1559: Oda Nobunaga Captures Iwakura Castle
Oda Nobunaga captured Iwakura Castle and destroyed the Ise-no-kami branch of the Oda in northern Owari, greatly advancing his unification of Owari.
Events this year
Month 1
Oda Nobunaga captured Iwakura Castle, destroyed the Ise-no-kami branch of the Oda in northern Owari, and brought nearly all of the province under his control.
Sources 岩倉市「山内一豊公と岩倉の歴史」
Month 2
Oda Nobunaga, then consolidating his power in Owari, made his first visit to Kyoto and met Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru. He also toured Nara and Sakai.
Sources 『言継卿記』永禄2年2月2日条／『信長公記』首巻
2/18
Tsukushi Korekado rebelled against the Ōtomo and attacked Hakata with about two thousand troops, driving out the Ōtomo magistrate. Parts of the trading city were burned.
Sources 福岡市博物館「戦国時代の博多展3―博多焼打―」／鳥栖市「国史跡勝尾城筑紫氏遺跡」
Month 4
Nagao Kagetora made his second visit to Kyoto and met Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru. He received a cup from Emperor Ōgimachi and gained shogunal support for his actions in Shinano and the Kantō.
Sources 長野市誌（ADEAC）／埼玉県立文書館「長尾景虎から関東管領上杉輝虎へ」
Month 11
Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru appointed Ōtomo Yoshishige as Kyushu tandai. Together with the governorships of Buzen, Chikuzen, and Chikugo granted that year, the appointment strengthened his claim to rule northern Kyushu.
Sources 大分市「史跡大友氏遺跡整備基本計画（第1期）」
Ujiyasu established the 'Odawara Hōjō Retainers' Land Registry', defining military service and construction obligations according to land holdings to establish a system of vassal mobilization. This brought the eighteen divisions under unified control.
Hōjō Ujiyasu transferred headship to Ujimasa. Ujiyasu continued to exercise power as regent until 1571.
Sources 小田原市「北条氏五代100年の歴史」
Jesuit missionary Gaspar Vilela entered Kyoto with the Japanese brother Lourenço and others, beginning sustained missionary activity there. The following year he received the protection of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru.
Sources 宮内庁「講書始におけるご進講の内容（平成24年）」／東京大学史料編纂所「日本関係海外史料」