During this period, although the Emperor of <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Japan' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Japan</a> was officially the ruler of his nation and every lord swore loyalty to him, he was largely a marginalized, ceremonial, and religious figure who delegated power to the shōgun, a noble who was roughly equivalent to a general. In the years preceding this era, the <a href='https://history-maps.com/article/Shogunate-System-of-Japan' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>shogunate</a> gradually lost influence and control over the daimyōs (local lords). Many of these lords began to fight uncontrollably with each other for control over land and influence over the shogunate.

Prologue

A dispute between Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen escalated into a nationwide civil war involving the Ashikaga <a href='https://history-maps.com/article/Shogunate-System-of-Japan' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>shogunate</a> and a number of daimyō in many regions of Japan. The war initiated the Sengoku period, 'the Warring States period'. This period was a long, drawn-out struggle for domination by individual daimyō, resulting in a mass power-struggle between the various houses to dominate the whole of Japan.

Beginning of Ōnin War

After the Ōnin War, the Ashikaga bakufu completely fell apart; for all practical purposes, the Hosokawa family was in charge and the Ashikaga shōguns became their puppets. The Hosokawa family controlled the shogunate until 1558 when they were betrayed by a vassal family, the Miyoshi. The powerful Ōuchi were also destroyed by a vassal, Mōri Motonari, in 1551. Kyoto was devastated by the war, not really recovering until the mid-16th century.

End of Onin War

The Kaga Rebellion or Chōkyō Uprising was a large-scale revolt in Kaga Province (present-day southern Ishikawa Prefecture), Japan, in late 1487 through 1488. Togashi Masachika, who ruled Kaga Province as shugo, had been restored to power in 1473 with aid from the Asakura clan as well as the Ikkō-ikki, a loose collection of lesser nobility, monks, and farmers. By 1474, however, the Ikkō-ikki grew discontent with Masachika, and launched some initial revolts, which were easily quelled. In 1487, when Masachika left on a military campaign, between 100,000 and 200,000 Ikkō-ikki revolted. Masachika returned with his army, but the Ikkō-ikki, backed by several disaffected vassal families, overwhelmed his army and surrounded him in his palace, where he committed seppuku. The former vassals of Masachika granted the position of shugo to Masachika's uncle Yasutaka, but over the next several decades, the Ikkō-ikki increased their political hold on the province, which they would effectively control for almost a century.During the 15th century in Japan, peasant revolts, known as ikki, became much more commonplace. During the turmoil of the Ōnin War (1467–1477) and subsequent years, these rebellions increased in both frequency and success. Many of these rebels became known as Ikkō-ikki, a collection of peasant farmers, Buddhist monks, Shinto priests, and jizamurai (lesser nobles) who all espoused belief in the Jōdo Shinshū sect of <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Buddhism' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Buddhism</a>. Rennyo, the Hongan-ji abbot who led the Jōdo Shinshū movement, attracted a large following in Kaga and Echizen Province, but distanced himself from the political goals of the ikki, advocating violence only for self-defense or defense of one's religion.During the mid-15th century, a civil war broke out among the Togashi clan over the position of shugo.

Kaga Rebellion

He gained control of Izu Province in 1493, avenging a wrong committed by a member of the Ashikaga family which held the shogunate. With Sōun's successful invasion in Izu province, he is credited by most historians as being the first 'Sengoku daimyō'. After building a stronghold at Nirayama, Hōjō Sōun secured Odawara Castle in 1494, the castle which would become the center of the Hōjō family's domains for nearly a century. In an act of treachery, he seized the castle after arranging for its lord to be murdered while out hunting.

Hōjō Sōun seizes Izu Province

Following the fall of the Ashikaga shogunate, which was based in Kyoto, control of the city, and thus ostensibly the country, fell into the hands of the Hosokawa clan (who held the post of Kyoto Kanrei – Shōgun's deputy in Kyoto) for a few generations.Katsumoto's son, Hosokawa Masamoto, held power in this way at the end of the 15th century, but was assassinated by Kōzai Motonaga and Yakushiji Nagatada in 1507. After his death, the clan became divided and was weakened by internecine fighting. What power they still had, however, was centered in and around Kyoto. This gave them the leverage to consolidate their power to some extent, and came to be strong rivals with the Ōuchi clan, both politically, and in terms of dominating trade with <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-China' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>China</a>.

Fall of the Hosokawa clan

Harumoto succeeded to a house at the age of seven, after his father's death in 1520. While still a minor, he was supported by his caretaker Miyoshi Motonaga. In 1531, Harumoto defeats Hosokawa Takakuni. He feared Motonaga who had got credit and killed him next year. After that, Harumoto ruled the whole area of Kinai (Yamashiro Province, Yamato Province, Kawachi Province, Izumi Province and Settsu Province) and took hold of the Ashikaga shogunate as the Kanrei.

Hosokawa Harumoto gains power

The battle took place seven days after the murder of Matsudaira leader Kiyoyasu (grandfather of Tokugawa Ieyasu) at the hands of his vassal Abe Masatoyo. The forces of Matsudaira set out to take revenge against the rebel Masatoyo and his army, and were victorious.

Battle of Idano

The <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Portugal' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Portuguese</a> land on Tanegashima, becoming the first Europeans to arrive in Japan, and introduce the arquebus into <a href='https://history-maps.com/article/Samurai-Warfare-Way-of-the-Warrior' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Japanese warfare</a>. This period of time is often entitled Nanban trade, where both Europeans and Asians would engage in mercantilism.

Portuguese arrive in Japan

This was part of a failed attempt by the Uesugi clan to regain Kawagoe Castle from the Later Hōjō clan. This Hōjō victory marked the decisive turning point in the struggle for the Kanto region. The Hōjō tactics which said to be 'the one of the most notable examples of <a href='https://history-maps.com/article/Samurai-Warfare-Way-of-the-Warrior' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>night fighting in samurai history</a>'. This defeat for the Uesugi would lead to the near-extinction of the family, and with Tomosada's death, the Ōgigayatsu branch came to an end.

Siege of Kawagoe Castle

In 1543, Hosokawa Ujitsuna who was the foster son of Takakuni, raised his armies, and in 1549, Miyoshi Nagayoshi who was a dominant retainer and the first son of Motonaga betrayed Harumoto and took side with Ujitsuna. Because of that, Harumoto was defeated. After Hosokawa Harumoto's fall, Miyoshi Nagayoshi and the Miyoshi clan would experience a great rise of power, and engage in a protracted military campaign against the Rokkaku and the Hosokawa. Harumoto, Ashikaga Yoshiteru who was the 13th Ashikaga shōgun and Ashikaga Yoshiharu who was the father of Yoshiteru were purged to Ōmi Province.

Miyoshi Clan Rises

The Tainei-ji incident was a coup in September 1551 by Sue Takafusa (later known as Sue Harukata) against Ōuchi Yoshitaka, hegemon daimyō of western Japan, which ended in the latter's forced suicide in Tainei-ji, a temple in Nagato Province. The coup put an abrupt end to the prosperity of the Ōuchi clan, though they ruled western Japan in name for another six years under the figurehead Ōuchi Yoshinaga, who was not related to the Ōuchi by blood.The downfall of the Ōuchi had far-reaching consequence beyond western Honshu. Since the courtiers in Yamaguchi were slaughtered, the imperial court in Kyoto became at the mercy of Miyoshi Nagayoshi. Warriors across Japan no longer ruled through the court but only used it to confer legitimacy. The once-peaceful Ōuchi territories in northern Kyushu descended into warfare among the Ōtomo, the Shimazu, and the Ryūzōji, who struggled to fill the void. The Ōtomo came to control much of these former Ōuchi domains in northern Kyushu, and their city of Funai flourished as a new centre of trade after the fall of Yamaguchi. At sea, foreign trade with China also suffered. The Ōuchi had been the official handlers of the Japan-China trade, but the <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Ming-dynasty' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Ming Chinese</a> refused to acknowledge the usurpers and cut off all official trade between the two countries. Clandestine trade and piracy replaced the official trade of the Ōuchi, as the Ōtomo, the Sagara, and the Shimazu vied with each other to send ships to China. In the end, it was the <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Portugal' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Portuguese traders</a>, with their near exclusive access to the Chinese market, who became the most successful intermediaries of the Japan–China trade for the rest of the 16th century.

Tainei-ji incident

The Battles of Kawanakajima were a series of battles fought in the Sengoku period of Japan between Takeda Shingen of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province from 1553 to 1564. Shingen and Kenshin contested each other for control of the plain of Kawanakajima between the Sai River and Chikuma River in northern Shinano Province, located in the present-day city of Nagano. The battles were triggered after Shingen conquered Shinano, expelling Ogasawara Nagatoki and Murakami Yoshikiyo, who subsequently turned to Kenshin for help. Five major battles of Kawanakajima occurred: Fuse in 1553, Saigawa in 1555, Uenohara in 1557, Hachimanbara in 1561, and Shiozaki in 1564. The most famous and severe battle was fought on 18 October 1561 in the heart of the Kawanakajima plain, thus being known the Battle of Kawanakajima. The battles were ultimately inconclusive and neither Shingen or Kenshin established their control over the plain of Kawanakajima. The Battles of Kawanakajima became one of 'the most cherished tales in Japanese military history', the epitome of Japanese chivalry and romance, mentioned in epic literature, woodblock printing, and movies.

Battles of Kawanakajima

The Imagawa, Hojo, and Takeda clans met at the Zentoku-ji temple in Suruga province and established a peace treaty. The proceedings were moderated by a monk named Taigen Sessai. The three daimyo agreed not to attack each other, as well as made agreements on support and reinforcements if necessary. This agreement was held together by three marriages - Hojo Ujimasa married the daughter of Takeda Shingen (Obai-in), Imagawa Ujizane married a daughter of Hojo Ujiyasu, and Takeda Yoshinobu had already married the daughter of Imagawa Yoshimoto in 1552, further strengthening ties between the Takeda and the Imagawa. Due to these agreements, the three daimyo were able to focus on their own goals without fear of attack.

Tripartite pact among Takeda, Hōjō and Imagawa

The 1555 Battle of Miyajima was the only battle to be fought on the sacred island of Miyajima; the entire island is considered to be a Shinto shrine, and no birth or death is allowed on the island. Extensive purification rituals took place after the battle, to cleanse the shrine and the island of the pollution of death. The Battle of Miyajima was the turning point in a campaign for control of the Ōuchi clan and of Aki Province, a strategically important province for establishing control of western Honshu. It was an important step for the Mōri clan in taking the foremost position in western Japan, and cemented the reputation of Mōri Motonari as a cunning strategist.

Battle of Miyajima

In this battle, the heavily outnumbered Oda clan troops commandeered by <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Oda-Nobunaga' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Oda Nobunaga</a> defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto and established himself as one of the front-running warlords in the Sengoku period. The Battle of Okehazama is regarded as one of the most significant turning points in Japanese history. The Imagawa clan was greatly weakened and would soon be destroyed by its neighbors. Oda Nobunaga gained greatly in prestige, and many samurai and minor warlords (including Imagawa's former retainer, Matsudaira Motoyasu, the future Tokugawa Ieyasu) pledged fealty.

Battle of Okehazama

In 1565, Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide's son Matsunaga Hisamichi and Miyoshi Yoshitsugu laid siege against a collection of buildings where Yoshiteru lived. With no help arriving in time from the daimyōs that could have supported him, Yoshiteru is killed in this incident. Three years passed before his cousin Ashikaga Yoshihide became the fourteenth shōgun.

Eiroku Incident

On November 9, 1568, Oda Nobunaga entered Kyoto, drove out the Miyoshi clan—supporters of the 14th shogun—forcing them to flee to Settsu, and installed Ashikaga Yoshiaki as the 15th shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate. However, Nobunaga declined the title of shogun's deputy (Kanrei) or any other formal appointment from Yoshiaki, despite his respect for Emperor Ōgimachi. This event marked the beginning of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, a transitional era that set the stage for the unification of Japan under Nobunaga and his successors.<img src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Azuchimomoyama-japan.png'>Map of Japan in the Azuchi-Momoyama period. © Zakuragi

Nobunaga drives out Miyoshi clan

The Ishiyama Hongan-ji War, taking place from 1570 to 1580 in Sengoku period Japan, was a ten-year campaign by lord <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Oda-Nobunaga' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Oda Nobunaga</a> against a network of fortifications, temples, and communities belonging to the Ikkō-ikki, a powerful faction of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist monks and peasants opposed to the rule of the samurai class. It centered on attempts to take down the Ikki's central base, the cathedral fortress of Ishiyama Hongan-ji, in what is today the city of Osaka. While Nobunaga and his allies led attacks on Ikki communities and fortifications in the nearby provinces, weakening the Hongan-ji's support structure, elements of his army remained camped outside the Hongan-ji, blocking supplies to the fortress and serving as scouts.

Ishiyama Hongan-ji War

The Ashikaga shogunate was finally destroyed in 1573 when Nobunaga drove Ashikaga Yoshiaki out of Kyoto. Initially, Yoshiaki fled to Shikoku. Afterwards, he sought and received protection from the Mōri clan in western Japan. Later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi requested that Yoshiaki accept him as an adopted son and the 16th Ashikaga shōgun, but Yoshiaki refused.

End of Ashikaga shogunate

The Battle of Mikatagahara, on 25 January 1573, was a pivotal conflict during Japan's Sengoku period between Takeda Shingen and Tokugawa Ieyasu in Tōtōmi Province. Shingen's campaign aimed at challenging Oda Nobunaga and advancing towards Kyoto, targeted Ieyasu's position at Hamamatsu. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Ieyasu faced Shingen's 30,000-strong army with his 11,000 men. The battle saw Takeda forces employing the gyorin (fish-scale) formation, overwhelming Ieyasu's line with a series of cavalry charges, leading to a significant defeat for the Tokugawa-Oda forces.Prior to the battle, Shingen had secured alliances and captured strategic locations, setting the stage for his southward push. Ieyasu, against the counsel of his advisors and allies, chose to confront Shingen at Mikatagahara. The battle commenced with Tokugawa forces initially resisting Takeda's attacks, but eventually, Takeda's tactical superiority and numerical advantage led to the near-annihilation of Ieyasu's forces, compelling a disorderly retreat.Despite the defeat, Ieyasu's strategic withdrawal and subsequent counterattacks, including a daring night raid on the Takeda camp, sowed confusion among the Takeda ranks, forcing Shingen to reconsider his advance. Hattori Hanzō's exploits during this battle further delayed Takeda forces.The aftermath of Mikatagahara highlighted the resilience of Ieyasu and his forces, despite the severe defeat. Shingen's campaign was halted by his injury and subsequent death in May 1573, preventing any further immediate threats to Tokugawa territories. The battle remains a significant illustration of <a href='https://history-maps.com/article/Samurai-Warfare-Way-of-the-Warrior' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Sengoku period warfare</a>, demonstrating the use of cavalry tactics and the impact of strategic retreats and counterattacks.

Battle of Mikatagahara

Takeda Katsuyori became the daimyō of the Takeda clan. Katsuyori was ambitious and desired to continue the legacy of his father. He moved on to take Tokugawa forts. However an allied force of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga dealt a crushing blow to the Takeda in the Battle of Nagashino. Katsuyori committed suicide after the battle, and the Takeda clan never recovered.

Death of Takeda Shingen

In 1573, While still lord of the Hata district of Tosa, Ichijō Kanesada was unpopular and had already suffered the defection of a number of important retainers. Seizing the opportunity, Motochika wasted no time in marching on the Ichijō's headquarters at Nakamura, and Kanesada fled to Bungo, defeated. In 1575, at the Battle of Shimantogawa (Battle of Watarigawa), he defeated the Ichijo family. Thus he ended up gaining control of Tosa Province.Following his conquest of Tosa, Motochika turned north and prepared for an invasion of Iyo province. The lord of that province was Kōno Michinao, a daimyo who had once been driven from his domain by the Utsunomiya clan, returning only with the assistance of the powerful Mōri clan. However, it was unlikely that Kōno could count on that sort of help again as the Mōri were embroiled in a war with Oda Nobunaga. Nonetheless, Chōsokabe's campaign in Iyo did not go off without a hitch.In 1579, 7,000-man Chōsokabe army, commanded by Kumu Yorinobu, met the forces of Doi Kiyonaga at the Battle of Mimaomote. In the ensuing battle, Kumu was killed and his army defeated, though the loss proved little more than an unfortunate delay. The next year, Motochika led some 30,000 men into Iyo Province, and forced Kōno to flee to Bungo province.With little interference from either the Mōri or the Ōtomo, Chōsokabe was free to press onwards, and in 1582, he stepped up ongoing raids into Awa province and defeated Sogō Masayasu and the Miyoshi clan at the Battle of Nakatomigawa.Later, Motochika advanced to Sanuki province defeated Sengoku Hidehisa at Battle of Hiketa. By 1583, Chōsokabe forces had subdued both Awa and Sanuki. Over the ensuing decade, he extended his power to all of Shikoku island, making Motochika's dream of ruling all of Shikoku a reality.

Unification of Shikoku

In 1574, Oda Nobunaga would finally succeeded in destroying Nagashima, one of the primary fortresses of the Ikkō-ikki, who numbered among his most bitter enemies.A fleet of ships led by Kuki Yoshitaka blockaded and bombarded the area, using cannon and fire arrows against the Ikki's wooden watchtowers. This blockade and naval support allowed Nobunaga to seize the outer forts of Nakae and Yanagashima, which in turn allowed him to control access to the west of the complex for the first time.Nobunaga's men built a wooden wall from one outer fort to another, cutting the Ikkō-ikki off from the outside completely. A large wooden palisade was constructed and then set aflame, resulting in the complete destruction of the entire fortress complex; no one escaped or survived.

Third Siege of Nagashima

The Battle of Nagashino, fought in 1575 in Mikawa Province, Japan, is a significant event in Japanese military history. The allied forces of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, numbering 38,000, clashed with Takeda Katsuyori’s 15,000 troops. This battle, which marked a decisive victory for Nobunaga and Ieyasu, significantly aided Nobunaga's ambitions of unifying Japan.In recent historical discourse, the battle is increasingly referred to as the Battle of Nagashino and Shitaragahara, highlighting the siege of Nagashino Castle and the subsequent battle at Shitaragahara, roughly 4 km west of the castle. This naming underscores the geographical breadth of the conflict.Regarded as a pivotal shift in <a href='https://history-maps.com/article/Samurai-Warfare-Way-of-the-Warrior' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Japanese warfare</a>, the Battle of Nagashino is often noted as Japan's first 'modern' battle, particularly for Nobunaga's effective use of matchlock firearms, or tanegashima, against Takeda's cavalry. This battle showcased the tactical deployment of arquebusiers, who were organized to fire in successive volleys, a method that significantly halted the effectiveness of the cavalry charge traditionally favored by samurai.Traditionally, the victory was attributed to strategic innovations such as the use of stockades to block cavalry charges and the organized, rotating fire of arquebusiers. However, recent scholarship suggests there may be additional factors that contributed to the outcome. Despite the ongoing debate over the precise reasons for the Takeda defeat, the impact of matchlock guns, including their role in the death of the notable Takeda general Yamagata Masakage, is well acknowledged. This battle not only exemplifies the shift from classical samurai combat to more contemporary warfare techniques but also marks a significant moment in the power dynamics of the period, consolidating Nobunaga’s path toward the unification of Japan.

Battle of Nagashino

The Battle of Tedorigawa took place near the Tedori River in Japan's Kaga Province in 1577, between the forces of Oda Nobunaga against Uesugi Kenshin. Kenshin tricked Nobunaga into launching a frontal attack across the Tedorigawa and defeated him. Having suffered the loss of 1,000 men, the Oda withdrew south. This was destined to be Kenshin's last great battle.

Battle of Tedorigawa

The death caused local power struggles, with the result of almost decade long infighting in Echigo between 1578–1587, usually divided into 'Otate Disturbance' (1578–1582) and 'Shibata rebellion' (1582–1587).

Death of Uesugi Kenshin

The Mori clan lost their strategic castle at Miki. By then, the siege was beginning to swing in Nobunaga's favor. The majority of the Ikki's allies were already inside the fortress with them, so they had no one to call on for aid. The Ikki under the leadership of Shimozuma Nakayuki, eventually the defenders were nearly out of ammunition and food, the Abbot Kōsa held a conference with his colleagues after receiving a letter of Advice via Imperial Messenger in April. Kōsa's son surrendered a few weeks later. The fighting finally ended in August 1580. Nobunaga spared the lives of many of the defenders, including Shimozuma Nakayuki, but burned the fortress to the ground. Three years later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi would begin construction on the same site, building Osaka Castle, a replica of which was constructed in the 20th century.

Surrender of Ikko-ikki

In the Honnō-ji Incident, Akechi Mitsuhide, a retainer of Oda Nobunaga, attacked Nobunaga as he rested in Honnō-ji, and forced him to commit seppuku. Mitsuhide then took over Nobunaga's power and authority around the Kyoto area. Thirteen days later, Oda's forces under Toyotomi Hideyoshi met Mitsuhide at Yamazaki and defeated him, avenging his lord (Nobunaga) and taking Nobunaga's authority and power for himself.

Battle of Yamazaki

The Honnō-ji Incident was the assassination of <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Oda-Nobunaga' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Oda Nobunaga</a> at the Honnō-ji temple in Kyoto on 21 June 1582. Nobunaga was betrayed by his general Akechi Mitsuhide during his campaign to consolidate centralized power in <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Japan' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Japan</a> under his authority. Mitsuhide ambushed the unprotected Nobunaga at Honnō-ji and his eldest son Oda Nobutada at Nijō Palace which resulted in both committing seppuku.

Honnō-ji Incident

The Tenshō-Jingo conflict is a collection of battles and posturing between the Hōjō, Uesugi, and Tokugawa after the death of <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Oda-Nobunaga' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Oda Nobunaga</a>. The campaign began with the Hōjō driving out the demoralized Oda forces under Takigawa Kazumasu. The Hōjō managed to capture Komoro castle, placing it under Daidoji Masashige. They pushed further into Kai, capturing and rebuilding Misaka Castle as they squared off against Ieyasu, who had made inroads by absorbing former Takeda officers into his army. Takigawa Kazumasu lost decisively against the invading Hōjō army at the Battle of Kannagawa and on July 9th, Masayuki defected to Hōjō's side. Meanwhile, Uesugi forces were invading northern Shinano. Both armies came to face each other at Kawanakajima on July 12th, but direct combat was avoided as the Hōjō army turned back and advanced south towards Kai province, which was in turn invaded by Tokugawa forces. At one point, the Hōjō clan had come close to controlling most of Shinano province, but Masayuki helped Yoda Nobushige, a local lord who had been resisting against Hōjō's advances in Shinano and was in touch with Tokugawa Ieyasu. He then defected to the Tokugawa's side on September 25. Faced with this sudden betrayal, Hōjō Ujinao saw his position in the conflict weaken and decided for a peace treaty and alliance with the Tokugawa clan, which was agreed upon on October 29th. This event marked the end of the conflict which lasted for roughly 5 months after Nobunaga's death.

Tenshō-jingo Conflict

Working together with his brothers Yoshihiro, Toshihisa, and Iehisa, he launched a campaign to unify Kyūshū. Starting in 1572 with a victory against Itō clan at the battle of Kizaki and the Siege of Takabaru in 1576, Yoshihisa continued to win battles. In 1578, he defeated the Ōtomo clan at the battle of Mimigawa, though he did not take their territory. Later, in 1581, Yoshihisa took Minamata castle with a force of 115,000 men. In early 1584, he was victorious in Battle of Okitanawate against Ryūzōji clan and defeated the Aso clan.By the middle of 1584, the Shimazu clan controlled; Chikugo, Chikuzen, Hizen, Higo, Hyūga, Osumi, and Satsuma, most of Kyūshū with the exception of Ōtomo's domain and unification was a feasible goal.

Shimazu Yoshihisa controlls Kyushu

Like Nobunaga before him, Hideyoshi never achieved the title of shōgun. Instead, he arranged to have himself adopted by Konoe Sakihisa, one of the noblest men belonging to the Fujiwara clan and secured a succession of high court titles Chancellor (Daijō-daijin), including, in 1585, the prestigious position of Imperial Regent (kampaku). In 1586, Hideyoshi was formally given the new clan name Toyotomi (instead of Fujiwara) by the Imperial court.

Hashiba Hideyoshi is granted title of Kampaku

The second force was led by Ukita Hideie, consisted of 23,000 men, and assaulted the province of Sanuki.

Shikoku Campaign: Ukita's force

In June, 1585, Hideyoshi amassed a giant army of 113,000 men to invade Shikoku and divided them into three forces. The first, under his half-brother Hashiba Hidenaga and nephew Hashiba Hidetsugu, consisted of 60,000 men, and assaulted the provinces of Awa and Tosa, approaching Shikoku via Akashi island.

Shikoku Campaign: Hidenaga force

The third force was led by Mōri 'Two Rivers', Kobayakawa Takakage and Kikkawa Motoharu, consisted of 30,000 men, and advanced on the province of Iyo. In total, it took 600 larger ships and 103 smaller ships to transport Hideyoshi's army across the Seto Inland Sea to Shikoku.

Shikoku Campaign: Mori force

By August, Hideyoshi's invasion culminated in the siege of Ichinomiya Castle, with around 40,000 men under Hidenaga besieging the castle for 26 days. Hidenaga managed to destroy the water source of Ichinomiya Castle, Chōsokabe half-heartedly tried to relief the castle from siege, Ichinomiya finally surrendered. With the surrender of the castle, Chosokabe Motochika himself surrendered

Shikoku Campaign: Siege of Ichinomiya Castle

In 1586, during Japan's Sengoku period, the Shimazu clan, led by Shimazu Yoshihisa, advanced to attack Tachibana Castle, a strategic stronghold of the Ōtomo clan. The defense was commanded by Tachibana Muneshige and his wife, Tachibana Ginchiyo, who notably armed the women of the castle with firearms to bolster their defenses.As the siege progressed, the Shimazu forces became aware of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's impending invasion of Kyūshū. Recognizing the threat posed by Hideyoshi's campaign, the Shimazu decided to lift the siege on Tachibana Castle and withdrew a significant portion of their troops back to Higo Province to prepare for the larger conflict.Following the retreat of the Shimazu, Hideyoshi launched his Kyūshū Campaign, during which the Tachibana clan allied with him against their traditional rivals. Despite their alliance, the Tachibana forces were eventually compelled to abandon Tachibana Castle, retreating to Yanagawa Castle. Subsequently, Hideyoshi entrusted Tachibana Castle to Kobayakawa Takakage.

Siege of Tachibana

The Tenshō earthquake of January 18, 1586, struck Japan during the politically volatile Sengoku period, registering an estimated magnitude of 7.9. Centered in the Chūbu region of Honshu, the quake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, with an estimated 8,000 fatalities and the collapse of 10,000 homes across numerous prefectures, including Osaka, Kyoto, and Gifu. The event's devastating impact was compounded by the lack of systematic historical documentation, a reflection of the ongoing feudal conflicts of the era.<img src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/1586_Tensho_earthquake_intensity.png'>1586 Tensho earthquake intensity. © As6022014The earthquake directly affected the power dynamics between two of the most prominent warlords of the period, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Hideyoshi, then preparing for a military campaign to assert his authority over Ieyasu, saw his headquarters in Osaka severely damaged. This forced him to focus on reconstruction efforts and adopt a conciliatory approach toward Ieyasu, delaying his plans for military confrontation. Ieyasu narrowly escaped disaster and later became the number-two in the Toyotomi administration.

1586 Tenshō Earthquake

The Kyūshū Campaign of 1586–1587 marked a significant chapter in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's efforts to unify <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Japan' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Japan</a> during the late Sengoku period. Following his successful campaigns in Honshū and Shikoku, Hideyoshi turned his focus to Kyūshū, where the Shimazu clan of Satsuma had risen to dominance after years of regional conflict.PreludeBy 1585, the Shimazu clan had become the predominant power on Kyūshū, seizing territories from rival clans such as the Ōtomo. In 1586, upon learning of Hideyoshi's plans to invade, the Shimazu lifted their siege of Tachibana Castle and regrouped. They withdrew forces to Higo Province while continuing their campaign in Bungo Province, where they captured Funai Castle from the Ōtomo. The Shimazu, however, faced resistance from forces loyal to Hideyoshi, including those led by Sengoku Hidehisa, Sogō Masayasu, and Chōsokabe Motochika, who had recently allied with Hideyoshi after his defeat in Shikoku.InvasionHideyoshi launched a coordinated invasion in 1587. His half-brother, Hashiba Hidenaga, led an army to Kyūshū’s eastern coast and clashed with Shimazu forces at Takajō Castle. Meanwhile, Hideyoshi landed in Chikuzen Province to the north, capturing Ganjaku Castle, held by the Akizuki clan. The two armies systematically advanced toward Satsuma, forcing the Shimazu into retreat.ConclusionIn June 1587, Hideyoshi's forces decisively defeated the Shimazu at the Battle of Sendaigawa, north of Kagoshima. Facing overwhelming numbers and repeated defeats, the Shimazu clan withdrew to their stronghold at Kagoshima. A final confrontation was avoided, as the Shimazu surrendered before the city was attacked. The campaign ended with the Shimazu formally submitting to Hideyoshi's authority.AftermathWith Kyūshū secured, Hideyoshi turned his attention to the Hōjō clan in the Kantō region, the last major opponents to his unification efforts. During the 1590s, Hideyoshi used Kyūshū as a strategic base for his <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Imjin-War' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>invasions of Korea</a>, demonstrating the island’s importance to his broader military ambitions. The campaign consolidated Hideyoshi’s control over southern Japan and furthered his quest to become the undisputed ruler of the country.

Hideyoshi's Kyushu Campaign

The 1587 siege of Akizuki, also known as the siege of Oguma, was part of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kyūshū Campaign to subdue local clans during Japan's Sengoku period.After capturing Ganjaku Castle, Hideyoshi shifted his focus to Oguma Castle, the home of the Akizuki clan. As Hideyoshi's forces advanced, Akizuki Tanezane, the castle's lord, fled under the cover of night, abandoning the stronghold.Following the capture, Hideyoshi reportedly ordered the castle walls to be covered in white paper, creating the impression that he possessed enough resources to refurbish the entire fortress overnight. This clever psychological tactic demoralized Tanezane, leading him to surrender to Hideyoshi without further resistance. The siege exemplified Hideyoshi's blend of military strategy and psychological warfare in unifying Kyūshū.

Siege of Akizuki

The Battle of Hetsugigawa in 1586 was a critical engagement during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kyūshū Campaign in Japan's Sengoku period, preceding the arrival of the Toyotomi main army.Toyotomi's advance forces, led by Chōsokabe Motochika and Sengoku Hidehisa, landed in Bungo Province with instructions to adopt a defensive strategy until reinforcements arrived. Ignoring orders, they sought to relieve Toshimitsu Castle, under siege by the Shimazu army. However, upon reaching the Hetsugi River, the vanguard discovered the castle had already fallen, flying Shimazu banners.Motochika advocated for a retreat, but Yoshimune and Hidehisa insisted on engaging the Shimazu forces. The Shimazu, led by Ijuin Hisanori, Shimazu Iehisa, and Niiro Tadamoto, laid a trap. Hisanori's decoy force lured the allied left wing across the river, where it came under heavy fire from Shimazu arquebuses and arrows. The Shimazu main force then launched a devastating attack, throwing the Toyotomi vanguard into disarray.During the chaotic retreat, Motochika's forces suffered significant losses, including the deaths of his son, Chōsokabe Nobuchika, and Sogō Masayasu. The defeat underscored the risks of acting prematurely against the strategically adept Shimazu forces, emphasizing the importance of adhering to Hideyoshi's orders in the campaign.

Battle of Hetsugigawa

The 1587 Battle of Takajō marked the opening engagement in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kyūshū Campaign during Japan's Sengoku period. Hideyoshi sought to subdue the powerful Shimazu clan, which had expanded across the island and captured the Ōtomo clan's capital, Funai, posing a threat to his authority.Hideyoshi's half-brother, Hashiba Hidenaga, led an army of 90,000 men to Takajō (Taka Castle), garrisoned by Yamada Arinobu of the Shimazu clan. Hidenaga's forces laid siege to the fortress. The Shimazu, led by Shimazu Iehisa, countered with a force of 20,000, launching a bold cavalry assault after dismantling the besiegers' fortifications. However, the Shimazu were outmaneuvered when 1,500 Toyotomi troops flanked their position and cut off their escape.After intense fighting, the Shimazu managed to retreat but lost control of Takajō and the surrounding region to Hidenaga. This battle signaled the beginning of the Shimazu's decline and Hideyoshi's eventual domination of Kyūshū.

Battle of Takajō

The 1587 Battle of Sendaigawa was one of the final engagements in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kyūshū Campaign during Japan's Sengoku period. It took place near the Sendai River, north of Kagoshima, as Hideyoshi’s forces prepared to advance on the Shimazu stronghold.Facing overwhelming odds, with only 5,000 men against 170,000 Toyotomi troops, the Shimazu forces were led by Niiro Tadamoto. Despite their disadvantage, Niiro's forces launched a bold charge against the Toyotomi army. In the battle, Niiro reportedly engaged the renowned Katō Kiyomasa in personal combat. After fierce fighting, the Shimazu forces retreated under the cover of night. The battle resulted in a Toyotomi victory and paved the way for Hideyoshi’s final move against Kagoshima, leading to the Shimazu clan’s eventual surrender.

Battle of Sendaigawa

The 1587 siege of Kagoshima marked the final confrontation in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kyūshū Campaign during Japan's Sengoku period. Following their defeat at the Battle of Sendaigawa, the Shimazu clan retreated to their stronghold at Kagoshima, preparing for a last stand.Hideyoshi's forces, approximately 60,000 strong, advanced on Kagoshima by both land and sea. Troops under Hashiba Hidenaga, Fukushima Masanori, Katō Kiyomasa, and Kuroda Yoshitaka landed at Akune, while other divisions traversed the difficult volcanic terrain with assistance from local monks. Once the city was surrounded, the Shimazu clan faced overwhelming odds.Despite the military buildup, negotiations ultimately averted combat. The Shimazu surrendered to Hideyoshi, formally bringing Kyūshū under his control and consolidating his authority over Japan. This peaceful resolution avoided further bloodshed, a testament to Hideyoshi's diplomatic acumen.

Siege of Kagoshima

The 1587 siege of Ganjaku Castle was a notable engagement during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kyūshū Campaign in Japan's Sengoku period.While Hideyoshi's half-brother, Hashiba Hidenaga, engaged forces at Taka Castle on Kyūshū's eastern coast, Hideyoshi landed on the island's northern shore in Chikuzen Province and advanced toward Ganjaku Castle, held by a retainer of Akizuki Tanezane. Despite intending to commit only a small detachment to the siege while continuing his campaign, Hideyoshi faced reluctance from his generals, none of whom wanted to lead the effort. Ultimately, Gamō Ujisato was chosen by lot to command the siege force. Hideyoshi is said to have observed the siege from a nearby hill, rewarding samurai with gold coins for each enemy head they collected. This tactic motivated his troops, contributing to the eventual capture of Ganjaku Castle and marking another step in his consolidation of power over Kyūshū.

Siege of Ganjaku

In 1588, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, having become kampaku or 'imperial regent', ordered a new sword hunt; Hideyoshi, like Nobunaga, sought to solidify separations in the class structure, denying commoners weapons while allowing them to the nobility, the samurai class. In addition, Toyotomi's sword hunt, like Nobunaga's, was intended to prevent peasant uprisings and to deny weapons to his adversaries. Toyotomi claimed that the confiscated weapons would be melted down and used to create a giant image of the Buddha for the Asuka-dera monastery in Nara.

Taikō's Sword Hunt

Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeats the Hōjō clan, unifying Japan under his rule. The third siege of Odawara was the primary action in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign to eliminate the Hōjō clan as a threat to his power. Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Hideyoshi's top generals, was given the Hōjō lands. Though Hideyoshi could not have guessed it at the time, this would turn out to be a great stepping-stone towards Tokugawa's attempts at conquest and the office of Shōgun.

Unification of Japan

The <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Imjin-War' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Imjin War</a> (1592–1598) was a protracted and devastating conflict initiated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi of <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Japan' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Japan</a>, who sought to conquer the <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Korea' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Korean</a> Peninsula as a stepping stone to invade <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-China' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>China</a>, then under the <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Ming-dynasty' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Ming dynasty</a>. This war comprised two major invasions: the first in 1592, referred to as the Imjin War, and the second in 1597, known as the Chŏngyu War. It ended in 1598 with the Japanese withdrawal, leaving the Korean Peninsula ravaged and its political and social systems deeply impacted.The First Invasion (1592–1596)In 1592, Hideyoshi launched his initial invasion, deploying a large, well-organized army that quickly overran significant portions of the Korean Peninsula. Japanese forces captured major cities, including Seoul and Pyongyang, and advanced north toward the border with Ming China. However, the tide began to turn due to several factors:<ul><li>The Joseon Navy, led by Admiral Yi Sun-sin, disrupted Japanese supply lines by dominating the coastal waters, employing innovative 'turtle ships' and superior naval tactics.</li><li>Ming reinforcements entered the conflict to aid Joseon, retaking Pyongyang and pushing the Japanese forces southward.</li><li>Righteous armies, or civilian militias, waged guerrilla warfare against the Japanese occupiers, further hindering their efforts.</li></ul>After years of bloody stalemate and logistical difficulties for both sides, Japan proposed peace negotiations in 1596. However, the talks ultimately failed, as Japan's ambitions remained incompatible with Ming and Joseon demands.The Second Invasion (1597–1598)In 1597, Japan renewed hostilities with another invasion of Korea. Initially, Japanese forces achieved successes on land, capturing several fortresses and cities. However, the Joseon Navy—reorganized under Admiral Yi Sun-sin after earlier setbacks—again played a decisive role in cutting off Japanese supply lines. On land, combined Ming and Joseon forces engaged in fierce battles to contain the Japanese advance. The conflict again settled into a stalemate, with the Japanese forces entrenched along the southern coast of the peninsula. The turning point came with the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1598. With no clear leadership and dwindling resources, the Japanese Council of Five Elders ordered a full withdrawal from Korea.AftermathBy the end of the Imjin War, the Korean Peninsula was devastated. Cities were destroyed, populations displaced, and cultural artifacts looted or lost. Korea endured significant human and economic losses, and the political order was severely disrupted. Meanwhile, the Ming dynasty bore the strain of the war effort, contributing to its eventual decline.For Japan, the war exposed the limits of Hideyoshi’s ambitions and marked the beginning of a period of consolidation under the Tokugawa shogunate. Peace negotiations eventually normalized relations between the parties, but the scars of the conflict lingered, influencing East Asian geopolitics for centuries to come.

Imjin War

Without leaving a capable successor, the country was once again thrust into political turmoil, and Tokugawa Ieyasu took advantage of the opportunity. On his deathbed, Toyotomi appointed a group of the most powerful lords in Japan—Tokugawa, Maeda Toshiie, Ukita Hideie, Uesugi Kagekatsu, and Mōri Terumoto—to govern as the Council of Five Regents until his infant son, Hideyori, came of age. An uneasy peace lasted until the death of Maeda in 1599. Thereafter a number of high-ranking figures, notably Ishida Mitsunari, accused Tokugawa of disloyalty to the Toyotomi regime. This precipitated a crisis that led to the Battle of Sekigahara.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi dies

The Battle of Sekigahara, fought on October 21, 1600, in present-day Gifu Prefecture, <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Japan' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Japan</a>, marked a crucial turning point at the end of the <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Sengoku-Jidai' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Sengoku period</a>. This conflict saw Tokugawa Ieyasu's forces clash with a coalition of Toyotomi loyalist clans led by Ishida Mitsunari. During the battle, several of Mitsunari's allies defected, significantly tipping the scales in favor of Ieyasu, who emerged victorious.Regarded as the largest and most significant battle in Japanese feudal history, Sekigahara not only decisively defeated the Toyotomi loyalists but also paved the way for the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate. Despite the battle occurring in 1600, it took Ieyasu three more years to fully consolidate his power over the remaining Toyotomi clan and the various regional lords, or daimyō. However, the victory at Sekigahara is often viewed as the unofficial commencement of <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Edo-Period' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Tokugawa rule</a>, which would dominate Japan for over 250 years until the <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Meiji-Era' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Meiji Restoration</a> in 1868.BackgroundIn the waning years of Hideyoshi's rule and after his death in 1598, two major factions emerged within Japan. Tokugawa Ieyasu, a senior figure with significant influence and the support of many eastern lords, became a central figure. Conversely, Toyotomi clan loyalists, along with western Japanese lords, aligned with Ishida Mitsunari, leading to increased tensions and occasional outbreaks of open conflict. These disputes set the stage for the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.During this period, Katō Kiyomasa and Fukushima Masanori openly criticized key Toyotomi bureaucrats, particularly Mitsunari and Konishi Yukinaga. Ieyasu capitalized on this discord to weaken the Toyotomi faction, amid growing rumors that he intended to assume Hideyoshi's legacy. The political atmosphere was charged with suspicion, especially among Toyotomi loyalists who feared Ieyasu's motives.The situation escalated when a plot to assassinate Ieyasu was uncovered, leading to accusations against several Toyotomi loyalists, including Maeda Toshiie's son, Toshinaga, who were coerced into submitting to Ieyasu's authority. Further conflict arose with Uesugi Kagekatsu, another of Hideyoshi’s appointed regents, who defied Ieyasu by militarizing his domain. After Ieyasu demanded Kagekatsu travel to Kyoto for an explanation, Kagekatsu’s advisor, Naoe Kanetsugu, issued a sharp rebuke of Ieyasu’s actions.In response, Ieyasu mobilized his supporters for a military campaign against the Uesugi clan, while Ishida Mitsunari took advantage of the ensuing chaos to form an alliance against Ieyasu’s forces. This complex web of alliances, suspicions, and military movements directly led to the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara, fundamentally altering the power dynamics of Japan.<img src='https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f0/1d/72/f01d72090a878ef56f70fe7863cd3d80.jpg'>Battle of Sekigahara map. © Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial MuseumBattleOn October 21, 1600, the Battle of Sekigahara commenced under the veil of early morning fog caused by the previous day's rain. Both the Tokugawa and the Toyotomi loyalist forces initially withdrew upon unexpectedly encountering each other, but the fog's clearing around 8:00 AM revealed their respective positions, leading to the start of the battle.The battle began aggressively with Tokugawa's vanguard, led by Fukushima Masanori, attacking along the Fuji River. The muddy terrain turned the clash into a brutal melee. Simultaneously, Tokugawa forces launched attacks on other fronts to support Fukushima's advance. Despite these efforts, the Western Army's center remained robust, prompting Ishida to command reinforcement from Shimazu Yoshihiro, who refused, citing Ishida's lack of authority among the daimyō.As the battle intensified, Kobayakawa Hideaki, initially neutral despite prior arrangements to defect to the Tokugawa side, was compelled into action around noon, attacking the position held by Ōtani Yoshitsugu. Despite initial resistance, the defection of additional Western Army daimyōs, such as Wakisaka Yasuharu and others, decisively shifted the battle's momentum in favor of the Eastern Army.The Western Army's position unraveled quickly after Kobayakawa and Fukushima breached their right flank. With Ishida's forces crumbling, he retreated to Mount Nangu, where further betrayals from within the Mōri army, commanded by Kikkawa Hiroie, sealed his fate. The remaining Western Army forces disintegrated, with many commanders either escaping, being captured, or committing suicide.Significant was the role of late-arriving forces which could have altered the battle's outcome. Tokugawa Hidetada's detachment, despite a vast numerical advantage, failed to capture Ueda Castle due to Sanada Masayuki's strategic defense. Concurrently, Toyotomi forces delayed by Hosokawa Yūsai at Tanabe Castle also failed to arrive in time.AftermathFollowing the decisive Battle of Sekigahara on October 21, 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu solidified his control over Japan. The subsequent public executions of key Toyotomi loyalists, including Ishida Mitsunari, Konishi Yukinaga, and Ankokuji Ekei on November 6, significantly diminished the influence and reputation of the Toyotomi clan and its remaining supporters. In the aftermath, Ieyasu took strategic steps to consolidate his power further by redistributing lands and fiefs among the daimyō.Ieyasu rewarded those lords who had supported him during the conflict with lands and titles, thus securing their loyalty and strengthening his political base. Conversely, those who had opposed him were either displaced, punished, or exiled, effectively neutralizing potential threats to his authority. This redistribution not only rewarded his allies but also allowed him to assert control over former Toyotomi territories, thereby expanding his domain and laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate, which would govern Japan for over two centuries.

Battle of Sekigahara

The Tokugawa shogunate was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu after victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, ending the civil wars of the Sengoku period following the collapse of the Ashikaga shogunate. Ieyasu became the shōgun, and the Tokugawa clan governed Japan from Edo Castle in the eastern city of Edo (Tokyo) along with the daimyō lords of the samurai class. This period if Japanese history is known as the <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Edo-Period' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Edo period</a>.The Tokugawa shogunate organized Japanese society under the strict Tokugawa class system and banned most foreigners under the isolationist policies of Sakoku to promote political stability. The Tokugawa shoguns governed Japan in a feudal system, with each daimyō administering a han (feudal domain), although the country was still nominally organized as imperial provinces. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, Japan experienced rapid economic growth and urbanization, which led to the rise of the merchant class and Ukiyo culture.

Tokugawa shogunate

The Siege of Osaka was a series of battles undertaken by the Tokugawa shogunate against the Toyotomi clan, and ending in that clan's destruction. Divided into two stages (winter campaign and summer campaign), and lasting from 1614 to 1615, the siege put an end to the last major armed opposition to the shogunate's establishment. The end of the conflict is sometimes called the Genna Armistice (元和偃武, Genna Enbu), because the era name was changed from Keichō to Genna immediately following the siege.

Siege of Osaka

The period culminated with a series of three warlords – <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Oda-Nobunaga' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Oda Nobunaga</a>, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu – who gradually unified Japan. After Tokugawa Ieyasu's final victory at the siege of Osaka in 1615, Japan settled down into over 200 years of peace under the <a href='https://history-maps.com/story/Edo-Period' rel='noopener noreferrer' target='_blank'>Tokugawa shogunate</a>.

Epilogue

Bătălia de la Nagashino, luptată în 1575 în provincia Mikawa, Japonia, este un eveniment semnificativ în istoria militară japoneză. Forțele aliate ale Oda Nobunaga și Tokugawa Ieyasu, cu 38.000, s -au confruntat cu 15.000 de trupe ale lui Takeda Katsuyori. Această luptă, care a marcat o victorie decisivă pentru Nobunaga și Ieyasu, a ajutat semnificativ ambițiile lui Nobunaga de a uni Japonia. În discursul istoric recent, bătălia este denumită din ce în ce mai mult bătălia de la Nagashino și Shitaragahara, subliniind asediul castelului Nagashino și bătălia ulterioară de la Shitaragahara, la aproximativ 4 km vest de castel. Această denumire subliniază lățimea geografică a conflictului. Considerată ca o schimbare pivotantă în <a href="https://history-maps.com/ro/article/Samurai-Warfare-Way-of-the-Warrior" target="_blank">războiul japonez</a> , bătălia de la Nagashino este adesea remarcată ca fiind prima luptă „modernă” a Japoniei, în special pentru utilizarea eficientă a armelor de foc de la Nobunaga a armelor de foc sau Tanegashima, împotriva cavaleriei lui Takeda. Această bătălie a prezentat implementarea tactică a Arquebusiers, care au fost organizate pentru a trage în volei succesive, o metodă care a oprit semnificativ eficacitatea încărcăturii de cavalerie favorizate în mod tradițional de Samurai. În mod tradițional, victoria a fost atribuită inovațiilor strategice, cum ar fi utilizarea de stocuri pentru a bloca acuzațiile de cavalerie și focul organizat, rotativ al Arquebusiers. Cu toate acestea, bursa recentă sugerează că pot exista factori suplimentari care au contribuit la rezultat. În ciuda dezbaterii în curs de desfășurare a motivelor precise ale înfrângerii Takeda, este bine recunoscut impactul armelor de joc, inclusiv rolul lor în moartea notabilului general Takeda, Yamagata Masakage. Această bătălie nu numai că exemplifică trecerea de la lupta samurai clasică la tehnici de război mai contemporane, dar marchează și un moment semnificativ în dinamica puterii perioadei, consolidând calea lui Nobunaga către unificarea Japoniei.