Fending Off the West
nDuring the 16th century an innovative and fierce leader, Nobunaga, one of the first daimyos to make extensive use of firearms, rose to the forefront among the contesting lords.
nHe deposed the last Ashikaga shogun in 1573, but was killed in 1582 before finishing his conquests.
nNobunaga's general Toyotomo Hideyoshi continued the struggle and became master of Japan by 1590.
qHideyoshi then launched two unsuccessful invasions of Korea.
qHe died in 1598.
nTokugawa Ieyasu won out in the ensuing contest for succession.
nIn 1603 the emperor appointed him shogun.