The Oda family claimed descent from the ‘Taira clan’, via ‘Taira no Chikazane’, a grandson of ‘Taira no Shigemori’ (1138–1179). ‘Taira no Chikazane’ established himself at Oda and took its name.
The most famous family member is ‘Oda Nobunaga’ (1534 – 1582), he was a Japanese warlord (daimyō) and one of the leading figures of the Sengoku period. He is thought of as as the ‘Great Unifier’ of Japan.
By the time of ‘Nobunaga’ the Oda clan was quite powerfull, and he launched a war against other warlords (daimyō) to unify Japan in the 1560s.
‘Nobunaga’ became the most powerful warlord, overthrowing the nominally ruling ‘shōgun Ashikaga Yoshiaki’ and dissolving the ‘Ashikaga Shogunate’ in 1573. He then proceeded to conquer most of Honshu, and defeated the Ikkō-ikki rebels by the 1580s.
‘Nobunaga’s’ rule was noted for his brilliant military tactics, promotion of free trade, reformation of Japan’s civil government, and encouraging the start of the Momoyama historical art period. He was also feared for the brutal suppression of any opponents, annhilating those who refused to cooperate or yield to his demands. ‘Nobunaga’ was killed in the Honno-ji Incident in 1582 when his retainer ‘Akechi Mitsuhide’ ambushed him in Kyoto and forced him to commit seppuku.
‘Nobunaga’ was succeeded by ‘Toyotomi Hideyoshi’ who along with ‘Tokugawa Ieyasu’ continued his war of unification. ‘Toyotomi Hideyoshi’ would later unite all Japan in 1591, and invade Korea a year later. ‘Hideyoshi’ died in 1598 and ‘Tokugawa Ieyasu’ took power after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, becoming shogun in 1603, and ending the Sengoku period.
‘Oda Nobunaga’ was an influential figure in Japanese history and is regarded as one of three great unifiers along with his retainers ‘Toyotomi Hideyoshi’ and ‘Tokugawa Ieyasu’. Following ‘Nobunagas’ death the Oda were eclipsed by ‘Toyotomi Hideyoshi’ . The Oda continued to be a presence in Japanese politics, but gradually faded into obscurity’.
Descendants of the Oda Clan can still be found throughout Japan, mainly in the south and southwest.