Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the second of the Three Great Unifiers of Japan, commenced his journey as a foot-soldier and ascended through the ranks to become a samurai, military leader, statesman, and eventually the ruler of Japan.
Born in 1536 in Nakamura village (now part of Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture), Hideyoshi faced adversity from a young age. His father passed away shortly after his birth, and his mother remarried a low-ranking samurai who treated him harshly. Despite being sent to a nearby temple to train as a priest, Hideyoshi fled at the age of 15 to join Matsushita Yukitsuna's army as an ashigaru foot soldier. In 1558, he received funds to purchase armor for his master but instead bought equipment for himself, showcasing his independent spirit and resourcefulness. Back in Owari (Aichi Prefecture), he joined Oda Nobunaga's service as a sandal carrier.
Hideyoshi's ingenuity and dedication caught Nobunaga's attention. He participated in key battles such as Okehazama, Inabayama, and Anegawa, distinguishing himself as a capable warrior. When news of Nobunaga's assassination reached him during the siege of Takamatsu Castle, Hideyoshi swiftly intervened, negotiating peace and turning his forces against the traitorous Akechi Mitsuhide. He defeated Mitsuhide's army at Yamazaki and returned to Kiyosu Castle to ensure the continuity of the Oda clan's leadership.
As he governed on behalf of Nobunaga's infant grandson, Samboshi, Hideyoshi faced challenges from within the clan, notably from Nobutaka and Shibata Katsuie. However, he skillfully navigated these conflicts, consolidating his power through strategic alliances and military victories. His campaigns extended across southern Japan, standardizing currency and implementing social reforms to maintain stability.
Hideyoshi's ambitions extended beyond Japan's borders, leading to two significant campaigns in Korea. Upon his return, he found political dynamics shifting. Despite appointing regents to oversee his son Hideyori's rule, internal strife emerged, ultimately leading to civil war.
He passed away in 1598 at Fushimi Castle, leaving behind a legacy of unification and governance. Despite his modest physical stature and alleged birth defects, Hideyoshi's intellect and strategic prowess propelled him from humble beginnings to a revered figure in Japanese history.
See also
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Yasuke
Yasuke, an African page, arrived in Japan in 1579 as the attendant of the Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano. Before the arrival of the Englishman William Adams, it is thought that Yasuke was possibly the inaugural non-Japanese samurai, arriving about twenty years earlier.
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Yamanami Keisuke
Yamanami Keisuke, the second in command of the Shinsengumi, a special police force during the late Edo period, shocked many when he performed seppuku on March 20, 1865, at the age of 32.
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Yamamoto Kansuke
Yamamoto Kansuke, renowned as a samurai strategist and one of Takeda Shingen's esteemed 24 Generals, hailed from the Mikawa region, known for breeding formidable warriors. Despite physical challenges—blindness in one eye, lameness in one leg, and a malformed hand—Kansuke embarked on a warrior's pilgrimage in his twenties. Traveling across the land, he honed his skills in strategy, tactics, castle construction, and warfare, engaging in various swordsmanship schools and forms.
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Yamaga Soko
Yamaga Soko was a multifaceted figure in Japanese history, renowned as a strategist, philosopher, and scholar. Later in life, he became a ronin, leaving a significant mark on the understanding of the Tokugawa period samurai.
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William Adams - Miura Anjin
William Adams, also known as Miura Anjin, holds the distinction of being one of the few non-Japanese individuals granted samurai status. Born in Gillingham, Kent, England in 1564, Adams embarked on a remarkable journey that led him to become an influential figure in Japanese history.
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Wakisaka Yasuharu
Wakisaka Yasuharu held the position of daimyo over Awaji Island before ruling over Ozu in Iyo Province. His significance in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 cannot be overstated.
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Ukita Hideie
Ukita Hideie was born as the second son of Ukita Naoie, the ruler of Okayama Castle. Tragically, Hideie's father passed away when he was just nine years old, thrusting him into the responsibilities of leading the castle, clan, and domain. Prior to his father's demise, the Ukita clan had aligned with Oda Nobunaga. After Nobunaga's assassination during the Honno-ji Incident, Hideie remained loyal to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, whose ties were further solidified through marriage.
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Uesugi Kenshin
Uesugi Kenshin stands out as one of the most formidable daimyo of the Sengoku period, presenting the sole substantial challenge to Oda Nobunaga's quest for dominance.
