在日本戰國史的研究與討論中，織田家為何能在亂世中迅速崛起並保持強大，是許多歷史愛好者關注的焦點。織田信長的各項政策，尤其是「樂市樂座」、兵農分離，以及他對宗教勢力和新式武器的態度，一直是學界與愛好者津津樂道的話題。這些政策究竟對織田家的壯大有何影響，歷來有不同的解讀與見解。

首先，織田家的財力基礎來自於掌握繁榮商貿的津島地區。透過徵收商業稅，織田家獲得可觀收益，累積經濟實力。而在此背景下，織田信長施行「樂市樂座」政策。「樂市」指免除商業稅，「樂座」則是解散或限制壟斷商品銷售的組織「座」。雖然政策看似會削弱短期收益，但它的核心目的在於促進市場繁榮、吸引更多商人與市民聚集，從而增強織田家對當地經濟與市場的控制力。

值得注意的是，「樂市樂座」並非信長獨創。戰國時期，六角家與今川家在信長之前已施行過「樂市」政策，北條家則在織田家之後也施行過。不同的是，根據現有文書記載，信長是第一位同時施行「樂市」與「樂座」的人。但即便如此，樂市樂座並不只是免稅這麼簡單，它更涉及保障市場安定。在戰亂頻繁的戰國時代，城下町常成為戰場或被武士掠奪，市場若無保障，經濟繁榮難以持續。因此，樂市樂座的主要受益者是居住在市場中的商人與市民，而非戰國大名本身。

那麼，既然可能不直接創利，織田信長為何仍施行這些政策？首先，市場繁榮是一項長期策略，短期犧牲部分利益，換取長期穩定與增強對區域的掌控力。其次，樂市樂座並非全面推行，而是有限度地在特定地區實施。部分「座」的背後支持者多為貴族或寺社，施行樂座同時也能削弱宗教勢力，平衡權力格局。信長在未統一全日本前，不可能得罪所有勢力，因此只在局部地區施行。

此外，樂市樂座還具有軍事與政治意義。中期戰國時代，宗教一揆如法華一揆、一向一揆勢力強大，這些一揆成員包括都市市民、工商業者，為宗教勢力提供財力與人力支持。信長施行樂市樂座，不僅免除商業稅，還免除地租與勞役，以市場繁榮作為誘因，將分散市場逐步集中到織田家控制力較強的區域，削弱其他地區的影響力。

綜合來看，樂市樂座並非織田家主要的財富來源，而是織田家在積累財力之後，利用經濟政策結合軍事與政治策略，促進市場繁榮、控制地方、削弱敵對勢力的一種手段。換句話說，織田家先有財，再有力施行樂市樂座，而非靠樂市樂座本身發財。透過這種策略，織田信長既維持經濟實力，也為統一日本奠定基礎。

In the study and discussion of Japan’s Sengoku period, one of the central questions among historians and enthusiasts is why the Oda clan was able to rise so rapidly and maintain its strength amidst the chaos. Oda Nobunaga’s various policies—particularly Rakuichi Rakuza (free markets and guild dismantling), the separation of soldiers and farmers, and his approach toward religious powers and modern weaponry—have long been topics of fascination. Scholars and enthusiasts have debated how much these policies truly contributed to the Oda clan’s consolidation of power, with interpretations varying widely.

First, the financial foundation of the Oda clan came from controlling the prosperous trade center of Tsushima, where the collection of commercial taxes generated significant revenue, allowing the clan to accumulate wealth and resources. Within this context, Nobunaga implemented the Rakuichi Rakuza policy. “Rakuichi” referred to the exemption of commercial taxes, while “Rakuza” involved dismantling or restricting monopolistic merchant guilds called za. At first glance, this policy might seem to reduce immediate revenue, but its core purpose was to promote market prosperity, attract merchants and townspeople, and strengthen the Oda clan’s control over local economic activity.

It is important to note that Rakuichi Rakuza was not entirely original to Nobunaga. Prior to him, the Rokko and Imagawa clans had implemented versions of “Rakuichi,” and the Hojo clan did so later. What distinguishes Nobunaga, according to existing documents, is that he was the first to implement both “Rakuichi” and “Rakuza” simultaneously. Yet even so, the policy was more than simply a tax exemption; it also involved securing market stability. In the turbulent Sengoku era, castle towns were frequently turned into battlegrounds or plundered by samurai, and without security, markets could not thrive. Therefore, the main beneficiaries of Rakuichi Rakuza were the merchants and townspeople living in these markets, not the daimyos themselves.

Why would Nobunaga pursue such a policy if it did not directly generate profit? First, market prosperity was a long-term strategy: sacrificing short-term gains could yield long-term stability and enhance control over key regions. Second, Rakuichi Rakuza was not applied universally but selectively in specific areas. Some “za” were supported by nobles or religious institutions, so dismantling them also allowed Nobunaga to weaken religious powers and balance local political forces. Before unifying Japan, it would have been unwise for Nobunaga to antagonize all influential groups, which is why the policy was limited in scope.

Moreover, Rakuichi Rakuza carried military and political significance. By the mid-Sengoku period, religious uprisings such as the Hokke and Ikko sect revolts were increasingly powerful. These uprisings drew not only local samurai and clergy but also substantial support from urban citizens and merchants, providing manpower and financial backing. Nobunaga’s policy of Rakuichi Rakuza exempted taxes, land levies, and labor obligations to incentivize market prosperity, gradually concentrating dispersed markets under areas controlled by the Oda clan while weakening markets elsewhere.

In summary, Rakuichi Rakuza was not the primary source of the Oda clan’s wealth. Rather, it was a strategic tool employed after the clan had accumulated sufficient resources, combining economic policy with military and political objectives to promote market prosperity, consolidate regional control, and curb hostile powers. In other words, the Oda clan first amassed wealth, which then enabled Nobunaga to implement selective Rakuichi and Rakuza policies. This approach not only maintained economic strength but also laid the foundation for his eventual unification of Japan.