The Sengoku Period lasted from the late 15th century to the late 16th century. Eventually, powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga expelled the Ashikaga Shoguns. After Nobunaga’s death, his retainer Toyotomi Hideyoshi took over, was granted the title of regent and taiko by the Imperial Court, and ruled the entire country, ushering in the Azuchi-Momoyama Period.
After Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s death, the warlords Tokugawa Ieyasu, who gained the greatest power, and his rival Ishida Mitsunari, drew in daimyo from across the nation and clashed in battle at Sekigahara in Gifu Prefecture on October 21, 1600. Tokugawa Ieyasu, victorious in the battle, was granted the title of Seii Taishogun in 1603 and established the Edo shogunate, centered on present-day Tokyo.
The Edo Shogunate, established after many years of civil war, adopted policies that emphasized social stability over freedom, restricting freedom of occupation and solidifying the class system.
The daimyo who ruled over various regions were required to have their families live in Edo, and the daimyo themselves were required to take turns living in Edo for set periods of time, under rules such as “sankin-kotai.” Each daimyo commuted to Edo Castle from a relatively small “kamiyashiki” (upper residence) near the castle, and also established a secondary residence, “shimoyashiki,” a short distance away.
Furthermore, in order to prevent intervention from overseas, Christianity was banned and a policy of national isolation was adopted, prohibiting any contact with other countries.
As a result, peaceful days continued within Japan, many cultures flourished, and the country was called the “age of peace.” However, Japan fell far behind in the fields of science and technology (especially in the military field) and global trends.
★Minato Ward in this era
⇒Genna Christian Ruins(site of the martyrdom of Christians executed by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1623)
⇒Korinji Temple (founded in Azabu-Yamachi in 1678, moved to its current location in 1694)
⇒Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park(Shimoyashiki Residence of the Nambu Clan of Morioka Domain)