🎎History of Japan Unit 5 – Azuchi–Momoyama Period (1568–1600)

Key Events and Timeline

• Oda Nobunaga begins the unification of Japan in 1568 after seizing Kyoto and installing Ashikaga Yoshiaki as a puppet shogun
• Nobunaga defeats the Azai and Asakura clans in 1570 at the Battle of Anegawa, consolidating his power in central Japan
• In 1573, Nobunaga overthrows the Ashikaga shogunate, ending the Muromachi period and beginning the Azuchi-Momoyama period
• Nobunaga builds Azuchi Castle in 1576, which becomes a symbol of his power and influence
• Akechi Mitsuhide, a general under Nobunaga, betrays him in 1582 in the Honnō-ji Incident, leading to Nobunaga's death
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Nobunaga's most successful generals, avenges his death and continues the unification process
• Hideyoshi completes the unification of Japan in 1590 after defeating the Hōjō clan in the Siege of Odawara
• In 1592 and 1597, Hideyoshi launches invasions of Korea (Imjin War) in an attempt to conquer Ming China, but both campaigns end in failure

Political Landscape

• The Azuchi-Momoyama period marks the transition from the decentralized feudal system of the Sengoku period to a centralized government under powerful warlords
• Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi work to eliminate rival daimyō (feudal lords) and unify Japan under their control
• Nobunaga introduces the "Rakuichi-rakuza" policy, which abolishes toll booths and market taxes, promoting free commerce and weakening the power of local lords
• Hideyoshi implements the "Sword Hunt" in 1588, confiscating weapons from peasants and religious institutions to prevent uprisings and consolidate power
• The "Land Survey" (Taikō Kenchi) conducted by Hideyoshi in the 1580s helps to standardize land measurement and taxation, strengthening central control over the domains
• Hideyoshi's "Class Separation Edict" in 1591 solidifies the social hierarchy, prohibiting social mobility between the warrior, peasant, artisan, and merchant classes
• After Hideyoshi's death in 1598, a power struggle ensues between his son Toyotomi Hideyori and Tokugawa Ieyasu, leading to the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600

Major Historical Figures

• Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582): A powerful daimyō who initiates the unification of Japan and introduces innovative military tactics and weapons
  • Known for his strategic brilliance and ruthlessness in eliminating rivals
  • Patronizes European missionaries and traders, introducing Christianity and Western technology to Japan
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598): Nobunaga's successor who completes the unification of Japan and implements significant social and economic reforms
  • Born a peasant, Hideyoshi rises through the ranks to become the most powerful man in Japan
  • Launches invasions of Korea in an attempt to conquer Ming China
• Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616): A powerful daimyō who becomes the first Tokugawa shogun after defeating Toyotomi Hideyori at the Battle of Sekigahara
  • Establishes the Tokugawa shogunate, which rules Japan for over 250 years during the Edo period
• Sen no Rikyū (1522-1591): A renowned tea master who elevates the tea ceremony (chanoyu) to a high art form and influences Japanese aesthetics
• Akechi Mitsuhide (1528-1582): A general under Oda Nobunaga who betrays him in the Honnō-ji Incident, leading to Nobunaga's death

Cultural Developments

• The tea ceremony (chanoyu) evolves into a refined art form, emphasizing simplicity, rusticity, and spirituality (wabi-sabi aesthetic)
  • Sen no Rikyū establishes the principles of the tea ceremony and influences the development of related arts such as pottery and calligraphy
• Nanban (Southern Barbarian) culture introduces Western influences to Japan through trade with Portuguese and Spanish merchants
  • Christian missionaries, such as the Jesuit Francis Xavier, arrive in Japan and convert a significant number of Japanese to Catholicism
  • European firearms (arquebuses) are introduced and quickly adopted by Japanese warlords, revolutionizing warfare
• Kabuki theater emerges as a popular form of entertainment, featuring elaborate costumes, makeup, and stylized performances
• The Kano school of painting, which combines Chinese ink painting techniques with Japanese aesthetics, gains prominence under the patronage of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi
• Rakugo, a form of comic storytelling, develops during this period, entertaining audiences with humorous tales and social commentary

Economic Changes

• The "Rakuichi-rakuza" policy implemented by Oda Nobunaga abolishes toll booths and market taxes, promoting free commerce and weakening the power of local lords
  • This policy encourages the growth of castle towns and the development of a money-based economy
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi's "Land Survey" (Taikō Kenchi) standardizes land measurement and taxation, increasing the efficiency of tax collection and strengthening central control over the domains
• The growth of castle towns and the rise of the merchant class lead to the development of new financial instruments, such as promissory notes and credit systems
• Improved transportation infrastructure, including roads and bridges, facilitates the movement of goods and people, contributing to economic growth
• The introduction of European firearms (arquebuses) stimulates the growth of the domestic arms industry, with many craftsmen specializing in the production of guns and related equipment
• Agricultural productivity increases due to the introduction of new crops (sweet potatoes) and improved farming techniques, supporting population growth and urbanization

Military Advancements

• The introduction of European firearms (arquebuses) revolutionizes Japanese warfare, with many warlords quickly adopting the new technology
  • Oda Nobunaga is one of the first to effectively use firearms in battle, employing them in combination with traditional weapons and tactics
• Castle architecture evolves to incorporate new defensive features, such as stone walls and multi-layered defenses, in response to the increased use of firearms
  • Azuchi Castle, built by Oda Nobunaga, becomes a model for castle construction during this period
• The use of infantry units armed with long spears (nagae yari) becomes more prevalent, as they prove effective against cavalry charges
• Naval warfare becomes increasingly important, with the development of large ships (atakebune) equipped with cannons and the use of naval blockades in siege warfare
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea (Imjin War) in 1592 and 1597 showcase the advanced military capabilities of the Japanese army, although both campaigns ultimately end in failure

Art and Architecture

• Castle architecture reaches new heights during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, with the construction of grand, ornate castles that serve as symbols of power and prestige
  • Azuchi Castle, built by Oda Nobunaga, features a seven-story keep and extensive gold leaf decoration, setting a new standard for castle design
  • Osaka Castle, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, is renowned for its impressive stone walls and massive central keep
• The Kano school of painting, which combines Chinese ink painting techniques with Japanese aesthetics, gains prominence under the patronage of powerful warlords
  • Kano Eitoku (1543-1590) is a leading artist of the school, known for his large-scale, gold-leafed screen paintings (kinpeki shōhekiga)
• Tea ceremony aesthetics (wabi-sabi) influence the design of tea rooms, gardens, and related objects, emphasizing simplicity, rusticity, and imperfection
  • Sen no Rikyū's tea room designs feature small, intimate spaces with minimal decoration, reflecting the spiritual and philosophical aspects of the tea ceremony
• Momoyama-style architecture, characterized by the use of shoin-zukuri (study-style) elements and the incorporation of nature into building design, emerges during this period
  • The Ninomaru Palace at Nijō Castle in Kyoto is a prime example of Momoyama-style architecture, featuring lavish decorations and a harmonious integration with the surrounding garden

Legacy and Impact

• The unification of Japan under Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi lays the foundation for the Tokugawa shogunate, which rules Japan for over 250 years during the Edo period
  • The political stability and economic growth achieved during the Azuchi-Momoyama period contribute to the development of a vibrant urban culture and the flourishing of arts and literature in the Edo period
• The introduction of Christianity during this period, although later suppressed during the Edo period, leaves a lasting impact on Japanese culture and intellectual history
  • Some Japanese words (pan for bread) and cultural practices (tempura) have their origins in the interaction with European missionaries and traders
• The military innovations and castle architecture developed during the Azuchi-Momoyama period influence Japanese warfare and aesthetics for centuries to come
• The tea ceremony and related arts, refined during this period, become an integral part of Japanese culture and continue to be practiced and admired to this day
• The social and economic reforms implemented by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, such as the "Class Separation Edict," shape the structure of Japanese society and contribute to the development of a strong samurai class identity
• The cultural exchange with Europe during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, known as the Nanban trade, introduces new technologies, ideas, and artistic styles to Japan, enriching its cultural heritage