Japanese Culture

 I'll introduce three famous Japanese historical people, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. They dead about 400 years ago, but in Japan, there is no one in who don't know them because their existence and works have strong impact and some of their works like a castle still existing now.


 Oda Nobunaga (1534 - 1582) was a major daimyo (a genetic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in premodern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings) during the Sengoku period of Japan History. He was the third son of Oda Nobuhide, a deputy shugo (military governor) with land holding Owari province. Nobunaga lived a life of continuos military conquest, eventually conquering a third of Japanese daimyo before his death in 1582. One of a policy that he established is "Rakuichi-Rakuza" that forgive everyone to do business everywhere freely.

 Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536 - 1598) was a daimyo in the Sengoku period who unified Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. One of a policy that he established is "Katana-Gari," which prohibits farmers from having any weapons. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after his castle "Fushimi-Momoyama castle.".

 Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542 - 1616) was the founder and first shogun (military rank and historical title for hereditary commanders in chief of the armed forces of Japan) of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He established the Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the Tokugawa-Bakufu. It was feudal regime of Japan. He seized power in 1600, but remained in power until his death in 1616.

 I think the reason why most Japanese well know them is not only grateful of them and their works but also their festinating character. People love their unconventional and powerful way of life. They fascinate many people now and will keep on doing in the future.