Oda Nobunaga achieved control over the area of Owari (around the modern city of Nagoya) in 1559. As many other daimyo, he was keen in uniting Japan. Strategically favorably located, he succeeded [?] capturing the capital in 1568. After establishing himself in [?], Nobunaga continued to [?] his enemies. Among them were some militant Buddhist sects, especially the [?] sect (Pure Land Sect) which had become very powerful in several areas. Nobunaga destroyed and burned the Enryakuji near Kyoto completely in 1571. His fight against the Ikko sect continued until 1580.Rather fortunate was Nobunaga concerning two of his most dangerous rivals in the East: [?] and Uesugi Kenshin. Both of them died before they were able to confront Nobunaga. After [?] death, Nobunaga defeated the Takeda clan in the battle of Nagashino ([?]), making use of [?].In 1582, general Akechi murdered Nobunaga and captured his Azuchi castle just for three days .