織田信長

Oda Nobunaga, who pursued his vision of 'Tenka Fubu' (rule the realm by force), was also a devoted sword collector. His Heshikiri Hasebe famously earned its name when Nobunaga pressed the blade through a shelf to cut down a tea servant hiding beneath it. This sword was later bestowed upon Kuroda Kanbei and is designated a National Treasure today. The sword Sōza Samonji (also known as Yoshimoto Samonji) was seized from Imagawa Yoshimoto at the Battle of Okehazama, and became one of Nobunaga's most cherished possessions. Nobunaga understood not only the practical value of swords but also their political power, skillfully using the bestowal of famous blades as a tool for controlling his retainers. The many great swords lost in the flames of Honnō-ji in 1582 are regarded as one of the greatest losses in the history of Japanese arms.