Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Toyotomi Hideyoshi (17 March 1537 – 18 September 1598), also known as Kinoshita Tōkichirō and Hashiba Hideyoshi, was a Japanese samurai and daimyō of the late Sengoku period who is recognized as Japan's second "Great Unifier."

Hideyoshi climbed from humble beginnings as a retainer of the strong lord Oda Nobunaga to become one of Japan's most powerful men. After the Honn-ji Incident in 1582, Hideyoshi took over as Nobunaga's successor and continued Nobunaga's quest to unite Japan, which led to the end of the Sengoku period. By the mid-1580s, Hideyoshi had become the de facto leader of Japan, holding the prestigious offices of Chancellor of the Realm and Imperial Regent.

Hideyoshi conducted Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592, with initial success, but subsequent military stalemate hurt his reputation before his death in 1598. Tokugawa Ieyasu removed Hideyoshi's young son and heir Toyotomi Hideyori at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, resulting in the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Hideyoshi's reign spans the majority of Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama period, which is called after his castle, Momoyama Castle. Hideyoshi left an indelible mark on Japan, including Osaka Castle, the Tokugawa class structure, the prohibition on samurai possessing weapons, and the construction and renovation of numerous temples, some of which can still be seen in Kyoto.

Japanese name: 豊臣 秀吉

Born: February 2, 1537, in Nakamura, Owari, Japan
Died: September 18, 1598, in Fushimi Castle, Kyoto, Japan
Nickname: "Saru"

Notable battles: Siege of Inabayama, Siege of Kanegasaki, Battle of Anegawa