THE DEMON KING OF THE SIXTH HEAVEN. SOME NOTES ABOUT ODA NOBUNAGA AND HIS CREATIONS IN JAPANESE CINEMA

Abstract

Oda Nobunaga, the famous daimyo of the Sengoku period, has captured the public imagination for centuries. His desire to unify a territory as complex as Japan, his progressive vision, his close dealings with foreign Christians and his tragic death have made him an idealised and mythologised figure in popular culture. This essay will explore the various representations of this warlord in cinema (not forgetting mentions in anime and video games), with the aim of analysing how his image has been adapted over time and how his name has been used to convey specific ideas and values.