The History of~The Sengoku Jidai (Part 6: Tokugawa's Achievement)

The history of Japan is soaked in the blood of some of the most toughest and most daring warriors during it's over 100,000 year history, and that history is known as the "Sengoku Jidai" (period of Warring States).

This is the final part of the 6-page series of the Sengoku Jidai. In this Page, we talk about Ieyasu Tokugawa, the man who would unify Japan, by sabotaging the instability of the counsel that formed after Hideyoshi's death.

Note: This is just an oversimplified version of Tokugawa, if you want to know about him in more detail, just click here

## Tokugawa's previous work

Ieyasu Tokugawa, since becoming a commander in 1558, he has also seen some huge battles during the latter part of the Sengoku Jidai. Like nobunaga and Hideyoshi, Ieyasu would also fight in the Battle of Okehazama in 1560 (though on the losing side), the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, and the Siege of Odawars Castle in 1590. He would also fight some of battles of his own by capturing Yoshida Castle in 1570 (and became the Daimyo of Mikawa, his home province), though he would lose to the Takeda Clan in the Battle of Mikatagahara in 1573. By the 1580s, Ieyasu would also go through ersonal tragedies as his wife (Lady Tsukiyami) and his son (Nobuyasu) for an alleged attempt on Nobunaga, Ieyasu's wife was executed and Nobuyasu was forced to commit seppuku. As Hideyoshi began his campaign for Korea, Ieyasu ordered a construction of a castle in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and began to tighten his grip on power.

## Inner squabbles and rivalry with Mitsunari

After Hideyoshi's death on September 18, 1598, the counsel of the 5 elders was formed and vowed to work together to keep Japan unified and take care of Hideyoshi's 5 year old son; Hideyori until he comes of age and take his father's place. Ieyasu was one of these 5 elders. But, Ieyasu had his own agenda for Japan, due to his reputation for being a patient strategist (giving him the nickname "The Old Badger") he waited and carefully plotted his chance to claim all what Hideyoshi and Nobunaga had won.

Ieyasu had to face tough competition from his fellow elders, namely Hideyoshi's loyal minister; Mitsunari Ishida. Ieyasu knew that it wouldn't be long until they discover Ieyasu's plans.

In secret, Ieyasu used political negotiations and even formed alliances through marriage and was largely successful (especially with clans not wanting to be loyal to the Toyotomi). When Toshiie Maeda died, Ieyasu saw this as an opportunity to strike. He led an army to Kyoto and took Fushimi Castle, and he also took Osaka Castle too.

When Mistunari learned of this, he ordered an assassination attempt on Ieyasu, when Ieyasu's loyal generals discovered this, this when they tried to "turn the tables" on Mitsunari, but Mitsunari managed to flee, and (oddly enough) seeked aid from his political rival Ieyasu, under one condition; flee to his province of Sawayama and never return, Mitsunari complies.........................for now.

By 1600 (the turn of the 17th century), Ieyasu led an army to fight and defeat the Uesugi Clan. Upon hearing of this, Mitsunari would come back and led an army to re-take the Emperor's Fushimi Castle, Ieyasu would mobilize troops, but was too late.

This event would force Ieyasu open up a can of Scat-Man John and remove all opposition to his power. this would lead to the largest Samurai battle in Japanese history; the Battle of Sekigahara.

## Battle of Sekigahara

In middle to late 1600, Ieyasu decides to split up his forces as they march towards the west in hopes to face Mitsunari's forces as well as other clans loyal to the Toyotomi. He would lead his forces along the south, while his son (Hidetada) would led the rest of Ieyasu's forces along the north.

In late October, Ieyasu would arrive at the valley point called Sekigahara which was the point where all of the main roads in Japan met. On the night of October 20, Ieyasu waited for Hidetada to arrive with the rest of his forces.

On the morning of October 21, a light rain and a thick fog bellowed the valley. Ieyasu still intended to wait until Hidetada arrived as Ieyasu's forces were outnumbered by Mitsunari's (with 50,000 men on Ieyasu's side challenging Mitsunari's 85,000). But as the morning went on and the fog lifted, the 2 forces were close to each other, Ieyasu was forced to mobilize his troops. This would be the largest battle of Samurai in the history of Japan.

For hours, the 2 forces fought each other, the Western Army would gain the upper hand at some point, and then surround the Eastern Army, this would force Ieyasu to order his forces to fire on another force led by Hideaki (one of Hideyoshi's nephews) who is on top of Mt. Matsuo. This would make Hideaki make a decision, order his forces to attack...............................the Western Army. The Western Army would force Hideaki's forces to retreat to Mt. Matsuo, but this would prompt other Daimyo that were fighting for the Western Army, to turn on Mitsunari. Within a few hours, Ieyasu's Eastern Army would defeat the Western Army, and the battle would be won.

## The true final battle

Around 3 years after the Battle of Sekigahara, and recognizing Ieyasu's victories, the Japanese Emperor has finally decided to bestow the title of Shogun on Ieyasu. The Tokugawa Clan were now Japan's most powerful clan and in control of all military matters. Eventually Ieyasu would pass the title of Shogun to his son Hidetada. With this, all fighting in Japan seized. The Edo Period has begun.

This will conclude the 6-page wiki..........

Woah, woah, wait a minute. I almost forgot something.

Some historians believe that the Sengoku Jidai ended after the Battle of Sekigahara. But, there would be a pause in the fighting for 15-years after Sekigahara, and that is because of Hideyoshi's son, Hideyori who will eventually come of age, and with Ieyasu wanting to eradicate all opposition to his power, and Hideyori was his biggest threat due to his lineage and other clans that remain loyal to the Toyotmi. Knowing of this, Ieyasu and his son Hidetada set out for Osaka.

## The Siege of Osaka Castle

In 1614, Ieyasu and Hidetada led an army to Osaka to fight against Hideyori after failed attempts to order Hideyori to flee from his ancestral castle. By the time Tokugawa's army arrived at Osaka, it was winter, so Tokugawa's army had to settle in for a siege, Ieyasu tried again to plea to Hideyori to call of his forces and flee, still Hideyori refuses.

By the Spring, Ieyasu sent a female agent to send Ieyasu's final plea (which, according to legend Ieyasu signed it in blood), but what Hideyori and his forces don't realize that it was a diversion to allow Ieyasu's forces to bring in dirt and sand to fill in the huge moats that surround Osaka Castle. By the Summer of 1615, the moats were filled in and the caste was attacked, Ieyasu's 155,000 men stormed the castle, and it was a massacre, everybody in the castle were killed.

The castle was then set on fire, and as the flames burned all around him, Hideyori had no other choice but to commit seppuku.

Hideyori's defeat at Osaka Castle has also cemented the power of the Tokugawa Clan, and thus the Sengoku Jidai has ended. An age of peace will begin for Japan.

This will conclude the 6-page wiki series of the Sengoku Jidai don't forget to check out my Games and Movies wikis as well. Until next time, this is JohnnyOTGS signing out.