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Nobunaga and Hideyoshi from Aichi

Aichi is a special place in Japan. It is in the center of the country. Many great leaders in Japanese history were born there.

One of them is Oda Nobunaga. He was born in Shobata Castle, in what is now Aisai City, Aichi. When he was young, he lived in a small castle called Nagono Castle (那古野城). It was in today’s Naka Ward, Nagoya City.

Later, Nobunaga moved to Kiyosu Castle and ruled from there. He was a brave and smart leader. He wanted to bring peace and make Japan one country. He used guns in battles, which was very new at that time. When he was a boy, people called him “The Fool of Owari” because he acted strange. But later, people saw he was a genius.

Another great leader is Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He was born in Nakamura Ward, also in Nagoya. His family was very poor. He did not go to school, but he learned by watching and working. He helped Nobunaga and became a strong general. After Nobunaga died, Hideyoshi became the new leader of Japan. He built big castles like Osaka Castle and brought peace to the land.

Both Nobunaga and Hideyoshi had a connection to a place called Gokiso (御器所). Gokiso is in Showa Ward, Nagoya. A long time ago, there was a road through Gokiso. Nobunaga’s soldiers may have walked on that road on the way to battle. There is a small shrine in Gokiso called Gokiso Hachiman Shrine. Some people think samurai prayed there before fighting.

Today, Gokiso is a quiet place with homes, schools, and shops. But when I walk there, I think about the past. Maybe Nobunaga or Hideyoshi passed by the same places. It feels exciting.

Now the city is called Nagoya (名古屋). Long ago, the area around Nagono Castle was called Nagono (那古野). Over time, the name changed to Nagoya. That is how the city got its name.

At school, I am learning about these leaders. My teacher is showing us old maps and pictures. I think Nobunaga and Hideyoshi were full of big dreams. They changed Japan—and they came from Aichi, just like me!

🌸 日本語での理解問題（5問）
① Oda Nobunaga（織田信長）は、どこで生まれましたか？
ア. 名古屋市中村区
イ. 清須市
ウ. 愛西市
エ. 名古屋市昭和区

② Toyotomi Hideyoshi（豊臣秀吉）は、どこで生まれましたか？
ア. 名古屋市昭和区
イ. 名古屋市中村区
ウ. 名古屋市中区
エ. 一宮市

③ 那古野城（Nagono Castle）は、現在のどこにありましたか？
ア. 名古屋市中村区
イ. 名古屋市昭和区
ウ. 名古屋市中区
エ. 豊田市

④ 信長と秀吉が関係した「御器所（ごきそ）」は、今どの区にありますか？
ア. 名古屋市中村区
イ. 名古屋市昭和区
ウ. 名古屋市西区
エ. 名古屋市東区

⑤ 「名古屋（なごや）」という名前のもとになった、昔の地名はどれですか？
ア. 長屋（ながや）
イ. 名越（なごし）
ウ. 那古野（なごの）
エ. 名田野（なだの）