Toyotomi Hideyoshi
- Born:
- February 2, 1537 (traditional Japanese date: Tenshō 5, 1st month, 1st day), Nakamura, Owari Province, Japan
- Died:
- September 18, 1598 (traditional Japanese date: Keichō 3, 8th month, 18th day), Fushimi Castle, Kyoto, Japan
- Nationality:
- Japanese
- Profession(s):
- Daimyo, Regent (Kampaku), Chancellor of the Realm (Taikō)
Early Life and Education
- Born to a peasant family with the given name Kinoshita Tōkichirō.
- Lacked formal education due to his low social status.
- Early life involved various menial jobs and wanderings.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his military career as a low-ranking foot soldier under Oda Nobunaga.
- Rose through the ranks due to his strategic acumen and tactical skills.
- Played a crucial role in Oda Nobunaga's campaigns to unify Japan.
- Succeeded Nobunaga after his assassination in 1582.
- Completed the unification of Japan by 1590, ending the Sengoku period.
- Implemented land surveys (kenchi) and social reforms, including the separation of samurai from farmers.
- Launched two unsuccessful invasions of Korea (Imjin War).
- Initiated castle construction projects, most notably Osaka Castle.
Notable Works
- Consolidated power and established a centralized government.
- Implemented policies affecting land ownership, social class, and military organization.
- Patronized the arts, especially tea ceremony.
Legacy and Impact
Toyotomi Hideyoshi left a lasting impact on Japan, solidifying the country's unification and laying the groundwork for the Edo period. His reforms significantly altered the social and economic landscape. Students examining toyotomi hideyoshi biography summary graphic organizers often focus on the scope and scale of his impact, particularly how a peasant could rise to such power. His Korean invasions, however, remain a controversial aspect of his legacy.