Who was Toyotomi Hideyoshi? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Kinoshita Tōkichirō

Died At Age: 61

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Nene, Yodo-dono

father: Kinoshita Yaemon, Yaemon

mother: Ōmandokoro

siblings: Asahi no kata, Toyotomi Hidenaga

children: Hashiba Hidekatsu, Kobayakawa Hideaki, Prince Hachijō Toshihito, Toyotomi Hidetsugu, Toyotomi Hideyori, Tsurumatsu Toyotomi, Ukita Hideie

Born Country: Japan

Political Leaders Japanese Men

Died on: September 18, 1598

place of death: Fushimi Castle

Recommended For You

1

What was Toyotomi Hideyoshi's role in Japanese history?

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a powerful daimyo in feudal Japan who played a key role in the unification of Japan in the late 16th century.
2

How did Toyotomi Hideyoshi rise to power?

Toyotomi Hideyoshi rose to power through his military skills, political acumen, and strategic alliances with other powerful warlords in Japan.
3

What were Toyotomi Hideyoshi's accomplishments as a ruler?

Toyotomi Hideyoshi implemented land reforms, established a centralized government, and promoted cultural and economic development during his rule in Japan.
4

How did Toyotomi Hideyoshi impact Japanese society?

Toyotomi Hideyoshi's rule led to a period of stability and prosperity in Japan, contributing to the country's cultural and economic growth.
5

What was the significance of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's rule in Japanese history?

Toyotomi Hideyoshi's rule marked a turning point in Japanese history, leading to the unification of the country and laying the foundation for the peaceful Edo period that followed.

Recommended Lists:

Japanese Political Leaders

Childhood & Early Life

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was born on March 17, 1537, in then-Nakamura, Owari Province (now Nakamura-ku, Nagoya).

His biological father Yaemon, who was a foot soldier, died when Hideyoshi was seven years old, leaving him and his elder sister under the protection of their mother Ōmandokoro. He later had an adopted father named Konoe Sakihisa.

As a young man, Hideyoshi abandoned home and joined the Imagawa clan under the name Kinoshita Tōkichirō and served Matsushita Yukitsuna.

Continue Reading Below

Service under Oda Nobunaga

In 1558, Toyotomi Hideyoshi joined the Oda clan as an ashigaru under Oda Nobunaga. In 1560, he accompanied Nobunaga to the Battle of Okehazama and helped him defeat Imagawa Yoshimoto.

In 1567, he assisted Nobunaga in conquering the Inabayama Castle. His efforts helped him become one of Nobunaga’s most distinguished generals.

He then led the troops in the 1570 Battle of Anegawa and helped Nobunaga lay siege to two castles of the Asakura and Azai clans.

After victorious campaigns against the Asakura and Azai in 1573, Hideyoshi was appointed daimyō of three regions of the northern Ōmi Province.

He later participated in the Battle of Nagashino and also struggled with the Mori clan to take hold of the Chūgoku region in 1576. This was followed by his participation in the Battle of Tedorigawa in 1577, the Siege of Itami in 1579, and the Siege of Takamatsu in 1582.

Rise & Decline of Power

After Akechi Mitsuhide assassinated Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi fought Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki in 1582 where he successfully defeated him.

In 1583, he claimed victory over Shibata Katsuie, Oda clan's chief general. A year later, he fought with Nobunaga's son Oda Nobukatsu in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute. The battle was later settled in peace between the two parties.

In 1586, the Imperial court gave Hideyoshi the new clan name Toyotomi. He later conquered Shikoku and Kyūshū. His victory at the 1590 Siege of Odawara marked the end of the Sengoku period.

Continue Reading Below

In January 1592, Hideyoshi elected his nephew Hidetsugu as his heir and resigned to take the title of taikō aka retired regent. After the birth of his son a year later, he exiled Hidetsugu and commanded him to commit suicide.

In January 1597, he demanded the arrest of 26 Christians to set an example to the Japanese citizens who wished to convert to Christianity. These “26 Martyrs of Japan” were executed in February by public crucifixion.

First Invasion Campaign against Korea

After Korea rejected Japan’s request of granting them an unprotested passage into China, Toyotomi Hideyoshi decided to invade Korea.

His first campaign started in 1592 when he sent field marshal Ukita Hideie to the Korean peninsula. His forces soon occupied much of Korea, eventually compelling the Korean King Seonjo of Joseon to escape to Uiju.

In 1593, the Wanli Emperor of Ming China sent his forces to block the Japanese invasion of China and eventually destroyed Japan's entire navy, thus shattering Hideyoshi’s dream to conquer China.

Second Invasion Campaign against Korea

A few years after the first invasion, Hideyoshi ordered Kobayakawa Hideaki to commence the second campaign against Korea. Although their army turned back several Chinese officers in Suncheon and Sacheon in 1598, this campaign was less successful as compared to the first invasion.

While Hideyoshi's clash in Sacheon was a major victory, all the three parties to the war, including Korea, were exhausted.

Family & Personal Life

Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s first wife was Nene. He later married Yodo-dono with whom he had two children, including Toyotomi Hideyori and Toyotomi Tsurumatsu.

Continue Reading Below

He had several other wives and concubines, including Minami-dono with whom he had a daughter Hashiba Hidekatsu. Hideyoshi also had several adopted children, including Oda Nobunaga’s children Hashiba Hidekatsu and Toyotomi Takahiro.

Death & Aftermath

On September 18, 1598, Toyotomi Hideyoshi died at the age of 61.

Following his death, a few of his Council of Five Regents, including his top generals, Fukushima Masanori and Katō Kiyomasa, sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu.

His son and designated successor Hideyori lost the powers of his father to Ieyasu, who was declared the shōgun after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.

Facts About Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a famous Japanese warlord, was known for his love of tea ceremonies and often invited guests to partake in them at his lavishly decorated tea houses.

Hideyoshi was a skilled negotiator and diplomat, known for his ability to forge alliances and maintain peace between rival factions in Japan during his rule.

He was also an avid patron of the arts and supported the development of traditional Japanese arts such as Noh theater and tea ceremony during his reign.

Hideyoshi is remembered for his unique sense of style, often wearing extravagant and colorful clothing that set him apart from other samurai of his time.

In addition to his military prowess, Hideyoshi was also known for his keen intellect and strategic thinking, which helped him rise from humble origins to become one of the most powerful rulers in Japanese history.

Cultural Legacy

Toyotomi Hideyoshi reformed the Japanese society in several ways. He imposed restriction on travel and conducted surveys of land.

Upon taking control, he ordered all peasants to be disarmed completely and samurais to take up residence in the castle towns. This reformation solidified Japan’s social class system for the next three centuries.

His decision to conduct a complete census of Japan formed the base for systematic taxation.

In 1590, Hideyoshi got the Osaka Castle fully constructed. He also banned slavery the same year.

Later in his life, he ordered the construction of the Golden Tea Room.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi Biography

You wanted to know

What was Toyotomi Hideyoshi's role in Japanese history?

How did Toyotomi Hideyoshi rise to power?

What were Toyotomi Hideyoshi's accomplishments as a ruler?

How did Toyotomi Hideyoshi impact Japanese society?

What was the significance of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's rule in Japanese history?