Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Toyotomi Hideyoshi on his horse with his unique helmet. Photo Source Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was one of the greatest rulers of Japan during the Sengoku period. He was born in the early 1500s to a humble family. He worked as a servant boy for Lord Oda Nobunaga, the great unifier of Japan.  

Hideyoshi worked his way up the military ranks. He was admired for his political expertise and his ability to mobilize the masses. His role in Japan’s unification and growth is honored to date in present-day Japan.

Toyotomi had a knack for poetry, and art, and achieved a great fete in being a self-taught poem writer. He had several nicknames throughout his life but the family name of Toyotmi remained consistent.

1. There is Little To No Information On Hideyoshi’s Early Life

Hideyoshi was born in Nakamura Ward in 1538, nearly 80 years into the Sengoku period. Majority of the documentation of Hideyoshi’s life appears in documents and letters dated late 1500s.  Though little is known of his family, it is certain he came from a humble background.

2. Hideyoshi Left His Home To Work As A Foot-Soldier

Despite being born to peasant parents in an impoverished home, Toyotomi Hideyoshi found his way out of poverty and managed to make a name for himself. He left his home at a young age to pursue his ambitions of becoming a Japanese samurai.

Hideyoshi worked as a pageboy for the Daimyo’s retainer before going back to his home as Nobunaga’s foot soldier. Hideyoshi’s vibrant personality, adept tactical and military skills created an opportunity for him to make a name for himself. He earned an upgrade to samurai, servants of the official military retainers of the Daimyo.

3. His Leadership Unified More Than 200 Daimyos  

Hideyoshi’s reign was characterized by territorial reforms to unify Japan. Hideyoshi’s predecessor, Nobunaga, had worked hard to unify Japan’s provinces into one country. This was after a feudal conflict that lasted for more than two centuries.

Hideyoshi became a key part of Japan’s unification after his appointment as the chief minister of Japan. He was the head of the alliance of Daimyos which consisted of more than 200 Japanese leaders. He initiated collaboration among these leaders through alliances.

 4. He Was A Driver Of Socio-political Reforms

Portrait of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Photo By Kanō Mitsunobu – Wikimedia Commons

Hideyoshi was renowned for his brilliance in the battlefield and in the political boardroom. He made groundbreaking political and social reforms throughout Japan. These played a huge role in the drive for the unification of Japan during his reign.

Hideyoshi passed policies prohibiting civilians from bearing arms. Furthermore, he confiscated weapons that were under possession by his citizens. He also embarked on the destruction of the existing castles in a bid to reduce their numerous numbers.  

5. Hideyoshi Was The Initiator Of The Shi-No-Ko-Sho System

Japanese Warrior in Armor. Photo By National Museum of Denmark – Wikimedia Commons

Japan was a thriving economy before Hideyoshi but it lacked order and organization. Hideyoshi was committed to establishing order and bringing development to Japan.

During his reign, Hideyoshi introduced the rigid Shi-No-Ko-Sho caste system. It created rigid separations between warriors (shi), farmers (no), artisans(ko), and tradesmen(sho), who lived in separate areas.

The system created class distinctions that were guided by economic activities and careers that citizens took up that is children born into families of warriors would carry on as warriors and were not allowed to become tradesmen and vice versa.

6. He Introduced The Traditional Tea Ceremony

Toyotomi Hideyoshi is credited with the establishment of modern Japanese cultures and ceremonies. One of the most monumental ones is the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Toyotomi and Sen no Rikyu came up with the classical ceremony as a celebration of their adoration for the beverage.

Hideyoshi established the golden tea ceremony room where citizens, lords, and leaders would converge for the traditional tea ceremony. The ceremony features both the preparation and drinking of tea with special utensils and uses specific procedures.

The tradition has changed over time and has been modernized even though it retains basic ancient traditional principles.

 7. The Azuchi- Momoyama Period Was Named After One of Hideyoshi’s Castles

View of Fushimi Momoyama Castle. Photo By Luka Peternel – Wikimedia Commons

Toyotomi Hideyoshi had an ambitious vision for a unified Japan. Initially, Hideyoshi led the destruction of castles in an effort to quell rebellions and reduce the strength of feudal families and rebel provinces. However, after establishing a stronghold on Japan and successfully unifying it, he was keen on demonstrating his power.

Hideyoshi built numerous castles during his reign, all of which were and still remain to be architectural masterpieces. Given his love for arts and culture, Hideyoshi adorned his castles with art pieces and artifacts from Japan and other parts of the world.

Some of the castles built during his reign include Osaka castle, which was the centre of his power, Himeji Castle, Fushimi (Golden Place), Momoyama Castle. The Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568 -1600) was named after Momoyama Castle

8. He Contributed To The Development Of The Japanese Porcelain Industry

Hideyoshi’s policy changes increased the trading of goods. One of the most important policies was the abolition of roadblocks and territorial taxes which boosted trade by easing transport.

 Several policies were passed to ease taxes on local businesses in a bid to build the country’s manufacturing sector. The porcelain industry was impacted the most having the biggest benefits of this initiative

9. Hideyoshi Has Numerous Literature Works On His Achievements As Daimyo

Pile of books. Photo By Michal Jarmoluk- Pixabay

Hideyoshi’s impact on economic development and unifying Japan earned him historic recognition as one of the country’s most influential leaders of the Sengoku period. Songs, poems, and books have been written about his reign and his achievements. Furthermore, a temple was built to honor his role in the unification of Japan and growth of Buddhism in the nation.

 10. Hideyoshi’s Family All Committed Suicide In Their Residential Castle

Despite Hideyoshi’s achievements as a leader and a warrior, the same cannot be said about his son. After Hideyoshi’s untimely death, power was handed over to his juvenile son who led the country through proxies.

When power was handed over to him, the responsibilities became too overwhelming. With rising discontent among citizens and conflicts between feudal families, new leaders began to challenge his rule. The hostile citizens surrounded their castle as a form of rebellion. Unable to escape the people’s wrath, Hideyoshi’s remaining family all committed suicide.