Chronicles of The Hardships of Komachi in The Sengoku Era

Arc 1 – Eight Year of Eiroku Era, Fateful Encounter with Lord Nobunaga

Year 1565, Mid-March.

If I, by chance, met with a historical figure I wonder how happy I would be.
Only children would believe in such a dream, a dream such as that coming true was impossible in the highest degree.
Such a thing has obviously never happened to me, and I can only think “if only”.
During those wistful times, I would write in my notebook about a variety of things until I was satisfied.
From society’s perspective, however, my notebook would look to be full of nothing but mad delusions.
But, starting today, those notes are unnecessary.
After all—.

“You, who the hell are you?” [Strange Voice]
I was suddenly transported through time.
Wh, wh-wh-what is going on….!
The girl reviewed her current circumstances and did a double-take at the person in front of her.
(Let’s see, I was definitely helping out grandpa with the farming; I was collecting the mature crops, and then I was sowing new seeds… after that, when I was taking home grandma’s Nitsuke, big sis called out to me…)[1]
After retracing her steps, she still couldn’t find the reason why she slipped through time.
But, in the first place, such a difficult concept as warping through time cannot be clearly comprehended anyway.
(Then, when I was carrying big sister’s military books, I decided to take a shortcut, since they were so heavy.
So I cut through the animal trail that leads to the back of the house…)
The girl looked all around her.
Whether it was to the left or right, or any direction at all, there was only a thick forest visible.
Not only that, but the trees that grew near her house were of an entirely different species.
“Girl.
Stop wasting my time.” [Strange Voice]
Panic began to shoot throughout her body, but she managed to calm down thanks to the loud voice from above her.

When she timidly turned towards the source of the voice, a man who looked to be about 30-years old called out to her; with a vein bulging on his forehead.
“I’ll ask one more time.
You, what’s your name?” [Man]
The man put his hand on his sword’s hilt.
In that moment, she realized who this person was.
A person she was never supposed to meet; his name is…
“Oda Kazusanosuke Saburo Taira Ason Nobunaga……” [2]
Exactly then, there was the sound of the katana being drawn and slashed.
The girl instantly felt the danger, focused with all of her willpower, and jumped directly to the side.
“You… I have judged that your life is forfeit!” [Nobunaga]
The man who slashed at me declared that with a blue vein still popping out on his forehead.
His intentions are as clear as daylight, if given the chance, he would kill me without a doubt.
(Hiee—-!! Thinking about the Sengoku Era, I shouldn’t have spoken a noble’s final name!)
In the Sengoku Era, the names of the Daimyo-class were very different from the perspective of a modern Japanese person.
For example, Oda Nobunaga’s official name was Oda Kazusanoske, descendant of Taira no Ason, Nobunaga.
In fact, the name Oda was also said to double as a surname and the name of a noble house, and that persons born as an Oda would belong to the house, not to the surname.
As for Kazusanoskue, it was an alias, used as a sort of public name that was self-proclaimed.
Saburo was used to refer to the senior child in a family’s lineage, and parents would usually refer to their eldest using this name.
Modern Japanese names have a close relation to this older usage of Saburo.
 Taira was the name of an extremely powerful samurai clan, with a grand lineage, and Nobunaga often used it- without permission- to improve his prestige.
Ason was more of a title than a name, showing the bearer’s relationship to the Imperial court.
And now, we’ve come to the final name.
Nobunaga is the man’s real name.
The so called “real” name had another, hidden meaning in the Sengoku Era.
It was known as “the loathed name”.
 A person’s real name heavily represented their personality.
Therefore, it was considered courteous to never refer to someone by their real name.
In fact, no matter how you look at it, this girl broke a serious taboo just now.
That is to say, she was insolent towards the other person to the highest degree.
“I’m, I’m, I’m sorry~! Kazusanosuke-sama! Please! Please, forgive me~~~~!!! “[Girl]
The correct way to refer to others, in the case of young men, was to call them by the name of their position as an honorific title.
In dramas, manga, and anime, Hideyoshi would often be depicted calling this man “Nobunaga-sama!” but the truth is, if such a thing were to actually happen, Hideyoshi (or whoever said the “real” name) would be seriously beaten on the spot.
There were only a few cases where his real name could be properly used, such as when a superior addressed him, or in the official documents of the Imperial Court.
However, on those documents, his name was actually written as [Taira Ason Nobunaga], to refer to his relationship to the Imperial Court.
“… Under ordinary circumstances, I would strike you down on the spot.
However, I’m bewildered by your strange appearance.
For the third time now, state your name.” [Nobunaga]
Nobunaga sheathed his katana, his vein almost bursting in irritation.
The girl clearly realized that her next mistake will lead to a “bad end”, or in other words, another slip-up, and she will die.
With trembling lips, the girl said…
“Shizuko…  Ayanokouji Shizuko” [Shizuko]

Shizuko fell prostrate and gave her name while in dogeza.
Nobunaga pondered this strange… Shizuko.
(What a strange look.
I have never seen such bizarre clothing… is it perhaps from Nanban?) [3]

It was unknown whether she was a friend or a foe, but she was certainly too stupid to be a spy, reflected Nobunaga.
She was terrified just a moment ago, and her movements were easy to deal with as well.
(… People from the Namban lands have unique skills.
If I play my cards right…)
“Shizuko, is it?… You, where is your homeland?” [Nobunaga]
“Ha? Homeland? Oh, do you mean birthplace? Umm… I’m from Tokyo City” [Shizuko]
“Tokyo-to?”[4]
This person had an unknown name and clothing.
From what Nobunaga gathered, he assumed that Shizuko was a person from Nanban.
If that was indeed the case, it would be more valuable to keep her alive, and exploit her for her foreign knowledge, rather than kill her for her insolence.
“What a strange name.
Well, that concludes our discussion.
I will depart.” [Nobunaga]
“Eh?”
However, the meek-spirited Shizuko who obediently trailed behind him didn’t notice Nobunaga’s scheme at all.
From an outsider’s perspective, Shizuko has no place that she belongs to.
It’s unnatural for a spy to be so stupid.
“Didn’t you hear me? I told you to get out of the way.
I’m about to return to the castle.” [Nobunaga]
“Umm… Pardon me!” [Shizuko]
Unless she came under the protection of someone powerful, Shizuko certainly would perish in this Era of wars.
Fortunately, she must have some sense of her current situation, and she will beg for my protection, thought Nobunaga.
“Um, I am sorry if this is sudden, but can I go with you?!” [Shizuko]
“Of course not.” [Nobunaga]
“Gan!”(Sfx sound for shock)
“Why should I permit a suspicious