Toyotomi Hideyoshi: The Unifier and the History of Owari

　Toyotomi Hideyoshi became the unifier of Japan within his lifetime. As the subject of numerous television dramas and novels, his tumultuous life has come to be widely known. It is said that Hideyoshi’s birthplace was Nakamura in the former Owari Province (present-day Nakamura Ward, Nagoya), but Hideyoshi’s connection to Owari is not limited to his birth there. Examining the history of Owari during the era when Hideyoshi was alive, it is clear that he continued to be involved with this place throughout his life, attaching great political importance to it. Many places and legends associated with Hideyoshi remain in the vicinity of the present-day city of Nagoya, conveying the strong connection he had to this area.
　This exhibit presents materials that the Nagoya City Museum has put a great deal of effort into collecting over the years, with a focus on those related to Owari during the Sengoku (Warring States) period as we trace Hideyoshi’s life (1537–1598), especially his connection to Owari.

　It is believed that Toyotomi Hideyoshi was born in 1537. However, no documents exist from that time that can confirm this. Regarding the question of where Hideyoshi was born, since the 17th century there have been a number of theories stating he was born in places including Nakamura, Kayazu, and Kiyosu in Owari Province, Mino Province, or Omi Province. In recent years, research has been advanced by undertaking comparative analysis of historical writings and oral traditions emerged after Hideyoshi’s death, leading to the current accepted theory that he was born in Nakamura, Owari Province (present-day Nakamura Ward, Nagoya). Thus Hideyoshi’s life story begins in Nakamura, Owari Province.

　Hideyoshi began serving Oda Nobunaga while in his twenties. Under Nobunaga, Hideyoshi gained experience through a variety of tasks and honed his skills. Hideyoshi then took on a central role amongst Nobunaga’s group of vassals. After Nobunaga’s death during the Honnoji Incident, Hideyoshi put to use what he had learned and the relationships he had forged during his days as a vassal, fighting in numerous battles to work toward the unification of Japan. In this chapter, we will introduce Hideyoshi’s achievements as a vassal of Nobunaga and also focus on the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute and the Odawara Campaign, which were important turning points in Hideyoshi’s life after Nobunaga had died.

　After the Honnoji Incident, Oda Nobukatsu had become the lord of Owari Province, but Hideyoshi’s influence had strengthened considerably through his undertaking of the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute. Upon the unification of Japan, Hideyoshi installed his nephew Hidetsugu as the lord of Owari while still participating in its rule and management. Furthermore, after Hidetsugu lost his position, Hideyoshi took half of Owari Province under his direct jurisdiction and remained actively involved in its governance under the new lord, Fukushima Masanori.This chapter will look back on the changes Owari Province underwent during this period and investigate how Hideyoshi ruled this place after becoming Japan’s unifier.

　Hideyoshi passed away in the 8th month of 1598 and was enshrined at Toyokuni Shrine in Kyoto, becoming an object of worship for the people. When Tokugawa Ieyasu was victorious at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, his fourth son Tadayoshi became lord of Owari Province, beginning generations of rule there by the Tokugawa clan. However, even now, more than 400 years after Hideyoshi’s death, historical sites and legends about him remain in and around Nagoya. We will introduce the people of Owari’s treasured connection to Hideyoshi that has been passed down through the ages.