Chapter 69
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Late August, 1569.
Going back a little in time to the twelfth year of Eiroku (1569), in May, the Kitabatake family in southern Ise was divided into two opinions regarding whether to resist or submit to Nobunaga. In the midst of this, Kizuki Tomonori, the younger brother of Kitabatake Tomonori who defended the wooden castle, was instigated by Takigawa Kazumasu, also known as Gen, who was said to be a member of the Kizuki clan, and others, and conspired with the Oda family to rebel against the main family. Upon learning of the espionage of Takigawa Kazumasu, Kitabatake Tomonori immediately dispatched troops to attack the wooden castle. However, the Nagano and Kobe families came to the aid of the Oda army, and because the wooden castle was surrounded by easily defensible low wetlands, Kitabatake Tomonori withdrew his troops without being able to capture the castle.
After the capture of Kobe Castle, Nobunaga switched from a strategy of brute force to a battle focused on diplomacy. In this diplomatic battle, Nobunaga gradually incorporated the castles of Ise into his own camp, weakening the power of Kitabatake Tomonori. Due to the difference in military strength and Nobunaga’s diplomacy, Kitabatake Tomonori found himself in a difficult situation. However, he showed no signs of surrender, and instead openly confronted Nobunaga.
In response to Kitabatake Tomonori’s attitude, Nobunaga began a full-scale invasion of Ise. He issued orders for the invasion of Ise to his vassals, including Mori Yoshinari, Shibata Katsuie, Sakuama Nobumori, and Kinoshita Yoshitsuro. Of course, the invasion order was also delivered to Shizuko. However, the content was beyond her expectations.
“…Wow, I’m really surprised.”
After confirming the contents of the order from Nobunaga, Shizuko muttered half in amazement. She explained the contents of the order to Keiji, Saizo, Nagayoshi, and Aya, who she had summoned. According to the order, Keiji and Nagayoshi were to participate in the invasion of Ise. Shizuko and Saizo were to remain at home due to various circumstances. Aya was instructed to assist Shizuko and Saizo, with detailed instructions written down.
“It says that the two of us will be under the command of Mori-sama, but in reality, we’ll be treated more like guerrilla troops, don’t you think?”
“Hmm, it’s been a while since we had a big battle. I’m getting excited.”
“To be able to participate in battle before my coming-of-age ceremony… There’s no greater honor than this.”
Upon hearing about the invasion of Ise, Keiji’s heart leaped with anticipation, and Nagayoshi was so moved that tears almost welled up, but he raised his head and held back his emotions.
“The departure is on August 20th, so we need to finish preparations by the 18th. The warehouse will be open, so report to Aya-chan what you need to use later.”
“Can I take the sword in Warehouse 5?”
As soon as he heard Shizuko’s statement, Nagayoshi asked eagerly. In response, Shizuko remembered that she had been keeping a certain sword in Warehouse 5.
“Ah, that one. It’s fine, actually. It’s a sword that I was planning to give you when you came of age.”
“Really?! By the way, who did you receive such a good sword from?”
“It was given to me as a return gift when I gave plum wine to Lady Oichi.”
“…You always get involved in strange things. By the way, what’s the name of the sword?”
“Hmm. When I received it, it didn’t have a name that seemed fitting.”
“Then you decide.”
“Huh?”
Shizuko, slightly flustered, stumbled over her words as she looked at Nagayoshi with hopeful eyes.
“Well, you know. It would be better to have the name of a swordsmith…”
“That’s a good idea. Katsuzo (Mori Nagayoshi) also said so.”
“Indeed. There’s no problem at all.”
With anticipation, Shizuko turned her gaze to Keiji and Saizo, but her expectations were completely betrayed. After exhaling a heavy breath, Shizuko turned her face towards Nagayoshi.
“Give it a cool name!”
“(Tenka tenko yuiga dokuson) is no good, right? Hmm, how about ‘Meikyō Shisui’ (Clear Mirror, Still Water),’ ‘Ikki Tōsen’ (One Man, One Thousand),’ ‘Ifūdōdō’ (Majestic),’ ‘Gōki Kakudan’ (Resolute),’ or ‘Ken’nin Fubatsu’ (Perseverance)?”
“Hmm… Sorry, the sound is good, but I have no idea how to write them.”
“Sorry. I’ll write it now, so wait a moment.”
Shizuko wrote down the four-character idioms she had mentioned earlier on a piece of paper and handed it to Nagayoshi. Upon receiving it, Nagayoshi furrowed his brow as he looked at each piece of paper. He decided based on the sound and appearance of the kanji, not their meaning.
“Alright… Let’s go with ‘Meikyō Shisui.’ I have no idea what it means!”
“Then let’s ask someone. By the way, ‘Meikyō Shisui’ means having no impure thoughts, being calm and composed, and having a clear and serene mind.”
“Hahaha! It’s perfect for Katsuzo (Mori Nagayoshi), who is full of impure thoughts!”
Upon hearing the meaning of ‘Meikyō Shisui,’ Keiji pointed at Nagayoshi and burst into laughter.
One week before the start of the invasion of Ise, Nobunaga ordered Shizuko to bring something to his residence. Shizuko, who was given the order, brought out what was stored in the underground storage of her dedicated warehouse and loaded everything onto a newly developed cart. After loading the cargo, a large amount of dried grass was placed on top for camouflage. After finishing the work, Shizuko, accompanied by Keiji, pulled the cart towards Nobunaga’s residence.
“Why all of a sudden…”
While pulling the heavy cart, Shizuko complained.
The cart was an innovative invention that combined the concept of a sidecar, a traction vehicle imported from overseas, and the mainstream oxcart of the time. Its appearance was relatively late, around 1921, and the inventor was said to be Torao Mochizuki from Aoshima, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The cart, which could carry heavy loads and reduce vibration and noise, and had a low center of gravity for stable transportation, quickly replaced the oxcart.
Shizuko’s cart was made of bamboo as a substitute for the metal pipes, with hemp plastic boards inserted into the bamboo frame, and the tires were non-pneumatic tires filled with resin instead of air. If bamboo is properly processed, it can serve as a substitute for metal pipes. Even in modern times, it is not uncommon for bamboo to be used in the frames of bicycles or wheelchairs. Bamboo is stronger and lighter than metal frames such as iron or aluminum, it absorbs vibrations from the road, has higher durability than wood, and is easier to obtain than wood. The resin-filled tires may not provide a comfortable ride, but they have excellent performance for transporting goods.
“Because of what’s inside. If someone other than Shizuchi carries it, their head and torso will say goodbye on the way back.”
“…I understand. I know how important the contents are. But, you know, it’s heavy…”
While pulling the heavy cart, Shizuko grumbled.
To the casual observer, it appeared that the cargo was only dried grass, but the real cargo was hidden underneath. The real cargo hidden under the mound of dried grass was eighty gold bars and one hundred twenty silver bars, which were Nobunaga’s hidden assets.
Needless to say, Shizuko did not possess a gold mine, nor was she involved in gold mine development. Shizuko, who did not have a gold or silver mine, acquired a large amount of gold, silver, and copper through the refinement of crude copper.
Copper refined from ores in Japan contained a large amount of gold and silver, but until the beginning of the Edo period, Japan did not have the technology to separate gold and silver from copper. As a result, the Ming and Nanban people, who had the technology to separate copper and gold and silver, bought copper from Japan at low prices and extracted gold and silver, earning huge profits. However, in 1591, Soga Rieemon, later known as the founder of the Sumitomo zaibatsu, completed the refining technology to separate gold and silver from copper called Nanbanbuki in Sakai, Izumi Province, putting an end to the cheap export of crude copper.
Thanks to Nanbanbuki, which separates gold and silver from crude copper, Shizuko possessed a large amount of gold, silver, and copper despite not having a mine. However, she only needed copper and silver. Copper, which is easy to refine and process, has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity and durability, and is an indispensable material in modern society. Silver, when subjected to electroless plating on glass (silver mirror reaction), forms a reflective layer. This is used in mirrors. Mirrors are essential components in the production of sextants and rangefinders.
“I never imagined that crude copper would contain so much gold and silver…”
If the amount of gold and silver was within the range that Nobunaga could overlook, there would be no problem. However, as merchants repeatedly collected crude copper and sold it to Shizuko, an inappropriate amount of gold, silver, and copper accumulated in her possession. Faced with an obviously disproportionate amount of gold and silver, Shizuko decided it would be best to report to Nobunaga.
It was certainly a story that went far beyond Nobunaga’s imagination that gold and silver could be obtained from crude copper, but Shizuko stopped thinking about it when she saw the gold and silver bars stored in the underground of her dedicated warehouse. For a while, the gold and silver would be kept in the warehouse, and gradually transported to Nobunaga’s warehouse at the appropriate time, with Shizuko being responsible for the transportation. These arrangements were made between Shizuko and Nobunaga.
“Why did I decide to carry it myself?”
“Well, Shizuchi, how many people wouldn’t be moved after seeing that many gold bars?”
Gold has been a symbol of wealth since ancient times, and its golden brilliance and unchanging value have continued to fascinate rulers throughout history. In Japan, during the Warring States period, each province developed gold mines in order to obtain war funds, resulting in a gold rush. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who dominated that era, was also fascinated by gold to the point of building a golden tearoom and toilet. Even in modern times, one kilogram of gold is worth nearly 5 million yen, and there has never been a time in human history when gold has become worthless. Keiji couldn’t help but find it strange that Shizuko, who could be so nonchalant about gold, possessed such a large amount.
“Even if I have excess gold, owning gold bars only causes trouble.”
“Have you never thought about taking just one…?”
“Keiji-san, in my country, there is a saying. ‘It takes a lifetime to earn trust, but it can be lost in an instant. And trust cannot be bought with money. To regain it, twice the effort accumulated so far is required.'”
This quote is part of a speech given by the late Mitsugu Sato, who was the president of Snow Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd., to all employees after a factory food poisoning incident in March 1955.
Even though she complains, Shizuko actually understands. The reason why Nobunaga has Shizuko carry the gold and silver is because he trusts that Shizuko will deliver the refined gold and silver without falsifying the numbers. If Nobunaga didn’t trust Shizuko, he would have had the reliable Mori Yoshinari deliver it. That’s why Shizuko would never betray Nobunaga’s trust for the money. It would also betray her own self up until now.
“Of course, I’m not saying it’s wrong to seek status and wealth. It’s just that I have different goals from those people. Well, this conversation is over. Let’s quickly go to Gifu and deliver the goods.”
As soon as she said that, Shizuko increased the force pushing the cart. Keiji, who was a little behind, looked at Shizuko’s back with an indescribable expression and muttered.
“Shizuko is really mysterious.”
But that’s a good thing, Keiji thought to himself and followed Shizuko’s back. From then on, nothing happened on the way, and Shizuko and Keiji safely arrived at Nobunaga’s residence.
“I’ve been waiting… What’s with that strange headgear?”
Nobunaga greeted them with a smile, but tilted his head when he saw Shizuko’s headgear.
“Ah, this is a straw hat. It’s made of straw, as the name suggests. It has good ventilation and a wide brim, so I quite like it.”
In Japan, a straw hat refers to one made by bleaching or dyeing straw, flattening it, and sewing it into a spiral shape with Sanada strings. However, the term “straw hat” is also used as a general term for hats with wide brims made of materials such as rush grass or bamboo. Since Okayama Prefecture used to be the main producer of straw hats, there are still dedicated manufacturers and history museums that handle straw hats.
“Hmm, let’s talk about the hat and the cart later. First, let’s take the goods to the warehouse.”
The place Nobunaga led them to was one of the many warehouses. From the outside, it had a similar atmosphere to the other warehouses, but upon closer inspection, the windows of this warehouse were slightly smaller. It was clear that the warehouse was designed to minimize the possible entry and exit points.
“Let’s unload the cargo.”
When they removed the dried grass on the cart, a plastic case made of hemp called “pradan case” appeared underneath. The pradan case, which is lighter than a wooden box, is suitable for transporting gold and silver as it can withstand more than a hundred round trips depending on the usage environment.
Shizuko and Keiji took out one kilogram of gold and silver bars from the pradan case and lined them up in the designated position specified by Nobunaga. Handling two hundred kilograms of gold and silver took a considerable amount of time and effort. After finishing the work and feeling relieved, Nobunaga glanced at the pile of bars with a smile.
“Quite a quantity. With this much, we won’t have trouble with war expenses for a while.”
Three days after Nobunaga left Gifu Castle and entered the wooden castle, Nohime visited Shizuko. This time, Nene and Matsu, who were always with her, were joined by “Ei,” the mother of Mori Nagayoshi. They didn’t mind their husbands and children going to the battlefield and came to enjoy the hot springs from the morning. Before lunch, Shizuko was called by them. Shizuko, who had become accustomed to being called, without feeling any sense of discomfort, went to Nohime and the others without any questions.
“Is it like a tea party…?”
“Exactly. Although Lord calls it a tea party and whatnot, to me, it’s quite trivial. I want to have a tea party where we can enjoy ourselves without worrying about etiquette and tea utensils. So, do you have any good ideas?”
Nohime’s request was quite simple. She thought it was foolish to adhere to detailed etiquette and formalities like the tea parties that were popular among the warlords. She wanted to have a more casual tea party that anyone could participate in. So, she asked if there were any good ideas.
“Hmm, instead of a tea party, how about a tea gathering? Just drinking tea and eating some snacks…”
“Hmm, that’s quite good. But it’s difficult to obtain tea powder. Have you started producing it around here? Also, what about ‘zarusoba’ (cold soba)? I want to eat it soon.”
“Nohime-sama, it’s difficult for Shizuko to understand everything you say at once.”
Matsu gently expressed her dissatisfaction with Nohime, who was speaking rapidly. However, if it stopped at that, she wouldn’t earn the title of the Oda family’s “Princess of Freedom.” Although the title of “Princess of Freedom” was just something Shizuko came up with on her own.
“What are you saying, Matsu? While the lords are away, we can be the first ones to eat ‘zarusoba.’ By the way, you harvested quite a lot of watermelons from Shizuko’s field.”
“I properly requested Shizuko to do so. By the way, Nene-dono brought honey wine from Shizuko’s warehouse.”
“Shizuko has given permission to take anything from the warehouse. By the way, Ei-dono also brought plum wine from Shizuko’s warehouse.”
“Oh, didn’t Nene-dono also receive plum wine?”
Hearing the words of the four, Shizuko’s head started to ache. She had informed them that they could freely take anything from the warehouse except for specific items. However, seeing them take things so openly, she started to think that it might be better to prohibit taking things out. Of course, it’s doubtful whether these people would even listen if she said that.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s the zarusoba.”
When she let out a heavy sigh, Aya brought the zarusoba with those words. The moment she entered the room, Shizuko didn’t miss the fact that Saizo, who had been waiting behind her all this time, only moved his eyes and looked at Aya.
(He’s checking to see if his portion is included…)
Even though she was the cause, Shizuko couldn’t help but feel a headache thinking that she had turned a historical figure who left a name for themselves into someone who cares about food.
“Hmm, as expected, it’s quite strange to cut the dough made of buckwheat flour, binder, and water into thin threads like this.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Nohime intuitively understood how to eat it. Before Shizuko could explain, she held the soba choko (soba cup) in her left hand and started eating the soba with her chopsticks in her right hand. As she slurped it, a soft texture spread in her mouth, and the aroma and sweetness of the soba tickled her nostrils as she chewed.
“Uh, um, Nohime-sama…?”
“What’s wrong, Shizuko? You’re making a strange face… Zarusoba is delicious, everyone should try it.”
“Is it really okay…?”
“Hehe, don’t worry, Shizuko. Even if you think there’s something wrong with the way we eat, there’s nothing to be concerned about. The way I feel it’s delicious is the correct way to eat it.”
Nohime dismissed Shizuko’s worries with a smile.
At the beginning of September, Shizuko observed the condition of the field where she cultivated crops imported from Kyoto and Kyushu. Due to the nature of the seeds and seedlings she imported, the cultivation area was uneven compared to other fields, and the crops being cultivated were also diverse.
Shizuko looked at the condition of the crops being cultivated from one end to the other. The first crop was a variation of turnip called “suguki kabura.” This is used to make a pickled dish called “suguki-zuke.” Suguki-zuke is one of the traditional Kyoto pickles and is one of the three major pickles in Kyoto, along with Shibazuke and Senmaizuke. The reason Shizuko cultivates this is because suguki-zuke is a lacto-fermented pickle and contains a plant-based lactic acid bacterium called “Lactobacillus brevis,” which is believed to be good for preventing influenza. Although cultivation is also progressing in Kyoto, Shizuko thought it would be better to cultivate it in Owari as well.
Next is chili pepper. The origin of chili pepper is believed to be in Central and South America, and it has been cultivated for food in Mexico for thousands of years. In Japan, there is a record of a Portuguese missionary named Baltazar Gago visiting Bungo in 1552 and presenting seeds of “tougarashi” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichimi) to Oda Nobunaga. From this, it is said that chili pepper was introduced to Japan from Europe in the mid-16th century, but there are other theories, and the definitive theory has not been established. There is also a theory that it was introduced from China, based on the word “tou” meaning “China,” but chili pepper was introduced to China even later than Japan, in the mid-17th century (late Ming Dynasty).
During the Sengoku period, chili pepper was used for ornamental purposes, medicine, poison, and as a frostbite prevention measure for tabi socks. In the Edo period, there are many records of it being used for food, but it was used in a way that did not overpower the original taste of fish and vegetables, with a “moderate spiciness.” After World War II, chili pepper was a minor ingredient until the diversification of food in Japan. In Europe, chili pepper was cultivated as an ornamental plant for a long time, and it was not until the 19th century that it began to be used as a seasoning.
Chili pepper is a crop with a wide range of uses as an ingredient, seasoning, and material for natural pesticides. Therefore, chili pepper is cultivated more extensively than other crops. However, there was one problem with the chili peppers being cultivated. Since the variety of chili pepper that was introduced is not recorded, it is impossible to determine how spicy the chili peppers are. The spiciest chili pepper in modern Japan is said to be the Noutaka chili pepper, with a Scoville scale of 100,000 to 125,000. Considering that the most powerful tear gas spray on the market has a Scoville scale of 180,000, and the typical tear gas spray ranges from 15,000 to 90,000, one can imagine how powerful the Noutaka chili pepper’s spiciness is. It should be noted that there are chili peppers in the world, such as the Carolina Reaper (1.5 to 3 million Scoville units) and the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T pepper (1,463,700 Scoville units), which make one question the necessity of such spiciness.
Lastly, there is the Japanese mint (Nihon hakka). This is not a native species of Japan, and it is said to have originated in China, but the details of its introduction are uncertain. In the early Meiji era, it was exported as peppermint oil, and it was a monopoly product in Japan, so it came to be called “Japanese mint.” It is a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae family, which is said to have been used medicinally since ancient times.
According to records, it is said that it began to be commercially cultivated in Okayama and Hiroshima prefectures during the Ansei era (1854-1860), the late Edo period. However, it was widely cultivated during the Edo period, and as mentioned earlier, it is a plant that has existed since the Heian period and can be obtained in the Chugoku region. Shizuko immediately obtained four cuttings of Japanese mint through the contacts of the traveling merchants, first to the wealthy merchants in Sakai, and then to the wealthy merchants in Amagasaki. Since it went through several hands, she had to pay a considerable amount, but considering the profits she could obtain from Japanese mint, it was a small amount that she accepted as an initial investment.
Peppermint cultivation is relatively easy and can be grown by amateurs as long as there is little rainfall and a warm climate. Like other plants that form underground stems, peppermint also shows strong reproductive power and will expand its influence recklessly unless measures such as deep partitioning are taken.
“I can’t possibly imagine that this will turn into a fortune…”
“It may not be possible this year, but starting next year, we can extract peppermint oil, menthol, and essential oil. Well, peppermint is easy to cultivate and not a demanding variety, so it’s not much trouble.”
Japanese peppermint has a significantly higher menthol content in its peppermint oil compared to other peppermint varieties. While peppermint contains about 50% menthol, Japanese peppermint contains nearly 80%. Therefore, it is suitable for medicinal use, but not suitable for cooking or herbal tea.
“What about collecting camphor? I asked for parts that are not usable, but is it going well?”
“All the materials that were brought in have been transported to the warehouse. But what exactly will be made from the parts that can’t be used for firewood?”
Shizuko asked the visiting merchants to collect camphor, but she specified that they should bring materials that have no market value, such as unused wood and pruned branches and roots. Aya couldn’t understand what value she saw in the unusable wood chips, and couldn’t grasp Shizuko’s intention.
“It’s camphor. We can also make camphor oil and camphor crystals. Just like peppermint, we use steam distillation, so I thought it would be good to make them too.”
“O-Okay.”
Camphor was consumed in large quantities as a plasticizer for celluloid and attracted attention worldwide as a monopolized product that contributed to Japan’s national interests. However, during the high economic growth period, celluloid was replaced by petroleum-derived plastics, greatly reducing the demand for camphor. Currently, there are only a few places in Kyushu that produce natural camphor. The concentration of camphor production in Kyushu is due to the uneven distribution of camphor tree, the raw material for camphor. About 80% of camphor trees in Japan are concentrated in Kyushu, indicating that only production bases that can procure raw materials cheaply have survived.
“What about making camphor? You can make camphor oil and camphor crystals. Since it’s similar to peppermint and requires steam distillation, I thought it would be good to make them too.”
“I, with my lack of education, can hardly understand what Shizuko-sama is saying. However, I understand that Shizuko-sama is considering the future to some extent.”
“I don’t know if I’m being praised or criticized… well, whatever. Having something with insect-repellent properties is useful, especially in summer.”
After drying the harvested peppermint, the essential oil is obtained by steam distillation. In the case of Japanese peppermint, menthol crystals precipitate just by cooling the essential oil. The liquid remaining after removing the solid contains around 30% menthol and becomes peppermint oil.
“Because it has high volatility, I asked for the production of oil paper and porcelain jars. How about that?”
“There are no particular problems, and production is going smoothly.”
Peppermint oil and camphor oil have high volatility and will evaporate over time if stored in containers with low airtightness. Therefore, it is necessary to seal the jars with porcelain lids and cover them with oil paper tied with a string. It is also important to store them in a cool, dark place, avoiding high temperatures, high humidity, open flames, and direct sunlight.
“How is the sales of kudzu cloth made from the stems of wild kudzu growing in the mountains?”
“We have received reports that kudzu cloth sells better in Kyoto than in Owari and Mino.”
“Hmm… (I gave up on kudzu powder because it requires a lot of effort, but it seems to be selling well)”
Kudzu can kill trees it entwines, so Shizuko used laborers to cut down all the kudzu stems entwined around the trees. Harvesting the roots can temporarily suppress its growth, but kudzu protects the soil from erosion by raindrops, provides leaf litter for humus, and enhances the soil’s fertility and water retention. Therefore, it was not possible to harvest the roots.
After completing the observation of the newly cultivated crops, Shizuko moved on to observe the orchard. The orchard was located a little away from Shizuko’s residential area, but it had plenty of space. The currently cultivated fruit trees include kumquat brought from the Kinai region, Chinese plum, Koshu grapes native to Yamanashi Prefecture and cultivated since the early Kamakura period, watermelon brought by Mitsuo, loquat native to China, apricot (karamomo) and akebi that have been in Japan for a long time, peach, and sweet persimmon. Shizuko considered whether to cultivate plum trees in the orchard, but decided to grow plums separately because plum pickles became a military necessity.
The reason why astringent persimmons are not cultivated is because there is a variety called “Dojo Hachiya Persimmon” that has been passed down since the Heian period in Mino. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the three great leaders, were all fascinated by the taste of Dojo Hachiya Persimmon, which was given the name “Dojo” meaning “having the status of being presented to the imperial court (emperor)” and was allowed to ascend to the imperial court.
Dojo Hachiya Persimmon thrives in the climate and environment of Mino. Therefore, Shizuko decided to cultivate the Japanese native variety “Zentemaru” discovered in 1214 instead of astringent persimmons. Of course, she also encouraged the cultivation of Dojo Hachiya Persimmon and provided technical guidance to produce larger and sweeter dried persimmons. As a result, the fame of Dojo Hachiya Persimmon, which boasts an elegant and unparalleled sweetness, spread throughout the country, and Shizuko began receiving top-quality dried persimmons every year. It goes without saying that Nobunaga, who loved Dojo Hachiya Persimmon, was a little, no, quite envious.
“I bought Marukinkan (round kumquat) from a poor noble family and transplanted it, and it’s taking root well. Well, the variety I want is still waiting to be imported.”
“Ningbo Kumquat… right. I believe we are still waiting for news from there. Just the other day, the letter we received mentioned that we could bring back a considerable number…”
The original habitat of kumquat is the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China, but the mainstream kumquat in modern Japan is Ningbo Kumquat cultivated in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Ningbo Kumquat was introduced in the Edo period (1826), but the Marukinkan that Shizuko is cultivating is said to have been introduced between the late Kamakura period and the Muromachi period.
“There’s no need to be fixated on kumquats. I plan to introduce many other fruits from our neighboring countries to Japan. Even if they are somewhat unfamiliar crops, it’s fine.”
During the time of Meng Zongzhu, Shizuko managed to establish some commercial routes, albeit small ones, with China, India, and Europe. Since it is uncertain how long these routes can be maintained, Shizuko strives to bring crops that would normally be introduced to Japan in the Edo period or the early Meiji period to Japan as early as possible.
Currently, Shizuko is trying to expedite the introduction of the following varieties: Ningbo Kumquat and Tang Kumquat, which were introduced in the late Edo period. Adzuki beans brought by Ingen Zenji, who naturalized from Ming in 1654. Cabbage with a tight head introduced in the late 19th century during the Ansei era. Purple cabbage, also known as Botanna, introduced from China to Japan during the Edo period. Figs and lychees introduced from China, as well as apricots (karakara) and akebi, which have been in Japan for a long time. Shizuko also aimed to import seeds and seedlings of European and New World (American) origin, such as olives, avocados, and acerola.
(When I think about it again, the influence of Europe is significant. If they hadn’t brought back seeds during the Age of Discovery, we wouldn’t be able to do anything.)
The reason why Shizuko is trying to expedite the introduction of crops is to conduct crop breeding (also known as variety improvement). Since chromosome and DNA analysis cannot be performed, Shizuko has no choice but to use crossbreeding methods. However, crossbreeding takes about ten years to create a single variety. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the cultivation environment early.
“The calamondin is growing well too. It’s going a little too well, and it’s a bit scary.”
Calamondin can be harvested throughout the year regardless of the season, although each variety has an appropriate harvest time. If the fruits are left on the tree without harvesting, it burdens the tree, so it is necessary to harvest them early. However, there are few opportunities to use calamondin extensively. Therefore, Shizuko decided to make salted calamondin, a seasoning, and honey calamondin, which is good for post-exercise fatigue recovery.
Making salted calamondin is simple. First, wash the calamondin thoroughly and remove excess moisture. Cut off both ends and cut it into eight wedges in a comb shape. Then, put the calamondin in a sterilized storage jar, add salt on top, and close the lid. Finally, wrap the lid with oil paper and tie it with a string. Shake the jar every two to three days.
In Morocco, the birthplace of calamondin, the fruit is used whole without cutting, but slices, paste-like form, or X-shaped cuts allow the salt to penetrate better. However, there is a “post-harvest problem” with imported citrus fruits. Therefore, when making salted calamondin today, it is preferable to use domestically grown calamondin. There is also a method of using baking soda to remove pesticide wax, but considering the possibility of chemicals penetrating into the flesh, domestically grown calamondin is safer.
Honey calamondin is made by slicing the calamondin, including the peel, and adding honey and grated ginger, if desired. Mix them together and refrigerate for a day, and it’s ready. Honey calamondin contains vitamin B1, B2, C, glucose, and citric acid, and has a high fatigue recovery effect.
Salted calamondin can be stored for a long time, comparable to umeboshi (pickled plums), and there have been cases where it has withstood ten years of storage when unopened. Honey calamondin, thanks to the sterilizing effect of honey, can be preserved for nearly six months even at room temperature. Of course, both have excessive amounts of salt and sugar added, as they are primarily intended for long-term storage, so consuming them regularly would be detrimental to health.
“The growth of karatachi (Japanese persimmon) is also going well. It’s going too smoothly, and it’s a little scary.”
Shizuko, who is growing lemon trees, but it takes time for citrus fruits to bear fruit. It is desirable to use grafting technique to mass-produce the same variety, but since Shizuko is cultivating both scion and rootstock, which are Calathea, in parallel, it is not yet possible to increase them by grafting technique.
Calathea, which has excellent disease resistance, cold resistance, high compatibility with citrus fruits, and excellent fruit quality, is planted in a huge number of 200 because it will continue to be used extensively in the future. If Calathea is cultivated for one year and then lemon and orange are increased by grafting technique, in a few years, there will be orange orchards and lemon orchards with hundreds of trees. Ideally, a two-year-old rootstock is desirable for Calathea, but without increasing the number, the conversation cannot begin, so grafting work is done with one-year-old rootstock in the early stages.
However, even if it goes smoothly, it will take at least three to four years (around 1573). Until then, Nobunaga had to be patient. Although there is some anxiety, there is no choice but to give up because there is nothing that can be done about it.
After all, if the grafting technique can be reproduced, it is possible to graft different varieties of crops called graft hybrids and artificially create new species by causing mutations. Of course, there is also the possibility of graft hybrids that are completely unintended.
Shizuko’s observations continue. Next is a field where crops collected from various places are grown, not a regular field. In that field, there were no crops to be seen, but instead, bamboo was stuck into the ground, and support nets made of hemp dyed with persimmon tannin and bamboo were installed nearby.
“As always, I can’t understand what Shizuko-sama is doing. It’s too eccentric.”
Aya, who is accompanying the inspection of the field, murmurs while looking at the field with a strange look.
“Hehe, this is my own cultivation method. Well, it’s not a secret or anything. This is the cultivation of yamaimo (Japanese yam). The net is stretched to make it easier to harvest the sprouts.”
In the cultivation of yamaimo, attention must be paid to the collection of seed tubers. Natural yamaimo often becomes infected with Yamaimo Mosaic Virus, so even if it is cultivated, the yield is poor. However, many of the diseased varieties are concentrated within 15 kilometers of the coastal areas, so the risk can be reduced by selecting and collecting superior varieties that grow naturally in the deep mountains far away from the coast. Of course, even if you avoid potential carriers, there is still a possibility of infection through vectors such as aphids, but control measures are relatively easy.
There are several methods of propagating yamaimo, but the easiest one is to use cut seed tubers. It requires sprouting, but it can be harvested in the same year and has the advantage of high yield.
However, yamaimo grows in a wavy manner in the soil. From the point of view of not damaging the yamaimo and digging it up, it is desirable for it to grow straight. In modern times, cultivation using clever pipes can be seen in many places, but in the Sengoku period where there is no vinyl, it is impossible to prepare clever pipes. Shizuko also considered using wooden boards, but this also required dyeing with persimmon tannin for preservation, and considering the effort to make flat boards, the cost was not worth it.
Thinking about whether there was a substitute that could be made from something readily available, Shizuko came up with the idea of using bamboo as a substitute for clever pipes. Bamboo only needs to pass through the nodes and is easy to adjust in length. Furthermore, it does not rot when buried in the soil and can last for about six months, which is the cultivation period of yamaimo. Shizuko thought that once the processing was done, it could be used for several years, so she cut bamboo from her own bamboo grove and made makeshift clever pipes.
Shizuko owns one grove of Moso bamboo, three groves of Madake bamboo, and two groves of Chikurin bamboo. Forest resources such as bamboo groves are considered military supplies, but she has given permission to the craftsmen in the technical district to freely cut them down. She also gave permission to other villages as long as they didn’t go outside. Other than digging the ground and surrounding it with concrete to prevent them from going outside, there was no other management, and there was no beauty of a forest. The only unwritten rule was “do not dig up the rhizomes.” If the rhizomes were damaged by digging up the ground, it would affect the entire bamboo grove.
Based on the diameter and length, Shizuko made makeshift clever pipes from Madake bamboo. The length of the clever pipe is about one meter, and the internode length of Madake bamboo is 30 to 40 centimeters. With good processing, three nodes can be processed. She also added a simple ball milling function to the lathe by attaching a main spindle with one axis, making it easy to drill holes. She also worked on the development of a drill press and a milling machine, thinking that other tools were necessary. Both can be manufactured by applying the lathe, so there were no major problems.
With a drill press, mass production of copper wire becomes possible. This is because it can make tools for wire drawing, which is the basic technology of copper wire (a method of pulling a wire through a hole in a steel plate). It is impossible to pull copper wire by human power, but in the early 19th century, Japan used the power of water wheels to mass-produce copper wire. So, Shizuko thought that it might be possible to manufacture copper wire even in the Sengoku period, and started the construction of a copper wire factory where copper ingots were stretched into plates or wires and shaped. The basic concept of the factory was similar to a modern factory that produced wires and plates from copper ingots in an integrated manner by automating and mechanizing the power.
“Mukago (yam sprouts) are rich in iron, potassium, magnesium, and so on. There’s no way I can’t cultivate them. Well… both mukago and yamaimo are good for nourishment, but I’m worried if they contain arginine, which has a strong aphrodisiac effect.”
“What do you mean by worried?”
“It’s too early for you to know, Aya-chan. Well, it’s not wild yamaimo from the mountains, it’s a cultivated variety, so it’s easier to call it yam, right?”
“It doesn’t matter what you call it. Even if there were precedents, Lady Shizuko would change it anyway.”
“Hmm… well, if I can make this, I can make tororo barley rice, or yakitori made with yam, but it seems like it would take a lot of effort to grate it. I wonder if there’s a better way.”
“I don’t understand why Lady Shizuko needs to increase her privileges…”
“Huh? Privileges? I don’t have any privileges. I thought everything like that belonged to the lord.”
Aya looked at Shizuko, who tilted her head in wonder, and her head started to hurt.
Now, except for temples and shrines, there is almost no place in Owari and Mino where Shizuko does not have an influence.
In terms of clothing, Shizuko produces three types of threads: hemp, silk, and cotton. Hemp thread is versatile and is used for military supplies such as sandbags and for daily life, such as nets. Silk thread is used as a material for high-end clothing, and cotton is used as the match cord for matchlock guns. In addition, there is an increase in harvest volume and cultivation varieties through agricultural techniques, an increase in salt production in fishing villages, and new products from by-products. Even if there are goods, if transportation is poor, the conversation cannot begin. However, with macadam pavement technology, Owari and Mino have very good transportation, and thanks to the Rakushi Rakusa policy, it is easy for merchants to do business.
Nobunaga can collect taxes from merchants under the pretext of protecting them. The more merchants there are, the more money goes into Nobunaga’s pocket. In other words, Shizuko starting new businesses or cultivation directly means an increase in Nobunaga’s military funds. This is one of the mysteries of Nobunaga’s alchemy that is seen by neighboring countries. However, it is understandable that it is seen as a mystery. Shizuko starting new businesses is mostly unrelated to Nobunaga’s intentions. She starts new businesses on her own, and the merchants keenly spot them and turn them into business, which increases the money that goes into Nobunaga’s pocket.
It is a story that is based on Shizuko having an “absolute loyalty” to Nobunaga. And although Shizuko herself has human desires, she easily discards anything that doesn’t suit her stature, which also contributes to the fact that the Oda vassals do not feel threatened.
“Shizuko-sama is now a key figure in the Oda family. Please understand the meaning of that.”
“I thought all those rights belonged to the lord…”
“On paper, it’s the lord, but in reality, it’s Shizuko-sama who has them. The gold coins that occasionally come, they are a part of the tax given as a reward from the merchants who use the privileges held by Shizuko-sama, you know?”
“Huh? Is that so? I don’t really need it… but, as the lord, there is a need to give rewards and punishments, so maybe it’s necessary.”
Even if she doesn’t realize it herself, Shizuko, who is increasing the Oda army’s military funds, must be rewarded. It gives the impression of a country samurai who doesn’t give rewards to his servants, which can also affect the morale of his subordinates. Therefore, Nobunaga has the obligation to praise Shizuko and give her a reward. With that money, Shizuko starts new businesses, and her constant effort to reduce money is actually an effort to increase money.
“Well, saving money is also an economic problem. It would be nice if Keiji-san could spend it generously, but…”
The reason Shizuko pours money into new businesses is that Saizo, a member of the Bamen, rarely spends money, Nagayoshi is always training and doesn’t have time to spend money, and Aya goes without saying. Economic activity is like blood, and it is meaningless if money is not flowing into the market. The act of scattering money to various industries is a necessary measure to stimulate economic activity. Especially to make Nobunaga’s monetary economy policy successful, it is necessary for those who have money to continue flowing it into the market.
“I don’t have the habit of spending money…”
“You’ll get used to it gradually. Eventually, whether you like it or not, it will become a monetary transaction.”
Even though Shizuko pointed it out, Aya still had a face that was not completely convinced.
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Late August, 1569.
Going back a little in time to the twelfth year of Eiroku (1569), in May, the Kitabatake family in southern Ise was divided into two opinions regarding whether to resist or submit to Nobunaga. In the midst of this, Kizuki Tomonori, the younger brother of Kitabatake Tomonori who defended the wooden castle, was instigated by Takigawa Kazumasu, also known as Gen, who was said to be a member of the Kizuki clan, and others, and conspired with the Oda family to rebel against the main family. Upon learning of the espionage of Takigawa Kazumasu, Kitabatake Tomonori immediately dispatched troops to attack the wooden castle. However, the Nagano and Kobe families came to the aid of the Oda army, and because the wooden castle was surrounded by easily defensible low wetlands, Kitabatake Tomonori withdrew his troops without being able to capture the castle.
After the capture of Kobe Castle, Nobunaga switched from a strategy of brute force to a battle focused on diplomacy. In this diplomatic battle, Nobunaga gradually incorporated the castles of Ise into his own camp, weakening the power of Kitabatake Tomonori. Due to the difference in military strength and Nobunaga’s diplomacy, Kitabatake Tomonori found himself in a difficult situation. However, he showed no signs of surrender, and instead openly confronted Nobunaga.
In response to Kitabatake Tomonori’s attitude, Nobunaga began a full-scale invasion of Ise. He issued orders for the invasion of Ise to his vassals, including Mori Yoshinari, Shibata Katsuie, Sakuama Nobumori, and Kinoshita Yoshitsuro. Of course, the invasion order was also delivered to Shizuko. However, the content was beyond her expectations.
“…Wow, I’m really surprised.”
After confirming the contents of the order from Nobunaga, Shizuko muttered half in amazement. She explained the contents of the order to Keiji, Saizo, Nagayoshi, and Aya, who she had summoned. According to the order, Keiji and Nagayoshi were to participate in the invasion of Ise. Shizuko and Saizo were to remain at home due to various circumstances. Aya was instructed to assist Shizuko and Saizo, with detailed instructions written down.
“It says that the two of us will be under the command of Mori-sama, but in reality, we’ll be treated more like guerrilla troops, don’t you think?”
“Hmm, it’s been a while since we had a big battle. I’m getting excited.”
“To be able to participate in battle before my coming-of-age ceremony… There’s no greater honor than this.”
Upon hearing about the invasion of Ise, Keiji’s heart leaped with anticipation, and Nagayoshi was so moved that tears almost welled up, but he raised his head and held back his emotions.
“The departure is on August 20th, so we need to finish preparations by the 18th. The warehouse will be open, so report to Aya-chan what you need to use later.”
“Can I take the sword in Warehouse 5?”
As soon as he heard Shizuko’s statement, Nagayoshi asked eagerly. In response, Shizuko remembered that she had been keeping a certain sword in Warehouse 5.
“Ah, that one. It’s fine, actually. It’s a sword that I was planning to give you when you came of age.”
“Really?! By the way, who did you receive such a good sword from?”
“It was given to me as a return gift when I gave plum wine to Lady Oichi.”
“…You always get involved in strange things. By the way, what’s the name of the sword?”
“Hmm. When I received it, it didn’t have a name that seemed fitting.”
“Then you decide.”
“Huh?”
Shizuko, slightly flustered, stumbled over her words as she looked at Nagayoshi with hopeful eyes.
“Well, you know. It would be better to have the name of a swordsmith…”
“That’s a good idea. Katsuzo (Mori Nagayoshi) also said so.”
“Indeed. There’s no problem at all.”
With anticipation, Shizuko turned her gaze to Keiji and Saizo, but her expectations were completely betrayed. After exhaling a heavy breath, Shizuko turned her face towards Nagayoshi.
“Give it a cool name!”
“(Tenka tenko yuiga dokuson) is no good, right? Hmm, how about ‘Meikyō Shisui’ (Clear Mirror, Still Water),’ ‘Ikki Tōsen’ (One Man, One Thousand),’ ‘Ifūdōdō’ (Majestic),’ ‘Gōki Kakudan’ (Resolute),’ or ‘Ken’nin Fubatsu’ (Perseverance)?”
“Hmm… Sorry, the sound is good, but I have no idea how to write them.”
“Sorry. I’ll write it now, so wait a moment.”
Shizuko wrote down the four-character idioms she had mentioned earlier on a piece of paper and handed it to Nagayoshi. Upon receiving it, Nagayoshi furrowed his brow as he looked at each piece of paper. He decided based on the sound and appearance of the kanji, not their meaning.
“Alright… Let’s go with ‘Meikyō Shisui.’ I have no idea what it means!”
“Then let’s ask someone. By the way, ‘Meikyō Shisui’ means having no impure thoughts, being calm and composed, and having a clear and serene mind.”
“Hahaha! It’s perfect for Katsuzo (Mori Nagayoshi), who is full of impure thoughts!”
Upon hearing the meaning of ‘Meikyō Shisui,’ Keiji pointed at Nagayoshi and burst into laughter.
One week before the start of the invasion of Ise, Nobunaga ordered Shizuko to bring something to his residence. Shizuko, who was given the order, brought out what was stored in the underground storage of her dedicated warehouse and loaded everything onto a newly developed cart. After loading the cargo, a large amount of dried grass was placed on top for camouflage. After finishing the work, Shizuko, accompanied by Keiji, pulled the cart towards Nobunaga’s residence.
“Why all of a sudden…”
While pulling the heavy cart, Shizuko complained.
The cart was an innovative invention that combined the concept of a sidecar, a traction vehicle imported from overseas, and the mainstream oxcart of the time. Its appearance was relatively late, around 1921, and the inventor was said to be Torao Mochizuki from Aoshima, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The cart, which could carry heavy loads and reduce vibration and noise, and had a low center of gravity for stable transportation, quickly replaced the oxcart.
Shizuko’s cart was made of bamboo as a substitute for the metal pipes, with hemp plastic boards inserted into the bamboo frame, and the tires were non-pneumatic tires filled with resin instead of air. If bamboo is properly processed, it can serve as a substitute for metal pipes. Even in modern times, it is not uncommon for bamboo to be used in the frames of bicycles or wheelchairs. Bamboo is stronger and lighter than metal frames such as iron or aluminum, it absorbs vibrations from the road, has higher durability than wood, and is easier to obtain than wood. The resin-filled tires may not provide a comfortable ride, but they have excellent performance for transporting goods.
“Because of what’s inside. If someone other than Shizuchi carries it, their head and torso will say goodbye on the way back.”
“…I understand. I know how important the contents are. But, you know, it’s heavy…”
While pulling the heavy cart, Shizuko grumbled.
To the casual observer, it appeared that the cargo was only dried grass, but the real cargo was hidden underneath. The real cargo hidden under the mound of dried grass was eighty gold bars and one hundred twenty silver bars, which were Nobunaga’s hidden assets.
Needless to say, Shizuko did not possess a gold mine, nor was she involved in gold mine development. Shizuko, who did not have a gold or silver mine, acquired a large amount of gold, silver, and copper through the refinement of crude copper.
Copper refined from ores in Japan contained a large amount of gold and silver, but until the beginning of the Edo period, Japan did not have the technology to separate gold and silver from copper. As a result, the Ming and Nanban people, who had the technology to separate copper and gold and silver, bought copper from Japan at low prices and extracted gold and silver, earning huge profits. However, in 1591, Soga Rieemon, later known as the founder of the Sumitomo zaibatsu, completed the refining technology to separate gold and silver from copper called Nanbanbuki in Sakai, Izumi Province, putting an end to the cheap export of crude copper.
Thanks to Nanbanbuki, which separates gold and silver from crude copper, Shizuko possessed a large amount of gold, silver, and copper despite not having a mine. However, she only needed copper and silver. Copper, which is easy to refine and process, has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity and durability, and is an indispensable material in modern society. Silver, when subjected to electroless plating on glass (silver mirror reaction), forms a reflective layer. This is used in mirrors. Mirrors are essential components in the production of sextants and rangefinders.
“I never imagined that crude copper would contain so much gold and silver…”
If the amount of gold and silver was within the range that Nobunaga could overlook, there would be no problem. However, as merchants repeatedly collected crude copper and sold it to Shizuko, an inappropriate amount of gold, silver, and copper accumulated in her possession. Faced with an obviously disproportionate amount of gold and silver, Shizuko decided it would be best to report to Nobunaga.
It was certainly a story that went far beyond Nobunaga’s imagination that gold and silver could be obtained from crude copper, but Shizuko stopped thinking about it when she saw the gold and silver bars stored in the underground of her dedicated warehouse. For a while, the gold and silver would be kept in the warehouse, and gradually transported to Nobunaga’s warehouse at the appropriate time, with Shizuko being responsible for the transportation. These arrangements were made between Shizuko and Nobunaga.
“Why did I decide to carry it myself?”
“Well, Shizuchi, how many people wouldn’t be moved after seeing that many gold bars?”
Gold has been a symbol of wealth since ancient times, and its golden brilliance and unchanging value have continued to fascinate rulers throughout history. In Japan, during the Warring States period, each province developed gold mines in order to obtain war funds, resulting in a gold rush. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who dominated that era, was also fascinated by gold to the point of building a golden tearoom and toilet. Even in modern times, one kilogram of gold is worth nearly 5 million yen, and there has never been a time in human history when gold has become worthless. Keiji couldn’t help but find it strange that Shizuko, who could be so nonchalant about gold, possessed such a large amount.
“Even if I have excess gold, owning gold bars only causes trouble.”
“Have you never thought about taking just one…?”
“Keiji-san, in my country, there is a saying. ‘It takes a lifetime to earn trust, but it can be lost in an instant. And trust cannot be bought with money. To regain it, twice the effort accumulated so far is required.'”
This quote is part of a speech given by the late Mitsugu Sato, who was the president of Snow Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd., to all employees after a factory food poisoning incident in March 1955.
Even though she complains, Shizuko actually understands. The reason why Nobunaga has Shizuko carry the gold and silver is because he trusts that Shizuko will deliver the refined gold and silver without falsifying the numbers. If Nobunaga didn’t trust Shizuko, he would have had the reliable Mori Yoshinari deliver it. That’s why Shizuko would never betray Nobunaga’s trust for the money. It would also betray her own self up until now.
“Of course, I’m not saying it’s wrong to seek status and wealth. It’s just that I have different goals from those people. Well, this conversation is over. Let’s quickly go to Gifu and deliver the goods.”
As soon as she said that, Shizuko increased the force pushing the cart. Keiji, who was a little behind, looked at Shizuko’s back with an indescribable expression and muttered.
“Shizuko is really mysterious.”
But that’s a good thing, Keiji thought to himself and followed Shizuko’s back. From then on, nothing happened on the way, and Shizuko and Keiji safely arrived at Nobunaga’s residence.
“I’ve been waiting… What’s with that strange headgear?”
Nobunaga greeted them with a smile, but tilted his head when he saw Shizuko’s headgear.
“Ah, this is a straw hat. It’s made of straw, as the name suggests. It has good ventilation and a wide brim, so I quite like it.”
In Japan, a straw hat refers to one made by bleaching or dyeing straw, flattening it, and sewing it into a spiral shape with Sanada strings. However, the term “straw hat” is also used as a general term for hats with wide brims made of materials such as rush grass or bamboo. Since Okayama Prefecture used to be the main producer of straw hats, there are still dedicated manufacturers and history museums that handle straw hats.
“Hmm, let’s talk about the hat and the cart later. First, let’s take the goods to the warehouse.”
The place Nobunaga led them to was one of the many warehouses. From the outside, it had a similar atmosphere to the other warehouses, but upon closer inspection, the windows of this warehouse were slightly smaller. It was clear that the warehouse was designed to minimize the possible entry and exit points.
“Let’s unload the cargo.”
When they removed the dried grass on the cart, a plastic case made of hemp called “pradan case” appeared underneath. The pradan case, which is lighter than a wooden box, is suitable for transporting gold and silver as it can withstand more than a hundred round trips depending on the usage environment.
Shizuko and Keiji took out one kilogram of gold and silver bars from the pradan case and lined them up in the designated position specified by Nobunaga. Handling two hundred kilograms of gold and silver took a considerable amount of time and effort. After finishing the work and feeling relieved, Nobunaga glanced at the pile of bars with a smile.
“Quite a quantity. With this much, we won’t have trouble with war expenses for a while.”
Three days after Nobunaga left Gifu Castle and entered the wooden castle, Nohime visited Shizuko. This time, Nene and Matsu, who were always with her, were joined by “Ei,” the mother of Mori Nagayoshi. They didn’t mind their husbands and children going to the battlefield and came to enjoy the hot springs from the morning. Before lunch, Shizuko was called by them. Shizuko, who had become accustomed to being called, without feeling any sense of discomfort, went to Nohime and the others without any questions.
“Is it like a tea party…?”
“Exactly. Although Lord calls it a tea party and whatnot, to me, it’s quite trivial. I want to have a tea party where we can enjoy ourselves without worrying about etiquette and tea utensils. So, do you have any good ideas?”
Nohime’s request was quite simple. She thought it was foolish to adhere to detailed etiquette and formalities like the tea parties that were popular among the warlords. She wanted to have a more casual tea party that anyone could participate in. So, she asked if there were any good ideas.
“Hmm, instead of a tea party, how about a tea gathering? Just drinking tea and eating some snacks…”
“Hmm, that’s quite good. But it’s difficult to obtain tea powder. Have you started producing it around here? Also, what about ‘zarusoba’ (cold soba)? I want to eat it soon.”
“Nohime-sama, it’s difficult for Shizuko to understand everything you say at once.”
Matsu gently expressed her dissatisfaction with Nohime, who was speaking rapidly. However, if it stopped at that, she wouldn’t earn the title of the Oda family’s “Princess of Freedom.” Although the title of “Princess of Freedom” was just something Shizuko came up with on her own.
“What are you saying, Matsu? While the lords are away, we can be the first ones to eat ‘zarusoba.’ By the way, you harvested quite a lot of watermelons from Shizuko’s field.”
“I properly requested Shizuko to do so. By the way, Nene-dono brought honey wine from Shizuko’s warehouse.”
“Shizuko has given permission to take anything from the warehouse. By the way, Ei-dono also brought plum wine from Shizuko’s warehouse.”
“Oh, didn’t Nene-dono also receive plum wine?”
Hearing the words of the four, Shizuko’s head started to ache. She had informed them that they could freely take anything from the warehouse except for specific items. However, seeing them take things so openly, she started to think that it might be better to prohibit taking things out. Of course, it’s doubtful whether these people would even listen if she said that.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s the zarusoba.”
When she let out a heavy sigh, Aya brought the zarusoba with those words. The moment she entered the room, Shizuko didn’t miss the fact that Saizo, who had been waiting behind her all this time, only moved his eyes and looked at Aya.
(He’s checking to see if his portion is included…)
Even though she was the cause, Shizuko couldn’t help but feel a headache thinking that she had turned a historical figure who left a name for themselves into someone who cares about food.
“Hmm, as expected, it’s quite strange to cut the dough made of buckwheat flour, binder, and water into thin threads like this.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Nohime intuitively understood how to eat it. Before Shizuko could explain, she held the soba choko (soba cup) in her left hand and started eating the soba with her chopsticks in her right hand. As she slurped it, a soft texture spread in her mouth, and the aroma and sweetness of the soba tickled her nostrils as she chewed.
“Uh, um, Nohime-sama…?”
“What’s wrong, Shizuko? You’re making a strange face… Zarusoba is delicious, everyone should try it.”
“Is it really okay…?”
“Hehe, don’t worry, Shizuko. Even if you think there’s something wrong with the way we eat, there’s nothing to be concerned about. The way I feel it’s delicious is the correct way to eat it.”
Nohime dismissed Shizuko’s worries with a smile.
At the beginning of September, Shizuko observed the condition of the field where she cultivated crops imported from Kyoto and Kyushu. Due to the nature of the seeds and seedlings she imported, the cultivation area was uneven compared to other fields, and the crops being cultivated were also diverse.
Shizuko looked at the condition of the crops being cultivated from one end to the other. The first crop was a variation of turnip called “suguki kabura.” This is used to make a pickled dish called “suguki-zuke.” Suguki-zuke is one of the traditional Kyoto pickles and is one of the three major pickles in Kyoto, along with Shibazuke and Senmaizuke. The reason Shizuko cultivates this is because suguki-zuke is a lacto-fermented pickle and contains a plant-based lactic acid bacterium called “Lactobacillus brevis,” which is believed to be good for preventing influenza. Although cultivation is also progressing in Kyoto, Shizuko thought it would be better to cultivate it in Owari as well.
Next is chili pepper. The origin of chili pepper is believed to be in Central and South America, and it has been cultivated for food in Mexico for thousands of years. In Japan, there is a record of a Portuguese missionary named Baltazar Gago visiting Bungo in 1552 and presenting seeds of “tougarashi” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichimi) to Oda Nobunaga. From this, it is said that chili pepper was introduced to Japan from Europe in the mid-16th century, but there are other theories, and the definitive theory has not been established. There is also a theory that it was introduced from China, based on the word “tou” meaning “China,” but chili pepper was introduced to China even later than Japan, in the mid-17th century (late Ming Dynasty).
During the Sengoku period, chili pepper was used for ornamental purposes, medicine, poison, and as a frostbite prevention measure for tabi socks. In the Edo period, there are many records of it being used for food, but it was used in a way that did not overpower the original taste of fish and vegetables, with a “moderate spiciness.” After World War II, chili pepper was a minor ingredient until the diversification of food in Japan. In Europe, chili pepper was cultivated as an ornamental plant for a long time, and it was not until the 19th century that it began to be used as a seasoning.
Chili pepper is a crop with a wide range of uses as an ingredient, seasoning, and material for natural pesticides. Therefore, chili pepper is cultivated more extensively than other crops. However, there was one problem with the chili peppers being cultivated. Since the variety of chili pepper that was introduced is not recorded, it is impossible to determine how spicy the chili peppers are. The spiciest chili pepper in modern Japan is said to be the Noutaka chili pepper, with a Scoville scale of 100,000 to 125,000. Considering that the most powerful tear gas spray on the market has a Scoville scale of 180,000, and the typical tear gas spray ranges from 15,000 to 90,000, one can imagine how powerful the Noutaka chili pepper’s spiciness is. It should be noted that there are chili peppers in the world, such as the Carolina Reaper (1.5 to 3 million Scoville units) and the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T pepper (1,463,700 Scoville units), which make one question the necessity of such spiciness.
Lastly, there is the Japanese mint (Nihon hakka). This is not a native species of Japan, and it is said to have originated in China, but the details of its introduction are uncertain. In the early Meiji era, it was exported as peppermint oil, and it was a monopoly product in Japan, so it came to be called “Japanese mint.” It is a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae family, which is said to have been used medicinally since ancient times.
According to records, it is said that it began to be commercially cultivated in Okayama and Hiroshima prefectures during the Ansei era (1854-1860), the late Edo period. However, it was widely cultivated during the Edo period, and as mentioned earlier, it is a plant that has existed since the Heian period and can be obtained in the Chugoku region. Shizuko immediately obtained four cuttings of Japanese mint through the contacts of the traveling merchants, first to the wealthy merchants in Sakai, and then to the wealthy merchants in Amagasaki. Since it went through several hands, she had to pay a considerable amount, but considering the profits she could obtain from Japanese mint, it was a small amount that she accepted as an initial investment.
Peppermint cultivation is relatively easy and can be grown by amateurs as long as there is little rainfall and a warm climate. Like other plants that form underground stems, peppermint also shows strong reproductive power and will expand its influence recklessly unless measures such as deep partitioning are taken.
“I can’t possibly imagine that this will turn into a fortune…”
“It may not be possible this year, but starting next year, we can extract peppermint oil, menthol, and essential oil. Well, peppermint is easy to cultivate and not a demanding variety, so it’s not much trouble.”
Japanese peppermint has a significantly higher menthol content in its peppermint oil compared to other peppermint varieties. While peppermint contains about 50% menthol, Japanese peppermint contains nearly 80%. Therefore, it is suitable for medicinal use, but not suitable for cooking or herbal tea.
“What about collecting camphor? I asked for parts that are not usable, but is it going well?”
“All the materials that were brought in have been transported to the warehouse. But what exactly will be made from the parts that can’t be used for firewood?”
Shizuko asked the visiting merchants to collect camphor, but she specified that they should bring materials that have no market value, such as unused wood and pruned branches and roots. Aya couldn’t understand what value she saw in the unusable wood chips, and couldn’t grasp Shizuko’s intention.
“It’s camphor. We can also make camphor oil and camphor crystals. Just like peppermint, we use steam distillation, so I thought it would be good to make them too.”
“O-Okay.”
Camphor was consumed in large quantities as a plasticizer for celluloid and attracted attention worldwide as a monopolized product that contributed to Japan’s national interests. However, during the high economic growth period, celluloid was replaced by petroleum-derived plastics, greatly reducing the demand for camphor. Currently, there are only a few places in Kyushu that produce natural camphor. The concentration of camphor production in Kyushu is due to the uneven distribution of camphor tree, the raw material for camphor. About 80% of camphor trees in Japan are concentrated in Kyushu, indicating that only production bases that can procure raw materials cheaply have survived.
“What about making camphor? You can make camphor oil and camphor crystals. Since it’s similar to peppermint and requires steam distillation, I thought it would be good to make them too.”
“I, with my lack of education, can hardly understand what Shizuko-sama is saying. However, I understand that Shizuko-sama is considering the future to some extent.”
“I don’t know if I’m being praised or criticized… well, whatever. Having something with insect-repellent properties is useful, especially in summer.”
After drying the harvested peppermint, the essential oil is obtained by steam distillation. In the case of Japanese peppermint, menthol crystals precipitate just by cooling the essential oil. The liquid remaining after removing the solid contains around 30% menthol and becomes peppermint oil.
“Because it has high volatility, I asked for the production of oil paper and porcelain jars. How about that?”
“There are no particular problems, and production is going smoothly.”
Peppermint oil and camphor oil have high volatility and will evaporate over time if stored in containers with low airtightness. Therefore, it is necessary to seal the jars with porcelain lids and cover them with oil paper tied with a string. It is also important to store them in a cool, dark place, avoiding high temperatures, high humidity, open flames, and direct sunlight.
“How is the sales of kudzu cloth made from the stems of wild kudzu growing in the mountains?”
“We have received reports that kudzu cloth sells better in Kyoto than in Owari and Mino.”
“Hmm… (I gave up on kudzu powder because it requires a lot of effort, but it seems to be selling well)”
Kudzu can kill trees it entwines, so Shizuko used laborers to cut down all the kudzu stems entwined around the trees. Harvesting the roots can temporarily suppress its growth, but kudzu protects the soil from erosion by raindrops, provides leaf litter for humus, and enhances the soil’s fertility and water retention. Therefore, it was not possible to harvest the roots.
After completing the observation of the newly cultivated crops, Shizuko moved on to observe the orchard. The orchard was located a little away from Shizuko’s residential area, but it had plenty of space. The currently cultivated fruit trees include kumquat brought from the Kinai region, Chinese plum, Koshu grapes native to Yamanashi Prefecture and cultivated since the early Kamakura period, watermelon brought by Mitsuo, loquat native to China, apricot (karamomo) and akebi that have been in Japan for a long time, peach, and sweet persimmon. Shizuko considered whether to cultivate plum trees in the orchard, but decided to grow plums separately because plum pickles became a military necessity.
The reason why astringent persimmons are not cultivated is because there is a variety called “Dojo Hachiya Persimmon” that has been passed down since the Heian period in Mino. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the three great leaders, were all fascinated by the taste of Dojo Hachiya Persimmon, which was given the name “Dojo” meaning “having the status of being presented to the imperial court (emperor)” and was allowed to ascend to the imperial court.
Dojo Hachiya Persimmon thrives in the climate and environment of Mino. Therefore, Shizuko decided to cultivate the Japanese native variety “Zentemaru” discovered in 1214 instead of astringent persimmons. Of course, she also encouraged the cultivation of Dojo Hachiya Persimmon and provided technical guidance to produce larger and sweeter dried persimmons. As a result, the fame of Dojo Hachiya Persimmon, which boasts an elegant and unparalleled sweetness, spread throughout the country, and Shizuko began receiving top-quality dried persimmons every year. It goes without saying that Nobunaga, who loved Dojo Hachiya Persimmon, was a little, no, quite envious.
“I bought Marukinkan (round kumquat) from a poor noble family and transplanted it, and it’s taking root well. Well, the variety I want is still waiting to be imported.”
“Ningbo Kumquat… right. I believe we are still waiting for news from there. Just the other day, the letter we received mentioned that we could bring back a considerable number…”
The original habitat of kumquat is the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China, but the mainstream kumquat in modern Japan is Ningbo Kumquat cultivated in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Ningbo Kumquat was introduced in the Edo period (1826), but the Marukinkan that Shizuko is cultivating is said to have been introduced between the late Kamakura period and the Muromachi period.
“There’s no need to be fixated on kumquats. I plan to introduce many other fruits from our neighboring countries to Japan. Even if they are somewhat unfamiliar crops, it’s fine.”
During the time of Meng Zongzhu, Shizuko managed to establish some commercial routes, albeit small ones, with China, India, and Europe. Since it is uncertain how long these routes can be maintained, Shizuko strives to bring crops that would normally be introduced to Japan in the Edo period or the early Meiji period to Japan as early as possible.
Currently, Shizuko is trying to expedite the introduction of the following varieties: Ningbo Kumquat and Tang Kumquat, which were introduced in the late Edo period. Adzuki beans brought by Ingen Zenji, who naturalized from Ming in 1654. Cabbage with a tight head introduced in the late 19th century during the Ansei era. Purple cabbage, also known as Botanna, introduced from China to Japan during the Edo period. Figs and lychees introduced from China, as well as apricots (karakara) and akebi, which have been in Japan for a long time. Shizuko also aimed to import seeds and seedlings of European and New World (American) origin, such as olives, avocados, and acerola.
(When I think about it again, the influence of Europe is significant. If they hadn’t brought back seeds during the Age of Discovery, we wouldn’t be able to do anything.)
The reason why Shizuko is trying to expedite the introduction of crops is to conduct crop breeding (also known as variety improvement). Since chromosome and DNA analysis cannot be performed, Shizuko has no choice but to use crossbreeding methods. However, crossbreeding takes about ten years to create a single variety. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the cultivation environment early.
“The calamondin is growing well too. It’s going a little too well, and it’s a bit scary.”
Calamondin can be harvested throughout the year regardless of the season, although each variety has an appropriate harvest time. If the fruits are left on the tree without harvesting, it burdens the tree, so it is necessary to harvest them early. However, there are few opportunities to use calamondin extensively. Therefore, Shizuko decided to make salted calamondin, a seasoning, and honey calamondin, which is good for post-exercise fatigue recovery.
Making salted calamondin is simple. First, wash the calamondin thoroughly and remove excess moisture. Cut off both ends and cut it into eight wedges in a comb shape. Then, put the calamondin in a sterilized storage jar, add salt on top, and close the lid. Finally, wrap the lid with oil paper and tie it with a string. Shake the jar every two to three days.
In Morocco, the birthplace of calamondin, the fruit is used whole without cutting, but slices, paste-like form, or X-shaped cuts allow the salt to penetrate better. However, there is a “post-harvest problem” with imported citrus fruits. Therefore, when making salted calamondin today, it is preferable to use domestically grown calamondin. There is also a method of using baking soda to remove pesticide wax, but considering the possibility of chemicals penetrating into the flesh, domestically grown calamondin is safer.
Honey calamondin is made by slicing the calamondin, including the peel, and adding honey and grated ginger, if desired. Mix them together and refrigerate for a day, and it’s ready. Honey calamondin contains vitamin B1, B2, C, glucose, and citric acid, and has a high fatigue recovery effect.
Salted calamondin can be stored for a long time, comparable to umeboshi (pickled plums), and there have been cases where it has withstood ten years of storage when unopened. Honey calamondin, thanks to the sterilizing effect of honey, can be preserved for nearly six months even at room temperature. Of course, both have excessive amounts of salt and sugar added, as they are primarily intended for long-term storage, so consuming them regularly would be detrimental to health.
“The growth of karatachi (Japanese persimmon) is also going well. It’s going too smoothly, and it’s a little scary.”
Shizuko, who is growing lemon trees, but it takes time for citrus fruits to bear fruit. It is desirable to use grafting technique to mass-produce the same variety, but since Shizuko is cultivating both scion and rootstock, which are Calathea, in parallel, it is not yet possible to increase them by grafting technique.
Calathea, which has excellent disease resistance, cold resistance, high compatibility with citrus fruits, and excellent fruit quality, is planted in a huge number of 200 because it will continue to be used extensively in the future. If Calathea is cultivated for one year and then lemon and orange are increased by grafting technique, in a few years, there will be orange orchards and lemon orchards with hundreds of trees. Ideally, a two-year-old rootstock is desirable for Calathea, but without increasing the number, the conversation cannot begin, so grafting work is done with one-year-old rootstock in the early stages.
However, even if it goes smoothly, it will take at least three to four years (around 1573). Until then, Nobunaga had to be patient. Although there is some anxiety, there is no choice but to give up because there is nothing that can be done about it.
After all, if the grafting technique can be reproduced, it is possible to graft different varieties of crops called graft hybrids and artificially create new species by causing mutations. Of course, there is also the possibility of graft hybrids that are completely unintended.
Shizuko’s observations continue. Next is a field where crops collected from various places are grown, not a regular field. In that field, there were no crops to be seen, but instead, bamboo was stuck into the ground, and support nets made of hemp dyed with persimmon tannin and bamboo were installed nearby.
“As always, I can’t understand what Shizuko-sama is doing. It’s too eccentric.”
Aya, who is accompanying the inspection of the field, murmurs while looking at the field with a strange look.
“Hehe, this is my own cultivation method. Well, it’s not a secret or anything. This is the cultivation of yamaimo (Japanese yam). The net is stretched to make it easier to harvest the sprouts.”
In the cultivation of yamaimo, attention must be paid to the collection of seed tubers. Natural yamaimo often becomes infected with Yamaimo Mosaic Virus, so even if it is cultivated, the yield is poor. However, many of the diseased varieties are concentrated within 15 kilometers of the coastal areas, so the risk can be reduced by selecting and collecting superior varieties that grow naturally in the deep mountains far away from the coast. Of course, even if you avoid potential carriers, there is still a possibility of infection through vectors such as aphids, but control measures are relatively easy.
There are several methods of propagating yamaimo, but the easiest one is to use cut seed tubers. It requires sprouting, but it can be harvested in the same year and has the advantage of high yield.
However, yamaimo grows in a wavy manner in the soil. From the point of view of not damaging the yamaimo and digging it up, it is desirable for it to grow straight. In modern times, cultivation using clever pipes can be seen in many places, but in the Sengoku period where there is no vinyl, it is impossible to prepare clever pipes. Shizuko also considered using wooden boards, but this also required dyeing with persimmon tannin for preservation, and considering the effort to make flat boards, the cost was not worth it.
Thinking about whether there was a substitute that could be made from something readily available, Shizuko came up with the idea of using bamboo as a substitute for clever pipes. Bamboo only needs to pass through the nodes and is easy to adjust in length. Furthermore, it does not rot when buried in the soil and can last for about six months, which is the cultivation period of yamaimo. Shizuko thought that once the processing was done, it could be used for several years, so she cut bamboo from her own bamboo grove and made makeshift clever pipes.
Shizuko owns one grove of Moso bamboo, three groves of Madake bamboo, and two groves of Chikurin bamboo. Forest resources such as bamboo groves are considered military supplies, but she has given permission to the craftsmen in the technical district to freely cut them down. She also gave permission to other villages as long as they didn’t go outside. Other than digging the ground and surrounding it with concrete to prevent them from going outside, there was no other management, and there was no beauty of a forest. The only unwritten rule was “do not dig up the rhizomes.” If the rhizomes were damaged by digging up the ground, it would affect the entire bamboo grove.
Based on the diameter and length, Shizuko made makeshift clever pipes from Madake bamboo. The length of the clever pipe is about one meter, and the internode length of Madake bamboo is 30 to 40 centimeters. With good processing, three nodes can be processed. She also added a simple ball milling function to the lathe by attaching a main spindle with one axis, making it easy to drill holes. She also worked on the development of a drill press and a milling machine, thinking that other tools were necessary. Both can be manufactured by applying the lathe, so there were no major problems.
With a drill press, mass production of copper wire becomes possible. This is because it can make tools for wire drawing, which is the basic technology of copper wire (a method of pulling a wire through a hole in a steel plate). It is impossible to pull copper wire by human power, but in the early 19th century, Japan used the power of water wheels to mass-produce copper wire. So, Shizuko thought that it might be possible to manufacture copper wire even in the Sengoku period, and started the construction of a copper wire factory where copper ingots were stretched into plates or wires and shaped. The basic concept of the factory was similar to a modern factory that produced wires and plates from copper ingots in an integrated manner by automating and mechanizing the power.
“Mukago (yam sprouts) are rich in iron, potassium, magnesium, and so on. There’s no way I can’t cultivate them. Well… both mukago and yamaimo are good for nourishment, but I’m worried if they contain arginine, which has a strong aphrodisiac effect.”
“What do you mean by worried?”
“It’s too early for you to know, Aya-chan. Well, it’s not wild yamaimo from the mountains, it’s a cultivated variety, so it’s easier to call it yam, right?”
“It doesn’t matter what you call it. Even if there were precedents, Lady Shizuko would change it anyway.”
“Hmm… well, if I can make this, I can make tororo barley rice, or yakitori made with yam, but it seems like it would take a lot of effort to grate it. I wonder if there’s a better way.”
“I don’t understand why Lady Shizuko needs to increase her privileges…”
“Huh? Privileges? I don’t have any privileges. I thought everything like that belonged to the lord.”
Aya looked at Shizuko, who tilted her head in wonder, and her head started to hurt.
Now, except for temples and shrines, there is almost no place in Owari and Mino where Shizuko does not have an influence.
In terms of clothing, Shizuko produces three types of threads: hemp, silk, and cotton. Hemp thread is versatile and is used for military supplies such as sandbags and for daily life, such as nets. Silk thread is used as a material for high-end clothing, and cotton is used as the match cord for matchlock guns. In addition, there is an increase in harvest volume and cultivation varieties through agricultural techniques, an increase in salt production in fishing villages, and new products from by-products. Even if there are goods, if transportation is poor, the conversation cannot begin. However, with macadam pavement technology, Owari and Mino have very good transportation, and thanks to the Rakushi Rakusa policy, it is easy for merchants to do business.
Nobunaga can collect taxes from merchants under the pretext of protecting them. The more merchants there are, the more money goes into Nobunaga’s pocket. In other words, Shizuko starting new businesses or cultivation directly means an increase in Nobunaga’s military funds. This is one of the mysteries of Nobunaga’s alchemy that is seen by neighboring countries. However, it is understandable that it is seen as a mystery. Shizuko starting new businesses is mostly unrelated to Nobunaga’s intentions. She starts new businesses on her own, and the merchants keenly spot them and turn them into business, which increases the money that goes into Nobunaga’s pocket.
It is a story that is based on Shizuko having an “absolute loyalty” to Nobunaga. And although Shizuko herself has human desires, she easily discards anything that doesn’t suit her stature, which also contributes to the fact that the Oda vassals do not feel threatened.
“Shizuko-sama is now a key figure in the Oda family. Please understand the meaning of that.”
“I thought all those rights belonged to the lord…”
“On paper, it’s the lord, but in reality, it’s Shizuko-sama who has them. The gold coins that occasionally come, they are a part of the tax given as a reward from the merchants who use the privileges held by Shizuko-sama, you know?”
“Huh? Is that so? I don’t really need it… but, as the lord, there is a need to give rewards and punishments, so maybe it’s necessary.”
Even if she doesn’t realize it herself, Shizuko, who is increasing the Oda army’s military funds, must be rewarded. It gives the impression of a country samurai who doesn’t give rewards to his servants, which can also affect the morale of his subordinates. Therefore, Nobunaga has the obligation to praise Shizuko and give her a reward. With that money, Shizuko starts new businesses, and her constant effort to reduce money is actually an effort to increase money.
“Well, saving money is also an economic problem. It would be nice if Keiji-san could spend it generously, but…”
The reason Shizuko pours money into new businesses is that Saizo, a member of the Bamen, rarely spends money, Nagayoshi is always training and doesn’t have time to spend money, and Aya goes without saying. Economic activity is like blood, and it is meaningless if money is not flowing into the market. The act of scattering money to various industries is a necessary measure to stimulate economic activity. Especially to make Nobunaga’s monetary economy policy successful, it is necessary for those who have money to continue flowing it into the market.
“I don’t have the habit of spending money…”
“You’ll get used to it gradually. Eventually, whether you like it or not, it will become a monetary transaction.”
Even though Shizuko pointed it out, Aya still had a face that was not completely convinced.
Late August, 1569.Going back a little in time to the twelfth year of Eiroku 1569, in May, the Kitabatake family in southern Ise was divided into two opinions regarding whether to resist or submit to Nobunaga. In the midst of this, Kizuki Tomonori, the younger brother of Kitabatake Tomonori who defended the wooden castle, was instigated by Takigawa Kazumasu, also known as Gen, who was said to be a member of the Kizuki clan, and others, and conspired with the Oda family to rebel against the main family. Upon learning of the espionage of Takigawa Kazumasu, Kitabatake Tomonori immediately dispatched troops to attack the wooden castle. However, the Nagano and Kobe families came to the aid of the Oda army, and because the wooden castle was surrounded by easily defensible low wetlands, Kitabatake Tomonori withdrew his troops without being able to capture the castle.After the capture of Kobe Castle, Nobunaga switched from a strategy of brute force to a battle focused on diplomacy. In this diplomatic battle, Nobunaga gradually incorporated the castles of Ise into his own camp, weakening the power of Kitabatake Tomonori. Due to the difference in military strength and Nobunaga's diplomacy, Kitabatake Tomonori found himself in a difficult situation. However, he showed no signs of surrender, and instead openly confronted Nobunaga.In response to Kitabatake Tomonori's attitude, Nobunaga began a full-scale invasion of Ise. He issued orders for the invasion of Ise to his vassals, including Mori Yoshinari, Shibata Katsuie, Sakuama Nobumori, and Kinoshita Yoshitsuro. Of course, the invasion order was also delivered to Shizuko. However, the content was beyond her expectations.Wow, I'm really surprised.After confirming the contents of the order from Nobunaga, Shizuko muttered half in amazement. She explained the contents of the order to Keiji, Saizo, Nagayoshi, and Aya, who she had summoned. According to the order, Keiji and Nagayoshi were to participate in the invasion of Ise. Shizuko and Saizo were to remain at home due to various circumstances. Aya was instructed to assist Shizuko and Saizo, with detailed instructions written down.It says that the two of us will be under the command of Mori-sama, but in reality, we'll be treated more like guerrilla troops, don't you think?Hmm, it's been a while since we had a big battle. I'm getting excited.To be able to participate in battle before my coming-of-age ceremony There's no greater honor than this.Upon hearing about the invasion of Ise, Keiji's heart leaped with anticipation, and Nagayoshi was so moved that tears almost welled up, but he raised his head and held back his emotions.The departure is on August 20th, so we need to finish preparations by the 18th. The warehouse will be open, so report to Aya-chan what you need to use later.Can I take the sword in Warehouse 5?As soon as he heard Shizuko's statement, Nagayoshi asked eagerly. In response, Shizuko remembered that she had been keeping a certain sword in Warehouse 5.Ah, that one. It's fine, actually. It's a sword that I was planning to give you when you came of age.Really?! By the way, who did you receive such a good sword from?It was given to me as a return gift when I gave plum wine to Lady Oichi.You always get involved in strange things. By the way, what's the name of the sword?Hmm. When I received it, it didn't have a name that seemed fitting.Then you decide.Huh?Shizuko, slightly flustered, stumbled over her words as she looked at Nagayoshi with hopeful eyes.Well, you know. It would be better to have the name of a swordsmithThat's a good idea. Katsuzo Mori Nagayoshi also said so.Indeed. There's no problem at all.With anticipation, Shizuko turned her gaze to Keiji and Saizo, but her expectations were completely betrayed. After exhaling a heavy breath, Shizuko turned her face towards Nagayoshi.Give it a cool name!Tenka tenko yuiga dokuson is no good, right? Hmm, how about Meiky Shisui' Clear Mirror, Still Water,' Ikki Tsen' One Man, One Thousand,' Ifdd' Majestic,' Gki Kakudan' Resolute,' or Ken'nin Fubatsu' Perseverance?Hmm Sorry, the sound is good, but I have no idea how to write them.Sorry. I'll write it now, so wait a moment.Shizuko wrote down the four-character idioms she had mentioned earlier on a piece of paper and handed it to Nagayoshi. Upon receiving it, Nagayoshi furrowed his brow as he looked at each piece of paper. He decided based on the sound and appearance of the kanji, not their meaning.Alright Let's go with Meiky Shisui.' I have no idea what it means!Then let's ask someone. By the way, Meiky Shisui' means having no impure thoughts, being calm and composed, and having a clear and serene mind.Hahaha! It's perfect for Katsuzo Mori Nagayoshi, who is full of impure thoughts!Upon hearing the meaning of Meiky Shisui,' Keiji pointed at Nagayoshi and burst into laughter.One week before the start of the invasion of Ise, Nobunaga ordered Shizuko to bring something to his residence. Shizuko, who was given the order, brought out what was stored in the underground storage of her dedicated warehouse and loaded everything onto a newly developed cart. After loading the cargo, a large amount of dried grass was placed on top for camouflage. After finishing the work, Shizuko, accompanied by Keiji, pulled the cart towards Nobunaga's residence.Why all of a suddenWhile pulling the heavy cart, Shizuko complained.The cart was an innovative invention that combined the concept of a sidecar, a traction vehicle imported from overseas, and the mainstream oxcart of the time. Its appearance was relatively late, around 1921, and the inventor was said to be Torao Mochizuki from Aoshima, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The cart, which could carry heavy loads and reduce vibration and noise, and had a low center of gravity for stable transportation, quickly replaced the oxcart.Shizuko's cart was made of bamboo as a substitute for the metal pipes, with hemp plastic boards inserted into the bamboo frame, and the tires were non-pneumatic tires filled with resin instead of air. If bamboo is properly processed, it can serve as a substitute for metal pipes. Even in modern times, it is not uncommon for bamboo to be used in the frames of bicycles or wheelchairs. Bamboo is stronger and lighter than metal frames such as iron or aluminum, it absorbs vibrations from the road, has higher durability than wood, and is easier to obtain than wood. The resin-filled tires may not provide a comfortable ride, but they have excellent performance for transporting goods.Because of what's inside. If someone other than Shizuchi carries it, their head and torso will say goodbye on the way back.I understand. I know how important the contents are. But, you know, it's heavyWhile pulling the heavy cart, Shizuko grumbled.To the casual observer, it appeared that the cargo was only dried grass, but the real cargo was hidden underneath. The real cargo hidden under the mound of dried grass was eighty gold bars and one hundred twenty silver bars, which were Nobunaga's hidden assets.Needless to say, Shizuko did not possess a gold mine, nor was she involved in gold mine development. Shizuko, who did not have a gold or silver mine, acquired a large amount of gold, silver, and copper through the refinement of crude copper.Copper refined from ores in Japan contained a large amount of gold and silver, but until the beginning of the Edo period, Japan did not have the technology to separate gold and silver from copper. As a result, the Ming and Nanban people, who had the technology to separate copper and gold and silver, bought copper from Japan at low prices and extracted gold and silver, earning huge profits. However, in 1591, Soga Rieemon, later known as the founder of the Sumitomo zaibatsu, completed the refining technology to separate gold and silver from copper called Nanbanbuki in Sakai, Izumi Province, putting an end to the cheap export of crude copper.Thanks to Nanbanbuki, which separates gold and silver from crude copper, Shizuko possessed a large amount of gold, silver, and copper despite not having a mine. However, she only needed copper and silver. Copper, which is easy to refine and process, has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity and durability, and is an indispensable material in modern society. Silver, when subjected to electroless plating on glass silver mirror reaction, forms a reflective layer. This is used in mirrors. Mirrors are essential components in the production of sextants and rangefinders.I never imagined that crude copper would contain so much gold and silverIf the amount of gold and silver was within the range that Nobunaga could overlook, there would be no problem. However, as merchants repeatedly collected crude copper and sold it to Shizuko, an inappropriate amount of gold, silver, and copper accumulated in her possession. Faced with an obviously disproportionate amount of gold and silver, Shizuko decided it would be best to report to Nobunaga.It was certainly a story that went far beyond Nobunaga's imagination that gold and silver could be obtained from crude copper, but Shizuko stopped thinking about it when she saw the gold and silver bars stored in the underground of her dedicated warehouse. For a while, the gold and silver would be kept in the warehouse, and gradually transported to Nobunaga's warehouse at the appropriate time, with Shizuko being responsible for the transportation. These arrangements were made between Shizuko and Nobunaga.Why did I decide to carry it myself?Well, Shizuchi, how many people wouldn't be moved after seeing that many gold bars?Gold has been a symbol of wealth since ancient times, and its golden brilliance and unchanging value have continued to fascinate rulers throughout history. In Japan, during the Warring States period, each province developed gold mines in order to obtain war funds, resulting in a gold rush. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who dominated that era, was also fascinated by gold to the point of building a golden tearoom and toilet. Even in modern times, one kilogram of gold is worth nearly 5 million yen, and there has never been a time in human history when gold has become worthless. Keiji couldn't help but find it strange that Shizuko, who could be so nonchalant about gold, possessed such a large amount.Even if I have excess gold, owning gold bars only causes trouble.Have you never thought about taking just one?Keiji-san, in my country, there is a saying. It takes a lifetime to earn trust, but it can be lost in an instant. And trust cannot be bought with money. To regain it, twice the effort accumulated so far is required.'This quote is part of a speech given by the late Mitsugu Sato, who was the president of Snow Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd., to all employees after a factory food poisoning incident in March 1955.Even though she complains, Shizuko actually understands. The reason why Nobunaga has Shizuko carry the gold and silver is because he trusts that Shizuko will deliver the refined gold and silver without falsifying the numbers. If Nobunaga didn't trust Shizuko, he would have had the reliable Mori Yoshinari deliver it. That's why Shizuko would never betray Nobunaga's trust for the money. It would also betray her own self up until now.Of course, I'm not saying it's wrong to seek status and wealth. It's just that I have different goals from those people. Well, this conversation is over. Let's quickly go to Gifu and deliver the goods.As soon as she said that, Shizuko increased the force pushing the cart. Keiji, who was a little behind, looked at Shizuko's back with an indescribable expression and muttered.Shizuko is really mysterious.But that's a good thing, Keiji thought to himself and followed Shizuko's back. From then on, nothing happened on the way, and Shizuko and Keiji safely arrived at Nobunaga's residence.I've been waiting What's with that strange headgear?Nobunaga greeted them with a smile, but tilted his head when he saw Shizuko's headgear.Ah, this is a straw hat. It's made of straw, as the name suggests. It has good ventilation and a wide brim, so I quite like it.In Japan, a straw hat refers to one made by bleaching or dyeing straw, flattening it, and sewing it into a spiral shape with Sanada strings. However, the term straw hat is also used as a general term for hats with wide brims made of materials such as rush grass or bamboo. Since Okayama Prefecture used to be the main producer of straw hats, there are still dedicated manufacturers and history museums that handle straw hats.Hmm, let's talk about the hat and the cart later. First, let's take the goods to the warehouse.The place Nobunaga led them to was one of the many warehouses. From the outside, it had a similar atmosphere to the other warehouses, but upon closer inspection, the windows of this warehouse were slightly smaller. It was clear that the warehouse was designed to minimize the possible entry and exit points.Let's unload the cargo.When they removed the dried grass on the cart, a plastic case made of hemp called pradan case appeared underneath. The pradan case, which is lighter than a wooden box, is suitable for transporting gold and silver as it can withstand more than a hundred round trips depending on the usage environment.Shizuko and Keiji took out one kilogram of gold and silver bars from the pradan case and lined them up in the designated position specified by Nobunaga. Handling two hundred kilograms of gold and silver took a considerable amount of time and effort. After finishing the work and feeling relieved, Nobunaga glanced at the pile of bars with a smile.Quite a quantity. With this much, we won't have trouble with war expenses for a while.Three days after Nobunaga left Gifu Castle and entered the wooden castle, Nohime visited Shizuko. This time, Nene and Matsu, who were always with her, were joined by Ei, the mother of Mori Nagayoshi. They didn't mind their husbands and children going to the battlefield and came to enjoy the hot springs from the morning. Before lunch, Shizuko was called by them. Shizuko, who had become accustomed to being called, without feeling any sense of discomfort, went to Nohime and the others without any questions.Is it like a tea party?Exactly. Although Lord calls it a tea party and whatnot, to me, it's quite trivial. I want to have a tea party where we can enjoy ourselves without worrying about etiquette and tea utensils. So, do you have any good ideas?Nohime's request was quite simple. She thought it was foolish to adhere to detailed etiquette and formalities like the tea parties that were popular among the warlords. She wanted to have a more casual tea party that anyone could participate in. So, she asked if there were any good ideas.Hmm, instead of a tea party, how about a tea gathering? Just drinking tea and eating some snacksHmm, that's quite good. But it's difficult to obtain tea powder. Have you started producing it around here? Also, what about zarusoba' cold soba? I want to eat it soon.Nohime-sama, it's difficult for Shizuko to understand everything you say at once.Matsu gently expressed her dissatisfaction with Nohime, who was speaking rapidly. However, if it stopped at that, she wouldn't earn the title of the Oda family's Princess of Freedom. Although the title of Princess of Freedom was just something Shizuko came up with on her own.What are you saying, Matsu? While the lords are away, we can be the first ones to eat zarusoba.' By the way, you harvested quite a lot of watermelons from Shizuko's field.I properly requested Shizuko to do so. By the way, Nene-dono brought honey wine from Shizuko's warehouse.Shizuko has given permission to take anything from the warehouse. By the way, Ei-dono also brought plum wine from Shizuko's warehouse.Oh, didn't Nene-dono also receive plum wine?Hearing the words of the four, Shizuko's head started to ache. She had informed them that they could freely take anything from the warehouse except for specific items. However, seeing them take things so openly, she started to think that it might be better to prohibit taking things out. Of course, it's doubtful whether these people would even listen if she said that.Sorry to keep you waiting. Here's the zarusoba.When she let out a heavy sigh, Aya brought the zarusoba with those words. The moment she entered the room, Shizuko didn't miss the fact that Saizo, who had been waiting behind her all this time, only moved his eyes and looked at Aya.He's checking to see if his portion is includedEven though she was the cause, Shizuko couldn't help but feel a headache thinking that she had turned a historical figure who left a name for themselves into someone who cares about food.Hmm, as expected, it's quite strange to cut the dough made of buckwheat flour, binder, and water into thin threads like this.As soon as she finished speaking, Nohime intuitively understood how to eat it. Before Shizuko could explain, she held the soba choko soba cup in her left hand and started eating the soba with her chopsticks in her right hand. As she slurped it, a soft texture spread in her mouth, and the aroma and sweetness of the soba tickled her nostrils as she chewed.Uh, um, Nohime-sama?What's wrong, Shizuko? You're making a strange face Zarusoba is delicious, everyone should try it.Is it really okay?Hehe, don't worry, Shizuko. Even if you think there's something wrong with the way we eat, there's nothing to be concerned about. The way I feel it's delicious is the correct way to eat it.Nohime dismissed Shizuko's worries with a smile.At the beginning of September, Shizuko observed the condition of the field where she cultivated crops imported from Kyoto and Kyushu. Due to the nature of the seeds and seedlings she imported, the cultivation area was uneven compared to other fields, and the crops being cultivated were also diverse.Shizuko looked at the condition of the crops being cultivated from one end to the other. The first crop was a variation of turnip called suguki kabura. This is used to make a pickled dish called suguki-zuke. Suguki-zuke is one of the traditional Kyoto pickles and is one of the three major pickles in Kyoto, along with Shibazuke and Senmaizuke. The reason Shizuko cultivates this is because suguki-zuke is a lacto-fermented pickle and contains a plant-based lactic acid bacterium called Lactobacillus brevis, which is believed to be good for preventing influenza. Although cultivation is also progressing in Kyoto, Shizuko thought it would be better to cultivate it in Owari as well.Next is chili pepper. The origin of chili pepper is believed to be in Central and South America, and it has been cultivated for food in Mexico for thousands of years. In Japan, there is a record of a Portuguese missionary named Baltazar Gago visiting Bungo in 1552 and presenting seeds of tougarashi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichimi to Oda Nobunaga. From this, it is said that chili pepper was introduced to Japan from Europe in the mid-16th century, but there are other theories, and the definitive theory has not been established. There is also a theory that it was introduced from China, based on the word tou meaning China, but chili pepper was introduced to China even later than Japan, in the mid-17th century late Ming Dynasty.During the Sengoku period, chili pepper was used for ornamental purposes, medicine, poison, and as a frostbite prevention measure for tabi socks. In the Edo period, there are many records of it being used for food, but it was used in a way that did not overpower the original taste of fish and vegetables, with a moderate spiciness. After World War II, chili pepper was a minor ingredient until the diversification of food in Japan. In Europe, chili pepper was cultivated as an ornamental plant for a long time, and it was not until the 19th century that it began to be used as a seasoning.Chili pepper is a crop with a wide range of uses as an ingredient, seasoning, and material for natural pesticides. Therefore, chili pepper is cultivated more extensively than other crops. However, there was one problem with the chili peppers being cultivated. Since the variety of chili pepper that was introduced is not recorded, it is impossible to determine how spicy the chili peppers are. The spiciest chili pepper in modern Japan is said to be the Noutaka chili pepper, with a Scoville scale of 100,000 to 125,000. Considering that the most powerful tear gas spray on the market has a Scoville scale of 180,000, and the typical tear gas spray ranges from 15,000 to 90,000, one can imagine how powerful the Noutaka chili pepper's spiciness is. It should be noted that there are chili peppers in the world, such as the Carolina Reaper 1.5 to 3 million Scoville units and the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T pepper 1,463,700 Scoville units, which make one question the necessity of such spiciness.Lastly, there is the Japanese mint Nihon hakka. This is not a native species of Japan, and it is said to have originated in China, but the details of its introduction are uncertain. In the early Meiji era, it was exported as peppermint oil, and it was a monopoly product in Japan, so it came to be called Japanese mint. It is a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae family, which is said to have been used medicinally since ancient times.According to records, it is said that it began to be commercially cultivated in Okayama and Hiroshima prefectures during the Ansei era 1854-1860, the late Edo period. However, it was widely cultivated during the Edo period, and as mentioned earlier, it is a plant that has existed since the Heian period and can be obtained in the Chugoku region. Shizuko immediately obtained four cuttings of Japanese mint through the contacts of the traveling merchants, first to the wealthy merchants in Sakai, and then to the wealthy merchants in Amagasaki. Since it went through several hands, she had to pay a considerable amount, but considering the profits she could obtain from Japanese mint, it was a small amount that she accepted as an initial investment.Peppermint cultivation is relatively easy and can be grown by amateurs as long as there is little rainfall and a warm climate. Like other plants that form underground stems, peppermint also shows strong reproductive power and will expand its influence recklessly unless measures such as deep partitioning are taken.I can't possibly imagine that this will turn into a fortuneIt may not be possible this year, but starting next year, we can extract peppermint oil, menthol, and essential oil. Well, peppermint is easy to cultivate and not a demanding variety, so it's not much trouble.Japanese peppermint has a significantly higher menthol content in its peppermint oil compared to other peppermint varieties. While peppermint contains about 50% menthol, Japanese peppermint contains nearly 80%. Therefore, it is suitable for medicinal use, but not suitable for cooking or herbal tea.What about collecting camphor? I asked for parts that are not usable, but is it going well?All the materials that were brought in have been transported to the warehouse. But what exactly will be made from the parts that can't be used for firewood?Shizuko asked the visiting merchants to collect camphor, but she specified that they should bring materials that have no market value, such as unused wood and pruned branches and roots. Aya couldn't understand what value she saw in the unusable wood chips, and couldn't grasp Shizuko's intention.It's camphor. We can also make camphor oil and camphor crystals. Just like peppermint, we use steam distillation, so I thought it would be good to make them too.O-Okay.Camphor was consumed in large quantities as a plasticizer for celluloid and attracted attention worldwide as a monopolized product that contributed to Japan's national interests. However, during the high economic growth period, celluloid was replaced by petroleum-derived plastics, greatly reducing the demand for camphor. Currently, there are only a few places in Kyushu that produce natural camphor. The concentration of camphor production in Kyushu is due to the uneven distribution of camphor tree, the raw material for camphor. About 80% of camphor trees in Japan are concentrated in Kyushu, indicating that only production bases that can procure raw materials cheaply have survived.What about making camphor? You can make camphor oil and camphor crystals. Since it's similar to peppermint and requires steam distillation, I thought it would be good to make them too.I, with my lack of education, can hardly understand what Shizuko-sama is saying. However, I understand that Shizuko-sama is considering the future to some extent.I don't know if I'm being praised or criticized well, whatever. Having something with insect-repellent properties is useful, especially in summer.After drying the harvested peppermint, the essential oil is obtained by steam distillation. In the case of Japanese peppermint, menthol crystals precipitate just by cooling the essential oil. The liquid remaining after removing the solid contains around 30% menthol and becomes peppermint oil.Because it has high volatility, I asked for the production of oil paper and porcelain jars. How about that?There are no particular problems, and production is going smoothly.Peppermint oil and camphor oil have high volatility and will evaporate over time if stored in containers with low airtightness. Therefore, it is necessary to seal the jars with porcelain lids and cover them with oil paper tied with a string. It is also important to store them in a cool, dark place, avoiding high temperatures, high humidity, open flames, and direct sunlight.How is the sales of kudzu cloth made from the stems of wild kudzu growing in the mountains?We have received reports that kudzu cloth sells better in Kyoto than in Owari and Mino.Hmm I gave up on kudzu powder because it requires a lot of effort, but it seems to be selling wellKudzu can kill trees it entwines, so Shizuko used laborers to cut down all the kudzu stems entwined around the trees. Harvesting the roots can temporarily suppress its growth, but kudzu protects the soil from erosion by raindrops, provides leaf litter for humus, and enhances the soil's fertility and water retention. Therefore, it was not possible to harvest the roots.After completing the observation of the newly cultivated crops, Shizuko moved on to observe the orchard. The orchard was located a little away from Shizuko's residential area, but it had plenty of space. The currently cultivated fruit trees include kumquat brought from the Kinai region, Chinese plum, Koshu grapes native to Yamanashi Prefecture and cultivated since the early Kamakura period, watermelon brought by Mitsuo, loquat native to China, apricot karamomo and akebi that have been in Japan for a long time, peach, and sweet persimmon. Shizuko considered whether to cultivate plum trees in the orchard, but decided to grow plums separately because plum pickles became a military necessity.The reason why astringent persimmons are not cultivated is because there is a variety called Dojo Hachiya Persimmon that has been passed down since the Heian period in Mino. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the three great leaders, were all fascinated by the taste of Dojo Hachiya Persimmon, which was given the name Dojo meaning having the status of being presented to the imperial court emperor and was allowed to ascend to the imperial court.Dojo Hachiya Persimmon thrives in the climate and environment of Mino. Therefore, Shizuko decided to cultivate the Japanese native variety Zentemaru discovered in 1214 instead of astringent persimmons. Of course, she also encouraged the cultivation of Dojo Hachiya Persimmon and provided technical guidance to produce larger and sweeter dried persimmons. As a result, the fame of Dojo Hachiya Persimmon, which boasts an elegant and unparalleled sweetness, spread throughout the country, and Shizuko began receiving top-quality dried persimmons every year. It goes without saying that Nobunaga, who loved Dojo Hachiya Persimmon, was a little, no, quite envious.I bought Marukinkan round kumquat from a poor noble family and transplanted it, and it's taking root well. Well, the variety I want is still waiting to be imported.Ningbo Kumquat right. I believe we are still waiting for news from there. Just the other day, the letter we received mentioned that we could bring back a considerable numberThe original habitat of kumquat is the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China, but the mainstream kumquat in modern Japan is Ningbo Kumquat cultivated in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Ningbo Kumquat was introduced in the Edo period 1826, but the Marukinkan that Shizuko is cultivating is said to have been introduced between the late Kamakura period and the Muromachi period.There's no need to be fixated on kumquats. I plan to introduce many other fruits from our neighboring countries to Japan. Even if they are somewhat unfamiliar crops, it's fine.During the time of Meng Zongzhu, Shizuko managed to establish some commercial routes, albeit small ones, with China, India, and Europe. Since it is uncertain how long these routes can be maintained, Shizuko strives to bring crops that would normally be introduced to Japan in the Edo period or the early Meiji period to Japan as early as possible.Currently, Shizuko is trying to expedite the introduction of the following varieties: Ningbo Kumquat and Tang Kumquat, which were introduced in the late Edo period. Adzuki beans brought by Ingen Zenji, who naturalized from Ming in 1654. Cabbage with a tight head introduced in the late 19th century during the Ansei era. Purple cabbage, also known as Botanna, introduced from China to Japan during the Edo period. Figs and lychees introduced from China, as well as apricots karakara and akebi, which have been in Japan for a long time. Shizuko also aimed to import seeds and seedlings of European and New World American origin, such as olives, avocados, and acerola.When I think about it again, the influence of Europe is significant. If they hadn't brought back seeds during the Age of Discovery, we wouldn't be able to do anything.The reason why Shizuko is trying to expedite the introduction of crops is to conduct crop breeding also known as variety improvement. Since chromosome and DNA analysis cannot be performed, Shizuko has no choice but to use crossbreeding methods. However, crossbreeding takes about ten years to create a single variety. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the cultivation environment early.The calamondin is growing well too. It's going a little too well, and it's a bit scary.Calamondin can be harvested throughout the year regardless of the season, although each variety has an appropriate harvest time. If the fruits are left on the tree without harvesting, it burdens the tree, so it is necessary to harvest them early. However, there are few opportunities to use calamondin extensively. Therefore, Shizuko decided to make salted calamondin, a seasoning, and honey calamondin, which is good for post-exercise fatigue recovery.Making salted calamondin is simple. First, wash the calamondin thoroughly and remove excess moisture. Cut off both ends and cut it into eight wedges in a comb shape. Then, put the calamondin in a sterilized storage jar, add salt on top, and close the lid. Finally, wrap the lid with oil paper and tie it with a string. Shake the jar every two to three days.In Morocco, the birthplace of calamondin, the fruit is used whole without cutting, but slices, paste-like form, or X-shaped cuts allow the salt to penetrate better. However, there is a post-harvest problem with imported citrus fruits. Therefore, when making salted calamondin today, it is preferable to use domestically grown calamondin. There is also a method of using baking soda to remove pesticide wax, but considering the possibility of chemicals penetrating into the flesh, domestically grown calamondin is safer.Honey calamondin is made by slicing the calamondin, including the peel, and adding honey and grated ginger, if desired. Mix them together and refrigerate for a day, and it's ready. Honey calamondin contains vitamin B1, B2, C, glucose, and citric acid, and has a high fatigue recovery effect.Salted calamondin can be stored for a long time, comparable to umeboshi pickled plums, and there have been cases where it has withstood ten years of storage when unopened. Honey calamondin, thanks to the sterilizing effect of honey, can be preserved for nearly six months even at room temperature. Of course, both have excessive amounts of salt and sugar added, as they are primarily intended for long-term storage, so consuming them regularly would be detrimental to health.The growth of karatachi Japanese persimmon is also going well. It's going too smoothly, and it's a little scary.Shizuko, who is growing lemon trees, but it takes time for citrus fruits to bear fruit. It is desirable to use grafting technique to mass-produce the same variety, but since Shizuko is cultivating both scion and rootstock, which are Calathea, in parallel, it is not yet possible to increase them by grafting technique.Calathea, which has excellent disease resistance, cold resistance, high compatibility with citrus fruits, and excellent fruit quality, is planted in a huge number of 200 because it will continue to be used extensively in the future. If Calathea is cultivated for one year and then lemon and orange are increased by grafting technique, in a few years, there will be orange orchards and lemon orchards with hundreds of trees. Ideally, a two-year-old rootstock is desirable for Calathea, but without increasing the number, the conversation cannot begin, so grafting work is done with one-year-old rootstock in the early stages.However, even if it goes smoothly, it will take at least three to four years around 1573. Until then, Nobunaga had to be patient. Although there is some anxiety, there is no choice but to give up because there is nothing that can be done about it.After all, if the grafting technique can be reproduced, it is possible to graft different varieties of crops called graft hybrids and artificially create new species by causing mutations. Of course, there is also the possibility of graft hybrids that are completely unintended.Shizuko's observations continue. Next is a field where crops collected from various places are grown, not a regular field. In that field, there were no crops to be seen, but instead, bamboo was stuck into the ground, and support nets made of hemp dyed with persimmon tannin and bamboo were installed nearby.As always, I can't understand what Shizuko-sama is doing. It's too eccentric.Aya, who is accompanying the inspection of the field, murmurs while looking at the field with a strange look.Hehe, this is my own cultivation method. Well, it's not a secret or anything. This is the cultivation of yamaimo Japanese yam. The net is stretched to make it easier to harvest the sprouts.In the cultivation of yamaimo, attention must be paid to the collection of seed tubers. Natural yamaimo often becomes infected with Yamaimo Mosaic Virus, so even if it is cultivated, the yield is poor. However, many of the diseased varieties are concentrated within 15 kilometers of the coastal areas, so the risk can be reduced by selecting and collecting superior varieties that grow naturally in the deep mountains far away from the coast. Of course, even if you avoid potential carriers, there is still a possibility of infection through vectors such as aphids, but control measures are relatively easy.There are several methods of propagating yamaimo, but the easiest one is to use cut seed tubers. It requires sprouting, but it can be harvested in the same year and has the advantage of high yield.However, yamaimo grows in a wavy manner in the soil. From the point of view of not damaging the yamaimo and digging it up, it is desirable for it to grow straight. In modern times, cultivation using clever pipes can be seen in many places, but in the Sengoku period where there is no vinyl, it is impossible to prepare clever pipes. Shizuko also considered using wooden boards, but this also required dyeing with persimmon tannin for preservation, and considering the effort to make flat boards, the cost was not worth it.Thinking about whether there was a substitute that could be made from something readily available, Shizuko came up with the idea of using bamboo as a substitute for clever pipes. Bamboo only needs to pass through the nodes and is easy to adjust in length. Furthermore, it does not rot when buried in the soil and can last for about six months, which is the cultivation period of yamaimo. Shizuko thought that once the processing was done, it could be used for several years, so she cut bamboo from her own bamboo grove and made makeshift clever pipes.Shizuko owns one grove of Moso bamboo, three groves of Madake bamboo, and two groves of Chikurin bamboo. Forest resources such as bamboo groves are considered military supplies, but she has given permission to the craftsmen in the technical district to freely cut them down. She also gave permission to other villages as long as they didn't go outside. Other than digging the ground and surrounding it with concrete to prevent them from going outside, there was no other management, and there was no beauty of a forest. The only unwritten rule was do not dig up the rhizomes. If the rhizomes were damaged by digging up the ground, it would affect the entire bamboo grove.Based on the diameter and length, Shizuko made makeshift clever pipes from Madake bamboo. The length of the clever pipe is about one meter, and the internode length of Madake bamboo is 30 to 40 centimeters. With good processing, three nodes can be processed. She also added a simple ball milling function to the lathe by attaching a main spindle with one axis, making it easy to drill holes. She also worked on the development of a drill press and a milling machine, thinking that other tools were necessary. Both can be manufactured by applying the lathe, so there were no major problems.With a drill press, mass production of copper wire becomes possible. This is because it can make tools for wire drawing, which is the basic technology of copper wire a method of pulling a wire through a hole in a steel plate. It is impossible to pull copper wire by human power, but in the early 19th century, Japan used the power of water wheels to mass-produce copper wire. So, Shizuko thought that it might be possible to manufacture copper wire even in the Sengoku period, and started the construction of a copper wire factory where copper ingots were stretched into plates or wires and shaped. The basic concept of the factory was similar to a modern factory that produced wires and plates from copper ingots in an integrated manner by automating and mechanizing the power.Mukago yam sprouts are rich in iron, potassium, magnesium, and so on. There's no way I can't cultivate them. Well both mukago and yamaimo are good for nourishment, but I'm worried if they contain arginine, which has a strong aphrodisiac effect.What do you mean by worried?It's too early for you to know, Aya-chan. Well, it's not wild yamaimo from the mountains, it's a cultivated variety, so it's easier to call it yam, right?It doesn't matter what you call it. Even if there were precedents, Lady Shizuko would change it anyway.Hmm well, if I can make this, I can make tororo barley rice, or yakitori made with yam, but it seems like it would take a lot of effort to grate it. I wonder if there's a better way.I don't understand why Lady Shizuko needs to increase her privilegesHuh? Privileges? I don't have any privileges. I thought everything like that belonged to the lord.Aya looked at Shizuko, who tilted her head in wonder, and her head started to hurt.Now, except for temples and shrines, there is almost no place in Owari and Mino where Shizuko does not have an influence.In terms of clothing, Shizuko produces three types of threads: hemp, silk, and cotton. Hemp thread is versatile and is used for military supplies such as sandbags and for daily life, such as nets. Silk thread is used as a material for high-end clothing, and cotton is used as the match cord for matchlock guns. In addition, there is an increase in harvest volume and cultivation varieties through agricultural techniques, an increase in salt production in fishing villages, and new products from by-products. Even if there are goods, if transportation is poor, the conversation cannot begin. However, with macadam pavement technology, Owari and Mino have very good transportation, and thanks to the Rakushi Rakusa policy, it is easy for merchants to do business.Nobunaga can collect taxes from merchants under the pretext of protecting them. The more merchants there are, the more money goes into Nobunaga's pocket. In other words, Shizuko starting new businesses or cultivation directly means an increase in Nobunaga's military funds. This is one of the mysteries of Nobunaga's alchemy that is seen by neighboring countries. However, it is understandable that it is seen as a mystery. Shizuko starting new businesses is mostly unrelated to Nobunaga's intentions. She starts new businesses on her own, and the merchants keenly spot them and turn them into business, which increases the money that goes into Nobunaga's pocket.It is a story that is based on Shizuko having an absolute loyalty to Nobunaga. And although Shizuko herself has human desires, she easily discards anything that doesn't suit her stature, which also contributes to the fact that the Oda vassals do not feel threatened.Shizuko-sama is now a key figure in the Oda family. Please understand the meaning of that.I thought all those rights belonged to the lordOn paper, it's the lord, but in reality, it's Shizuko-sama who has them. The gold coins that occasionally come, they are a part of the tax given as a reward from the merchants who use the privileges held by Shizuko-sama, you know?Huh? Is that so? I don't really need it but, as the lord, there is a need to give rewards and punishments, so maybe it's necessary.Even if she doesn't realize it herself, Shizuko, who is increasing the Oda army's military funds, must be rewarded. It gives the impression of a country samurai who doesn't give rewards to his servants, which can also affect the morale of his subordinates. Therefore, Nobunaga has the obligation to praise Shizuko and give her a reward. With that money, Shizuko starts new businesses, and her constant effort to reduce money is actually an effort to increase money.Well, saving money is also an economic problem. It would be nice if Keiji-san could spend it generously, butThe reason Shizuko pours money into new businesses is that Saizo, a member of the Bamen, rarely spends money, Nagayoshi is always training and doesn't have time to spend money, and Aya goes without saying. Economic activity is like blood, and it is meaningless if money is not flowing into the market. The act of scattering money to various industries is a necessary measure to stimulate economic activity. Especially to make Nobunaga's monetary economy policy successful, it is necessary for those who have money to continue flowing it into the market.I don't have the habit of spending moneyYou'll get used to it gradually. Eventually, whether you like it or not, it will become a monetary transaction.Even though Shizuko pointed it out, Aya still had a face that was not completely convinced.
