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Edo Period (1600-1868)
Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shōgunThe Edo period (江戸時代), also known as the Tokugawa period, is traditionally dated from either the year 1600 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established national military dominance...
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Oda Clan
Oda kamonThe Oda family was a military house that held influence during the Muromachi (1333-1568), Azuchi-Momoyama (1568-1600), and Edo (1600-1868) periods, rising to national prominence with the...
View ArticleOda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
Overview Origins and Lineage Establishing Control in Owari and Mino The Rise of Nobunaga... Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
View ArticleKunōzan Tōshōgū Shrine
Kunōzan Tōshōgū Shrine (久能山東照宮) is the first burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Shintō shrine is located on a steep plateau in Negoya, Suruga, a ward of Shizuoka City, and offers a spectacular view...
View ArticleToyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598)
Overview Early Years General under Nobunaga (1574-1582) Seizing Power (1582–1587)... Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598)
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The Invasions of Korea 1592, 1597
Japanese Siege of Busanjin 1592Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉, 1537-1598) launched two military campaigns against Korea, the first in 1592 and the second in 1597. The first invasion is called the Imjin War...
View ArticleTokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616)
Overview Early Years Move to Edo Rise to Shōgun Legacy... Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616)
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The Sieges of Osaka Castle
Ōsaka CastleIn 1614 and 1615, Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康, 1543-1616) launched two military campaigns that culminated in the destruction of Toyotomi Hideyori (豊臣秀頼, 1593-1615), the son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi...
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Washi Castle
Washi Castle (鷲城 Washijō) was constructed approximately 1.5 kilometres southwest of Gion Castle (祇園城 Gionjō), along the Omoi River (思川). For the Oyama clan (小山氏), which held power in the former...
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Imagawa Clan
The Imagawa akatori (今川赤鳥紋) depicts a red bird with six feathers or "teeth" and a hole at the top through which a cord could be passed. It served as the battle standard (馬印) of the Imagawa, but was...
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Imagawa Yoshimoto (1519–1560)
Portrait of Imagawa Yoshimoto at Kotoku-in (高徳院), Aichi)Imagawa Yoshimoto (今川義元, 1519–1560) was a prominent daimyō of the Sengoku period, renowned for both his military campaigns and internal...
View ArticleEchigo Beer - Japan’s First Microbrewery
While it's common knowledge that Japan's national drink is sake with the highest concentration of individual sake breweries located in Niigata, what to sip on if you're not a fan? Why, a cold frothy...
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Japanese Castles
Himeji CastleMilitary fortifications, initially constructed to defend against enemy incursions, gradually evolved with the rise of feudalism into distinctive architectural structures that functioned...
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Nambokuchō Period
The flag of the southern Imperial CourtThe Northern and Southern Courts (南北朝 Nambokuchō) refer to the two competing imperial courts that coexisted in Japan between 1336 and 1392, each asserting its...
View ArticleKemmu Restoration
The Kemmu Restoration (建武の中興), a brief and ambitious attempt to revive direct imperial rule in Japan, was initiated by Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇, 1288–1339) in the aftermath of the fall of the Kamakura...
View ArticleThe Ōnin War (1467-1477)
The Ōnin War (応仁の乱), which broke out in Kyōto in 1467 and continued until 1477, was named after the Ōnin era (応仁, 1467–69) during which it began. This conflict effectively marked the end of the fragile...
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Abandoned and Empty: Niigata’s Aki-ya Problem
Perhaps you've driven by them, walked past them or even lived next to one without realizing it, but they're there: one of the many aki-ya, or empty-houses, that silently sit and pose a worry to...
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Hosokawa Clan
The Hosokawa (細川) were a distinguished and influential samurai family whose influence spanned from the Muromachi period (1333-1568) into the Edo period (1600-1868). Originating as a cadet branch of the...
View ArticleHosokawa Tadaoki (1563-1646)
Hosokawa Tadaoki (細川忠興, 1563–1646), also known by his artistic name Hosokawa Sansai, was a prominent daimyō of the late Sengoku and early Edo periods, distinguished not only for his military service...
View ArticleHosokawa Katsumoto (1430-1473)
Hosokawa Katsumoto (細川勝元, 1430–1473) was a prominent general of the Muromachi period (室町時代, 1333–1568) and an influential figure within the military and political hierarchy of the Ashikaga shogunate....
View ArticleHosokawa Fujitaka (1534-1610)
Hosokawa Yūsai (細川幽斎, 1534-1610), also known by his earlier name Hosokawa Fujitaka (細川藤孝), was a prominent daimyō (大名) and literary figure of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (安土桃山時代, 1568–1600). Born the...
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Hosokawa Gracia (1563-1600)
Study for "Garasha Hosokawa", Wall Painting in Tamatsukuri Cathedral, Ōsaka, by Domoto Insho (1962).Hosokawa Gracia (細川ガラシャ, 1563–1600), born as Akechi Tama (明智たま), was a Christian convert of the late...
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The Legacy of Jade: Unearthing Itoigawa’s Green Heart
Niigata is a prefecture known for its cultural depth, natural beauty—and as it turns out—precious stones that lie waiting to be discovered on its shores. In particular, jade. This beautifully lustrous...
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Japanese Swords
Kamakura-era tachi (Yushindō)The origins of the Japanese sword (日本刀 nihontō) and related bladed weapons can be traced back to the 8th century, coinciding with the initial stages of steel production in...
View ArticleIse Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu)
Ise Jingū (伊勢神宮), located in the city of Ise (formerly Uji-Yamada) in Mie Prefecture, is one of the most sacred Shintō shrines and consists of an extensive complex of buildings. It has two main...
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Yushima Seido
Yushima Seidō (湯島聖堂) is the only Confucian temple (聖堂 seidō, "sacred hall' or "cathedral") in Japan. It is located in Bunkyō Ward, Tōkyō, just across Kanda Myōjin. In Japan, Confucian temples are also...
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Kanda Myojin Shrine
Kanda Shrine (神田神社 Kanda-jinja), officially known as Kanda Myōjin (神田明神), is located in Chiyoda Ward, Tōkyō, and ranks among the oldest shrines in the Kantō region. It was the main tutelary shrine of...
View ArticleGenpei War (1180-1185)
The Taira–Minamoto War, also known as the Genpei no Sōran (源平の騒乱) or Genpei Kassen (源平合戦), was a nationwide conflict that engulfed Japan between 1180 and 1185. Superficially, it appeared to be a clash...
View ArticleTaira Clan
Among the four great families that dominated the court politics of the Heian period (794-1185)—alongside the Minamoto (源), Fujiwara (藤原), and Tachibana (橘) families—the Taira (平) clan traced its...
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Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181)
Taira no Kiyomori (平清盛, 1118-1181) was a prominent political figure in the late Heian period (平安時代, 794-1185), rising from warrior origins to dominate court affairs and ultimately seeing his grandson...
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