Explore / Articles Japan: Momoyama period (AD 1568-1600) This
period of Japanese history was named after the castle of
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-98) at Momoyama, Fushimi, near Kyoto.
In this short, but significant period, the political order was
transformed and Japan moved from the middle ages into the early
modern era. The arts flourished, and wide contacts with the
outside world brought a strong cosmopolitan atmosphere. Japan's
reunification after years of civil war was achieved by a
succession of three great military leaders: Oda Nobunaga
(1534-82), Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-98) and Tokugawa Ieyasu
(1543-1616). Nobunaga marched into Kyoto in 1568, ostensibly as
a supporter of the Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki. However, he drove
Yoshiaki from Kyoto in 1573, won the crucial battle of Nagashino
(using muskets) and went on to control central Japan - 30 of the
68 provinces. The campaign was continued by Hideyoshi. He
conquered Shikoku (1585), Kyushu (1587) and northern Japan
(1591). Hideyoshi maintained control by fo