Oda Nobutaka was Oda Nobunaga’s (1534–1582) third son and ruled Gifu Castle from 1582 to 1583. As part of Nobunaga’s plan to control the important Ise region, Nobutaka was adopted into the Kanbe clan as their clan leader. In 1582, Nobutaka was ordered by his father to subjugate the island of Shikoku. However, just prior to the invasion,while Nobunaga was in Kyoto his trusted general Akechi Mitsuhide (1528–1582) betrayed and attacked him. Nobutaka quickly joined forces with another Oda general, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598), and would kill Akechi during the Battle of Yamazaki in 1582.
On the death of their father and elder brother, Nobutada (1557–1582), a struggle for succession broke out between Nobutaka and his other brother, Nobukatsu (1558–1630). It would be Nobutada’s infant son who was eventually named heir, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi was given custody of the child. Nobutaka did receive Gifu Castle, but seeing Hideyoshi take on his father’s position, he joined forces with Shibata Katsuie (1522–1583), to attack him. During the ensuing Battle of Shizugatake (1583), Nobutaka’s brother Nobukatsu lay siege to Gifu castle, with him inside it. Shibata was killed following the battle, severely weakening Nobutaka’s position and forcing him to surrender Gifu Castle. He was exiled to Utsumi in present-day Aichi, where he was forced by Hideyoshi and Nobukatsu to commit ritual suicide.