I’d like to share four coincidences from last year. First, I visited Kiyosu Castle to view the cherry blossoms. It was once owned by Oda Nobunaga. Second, I was going on a trip and met some friends at Nakamura Park, known as the birthplace of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Third, I happened to go near Okehazama to have my commuter bike repaired. Okehazama is the battlefield where Oda defeated Imagawa. Finally, during the New Year holidays, a relative told me that our family roots go back to samurai from Owari Province. I was really surprised because I had always thought that my ancestors were lumberjacks in Gifu. It turns out that they were samurai who served the Oda clan. All of these things are strangely connected to the NHK historical drama “Toyotomi Brothers!” that I’m watching. Now I’m completely hooked.  (138 words)

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