The Unification of Japan
In the year of 1543 the Portugese arrived in Japan in the time of civil war. This was an extremely important year for Japan as it was the first year that europeans had ever set foot on Japan. The portugese brought guns with them, this was something the Japanese had never seen before. By 1560 the leadership of the Oda clan had passed to the brilliant leader Oda Nobunaga. This clan was enormously powerful at this time because almost all their soilders and samurai in the army had guns, this made him more powerful than any other Daymio at the time. He rose up and the most powerful daymio in Japan; the other daymios envied him, because of his power Nobunaga. Because of his control he was assainated and his castle was set on fire in 1582.
Hideyoshi (one of Nobunagas right hand men) found the killer and murdered him. Hideyoshi became very powerful and had rule over most of Japan, he built his castle next to the emporers in Edo. Hideyoshi desperatly wanted to become Shogan but the emporer would not appoint him because he was from pesant stock. Ieyasu (another powerful daymio) also wanted power and was causious and realised it was easier to become Hideyoshi's allie rather than enemy. He had the ability to wait to and be patient, this is one of the reasons of why he was so succesful in later taking control of Japan, it helped him bring Japan together as one.
Towards the end of Hideyoshi's life he had a son of his own called Hideyori. When Hideyoshi was about to die he named three daymios the protectors of his son. One of these daymios was Ieyasu. Hideyoshi died believing that Ieyasu was a close friend but Ieyasu had different plans. After Hideyoshi's death nearly all of Japan's daimyo and samurai now split into two factions—Mitsunari's group and the anti-Mitsunari Group. Ieyasu supported the anti-Mitsunari Group. He felt threatened by Hideyori and by this time Ieyasu had waited and waited for his time to attack and this was it. There was a war that surrounded Hideyori's castle, when Hideyori refused to give in to Ieyasu he was trapped and therefore committed suicide. Ieyasu was finally in power at the age of 60.
Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu all played a crucial role in the unification on Japan. By each one of them being knowing how to react to wars, people and difficult situations they were able to eventually bring Japan together and have peace for over 200 years.Their vastly different strong, independent characters brought the feeling even today that Japan is united together and will be for years to come thanks to Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu
Hideyoshi (one of Nobunagas right hand men) found the killer and murdered him. Hideyoshi became very powerful and had rule over most of Japan, he built his castle next to the emporers in Edo. Hideyoshi desperatly wanted to become Shogan but the emporer would not appoint him because he was from pesant stock. Ieyasu (another powerful daymio) also wanted power and was causious and realised it was easier to become Hideyoshi's allie rather than enemy. He had the ability to wait to and be patient, this is one of the reasons of why he was so succesful in later taking control of Japan, it helped him bring Japan together as one.
Towards the end of Hideyoshi's life he had a son of his own called Hideyori. When Hideyoshi was about to die he named three daymios the protectors of his son. One of these daymios was Ieyasu. Hideyoshi died believing that Ieyasu was a close friend but Ieyasu had different plans. After Hideyoshi's death nearly all of Japan's daimyo and samurai now split into two factions—Mitsunari's group and the anti-Mitsunari Group. Ieyasu supported the anti-Mitsunari Group. He felt threatened by Hideyori and by this time Ieyasu had waited and waited for his time to attack and this was it. There was a war that surrounded Hideyori's castle, when Hideyori refused to give in to Ieyasu he was trapped and therefore committed suicide. Ieyasu was finally in power at the age of 60.
Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu all played a crucial role in the unification on Japan. By each one of them being knowing how to react to wars, people and difficult situations they were able to eventually bring Japan together and have peace for over 200 years.Their vastly different strong, independent characters brought the feeling even today that Japan is united together and will be for years to come thanks to Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu