NHK's program "Heroes' Choices," which spotlights heroes who made decisions that drastically changed history, will rebroadcast "Called a Coward: Araki Murashige, the Man Who Betrayed Nobunaga" on NHK BS at 9 PM on March 30th as part of its "selection" series.
This feature focuses on Araki Murashige, who rebelled against Oda Nobunaga and survived while hundreds of his family and retainers were executed, earning him the label of "the most cowardly Japanese samurai." We delve into the true story of this man who, because he was a defeated general, has never been properly evaluated.
Born in Settsu Province, present-day Hyogo Prefecture, Murashige sided with Nobunaga and rose through the ranks of the turbulent times, becoming a daimyo who ruled over the entire province of Settsu despite being born into a low-ranking samurai family. Through an analysis of Arioka Castle, a state-of-the-art fortress built around the present-day Itami Station, we can see the true character of Murashige as a capable ruler.
Murashige then rebels against Nobunaga. The story follows the choices that Murashige is forced to make amidst fierce battles...
