a long time. It is the bora fish. Winter bora is called “kanbora” and is highly valued for its fatty and delicious taste. The way to distinguish it is simple, as kanbora has a white, cloudy appearance due to the fat in its eyes. In modern times, due to the influence of polluted rivers, there are many bora fish with a strong odor, but during the Sengoku period, there were fewer polluted rivers, so there were many bora fish with less odor. The cause of the odor in bora fish is blood, and if the blood is properly removed, even non-kanbora fish can have their odor significantly reduced.
Choosing bora instead of other fish is not just because it is easy to catch. After salting and drying the ovaries of bora, you can make karasumi, which is considered one of Japan’s top three delicacies. However, making karasumi was a first-time attempt. In October, when we harvested the bora, we failed multiple times to extract the ovaries, and even if we managed to extract them, the blood removal was not done properly, resulting in a strong odor. November was relatively better, but we failed to get the salt balance right, so it couldn’t be considered a delicacy. Finally, in December, we managed to achieve the desired shape, but the road to becoming a famous product is still long. Nevertheless, it was considered a good accompaniment to sake, and Nobunaga gave it a positive evaluation.
In addition to karasumi, Shizuki also taught the villagers how to make smoked fish using the meat of bora fish. Bora fish are around 30 to 50 centimeters long, and it is more efficient to smoke them as a whole rather than drying them. Smoking preserves the fish better than drying, as it solves the issues of “oxidation of fats” and “bacterial growth” that cannot be fully controlled with drying. Furthermore, smoking adds a different flavor and taste to bora fish, although some nutrients may be lost in the process. Smoked bora fish becomes a valuable source of protein that can improve the food situation during the harsh winter when fishing is often impossible due to cold weather or rough seas. There is no reason to miss out on smoked bora fish.
Furthermore, Shizuko also started oyster cultivation. Oysters, like milk, contain various nutrients and are often referred to as the “brown rice of the sea” in Japan. Oysters have been an important food source since the Jomon period, and there are records of oyster cultivation in Japan during the Tenbun era (1532-1555). Originally, Shizuko wanted to prepare for oyster cultivation earlier, by August of last year, but she became fully occupied with her journey to Kyoto and subsequent tasks, so it was postponed to the following year. The oysters to be cultivated are the true oysters, one of the two major oyster species in Japan. These can be harvested throughout Japan and can be shipped within a year from seedling collection. The oysters grow to a large size after three years, but their survival rate decreases each year, so they are generally shipped within one year. Shizuko originally wanted to cultivate oysters in the Uramura Bay area, where the Pacific Kuroshio Current and the freshwater from the Kiso Sanzan and Miyagawa rivers in Ise Bay blend well. However, since southern Ise is not under Nobunaga’s control at the moment, Shizuko decided to pursue the business after the Ise invasion was over.
Shizuko thought it was a waste to only use the vast sea for oyster cultivation. Therefore, she also started cultivating seaweed such as nori and wakame (seaweed variants). The production of dried nori, as we know it today, began in the Edo period, while fresh nori was more commonly consumed during the Sengoku period. Despite its high rarity value, nori had been treated poorly. Considering that Ise Bay is one of the main regions for the production of nori and wakame, Shizuko believed that seaweed cultivation was possible.
The seaweed farming enter into full-scale work starting from late September to November, right after the busy farming season ends. The cultivation period for wakame is from November to around May of the following year, while for seaweed it is from October to April of the following year. Since it is not easy to make floating rings, seaweed is cultivated using a pole system. There was a need to obtain a large amount of bamboo, but Shizuko managed to provide it from her own bamboo grove.
“Let’s cultivate nori, wakame, and oysters in the sea. Nori and wakame take one year, while oysters take one to two years. If everything goes well, the aquaculture business will be on track in five years. It will probably take about ten years to reach its final form though.”
This is something that could only be done by Shizuko, who has an abundant supply of hemp fibers, which are also used as the raw material for nets and ropes, as well as bamboo, which is used for support poles.
“But what is nori used for?”
“Hmm. Is it really necessary to use such a large amount of hemp for cultivation?”
Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada) and Nagayoshi both voiced their doubts. It was not unusual for the three guards to be together, but even Shizuko was bothered by the fact that Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada) had joined them.
“If you are prepared, you have nothing to worry about. It’s too late to say you don’t have enough when you’re in a hurry. It’s important to have your preparations in order in advance.”
“That’s how it is.”
“Sometimes it happens, you know. Once you’re in a state of panic, it’s too late to say it’s difficult. Crisis management skills are important, right?”
“I see… Come to think of it, a little while ago Keiji was grilling small fish on a shichirin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichirin). I wonder if that was also part of some preparation.”
“…I heard something that I can’t ignore, but for now, I’ll let it go.”
Shizuko, who successfully revitalized land crop production, has now turned her attention to seafood. She began by focusing on cultivating seaweed, wakame, and oysters. She also started breeding small fish such as Honmoroko and Dojo. Shizuko would not overlook the highly nutritious seaweed, wakame, and oysters. The reason she had not previously made improvements in seafood production was due to the lack of an environment conducive to abundant production of hemp fibers.
“We are cultivating Honmoroko and Dojo fish. Well, it was possible because the lord lent us the land. Dojo fish have nutritional value comparable to eel, and cultivating Honmoroko fish enriches the soil.”
Nobunaga thought to himself, “How about living in a better house?” and gave Shizuko a reasonably large piece of land and a number of craftsmen. However, she didn’t realize this and completely transformed the spacious land into a breeding ground for carp and loaches. It’s not hard to imagine that Nobunaga was greatly troubled by the fact that the land, which was supposed to be reasonably spacious, was now mostly filled with breeding ponds.
However, there was a problem with the Honmoroko, unlike the Dojo. It was necessary to transport them alive from Lake Biwa, but in modern times, tools such as air pumps and water thermometers to maintain water temperature and oxygen levels are common. Of course, these tools did not exist in the Sengoku period. The biggest problem for Shizuko was figuring out how to transport them to Owari using any method. In the end, she believed that brute force was the simplest and most feasible solution. She had craftsmen create ponds in various post towns along the route from Lake Biwa to the fish farm, where the Honmoroko could be temporarily released and stored. With the use of these ponds, she managed to transport the Honmoroko alive all the way to Owari. Naturally, some weak individuals died during transportation, but they ended up in the stomachs of those involved in the transportation.
“(I’m pretty sure that land was supposed to be used to build a bigger house right?)”
“(Yeah, the craftsmen knew, but they couldn’t say no to Lady Shizuko.)”
While understanding the cause of Nobunaga’s headache, the two of them believed that it was Nobunaga’s fault for expressing himself unclearly.
“What are you two doing over there? We have to go to other places too, so we don’t have time to relax.”
Despite it being the off-season, Shizuko’s busy days remain unchanged, whether it’s setting up snow rooms or teaching technology to fishing villages. In the midst of her busy schedule, she received a certain letter.
“…What am I supposed to do with this?”
The sender of the letter delivered to Shizuko is none other than Akechi Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi. The two of them are currently building Nijo Castle in Kyoto with Nobunaga. Shizuko was momentarily surprised that the two of them would write a letter together. However, after reading the contents, she was simply amazed. The letter stated, “The Lord (Oda) has been quite demanding lately, making it difficult for us to handle. We hope that Shizuko-dono can do something about it.”
“Make sure to take a bath. Do something about the taste of the food, it’s too bland. The bed is too hard and unbearable… Isn’t this just being selfish…”
“Think positively about being relied upon that much.”
Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada), who is drinking tea, calmly responds to Shizuko, who throws the letter and collapses on the floor.
“I already have enough on my plate with the task of refurbishing this area… I can’t handle any more demands from the lord in Kyoto.”
“The blame partly lies with Shizuko, so there’s no helping it. Your idea of a comfortable living environment is just too luxurious.”
“I understand…”
Shizuko improved the lifestyle of the Sengoku period and created a comfortable living environment. If Nobunaga liked it, he would adopt it. Because of this, Nobunaga’s quality of life improved significantly. Even though Kyoto was at the forefront of fashion at the time, it couldn’t compare to the lifestyle several hundred years in the future.
“Hmm, but I don’t think I can move right away. I need to consider the future and make sure the villagers are not harmed by relocating them… and above all, Chamaru is moving over here, so it’s a matter of drawing a line.”
Shizuko groans while holding her head. Nobunaga gained many allies by successfully making his way to the capital. It can now be said without hesitation that he is a representative figure in Japan. However, at the same time, he also gained more enemies. Until recently, Nobunaga was just a rural local lord in the eastern region, but now he has become a prominent figure in Japan overnight. There are certainly many people who resent this. Furthermore, while his policies are popular among the common people, they are seen as encroaching upon the vested interests of those in power. Even though vested interests can be broadly defined, they are directly linked to people’s livelihoods, so they cannot be easily violated, which has also contributed to the increase in enemies. With the increase in enemies, the number of people looking for faults in him has also increased. Recognizing that Shizuko’s surroundings are a unique environment, Nobunaga decided to keep the villagers away from harm, so that they would not be affected. The villagers, seeming to express their desire to be spared from being targeted, readily accepted Nobunaga’s resettlement policy.
“Keiji-san, Saizo-san, and Katsuzo (Mori Nagayoshi) will also be moving here, right? We will also need accommodation facilities for the other warriors… but we can’t just get rid of the fields and farmland… Oh no…”
After relocating all the villagers, Nobunaga planned to improve the hot springs and its associated facilities, and also to station a certain number of soldiers for long-term deployment or settlement. Prior to the plan, he first decided to demolish five villages, including Shizuko’s village, and turn them into vacant land. First and foremost, he focused on strengthening the defense facilities and the surrounding defense network. Once that was done, Nobunaga would renovate his villa and Shizuko’s house. At the same time, he would construct houses for Keiji and Saizo, and build accommodations for the warlords to stay in the hot springs. Among them, there would be clearly floating fields and farmland, but there was something even more surprising. Nobunaga entrusted the management of the villa to Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada). As a reason for this, he also decided to move his tutor, who had not yet undergone the coming-of-age ceremony. Even without considering that, it was enough to astonish those around him.
“I suppose your father wants you to receive an education.”
“You really do some crazy things, Lord. By the way, is there a women’s accommodation facility mentioned in the plan?”
There is a facility floating in the plan, just like the fields and rice paddies. It clearly looks like a lodging facility for women. There is only one person who can fit this into Nobunaga’s plan. Shizuko, feeling a strong sense of unease, asks Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada). Naturally, her intuition turns out to be correct.
“As you expected. There is only one person in this world who can fit such a facility into my father’s plan.”
“Of course… it’s Nohime-sama, after all. I included this. There’s a blueprint of a watermelon field in one corner of the garden… and I’ve also incorporated Matsu-sama’s wishes.”
“Well, give up. It’s not like you’re in charge of managing it anyway.”
Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada) casually says to Shizuko, who lets out a heavy sigh.
“…sigh, I wonder if I can handle dealing with the lord next month. If I can just endure until then… that would be good, I suppose.”
“I can’t have expectations.”
“Yeah, right,” Shizuko muttered, letting out another heavy sigh.
1569, early JanuaryShizuko couldn't answer the question immediately. If it had been right after time travel, she would have answered without hesitation, I want to go back. However, she had been stuck in the Sengoku period for a long time. Just thinking about it as a farewell in this lifetime brought to mind the faces of her loved ones unconsciously. Sensing her emotions, Mitsuo spoke with a cheerful voice.Well, it will be difficult to come to a conclusion quickly. But please be prepared. So that you won't regret it when the time comes.With those words, Mitsuo abruptly ends the time travel story.Mitsuo realized that he had just met Shizuko for the first time, and Ashimitsu had not prioritized introducing himself, focusing instead on his conversation with Shizuko. Realizing this belatedly, Mitsuo cleared his throat softly to change the atmosphere.Let me introduce myself again. My name is Mitsuo, and my full name is Mitsuo Tanaka. I am just an ordinary office worker. I don't usually speak like this, but I have developed a habit of using polite language. Anyway, let's get back to the topic. I have been involved in the livestock industry in modern times, but I am not a contracted farmer who engages in livestock production. Instead, I assist in the management of livestock production. Oh, and I also worked part-time at a restaurant as a cook. So, I have some confidence in my cooking skills.Are you looking for someone to assist in livestock farming management?Mitsuo boasted about his cooking skills, but he was completely ignored, which made him feel a little down. However, he quickly changed his mood and cleared his throat to continue speaking.Yes, animal husbandry was originally part of agriculture. However, growing crops in fields and raising cattle or pigs in animal husbandry are completely different. In reality, many farmers confuse the two, and some even shift from farming to animal husbandry without much thought. Our job is to teach them the basics of animal husbandry, provide them with feed, help them deal with pests, and facilitate connections with meat processing companies and other buyers, providing comprehensive support for the entire process of animal husbandry.I see So, do you have some expertise in the livestock industry?Mitsuo shakes his head with a apologetic expression on his face.Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the history of animal husbandry. I only know about the common breeds that existed during that time and their corresponding management methods. For example, when it comes to chickens, I am familiar with the White Leghorn breed for egg production and the Broiler breed for meat production, as they are well-known. However, when it comes to breeds that are closer to their original ancestorsMitsuo's knowledge is limited to the breeds that are currently being raised. He knows nothing about intermediate or early breeds. However, this is not Mitsuo's fault. Just because he is in that industry does not mean that he is interested in delving deep into history.However, when it comes to fundamentals, they don't change much, so wouldn't they be applicable to some extent even to the original species?Oh, well I mean I've been making a living on this path for fifteen years, soShizuko thought it was enough. Although she had never been directly involved in livestock farming, Mitsuo had been working in that industry for fifteen years. Therefore, the plan that had failed before could be resumed. However, no matter how much knowledge Mitsuo had, it was clear that he would face great difficulties. So, Shizuko believed that the success or failure of this plan depended on Mitsuo's motivation.Hmm. I would like to ask you a question, Mitsuo-san. What are your thoughts on the future?Me? I am prepared to be buried in this era.Mitsuo confidently answers Shizuko's question.At first, I was only thinking about returning to the present. However, with no spouse and my daughter happily married, the only lingering attachment I have to this world is seeing my grandchildren's faces. More than that, I became fully dedicated to living my life to the fullest in this world, using my own strength. I suddenly realized how fulfilling my daily life had become. With that mindset, I was able to look around and see a world that, despite being the same Japan, had unfamiliar expressions. There were people who highly valued my cooking skills, and I felt a sense of purpose. And strangely enough, the strong desire I had to go back home somehow disappeared.Is that so?You have a look on your face that seems to say it's hard to understand, Shizuko-san. There's no need to think too hard about it. Men are simply made that way. Even when they're on the verge of death, they can turn it into a funny story with just a little bit of effort. So, that's why I, Tanaka Mitsuo, plan to live a second life in the Sengoku period.Hmm, I see In that case, would you be willing to join us and lead livestock farming in the Oda territory as a second life?Huh?Of course, it will involve a great deal of hardship. Therefore, I cannot force it. It all depends on Mitsuo-san's motivation.Mitsuo crossed his arms and started thinking. Ashimitsu, who had been silent until now, murmured with a small smile on his face.Why don't you give it a try, Mitsuo? When you change your position, what you see also changes. It's even better if it's interesting. After all, there are no barriers in modern times. It's fun to take risks. What, don't worry. Even if you fail, it will only affect you.Mitsuo, after thinking for a moment, nodded in satisfaction, unsure whether Ashimitsu's words were meant to incite or instill anxiety.Yes, that's right. It would be a waste to let my knowledge and experience in livestock farming, which I have cultivated over many years, go to waste, not just in cooking.Mitsuo nodded a few times and turned towards Shizuko. There was no trace of regret or anxiety on his face. He seemed to be filled with anticipation, as if he was ready and waiting for an encounter with the unknown.I will take on that task.I understand. However hmm, I think the current breed of chicken is fine. As for pork, let's order the black pig Aguu, which is a lineage that was brought over from the Ryukyu Okinawa Kingdom in 1385. I believe it is possible to import Aguu by paying a certain amount of money, considering the severe political corruption in the current Ryukyu Kingdom. Also, let's consider raising wild boarsOh, that's quite a lot.Mitsuo, who had considered himself an expert with chickens and cows, felt a little inferior to the breed Shizuko had mentioned. However, he couldn't bring himself to swallow his pride like that.Oh, cows are absolutely necessary. Cows are essential for smallpox prevention. Goats can be used as a substitute for infant milk. They have lower allergy reactions compared to cows, so goats are also necessary.The two major diseases that were most prevalent during the Sengoku period were measles and smallpox. Measles had a highly contagious nature and was prone to complications. Smallpox also had a high infection rate and, according to some sources, a high mortality rate of forty percent. Particularly, smallpox was a precursor to the downfall of nations and ethnic groups until the development of vaccination using cowpox in the late 18th century.I see, indeed smallpox is not something that amateurs can understand. Ashimitsu-san, Shizuko-san, and I have received vaccinations, but people in this era have not, so it is essential as a smallpox vaccine.In Shizuko's era, regular vaccinations are mandatory for all citizens. This is due to the need to counter bacterial weapons using viruses and the resurgence of diseases that were previously declared eradicated. Unlike before, vaccinations are no longer recommended but required, and failure to comply is punishable by fines or imprisonment for the crime of intentionally spreading and causing the spread of diseases. The government was highly vigilant against terrorism using bacterial weapons, but the mandatory vaccination policy has faced opposition from various groups. Despite emotional protests from opposing organizations, the government has chosen to ignore the protests and continue with the vaccination program.In that sense, cows are particularly important.I understand. I think it will be a lot of work for you, but thank you in advance.Mitsuo's livestock targets include cows, black pigs, goats, wild boars, and chickens. Although vast land and large amounts of water are required, there are plenty of undeveloped lands due to reasons such as transportation convenience.Have we finished discussing Mitsuo's tasks? Then it's my turn, I suppose. Although I don't remember anything from the past. The name Ashimitsu is a pseudonym.Oh, that's right. Ashimitsu-san doesn't have any memories from before being saved by Shizuko-san, does he?Ashimitsu nods at Mitsuo's words. His true identity is tangled up in a very complicated situation. First of all, Ashimitsu is just a temporary name, and nobody knows his real name. He himself can't even remember it, as only a mysterious word comes to mind without being able to recall his full name. As a result, he came up with a combination of words and created the name Ashimitsu that seemed fitting.And when he was discovered by Shizuko, he was covered in blood and severely injured, almost on the brink of death. Even the paramedics who rushed to the scene upon Shizuko's call thought that he would likely die during emergency transportation, as he was barely clinging to life. Miraculously, he managed to survive, but what awaited him was a long period of rehabilitation. Initially, he suffered from severe malnutrition, bruises all over his body, abrasions and stab wounds that were life-threatening in four places. Despite being in such a battered state, Ashimitsu never let go of his sword, tightly gripping it. He spent three months bedridden, but once he regained the ability to move his body, he displayed an astonishing recovery speed that even surprised the doctors. In just half a year, he was discharged from the hospital and switched to regular outpatient visits.However, doctors are troubled about his situation. Although he was thought to be a foreigner, the results of the DNA test revealed that he has the unique genes of a Japanese person. In other words, Ashimitsu is undoubtedly Japanese, but he is an unidentified individual with no records whatsoever about his birth and everything up until now. In cases where there is evidence of a crime, such as gunshot wounds or stab wounds, doctors have an obligation to report it. However, the attending physician was notorious for having an extreme aversion to the police due to past experiences. Furthermore, Ashimitsu was in a situation where he didn't know anything about the police, so reporting to them was postponed. The criteria for reporting to the police vary depending on the hospital and the doctor.After various twists and turns, Ashimitsu becomes the guardian of Shizuko with her parents as guarantors.Well, at first, it was tough. After all, I had amnesia I didn't know how to use things like the bath or toilet, how to operate household appliances like cell phones or TVs, nothing at all. And for some reason, I was even scared of household appliances.I suppose there's no helping it. Everything was unknown to me. Despite everything being there as if it were natural, I knew nothing about it. It felt as if I were an orphan left behind in the world.When I first saw a television, it was a disaster. I was scared and ended up hitting it with a stick, destroying it. It was tough afterwards. My older sister couldn't watch her favorite show anymore, and she had a meltdown, leading to a big fight between her and Uncle Ashimitsu.There were also such things.Shizuko reminisces about the early days when they lived together, with a nostalgic expression on her face. However, for Ashimitsu, it seems to be an embarrassing memory. He blushes slightly and clears his throat.I see, so even the usually cool Ashimitsu-san has such a past.I'm not intentionally acting cool. It's just that my body has gotten used to behaving this way naturally. Well, getting used to this lifestyle was easy. However, I did struggle with getting used to stronger flavors, perhaps because I used to prefer milder ones in the past.Oh, really? But even with amnesia, Ashimitsu-san seems surprisingly knowledgeable. Where did you acquire such a vast amount of knowledge?Ashimitsu, who didn't have a family register, couldn't work part-time jobs. So, he spent his time reading books at home but eventually started isolating himself in the library.As a thank you for the help he received, Ashimitsu thought about how he could assist in return. Unfortunately, he was a novice in farming and lacked significant modern knowledge, so it was determined that he needed to absorb knowledge first. Fortunately, Ashimitsu was intelligent, and although he initially struggled, after a year, he had absorbed enough knowledge to reach a level equivalent to compulsory education. After that, he developed a passion for reading books and would visit the library to devour various texts. For reasons unknown, he particularly enjoyed psychology and would seek out various libraries in search of books on the subject.Once again, the conversation has gone off track. Anyway, I can't explain myself satisfactorily. Just think of me as an old man named Ashimitsu. Oh, and I should mention this before I forget. It seems that the bag Mitsuo brought with modern items has ended up in Shizuko's hands, but there are a few other things as well. Although, they are just small items, like family photos and a few condiments. Shizuko knows about mine, though. It's just two swords and gauntlets.It's hard to imagine being involved in a bus accident while holding that sword but there's no point in saying that, right? Ahem Well, finally, it's my turn. Although all I have to say is that my name is Shizuko and until recently, I was just a high school girl.Shizuko clears her throat deliberately and introduces herself. However, even though she says it's an introduction, there isn't much to talk about. After all, it would be meaningless to talk about what she had been doing in the modern world here, as it wouldn't serve any purpose.On paper, you are the lord of this mansion, in other words, under Oda-sama's command, and Mori-sama is under your command but in reality, you are more like a helpful handyman.I see Shizuko-san seems to be the one struggling the most in terms of position. We are just cooks after all.I have gotten used to the unreasonable demands of Lord Oda.However, because she responded to Nobunaga's unreasonable demands, Shizuko was able to achieve a stable life despite being single. Thinking about it, she felt a subtle mix of emotions.For now, I remain the same, Mitsuo-san is in livestock farming. So, Ashimitsu-san would be a shrine priest?Shizuko said that with an apologetic expression.Perhaps because the Shinto priest at the shrine was unexpected, Ashimitsu looks at Shizuko with a strange gaze.I'm sorry, but I've heard that Nobunaga disliked religion So, wouldn't he kill someone if they became a Shinto priest?Before Shizuko could say anything, Mitsuo raised his hand and voiced his question. Nobunaga disliked Buddhism and allowed the propagation of the Ikk-ikki in Kyoto, but he never embraced Christianity. He burned down Mount Hiei's Enryaku-ji temple and other temples and shrines, and ruthlessly massacred the followers of the Hongan-ji sect. He even threatened Takayama Ukon, a believer of the Ikk-ikki, saying, I will kill the missionaries and burn down the church. Nobunaga's ruthless attitude towards religion can be understood by looking at history. Nobunaga was mocked as someone who would even slay gods and buddhas if they were enemies, but Shizuko had recently started to think that it might be a little different.It seems that the lord dislikes religion, or rather, dislikes when a specific religion holds power. In other words, it can be simply put as religious leaders should not interfere in politics.' However, the religious forces themselves resisted in order to protect their vested interests, so the lord thoroughly suppressed them in order to eliminate the temple's power of judgment.In medieval Japan, the term kendan referred to the duties, actions, and authorities related to police, maintaining public order, and criminal trials. The authority to carry out kendan was called kendanken. However, in medieval Japan, kendanken was characterized by a dual governance structure in which both the feudal lords samurai and temples held kendanken authority. For example, Honganji Temple did not have clearly defined territory as Honganji Temple, and there was a distinct feudal lord present. However, the structure of governance was such that the subjects paid taxes to the feudal lord while being under the influence of Honganji Temple, resulting in an overlapping kendanken authority between the feudal lord and the temple.The tenka fubu World Under Military Power that Nobunaga aims for is the unified rule of Japan by the samurai. He sought to completely eliminate the authority of temples to judge and enforce a strict separation of religion and politics, where only the feudal lords, who were samurai, would have the authority to judge and enforce.Although it may not apply to us in modern times, up until the modern era, the people had fervent religious beliefs. That's why the actions of the lord seemed like a thorough suppression of Buddhism.However, Nobunaga massacred the followers of the Honganji Ikko-ikki and even proclaimed himself as the sixth heavenly demon king, almost like a god.In a letter where Takeda Shingen declared himself as the guardian of Buddhism, Oda Nobunaga responded by affirming himself as the Sixth Heavenly Demon King. The Sixth Heavenly Demon King is a demon in Buddhism who obstructs faith, but at the same time, facing the Sixth Heavenly Demon King can deepen one's faith. The person who responded with religious wit does not seem to consider themselves as a god. Well, they did become a god in later generations, thoughHuh?Mitsuo tilts his head at the words Nobunaga became a god in the afterlife.In Kyoto, there is a shrine called Kenkun Shrine formerly known as Takeshi Orita Shrine that was established by Emperor Meiji, with Nobunaga as the main enshrined deity. Additionally, his son, Nobutada, is also enshrined there.Ashimitsu: What's your question, Mitsuo?The reason why Japan was not invaded by foreign powers was thanks to Nobunaga, who aimed to unify Japan under his rule through military force. Recognizing Nobunaga's efforts in achieving national unity and restoring traditional ceremonies, Emperor Meiji decided to establish the Kenori Oda Shrine on November 8, 1869. The Kenori Oda Shrine, also known as the Kenisa Ojin Shrine, is dedicated to Nobunaga's achievements and is considered a shrine for national security, overcoming difficulties, and fulfilling great wishes.Originally, the Oda clan were priests of the Oda Tsurugi Shrine in the Oda district of Echizen Province. Later, they followed the Saito clan, who held the position of Echizen guardian, and moved to Owari, where the Saito clan served as guardians. In other words, the lord is from a priestly family and I believe he has a certain level of religious knowledge. In fact, he has quite extensive knowledge about shrines. The Oshinoyashiro' that I supervised the construction of also incorporates the lord's preferences to a great extent.Oushin no Yashiro?Yes, there is a shrine a little distance away from here. Originally, it was just a regular shrine, but the Lord Oda made significant changes to it, so now it has become something completely different.In order to tell the time, Shizuko established the Oushin no Yashiro shrine, with the intention of having a small main hall and a bell. However, perhaps feeling dissatisfied with Shizuko's lack of involvement or wanting to design the shrine herself, Nobunaga began making various changes to it at some point. He maintained the boundaries of the shrine and added facilities and equipment one after another. Before they knew it, thanks to Nobunaga's efforts, the shrine had expanded to a size that was no different from a regular shrine. And perhaps fueled by enthusiasm, the expansion, which could be called a radical modification, accelerated, shifting Nobunaga's shrine construction in an unexpected direction. Even though the composition of shrines itself was not unified until they came under the control of the state in the Meiji era, Shizuko was at a loss when presented with a shrine that had become nonsensical in its design.Did you become satisfied with the modifications, because you stopped saying anything once the construction was finished? So, are you more like a caretaker than a priest?If there are more people in religious positions, would it increase the persuasiveness of educators? After all, temple schools were mostly run by Buddhist monks.That's also true. Anyway, everyone has decided on their own direction now. Mitsuo-san seems to be getting busy in the near future, but thank you in advance.I have to work a little harder, don't I?Mitsuo muttered so, but despite the tone of his voice suggesting some tension, I couldn't sense any reluctance at all.Shizuko initially thought about persuading Nohime, the employer of Ashimitsu and Mitsuo, but it was easily agreed upon. Mitsuo was responsible for 80% of Nohime's cooking, while the remaining two only provided assistance. Therefore, Nohime did not see Ashimitsu's departure as a problem. However, she showed reluctance when it came to reassigning Mitsuo. But as soon as she heard that raising livestock such as black pork Aguu and goats would increase the variety of meat, she allowed Mitsuo's transfer. To be precise, it was not a complete transfer, but Mitsuo took on the role of Nohime's exclusive chef and livestock farmer. In exchange for being able to serve dishes made with black pork and goat meat, Nohime promised to support Mitsuo. Gorou, who was left alone as the exclusive chef, did not feel down but rather saw it as an opportunity to impress Nohime with his cooking skills.The three of them worked hard in their respective roles. Mitsuo's first step was a journey to Okinawa and Kyushu with Kyujiro and other merchants to seek out black pork and goats. Shizuko sent a letter to Nobunaga, hoping for a letter of appointment to make Ashimitsu the caretaker of the shrine. After a while, she received a letter granting permission to appoint Ashimitsu as the caretaker. With this, Ashimitsu officially became the caretaker of the shrine. At first, there was some tension between Ashimitsu and the people who were originally in charge, but Ashimitsu's quiet and diligent personality was well received, and they quickly became close.On the other hand, Shizuko begins construction of a special facility. It appears to be a large warehouse at first glance, but inside, it is a modified snow chamber. The warehouse has the ability to maintain a constant temperature and humidity inside. Shizuko plans to utilize this function to create a natural refrigerator using snow. During the Little Ice Age in the Sengoku period, it was not uncommon for snow to fall during winter, making it easy to gather large quantities of it.Unlike modern refrigerators, the temperature in the storage room was not kept constant. There were days when the water in the experimental bucket froze, and there were days when it remained in a liquid state. From this, Shizuko speculated that the temperature in the storage room was probably between minus five degrees and five degrees. Furthermore, she decided to create a small room surrounded by concrete in the basement of the storage room. It would be a natural freezer utilizing the cooling effect of concrete radiation. Although the temperature in this room also did not remain constant, Shizuko believed that it would definitely be below minus eighteen degrees, judging from the frozen vegetables that were being produced there.During winter, it is possible to collect snow, but the period until snow stops falling is shorter on the Pacific side compared to the Japan Sea side. Shizuko wanted to establish a transportation route starting from Echizen, but that would not be possible until Echizen becomes Nobunaga's territory.To perform separate tasks from the snow room, Shizuko visits a fishing village owned by Nobunaga. In the Tokai region facing Ise Bay, there is a fish that has been consumed during this season for a long time. It is the bora fish. Winter bora is called kanbora and is highly valued for its fatty and delicious taste. The way to distinguish it is simple, as kanbora has a white, cloudy appearance due to the fat in its eyes. In modern times, due to the influence of polluted rivers, there are many bora fish with a strong odor, but during the Sengoku period, there were fewer polluted rivers, so there were many bora fish with less odor. The cause of the odor in bora fish is blood, and if the blood is properly removed, even non-kanbora fish can have their odor significantly reduced.Choosing bora instead of other fish is not just because it is easy to catch. After salting and drying the ovaries of bora, you can make karasumi, which is considered one of Japan's top three delicacies. However, making karasumi was a first-time attempt. In October, when we harvested the bora, we failed multiple times to extract the ovaries, and even if we managed to extract them, the blood removal was not done properly, resulting in a strong odor. November was relatively better, but we failed to get the salt balance right, so it couldn't be considered a delicacy. Finally, in December, we managed to achieve the desired shape, but the road to becoming a famous product is still long. Nevertheless, it was considered a good accompaniment to sake, and Nobunaga gave it a positive evaluation.In addition to karasumi, Shizuki also taught the villagers how to make smoked fish using the meat of bora fish. Bora fish are around 30 to 50 centimeters long, and it is more efficient to smoke them as a whole rather than drying them. Smoking preserves the fish better than drying, as it solves the issues of oxidation of fats and bacterial growth that cannot be fully controlled with drying. Furthermore, smoking adds a different flavor and taste to bora fish, although some nutrients may be lost in the process. Smoked bora fish becomes a valuable source of protein that can improve the food situation during the harsh winter when fishing is often impossible due to cold weather or rough seas. There is no reason to miss out on smoked bora fish.Furthermore, Shizuko also started oyster cultivation. Oysters, like milk, contain various nutrients and are often referred to as the brown rice of the sea in Japan. Oysters have been an important food source since the Jomon period, and there are records of oyster cultivation in Japan during the Tenbun era 1532-1555. Originally, Shizuko wanted to prepare for oyster cultivation earlier, by August of last year, but she became fully occupied with her journey to Kyoto and subsequent tasks, so it was postponed to the following year. The oysters to be cultivated are the true oysters, one of the two major oyster species in Japan. These can be harvested throughout Japan and can be shipped within a year from seedling collection. The oysters grow to a large size after three years, but their survival rate decreases each year, so they are generally shipped within one year. Shizuko originally wanted to cultivate oysters in the Uramura Bay area, where the Pacific Kuroshio Current and the freshwater from the Kiso Sanzan and Miyagawa rivers in Ise Bay blend well. However, since southern Ise is not under Nobunaga's control at the moment, Shizuko decided to pursue the business after the Ise invasion was over.Shizuko thought it was a waste to only use the vast sea for oyster cultivation. Therefore, she also started cultivating seaweed such as nori and wakame seaweed variants. The production of dried nori, as we know it today, began in the Edo period, while fresh nori was more commonly consumed during the Sengoku period. Despite its high rarity value, nori had been treated poorly. Considering that Ise Bay is one of the main regions for the production of nori and wakame, Shizuko believed that seaweed cultivation was possible.The seaweed farming enter into full-scale work starting from late September to November, right after the busy farming season ends. The cultivation period for wakame is from November to around May of the following year, while for seaweed it is from October to April of the following year. Since it is not easy to make floating rings, seaweed is cultivated using a pole system. There was a need to obtain a large amount of bamboo, but Shizuko managed to provide it from her own bamboo grove.Let's cultivate nori, wakame, and oysters in the sea. Nori and wakame take one year, while oysters take one to two years. If everything goes well, the aquaculture business will be on track in five years. It will probably take about ten years to reach its final form though.This is something that could only be done by Shizuko, who has an abundant supply of hemp fibers, which are also used as the raw material for nets and ropes, as well as bamboo, which is used for support poles.But what is nori used for?Hmm. Is it really necessary to use such a large amount of hemp for cultivation?Kimyomaru Oda Nobutada and Nagayoshi both voiced their doubts. It was not unusual for the three guards to be together, but even Shizuko was bothered by the fact that Kimyomaru Oda Nobutada had joined them.If you are prepared, you have nothing to worry about. It's too late to say you don't have enough when you're in a hurry. It's important to have your preparations in order in advance.That's how it is.Sometimes it happens, you know. Once you're in a state of panic, it's too late to say it's difficult. Crisis management skills are important, right?I see Come to think of it, a little while ago Keiji was grilling small fish on a shichirin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichirin. I wonder if that was also part of some preparation.I heard something that I can't ignore, but for now, I'll let it go.Shizuko, who successfully revitalized land crop production, has now turned her attention to seafood. She began by focusing on cultivating seaweed, wakame, and oysters. She also started breeding small fish such as Honmoroko and Dojo. Shizuko would not overlook the highly nutritious seaweed, wakame, and oysters. The reason she had not previously made improvements in seafood production was due to the lack of an environment conducive to abundant production of hemp fibers.We are cultivating Honmoroko and Dojo fish. Well, it was possible because the lord lent us the land. Dojo fish have nutritional value comparable to eel, and cultivating Honmoroko fish enriches the soil.Nobunaga thought to himself, How about living in a better house? and gave Shizuko a reasonably large piece of land and a number of craftsmen. However, she didn't realize this and completely transformed the spacious land into a breeding ground for carp and loaches. It's not hard to imagine that Nobunaga was greatly troubled by the fact that the land, which was supposed to be reasonably spacious, was now mostly filled with breeding ponds.However, there was a problem with the Honmoroko, unlike the Dojo. It was necessary to transport them alive from Lake Biwa, but in modern times, tools such as air pumps and water thermometers to maintain water temperature and oxygen levels are common. Of course, these tools did not exist in the Sengoku period. The biggest problem for Shizuko was figuring out how to transport them to Owari using any method. In the end, she believed that brute force was the simplest and most feasible solution. She had craftsmen create ponds in various post towns along the route from Lake Biwa to the fish farm, where the Honmoroko could be temporarily released and stored. With the use of these ponds, she managed to transport the Honmoroko alive all the way to Owari. Naturally, some weak individuals died during transportation, but they ended up in the stomachs of those involved in the transportation.I'm pretty sure that land was supposed to be used to build a bigger house right?Yeah, the craftsmen knew, but they couldn't say no to Lady Shizuko.While understanding the cause of Nobunaga's headache, the two of them believed that it was Nobunaga's fault for expressing himself unclearly.What are you two doing over there? We have to go to other places too, so we don't have time to relax.Despite it being the off-season, Shizuko's busy days remain unchanged, whether it's setting up snow rooms or teaching technology to fishing villages. In the midst of her busy schedule, she received a certain letter.What am I supposed to do with this?The sender of the letter delivered to Shizuko is none other than Akechi Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi. The two of them are currently building Nijo Castle in Kyoto with Nobunaga. Shizuko was momentarily surprised that the two of them would write a letter together. However, after reading the contents, she was simply amazed. The letter stated, The Lord Oda has been quite demanding lately, making it difficult for us to handle. We hope that Shizuko-dono can do something about it.Make sure to take a bath. Do something about the taste of the food, it's too bland. The bed is too hard and unbearable Isn't this just being selfishThink positively about being relied upon that much.Kimyomaru Oda Nobutada, who is drinking tea, calmly responds to Shizuko, who throws the letter and collapses on the floor.I already have enough on my plate with the task of refurbishing this area I can't handle any more demands from the lord in Kyoto.The blame partly lies with Shizuko, so there's no helping it. Your idea of a comfortable living environment is just too luxurious.I understandShizuko improved the lifestyle of the Sengoku period and created a comfortable living environment. If Nobunaga liked it, he would adopt it. Because of this, Nobunaga's quality of life improved significantly. Even though Kyoto was at the forefront of fashion at the time, it couldn't compare to the lifestyle several hundred years in the future.Hmm, but I don't think I can move right away. I need to consider the future and make sure the villagers are not harmed by relocating them and above all, Chamaru is moving over here, so it's a matter of drawing a line.Shizuko groans while holding her head. Nobunaga gained many allies by successfully making his way to the capital. It can now be said without hesitation that he is a representative figure in Japan. However, at the same time, he also gained more enemies. Until recently, Nobunaga was just a rural local lord in the eastern region, but now he has become a prominent figure in Japan overnight. There are certainly many people who resent this. Furthermore, while his policies are popular among the common people, they are seen as encroaching upon the vested interests of those in power. Even though vested interests can be broadly defined, they are directly linked to people's livelihoods, so they cannot be easily violated, which has also contributed to the increase in enemies. With the increase in enemies, the number of people looking for faults in him has also increased. Recognizing that Shizuko's surroundings are a unique environment, Nobunaga decided to keep the villagers away from harm, so that they would not be affected. The villagers, seeming to express their desire to be spared from being targeted, readily accepted Nobunaga's resettlement policy.Keiji-san, Saizo-san, and Katsuzo Mori Nagayoshi will also be moving here, right? We will also need accommodation facilities for the other warriors but we can't just get rid of the fields and farmland Oh noAfter relocating all the villagers, Nobunaga planned to improve the hot springs and its associated facilities, and also to station a certain number of soldiers for long-term deployment or settlement. Prior to the plan, he first decided to demolish five villages, including Shizuko's village, and turn them into vacant land. First and foremost, he focused on strengthening the defense facilities and the surrounding defense network. Once that was done, Nobunaga would renovate his villa and Shizuko's house. At the same time, he would construct houses for Keiji and Saizo, and build accommodations for the warlords to stay in the hot springs. Among them, there would be clearly floating fields and farmland, but there was something even more surprising. Nobunaga entrusted the management of the villa to Kimyomaru Oda Nobutada. As a reason for this, he also decided to move his tutor, who had not yet undergone the coming-of-age ceremony. Even without considering that, it was enough to astonish those around him.I suppose your father wants you to receive an education.You really do some crazy things, Lord. By the way, is there a women's accommodation facility mentioned in the plan?There is a facility floating in the plan, just like the fields and rice paddies. It clearly looks like a lodging facility for women. There is only one person who can fit this into Nobunaga's plan. Shizuko, feeling a strong sense of unease, asks Kimyomaru Oda Nobutada. Naturally, her intuition turns out to be correct.As you expected. There is only one person in this world who can fit such a facility into my father's plan.Of course it's Nohime-sama, after all. I included this. There's a blueprint of a watermelon field in one corner of the garden and I've also incorporated Matsu-sama's wishes.Well, give up. It's not like you're in charge of managing it anyway.Kimyomaru Oda Nobutada casually says to Shizuko, who lets out a heavy sigh.sigh, I wonder if I can handle dealing with the lord next month. If I can just endure until then that would be good, I suppose.I can't have expectations.Yeah, right, Shizuko muttered, letting out another heavy sigh.
