Text: Bi Changfeng's miscellaneous diary
Editor: Bi Changfeng's Miscellaneous Diary
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During Japan's Sengoku period (1467-1568), various lord families competed for power, and powerful lords expanded their spheres of influence through military power and strategy.
During this chaotic period, Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) rose to prominence and became a high-profile figure. Oda Nobunaga was born in Owari Province (present-day Aichi Prefecture), known for his intelligence, courage and decisiveness, and outstanding leadership skills.
Oda Nobunaga and the background of the Sengoku period
Japan's Sengoku period was a turbulent and conflict-ridden period, from the ninja murder in 1467 to the unification of Japan by Oda Nobunaga in 1568, a period known as the Sengoku period.
The political and social environment of this period was extremely complex, with the decline of the central government and the rise of local lords, with continual competition for power and territory between various lord families.
Japanese society was divided into separate forces, each with military power and local rule. Lords expanded their sphere of influence through war, marriage, and diplomacy. This constant conflict and competition has led to long-term war and instability, while also promoting the development of military technology and strategy.
Oda Nobunaga rose to prominence during this chaotic Sengoku period. He was born into a family of local lords in Owari Province (present-day Aichi Prefecture), but with his ingenuity and decisiveness, he achieved remarkable political and military achievements.
Oda Nobunaga used war and marriage tactics to gradually expand his power. He led armies to conquer surrounding territories while increasing his influence through diplomacy with other powers. Oda Nobunaga's strategy included the rational use of ninjas, the adoption of surprise tactics, and the implementation of reforms to improve combat effectiveness.
Oda Nobunaga also built a strong support network through marriages with other forces. His political skills allowed him to establish good relations with other powerful lords and gradually made the Oda family one of the most powerful forces of Japan's Sengoku period.
Oda Nobunaga implemented a series of important policies and reforms during his reign to stabilize and consolidate his power. He adopted an enlightened style of rule, focusing on promoting economic development and the restoration of social order.
Oda Nobunaga implemented a policy of land consolidation to reduce the tax burden of farmers and improve their living standards by reducing the burden. He also encouraged the development of commerce and handicrafts, providing good conditions for economic growth. In addition, Oda Nobunaga introduced a series of military and administrative reforms to strengthen control and management of the territory.
On the military side, he focused on training and equipping his army and hired some excellent generals and strategists. He also strengthened the defense by strengthening the construction of castles and fortresses. Oda Nobunaga also advocated discipline and moral codes in the army, which improved the morale and combat effectiveness of the army.
On the administrative side, Oda Nobunaga implemented a series of reforms to strengthen the management and governance of the territory. He enforced laws and regulations to ensure the stability of social order. He also valued the development of education and culture, encouraged academic research and artistic creation, and contributed to the prosperity of Japanese culture.
Oda Nobunaga's ruling policies made him a respected leader, and his power continued to expand, gradually becoming one of the important forces of the Sengoku period. His policies and reforms had a profound impact on Japanese society and laid an important foundation for the development of Japanese history.
The history of the change of Honnoji
The Honnoji Revolution took place on June 2, 1582, and is one of the most famous events of Japan's Sengoku period. The incident took place at the Honnoji residence of Oda Nobunaga and had a profound impact on Japanese history.
The background before the incident was the expanding power of Oda Nobunaga, who achieved remarkable political and military achievements in the Sengoku period. However, because he did not clearly designate a suitable heir, disputes over succession arose.
The assassination of Oda Nobunaga was a key event in the Honnoji Revolution. During this incident, Oda Nobunaga was attacked by his own retainer, Mitsuhide Senshi.
There is much controversy about Mitsuhide's motives, but the main reason is believed to be dissatisfaction and ambition towards Oda Nobunaga. Mitsuhide hoped to seize power and become the ruler of Japan himself. Taking advantage of the alliance meeting between Oda Nobunaga and other lords, he raided the residence of Honnoji Temple and provoked a fierce battle.
During this attack, Oda Nobunaga was trapped inside Honnoji Temple and eventually chose suicide instead of being captured. He chose to commit suicide by seppuku to avoid becoming a prisoner of the enemy and maintain the dignity of a samurai.
The change of Honnoji Temple had a huge impact on the political situation in Japan. The death of Oda Nobunaga split his power, triggering a larger dispute over succession. This led to the decline of the Oda family and the formation of a power vacuum, with various families and forces beginning to fight for power.
Secondly, the change of Honnoji Temple also exacerbated the chaos and turmoil of the Sengoku period. Conflicts and wars broke out between the various forces, and Japan fell into a period of greater turmoil. This period is known as the "Sengoku period after the change of Honnoji" and lasted for several years.
Initiation of inheritance issues
The death of Oda Nobunaga raised the issue of succession because he did not clearly designate a suitable heir. After his death, fierce rivalry and divisions arose within the Oda family. Different family members and important generals wanted to take control of the Oda family.
The lack of a clear designation of heirs led to a power vacuum, with various forces and families attempting to compete for the Oda family's inheritance and power through political and military means.
After Oda Nobunaga's death, forces across Japan began competing for territory and power over the Oda family. Among the most famous rivalry forces include Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu and Mitsuhide Tomori.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi was an important general of Oda Nobunaga, who used his military power and political skills to gradually seize the territory and power of the Oda family. He played an important role in the question of succession after Oda Nobunaga's death, eventually becoming a key figure in the unification of Japan.
Tokugawa Ieyasu was another important contending power, he was an ally and important general of Oda Nobunaga. Through ingenious diplomacy and military strategy, he managed to maintain his power and eventually established the Edo shogunate after the unification of Japan.
Mitsuhide Senshi was a retainer of Oda Nobunaga, who attacked Oda Nobunaga during the Honnoji Revolution. Although Mitsuhide initially demonstrated great military might, he ultimately failed to take control of the Oda family and was defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Members of the Oda Nobunaga family wanted to inherit the power of the Oda family and continue the blood of the Oda family. There are complex family relationships and conflicts of interest between them.
They wanted to maintain their position and power in the Oda family while gaining greater influence and wealth. They may support different family members or candidates in order to seek to maximize their own interests.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi was one of the most influential contending forces. As an important general of Oda Nobunaga, Hideyoshi used his talents and military power to actively participate in the struggle for succession. He employed a variety of strategies, including diplomacy, alliances, and war, and eventually succeeded in bringing the territory and power of the Oda family under his control.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, another important contending power, showed his ingenuity and military prowess in succession issues. He skillfully balanced the forces, maintained his neutrality, and gradually expanded his influence through cooperation and transactions with other forces.
In the end, Tokugawa Ieyasu gained a relatively solid position in succession issues and established the Edo shogunate after the unification of Japan.
The outbreak of war
In the war, cities and territories became the focus of contention. Many battles and campaigns broke out between the different forces, including siege battles, territorial battles, and large-scale military confrontations.
Some important battle events include key battles between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, such as the Battle of Sekigahara and Osaka Natsunojin. Different forces adopted various strategies and tactics to compete for territory and power during the war.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi adopted a strategy of concentrating forces and attacking quickly, using his military might to quickly conquer large swathes of territory and consolidate his dominance through clever diplomacy and policy.
Tokugawa Ieyasu adopted a prudent strategy, maintaining relative neutrality in the war while forging alliances with other powers to protect his own power and interests. He excelled in using espionage and espionage activities, as well as defensive and counterattack tactics, and eventually won the Battle of Sekigahara.
Other forces also adopted their own strategies and tactics, such as Mitsuhide Senshi and others to try to change the tide of the war through surprise attacks and surprise attacks.
The war has exacerbated the decentralization and fragmentation of power, leading to long-term political instability and chaos. Battles and clashes between various forces have caused a great deal of destruction and casualties, and have had a huge negative impact on Japanese society and economy
In the end, Toyotomi Hideyoshi won the Battle of Sekigahara and became the de facto ruler of Japan, establishing the Toyotomi regime. However, soon after, Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the Toyotomi family at the Osaka Natsunojin, established his own power, established the Tokugawa shogunate, and ushered in the Edo period.
The protracted war has left people living in fear and instability. Farmland was destroyed, the economy was hit hard, social order collapsed, and the people suffered great pain and suffering.
In addition, the war also affected bushido and Sengoku culture. In wars and conflicts, the samurai class played an important role, and their loyalty, courage and fighting spirit became important characteristics in times of war.
This spirit and values of bushido left a deep imprint on Japanese history and had an impact on later Japanese culture and society.
Oda Nobunaga's death
The death of Oda Nobunaga and the ensuing war were of great significance to Japanese history. Oda Nobunaga was an important figure in the Sengoku period, and his rule and policies had a profound impact on Japanese society, politics, and culture. His death marked the end of his reign and the end of an era.
Nobunaga's sudden death plunged the family into chaos and division, unable to effectively inherit its dominance. The succession issue sparked internal strife and struggles between forces, which eventually led to the decline and dissolution of the Oda family.
For other forces, the change in Honnoji also had a significant impact. Forces such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu took advantage of the war and the weakening of the Oda family to actively expand their power and territory. They won important victories in the war, culminating in the establishment of the Toyotomi regime and the Tokugawa shogunate, bringing new rule and order to Japanese history.
The war prompted the process of Japan's reunification. Key figures such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu finally achieved the unification of Japan through war and political means, ending the long-standing division and separation of powers.
As a result of the war, Japan entered the Edo period, and the Tokugawa shogunate became the de facto ruler. The Tokugawa shogunate ensured long-term political stability by imposing strict social hierarchies, limiting the scope of samurai activities, and imposing a blockade.
This stable rule allowed Japan to experience a period of relative peace in the following centuries, promoting agriculture, commerce, and culture.
However, the shogunate's rule also brought with it certain restrictions and problems of disempowering the people. The hierarchical system of society has led to a clear division of social classes, and strict control and restrictions have limited people's freedom.
Despite some local turmoil and conflicts during the shogunate, Japan's overall political landscape was relatively stable until the modernization movement and the arrival of the Meiji Restoration in the mid-19th century.