天てん下か布ふ武ぶ

noun

rule the realm by force; spread military might under heaven

Historical slogan and personal seal phrase of Oda Nobunaga from 1567 onward, expressing his ambition to unify Japan through military power. The literal meaning is 'spread military force under the heavens'. Used almost exclusively in historical contexts.

• 織お田だ信のぶ長ながは「天てん下か布ふ武ぶ」の印いんを用もちいて天てん下か統とう一いつへの意い志しを示しめした。

  Oda Nobunaga used the seal 'Tenka Fubu' to show his will to unify the country.

• 「天てん下か布ふ武ぶ」は、武ぶ力りょくによって天てん下かを治おさめるという信のぶ長ながのスローガンだった。

  'Tenka Fubu' was Nobunaga's slogan meaning to rule the realm by military force.