The Battle of Sekigahara was a decisive battle on September 15, 1600 (on the ancient Chinese calendar, October 21 on the modern calendar) that cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu. Though it would take three more years for Tokugawa to consolidate his position of power over the Toyotomi clan and the daimyo, Sekigahara is widely considered to be the unofficial beginning of the Tokugawa bakufu, the last shogunate to control Japan. September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... // Events January January 1 - Scotland adopts January 1st as being New Years Day February February 17 - Giordano Bruno burned at the stake for heresy July July 2 - Battle of Nieuwpoort: Dutch forces under Maurice of Nassau defeat Spanish forces under Archduke Albert in a battle on the coastal dunes. ... October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... In Japanese history, a shogun (将軍 shōgun) was the practical ruler of Japan for most of the time from 1192 to the Meiji Era beginning in 1868. ... Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa Ieyasu (previously spelled Iyeyasu); 徳川 家康 (January 31, 1543 – June 1, 1616) was the founder of the Tokugawa bakufu of Japan which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. ... Hideyoshi in old age. ... Daimyo Matsudaira Katamori visits the residence of a retainer. ... The Tokugawa shogunate or Tokugawa bakufu (徳川幕府) (also known as the Edo bakufu) was a feudal military dictatorship of Japan established in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family until 1868. ... For the James Clavell novel, see Shogun or for the TV Miniseries. ... In Japanese history, a shogun (将軍 shōgun) was the practical ruler of Japan for most of the time from 1192 to the Meiji Era beginning in 1868. ...

At what is now Sekigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Tokugawa Ieyasu's forces battled those led by Ishida Mitsunari, who was loyal to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's son and designated heir, Hideyori. The tide of the battle turned when Kobayakawa Hideaki on Ishida's side betrayed his allies during the fight. Although at first Kobayakawa merely stood on the sidelines of the battle, not taking part in the battle, Tokugawa eventually ordered his arquebusiers to fire at Kobayakawa's troops, after which Kobayakawa began fighting on Tokugawa's side. It was in fact this betrayal that led to Tokugawa's decisive victory and the end of the fighting amongst the council of five regents. Sekigahara (関ヶ原町; -chou) is a town located in Fuwa District, Gifu, Japan. ... Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県 Gifu-ken), is located in the Chubu region of central Japan. ... Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa Ieyasu (previously spelled Iyeyasu); 徳川 家康 (January 31, 1543 – June 1, 1616) was the founder of the Tokugawa bakufu of Japan which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. ... Ishida Mitsunari (石田 三成 Ishida Mitsunari 1560-1600) was a samurai who led the West side in the Battle of Sekigahara. ... Hideyoshi in old age. ... Grave of Toyotomi Clan at Mount Koya Toyotomi Hideyori (豊臣 秀頼 Toyotomi Hideyori), 1593-1615, was the son and designated successor of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the general who first united all of Japan. ... Kobayakawa Hideaki (小早川秀秋, 1582-December 1, 1602) was fifth son of Kinoshita Iesada and the nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. ... Japanese arquebus of the Edo era (teppo) The Arquebus (sometimes spelled harquebus or hackbut) was a primitive firearm used in the 15th to 17th centuries. ... The council of five regents, also known as the five Tairō (五大老 go-tairō), was formed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to rule Japan in the place of his son, Hideyori, until such time as he came of age. ...

Background and pretext

Even though Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan and consolidated his power, his ill-fated invasion of Korea significantly weakened the Toyotomi clan's power as well as the loyalists that continued to serve and support the Toyotomi clan after Hideyoshi's death. The war also worsened the continuous conflict between the army commanders and the bureaucrats under Hideyoshi. The presence of Hideyoshi and his brother, Hidenaga kept the two sides from anything more than quarrelling, but when both of them died, the conflicts exacerbated and developed into open hostilities. Later on, Maeda Toshiie's death all but removed any trace or pretense of friendliness between the two factions. Korea (Hangul: 한국, Hanguk, used by South Korea; 조선, Joseon, used by North Korea) refers to South Korea (Republic of Korea) and North Korea (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) together, which were a unified country until 1945. ... Toyotomi Hidenaga (豊臣秀長)(1540-1591) was a half-brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the most powerful (and significant) warlords of Japans Sengoku period. ... Grave of Maeda clan at Mount Koya Maeda Toshiie (前田 利家 Maeda Toshiie; January 15, 1539 - April 27, 1599) was one of the leading generals of Oda Nobunaga. ...

Most notably, Kato Kiyomasa and Fukushima Masanori were publicly critical of the bureaucrats, especially Ishida Mitsunari and Konishi Yukinaga. Tokugawa Ieyasu took advantage of this situation, and recruited them, redirecting the animosity to weaken the Toyotomi clan. Statue of Kato Kiyomasa in front of Kumamoto Castle Katō Kiyomasa (加藤清正, Katō Kiyomasa, July 25, 1562-August 2, 1611) was a daimyō during the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo periods of Japanese history. ... Fukushima Masanori (1561 - 1624) was a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in Japan. ... Ishida Mitsunari (石田 三成 Ishida Mitsunari 1560-1600) was a samurai who led the West side in the Battle of Sekigahara. ... Konishi Yukinaga (小西 行長 Konishi Yukinaga, born 1555 and died November 6, 1600) was a Japanese Kirishitan (Christian) daimyo under Toyotomi Hideyoshi. ...

Beginning

The death of Maeda Toshiie meant that there was no one to rival Tokugawa Ieyasu anymore, in terms of seniority, rank, and overall influence within the Toyotomi clan. Thus, many were worried that Tokugawa would take over Toyotomi's legacy just as Toyotomi had with Oda Nobunaga's. This worry was especially evident amongst the loyalist bureaucrats, who suspected Tokugawa of agitating unrest amongst Toyotomi's former vassals. Grave of Maeda clan at Mount Koya Maeda Toshiie (前田 利家 Maeda Toshiie; January 15, 1539 - April 27, 1599) was one of the leading generals of Oda Nobunaga. ... Oda Nobunaga Oda Nobunaga (織田 ä¿¡é•·   Oda Nobunaga[?], June 23, 1534 - June 21, 1582) was a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. ...

Later, a supposed conspiracy to assassinate Tokugawa Ieyasu surfaced, and many Toyotomi loyalists, including Maeda Toshiie's son, Toshinaga, were accused of taking part and forced to submit to Ieyasu's authority. Conspiracy, in common usage, is the act of working in secret to obtain some goal, usually understood with negative connotations. ... Maeda Toshinaga (前田 利長, 1562 - 1614) was the eldest son of Maeda Toshiie and married one of Tokugawa Ieyasus daughters. ...

However, Uesugi Kagekatsu, one of Hideyoshi's appointed regents, defied Ieyasu by building up his military. When Tokugawa officially condemned him and demanded that he come to Kyoto to explain himself before the emperor, Uesugi's chief advisor, Naoe Kanetsugu responded with a counter-condemnation that mocked Tokugawa's abuses and violations of Toyotomi's rules, in such a way that Tokugawa was infuriated. Uesugi Kagekatsu (上杉景勝, January 8, 1556-March 19, 1623) was a daimyo during the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo periods of Japanese history. ... The council of five regents, also known as the five Tairō (五大老 go-tairō), was formed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to rule Japan in the place of his son, Hideyori, until such time as he came of age. ... This page is about the city Kyoto. ... His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan The Emperor of Japan (天皇 tennō) is a constitutionally-recognized symbol of the Japanese nation and the unity of its people. ...

Thus, Tokugawa summoned the help of various supporters and led forces northward to attack Uesugi, who was accused by Tokugawa of treason against the Toyotomi clan, but Ishida Mitsunari, grasping the opportunity, rose up in response and created an alliance to challenge the Tokugawa supporters. Ishida, collaborating with Otani Yoshitsugu and Ankokuji Ekei, seized the various daimyo's hostages in Osaka Castle and raised an army to fight Tokugawa. This western alliance was officially headed by Mori Terumoto, although Mori distanced himself from most of the fight. In law, treason is the crime of disloyalty to ones nation. ... Ishida Mitsunari (石田 三成 Ishida Mitsunari 1560-1600) was a samurai who led the West side in the Battle of Sekigahara. ... Ankokuji Ekei (d. ... Daimyo Matsudaira Katamori visits the residence of a retainer. ... Osaka Castle Osaka Castle (大阪城; ÅŒsaka-jō) is a castle in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. ... Mōri Terumoto (毛利 輝元) (January 22, 1553 – April 27, 1625) was the son of Mori Takamoto, fought against Toyotomi Hideyoshi but was eventually overcome, participated in the Kyushu campaign (1587) on Hideyoshis side and built Hiroshima Castle. ...

Tokugawa then left some forces to keep Uesugi in check and marched west to confront the western forces. A few daimyo, most notably Sanada Masayuki, left Tokugawa's alliance, although most, either bearing grudges against Ishida or being loyal to Tokugawa, stayed with him. Sanada Masayuki (真田 昌幸), (1544 (1547?) - 1608 (June 4, 1611?)) is the son of Sanada Yukitaka. ...

The Toyotomi clan did not take part in this battle, nor did it officially condone any side.

List of Commanders

Eastern Army (Tokugawa Force)

• Tokugawa Ieyasu
• Maeda Toshinaga
• Date Masamune
• Kato Kiyomasa
• Fukushima Masanori
• Hosokawa Tadaoki
• Asano Yukinaga
• Ikeda Terumasa
• Kuroda Nagamasa
• Kato Yoshiakira
• Tanaka Yoshimasa
• Todo Takatora
• Mogami Yoshimitsu
• Yamanouchi Kazutoyo
• Hachisuka Yoshishige
• Honda Tadakatsu
• Terasawa Hirotaka
• Ikoma Kazumasa
• Ii Naomasa
• Matsudaira Tadayoshi
• Tsutsui Sadatsugu

Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa Ieyasu (previously spelled Iyeyasu); 徳川 家康 (January 31, 1543 – June 1, 1616) was the founder of the Tokugawa bakufu of Japan which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. ... Maeda Toshinaga (前田 利長, 1562 - 1614) was the eldest son of Maeda Toshiie and married one of Tokugawa Ieyasus daughters. ... A modern equestrian statue of Masamune. ... Statue of Kato Kiyomasa in front of Kumamoto Castle Katō Kiyomasa (加藤清正, Katō Kiyomasa, July 25, 1562-August 2, 1611) was a daimyō during the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo periods of Japanese history. ... Fukushima Masanori (1561 - 1624) was a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in Japan. ... Hosokawa Fujitakas eldest son, Tadaoki fought his first battle at the age of 15 in the service of Oda Nobunaga. ... Honda Tadakatsu (本多忠勝, 1548 – December 3, 1610), also called Honda Heihachirō (本多平八郎), was a general in the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu. ... Ii Naomasa (井伊 直政) (March 4, 1561 - March 24, 1602) was a general under the Sengoku period Daimyo, and later Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. ...

Western Army (Ishida Force)

• Mori Terumoto (official head of the alliance)
• Uesugi Kagekatsu
• Ukita Hideie
• Shimazu Yoshihiro
• Kobayakawa Hideaki (defected)
• Ishida Mitsunari (de facto head of the alliance)
• Konishi Yukinaga
• Mashita Nagamori
• Ogawa Suketada (defected)
• Outani Yoshitsugu
• Wakisaka Yasuharu (defected)
• Ankokuji Ekei
• Satake Yoshinobu
• Oda Hidenobu
• Chosokabe Morichika
• Kutsuki Mototsuna (defected)
• Akaza Naoyasu (defected)
• Kikkawa Hiroie (defected)
• Natsuka Masaie
• Mori Hidemoto
• Toda Katsushige
• Sanada Masayuki

Mōri Terumoto (毛利 輝元) (January 22, 1553 – April 27, 1625) was the son of Mori Takamoto, fought against Toyotomi Hideyoshi but was eventually overcome, participated in the Kyushu campaign (1587) on Hideyoshis side and built Hiroshima Castle. ... Uesugi Kagekatsu (上杉景勝, January 8, 1556-March 19, 1623) was a daimyo during the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo periods of Japanese history. ... Ukita Hideie (宇喜多秀家, 1573-1655) was the daimyo of Bizen and Mimasaka provinces (modern Okayama Prefecture), and one of the council of five regents appointed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. ... Shimazu Yoshihiro (島津義弘; August 21, 1535-August 30, 1619) is the second son of Shimazu Takahisa and younger brother of Shimazu Yoshihisa. ... Kobayakawa Hideaki (小早川秀秋, 1582-December 1, 1602) was fifth son of Kinoshita Iesada and the nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. ... Ishida Mitsunari (石田 三成 Ishida Mitsunari 1560-1600) was a samurai who led the West side in the Battle of Sekigahara. ... Konishi Yukinaga (小西 行長 Konishi Yukinaga, born 1555 and died November 6, 1600) was a Japanese Kirishitan (Christian) daimyo under Toyotomi Hideyoshi. ... Mashita Nagamori (増田 é•·ç››; 1545 – June 23, 1615) is a daimyo in Azuchi-Momoyama period, and one of the five bugyo appointed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. ... Ogawa Suketada (小川 祐忠; 1549 – 1601) was a daimyo in Azuchi-Momoyama period and Edo period. ... Wakisaka Yasuharu (脇坂 安治; 1554 – September 26, 1626), sometimes referred to as Wakizaka Yasuharu, was a daimyo (feudal lord) of Awaji Island who fought under a number of warlords over the course of Japans Sengoku period. ... Ankokuji Ekei (d. ... Kutsuki Mototsuna (朽木 元綱; 1549 – October 12, 1632) was a samurai commander in Azuchi-Momoyama period and Edo period. ... Akaza Naoyasu (赤座 直保; a. ... Kikkawa Hiroie(吉川広家) is a third son of Kikkawa Motoharu and ruled Iwakuni han. ... Natsuka Masaie (長束 正家; 1562 – November 8, 1600) is a daimyo in Azuchi-Momoyama period and five bugyo appointed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. ... Toda Katsushige (戸田 勝成; 1557 – October 21, 1600) was a daimyo in Sengoku period and Azuchi-Momoyama period. ... Sanada Masayuki (真田 昌幸), (1544 (1547?) - 1608 (June 4, 1611?)) is the son of Sanada Yukitaka. ...

The Battle

Ishida, in his home Sawayama Castle, met with Outani Yoshitsugu, Mashita Nagamori, and Ankokuji Ekei. Here, they forged the alliance, and invited Mori Terumoto to be its head.

Ishida then officially declared war on Tokugawa and lay siege to the Fushimi Castle, garrisoned by Tokugawa retainer Torii Mototada on July 19. Afterwards, the western forces captured various Tokugawa bases in the Kansai region. Within a month, the western forces had moved into the Mino province, where Sekigahara was located. Fushimi Castle Fushimi Castle (伏見城 -jō) is a replica of the original built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi on Momoyama in Fushimi Ward of Kyoto, Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. ... This article needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... The Kansai region (関西) of Japan, also known as the Kinki region (近畿地方; Kinki-chihō), lies in the middle of Japans main island, Honshu. ... The article incorporates text from OpenHistory. ...

Back in Edo, Tokugawa received news of the situation in Kansai and decided to deploy his forces. He had some former Toyotomi daimyo engage with the western forces while he split his troops and marched west toward the Osaka Castle. Tokugawa Ieyasu's main forces marched on Tokaido whilst his son, Hidetada, led another group through Nakasendo. However, Hidetada's forces were bogged down as he attempted to besiege Sanada Masayuki's Ueda Castle. Even though the Tokugawa forces numbered some 38,000, an overwhelming advantage over Sanada's mere 2,000, they were still unable to capture the strategist's well-defended position. As a result, Hidetada's forces never arrived on the battlefield at Sekigahara. Edo (Japanese: 江戸, literally: bay-door, estuary), once also spelled Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo. ... Osaka Castle Osaka Castle (大阪城; ÅŒsaka-jō) is a castle in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. ... Tōkaidō (東海道) (literally, East Sea Route) is the name of several things: National Route 1, which links Tokyo and Osaka; The Tokaido Main Line, which links Tokyo and Kobe; One of the Edo Five Routes, which linked Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto along the shore (see below); and An ancient... Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada Tokugawa Hidetada (徳川 秀忠 (1579-1632) was the second shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty, who ruled from 1605 until his abdication in 1623. ... The Nakasendō (中山道) was one of two Tokugawa-era roads connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto in Japan. ... Sanada Masayuki (真田 昌幸), (1544 (1547?) - 1608 (June 4, 1611?)) is the son of Sanada Yukitaka. ...

Knowing that Tokugawa was heading toward Osaka, Ishida decided to abandon his positions and marched to Sekigahara. On September 15, the two sides started to deploy their forces. The eastern forces had 74,000 men, whilst the western forces numbered around 82,000. September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ...

Even though the western forces had tremendous tactical advantages, Tokugawa had already contacted many daimyo on Ishida's side, promising them land and leniency after the battle should they switch sides. This led some western commanders holding key positions to hesitate when pressed to send in reinforcements or join the battle that was already in progress.

Mori Hidemoto and Kobayakawa Hideaki were two such daimyo. They were in such positions that if they decided to close in on Tokugawa forces, the western forces would in fact have Tokugawa surrounded on three sides. Mori Hidemoto, shaken by Tokugawa's promises, also persuaded Kikkawa Hiroie not to take part in the battle.

Even though Kobayakawa had responded to Tokugawa's call, he remained hesitant and neutral. As the battle grew more intense, Tokugawa Ieyasu finally ordered arquebusiers to fire at Kobayakawa's direction, a move that forced Kobayakawa to join the battle on Tokugawa's side. Japanese arquebus of the Edo era (teppo) The Arquebus (sometimes spelled harquebus or hackbut) was a primitive firearm used in the 15th to 17th centuries. ...

His forces assaulted Outani Yoshitsugu's position, which quickly fell apart as Outani was already engaging Todo Takatora's forces. Seeing this act of treachery, western generals such as Wakisaka Yasuharu, Ogawa Suketada, Akaza Naoyasu, and Tsuki Mototsuna immediately switched sides, turning the tide of battle. Wakisaka Yasuharu (脇坂 安治; 1554 – September 26, 1626), sometimes referred to as Wakizaka Yasuharu, was a daimyo (feudal lord) of Awaji Island who fought under a number of warlords over the course of Japans Sengoku period. ... Ogawa Suketada (小川 祐忠; 1549 – 1601) was a daimyo in Azuchi-Momoyama period and Edo period. ... Akaza Naoyasu (赤座 直保; a. ...

The western forces disintegrated afterwards, and the commanders scattered and fled. Some committed suicide (such as Outani), some were captured (e.g. Ishida, Konishi, and Ankokuji), and others were able to return to their home provinces (e.g. Shimazu Yoshihiro and Mori Terumoto).

Aftermath

Tokugawa Ieyasu redistributed the lands and fiefs of the participants, generally rewarding those who assisted him and displacing, punishing, or exiling those who fought against him. In doing so, Tokugawa gained control of many former Toyotomi territories. Ishida Mitsunori, Konishi Yukinaga, and Ankokuji Ekei were publicly executed. The influence and reputation of the Toyotomi clan and its remaining loyalists drastically decreased, although from the Toyotomi clan's point of view, the battle was technically only an internal conflict between Toyotomi vassals; however, in fact, Tokugawa Ieyasu was later made Seii Taishōgun, a position that had been left vacant since the fall of the Ashikaga shogunate. This change in official ranks also reversed the subordinate position of the Tokugawa clan. In any case, Tokugawa did not gain any casus belli to take action against the frail Toyotomi clan; rather, it would take more political manoeuvres for Tokugawa to destroy Toyotomi once and for all. In Japanese history, a shogun (将軍 shōgun) was the practical ruler of Japan for most of the time from 1192 to the Meiji Era beginning in 1868. ... The Ashikaga shogunate (Jp. ... Casus belli is a Latin expression from the international law theory of Jus ad bellum. ...

See also the Siege of Osaka. The siege of Osaka lasted from 1614 to 1615. ...

Even though the battle demonstrated Tokugawa's authority, many clans, especially those on the western side, became bitter about their displacement or what they saw as a dishonorable defeat or punishment. For example, the Mori clan, which was displaced from its home provinces to Chōshū-han, remained angry toward the Tokugawa shogunate, because the clan never actually took part in the battle. The Han (è—©) were the fiefs of feudal clans of Japan that existed during all the Edo period and for a few years after the Meiji Restoration. ... The Tokugawa shogunate or Tokugawa bakufu (徳川幕府) (also known as the Edo bakufu) was a feudal military dictatorship of Japan established in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family until 1868. ...

The Shimazu clan blamed the defeat on its poor intelligence-gathering. Whilst they were not displaced from their home province, Satsuma, they did not become completely loyal to the Tokugawa shogunate either. Taking advantage of its distance from the capital as well as its improved espionage, Satsuma-han, near the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, demonstrated that it was virtually an autonomous kingdom independent from the Tokugawa shogunate. Grave of Satsuma clan at Mount Koya. ... Espionage is the practice of obtaining secrets (spying) from rivals or enemies for military, political, or economic advantage. ... Satsuma is the name of a town in Japan, Satsuma, Kagoshima, the surrounding district, Satsuma District, Kagoshima, the former province, Satsuma Province, which is now the western half of Kagoshima Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, a revolt, the Satsuma Rebellion. ...

Tosa's ruling clan, the Chosokabe clan, was stripped of its title and domain and sent into exile. Former Chosokabe retainers never quite came to terms with the new ruling family, the Yamausa clan. In fact, the Yamausa clan made a distinction between its own retainers and former Chosokabe retainers, giving them lesser status as well as discriminating treatment. This class distinction continued even generations after the fall of the Chosokabe clan. Tosa is the name of several places in Japan: In Kochi Prefecture Tosa City. ...

The three of these disgruntled groups would in two centuries collaborate to bring down the Tokugawa shogunate.

Trivia

• According to tradition, Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary kensei, was present at the battle among the ranks of Toyotomi Hideyori's army. Supposedly, he fought well and escaped the defeat of Hideyori's forces unharmed. Whether this is fact or myth is unknown; Musashi would have been around 16 years of age at the time.